Homosexuality & Religion

[Wannabe Yogi]

Haha you're really stretching for an argument, aren't you. Who exactly is forcing adult gays to therapy again?

I don't know of any Adults. Children they are forcing in Therapy. It is children I am most concered about. Still, just because a venerable person signs up for bad treatment. It does not mean that society should allow it.

My questions to you:

Do you believe that Reparative Theropy works?

If your child was gay would you go to his wedding?

Is it a sin to have Gay sex?

then you ignore the other half of my post. Yikes.

I commented on what I found interesting. Since the question was not aimed at me I did not answer the whole thing.

 

[Smoke]

I don't know of any Adults. Children they are forcing in Therapy. It is children I am most concered about.

Even though adults can't be forced into conversion therapy, it's still highly unethical to practice, promote, and recommend such therapy. It does no good and it causes great harm. The fact that the adults who are pressured, cajoled and conned into undergoing it are legally free to walk away doesn't absolve its practitioners and promoters of responsibility for their own actions.

 

[dawny0826]

I know that many believers think the mind of God is unknowable or at least highly difficult to discern to us mere mortals, but I wanted to see if any religious folks had an opinion on this question.

I also know that many people who believe a religion that says homosexuality is a sin do not treat homosexual people poorly (as some Christians say, "we are all sinners"). That doesn't matter for this question; this question deals with why the holy texts of various religions denounce homosexuality -- even if you are a person who is okay with being friends with and respecting homosexuals yourself.

1) Why do you think God or Allah or whoever you believe in would denounce homosexuality? What harm does it do to God?

2) Does God think homosexual acts in non-human species is also an abomination?

1. Simply put, it's not what He authorized. The "harm" done is disobedience.

2. I have no idea.

 

[ButTheCatCameBack]

The idea of an omnipotent universe creator being ***** about homosexuality is a bit absurd.

 

[Pegg]

I feel so sorry for people who get pressured into being someone other than who they are when they weren't hurting anybody.

This kind of crap ruins lives.

when its a lifestyle choice, how is choosing a different path 'ruining lives'? I know more men who's lives were ruined because of the homosexual lifestyle.

But why is it so hard to believe that some homosexuals can choose a different course for the sake of God? God is real to many people...even homosexuals and I really admire those who are willing to make such a sacrifice for God.

 

[Pegg]

Religious attitudes toward homosexuality cause untolled human suffering.

One of my school friends killed himself because of rejection by his family and his community, rooted in religious and cultural attitudes toward homosexuality (he came out after he and his family moved back to Botswana when he was a teenager. As bad as things can be here in North America for LGBT teens, I can't begin to imagine what it's like for them in Africa).

I don't give a fig about your God, but what you preach about homosexuality damn well does matter to me.

I agree that religious people should not get involved. The problem comes when homosexuals want to get involved with religion...then it kind of forces the issue.

The JW standpoint is that homosexuals can attend our meetings and they will be welcome, they can also have their own personal bible study. But if they want to become a JW and get baptized, then they have to be willing to adhere to the bibles standard before that can happen. But that goes for hetrosexuals too...singles cant be having sex outside of marriage...there is no difference in the requirement in that regard.

 

[Pegg]

It's interesting how much some people focus on homosexuality as a major sin, when it's not mentioned in say the 10 commandments... but next to other evils like eating shrimp.

But adultery which is, is ignored... not to mention OMG's.

Apparently God is more concerned with a child having two mommies than people not keeping the Sabbath holy, or any of the other commandments. Or that Golden rule thing.

wa:do

thats just not true

on average, 60,000 jw's are disfellowshiped every year for sexual misconduct...heterosexuals making up the majority.

 

[darkendless]

when its a lifestyle choice, how is choosing a different path 'ruining lives'? I know more men who's lives were ruined because of the homosexual lifestyle.

But why is it so hard to believe that some homosexuals can choose a different course for the sake of God? God is real to many people...even homosexuals and I really admire those who are willing to make such a sacrifice for God.

Its not a choice. Did you choose not to be gay?

 

[ButTheCatCameBack]

when its a lifestyle choice, how is choosing a different path 'ruining lives'? I know more men who's lives were ruined because of the homosexual lifestyle.

But why is it so hard to believe that some homosexuals can choose a different course for the sake of God? God is real to many people...even homosexuals and I really admire those who are willing to make such a sacrifice for God.

I have yet to discover what this "homosexual lifestyle" is. It seems to consist of going to work, going home, paying bills, watching some tv, etc and being with their loved one if they aren't single.

Strangely this "homosexual lifestyle" seems to be like heterosexual lifestyle.

I hope that places that try to force gay people to be straight either get shut down or the runners of them sued.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I agree that religious people should not get involved. The problem comes when homosexuals want to get involved with religion...then it kind of forces the issue.

... or when religious people decide to have children, some of whom turn out to be LGBT.

The JW standpoint is that homosexuals can attend our meetings and they will be welcome, they can also have their own personal bible study. But if they want to become a JW and get baptized, then they have to be willing to adhere to the bibles standard before that can happen. But that goes for hetrosexuals too...singles cant be having sex outside of marriage...there is no difference in the requirement in that regard.

What's the JW standpoint on LGBT children or teenagers who are too young to be legally independent of their parents?

 

[Meow Mix]

when its a lifestyle choice, how is choosing a different path 'ruining lives'? I know more men who's lives were ruined because of the homosexual lifestyle.

I've never once felt as though the fact that I'm attracted to women and unattracted to men was a "choice." It's been my preference since as long as I remember and it was a very painful experience having to hide it and even trying to pretend it was otherwise.

Do you think all homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice" or do you just think some is? One of those statements is ignorant and offensive, the other is not.

Besides what on earth is a "homosexual lifestyle?" If I didn't tell anyone I'm a lesbian no one would ever know. Granted I've been to a lesbian bar a few times to watch the bands, but hetero people go to those shows too. Being homosexual is not a "lifestyle" any more than, say, preferring redheads is a "lifestyle."

Some people participate in events that try to raise awareness about homosexual issues but that isn't a "lifestyle" because heterosexuals participate in that too. Some people have lifes based largely around sex, but there are heteros like that too. I don't understand what is meant by "homosexual lifestyle" because as a homosexual myself I've never seen it. Maybe I missed the memo?

Edit: I guess one of the points I'm really trying to drive home is that even though homosexuality is defined by something sexual it doesn't mean that homosexuals base their lifestyle around sex. I don't live, think and breathe sex with women; it just so happens that when I do have sex -- at appropriate, ordinary times with ordinary emphasis on a monogamous relationship and growing strong together -- it just happens to be with another woman. So what? Whenever you think of a "homosexual lifestyle" try to think of it like a man who prefers blondes or something. Is preferring blondes a "lifestyle" or will he just happen to be sleeping with a blonde when he's sleeping with someone? Is blonde-liking a "lifestyle?"

I'm sure there's arguably something reminiscient of a "gay culture" out there but it's ridiculous to assume that anyone's a part of it just because they're gay. As far as I know, most of us gays are exactly like heteros except when it comes to who we lie with -- culturally, lifestyle, and everything.

 

[Pegg]

... or when religious people decide to have children, some of whom turn out to be LGBT.

it is still generally believed that homosexuality is a choice....so for many religious people, this will present a problem.

What's the JW standpoint on LGBT children or teenagers who are too young to be legally independent of their parents?

we do not baptize our children into the faith, so no JW children/teens or unbaptized young adults are actually held accountable to the religion until such time as they have chosen to become a JW...ie by making a public declaration and getting baptized.

If this is something that happens to a child of JW, it is basically between the parents and child to work out....the congregation elders would not get involved unless the child was an 'unbaptized publisher' (a person who preaches publicly but is not yet baptized) then the elders would ask the child to stop preaching until such a time as the issue was sorted out.

 

[Dan4reason]

it is still generally believed that homosexuality is a choice....so for many religious people, this will present a problem.

Isn't that crazy? Some people actually believe that gays choose not to attracted to women.

 

[Pegg]

I've never once felt as though the fact that I'm attracted to women and unattracted to men was a "choice." It's been my preference since as long as I remember and it was a very painful experience having to hide it and even trying to pretend it was otherwise.

Do you think all homosexuality is a "lifestyle choice" or do you just think some is? One of those statements is ignorant and offensive, the other is not.

as i said, for some it is a choice and for others it is very likely to be biological....so yes i certainly acknowledge that.

Besides what on earth is a "homosexual lifestyle?" Some people have lifes based largely around sex, but there are heteros like that too. I don't understand what is meant by "homosexual lifestyle" because as a homosexual myself I've never seen it. Maybe I missed the memo?

its a lifestyle when people choose to be homosexual is what i mean to say.

 

[ButTheCatCameBack]

Isn't that crazy? Some people actually believe that gays choose not to attracted to women.

You know...except for lesbians...

 

[Father Heathen]

as i said, for some it is a choice and for others it is very likely to be biological....so yes i certainly acknowledge that.



its a lifestyle when people choose to be homosexual is what i mean to say.

The notion that you can choose attraction and desire is laughable and not worth taking seriously. It's like suggesting you can choose what sort of music or foods you like and don't like. I prefer to trust science over superstition.

 

[ButTheCatCameBack]

as i said, for some it is a choice and for others it is very likely to be biological....so yes i certainly acknowledge that.



its a lifestyle when people choose to be homosexual is what i mean to say.

So you decide how for some it's a choice and some it's not....how?

And it's a lifestyle by simply being gay? That is the loosest definition of a lifestyle I've never seen. Damn...I guess I need to work on my...likes pixie cut blondes with nice butts lifestyle...

 

[Pegg]

Isn't that crazy? Some people actually believe that gays choose not to attracted to women.

homosexuality is still an enigma...there is no conclusive or absolute explanation for the behavior yet, ie, no gene that is the 'gay gene' so its not easy to simply assume that its natural behavior

its natural for a man and woman to have sex...the evidence is seen both physically and mentally

but homosexuality does not produce children, its not a learned behavior passed on from ones parents...it doesnt benefit the individual in terms of evolution...so what is its purpose? This is why it is mostly believed to be a choice.

 

[Pegg]

The notion that you can choose attraction and desire is laughable and not worth taking seriously. It's like suggesting you can choose what sort of music or foods you like and don't like. I prefer to trust science over superstition.

how does science explain homosexual behavior?

 

[Pegg]

So you decide how for some it's a choice and some it's not....how?

i dont decide, no

but i did mention hermaphrodites as an example in an earlier post.