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What stance on homosexuality does your religion hold?
- Thread starter Druidus
- Start date
I know that Maize has already replied to this one, and seeing as we've both got the same 'label', I would agree.
But apart from that, a homosexual is still my brother, in the eyes of my understanding of 'my God'. As I believe we should love one and other, I can personally see no problem with homosexuality.
But apart from that, a homosexual is still my brother, in the eyes of my understanding of 'my God'. As I believe we should love one and other, I can personally see no problem with homosexuality.
Master Vigil
Well-Known Member
No problem, Love is what one strives for. If one finds love with another of the same sex, who am I to disagree with that love.
Scott1
Well-Known Member
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
well... it varied from tribe to tribe, but many, if not most had a special place for those of 'alternate' sexualities.
Gay/lesbian/transgendered people were thought to have special abilites and good 'medicine'.
it was felt by many that Creator had gifted them with the ability to see things from both sexes sides and could serve as councel for when the two sides disagreed. Some tribes had special religious ceremonies that could only be performed with the help of a gay/lesbian/transexual.
If there wansn't one around then someone would have to 'step into' the role and ceremonially become gay/lesbian/transgendered for a while. (not an easy task)
Many tribes also felt that they were thier own gender seperate from man and woman. I believe it is the Dine (navajo) who had seven genders. Male, female, gay-male, gay-female, transgendered man and woman, and hermaphrodite.
In the end creator made all of us, and if creator chose for some people to be gay/lesbian/whatever then creator did it for a reason. Who are we to say Creator made a mistake?
wa:do
Gay/lesbian/transgendered people were thought to have special abilites and good 'medicine'.
it was felt by many that Creator had gifted them with the ability to see things from both sexes sides and could serve as councel for when the two sides disagreed. Some tribes had special religious ceremonies that could only be performed with the help of a gay/lesbian/transexual.
If there wansn't one around then someone would have to 'step into' the role and ceremonially become gay/lesbian/transgendered for a while. (not an easy task)
Many tribes also felt that they were thier own gender seperate from man and woman. I believe it is the Dine (navajo) who had seven genders. Male, female, gay-male, gay-female, transgendered man and woman, and hermaphrodite.
In the end creator made all of us, and if creator chose for some people to be gay/lesbian/whatever then creator did it for a reason. Who are we to say Creator made a mistake?
wa:do
Green Gaia
Veteran Member
PW, it is my understanding that native people didn't see different sexualities but different genders, more than just the 2 we know... usually 3 and sometimes 4 or more. Can you tell me more about that and reference specific groups?
The way I look at myself, my life and my surroundings does not satisfy any definition of "religion", but anyway: I don't bother about other people's sexuality, as long as nobody is harmed.
One religion I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread is Sikhism. My immediate feeling is that such a tolerant relgion must be tolerant in this respect as well. The discussion at http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikhphilosophy/showthread.php?t=639&page=3&pp=15 seems to focus more on personal views for those who oppose, and on a feeling for the message of the religion for those who accept.
One religion I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread is Sikhism. My immediate feeling is that such a tolerant relgion must be tolerant in this respect as well. The discussion at http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikhphilosophy/showthread.php?t=639&page=3&pp=15 seems to focus more on personal views for those who oppose, and on a feeling for the message of the religion for those who accept.
Green Gaia
Veteran Member
You're the expert on Sikhism, anders and I'm glad you added it to the thread. I just wanted to echo your post and say that to my understanding Sikhism does not require heterosexuality of its followers; there is no condemnation against homosexuality in the Granth and marriage is not compulsory. However, most Sikh authorities believe that sex should only take place within marriage. This has prompted some gay Sikhs to speculate as to whether or not a gay Sikh wedding might be a possibility as the Granth does not specifically say that two people have to be male and female to be married.
Lightkeeper
Well-Known Member
PW This post is so interesting. Could you start a thread on this either in debate or discussion? It is interesting that there have been Gods in religions who are hermaphrodites. One might even say that Jesus was. I see this as relating to your statement that GLBT's were believed to have special abilities and were good medicine. It might have to do with the equal balance of male and female within an individual.painted wolf said:
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
wooh... that will take some time on my part...
I know the navajo (dine) had muliple 'genders' and didn't see sexuality as a 'choice' or eaven as a given based on sex of the individual. Gender wasn't just what organs you had
And Lightkeeper your right it did have a lot to do with ballance between male and female. Ballance was/is a big thing.
so anyway give me a little time to get the thread set in my head and I'll get a post together
wa:do
I know the navajo (dine) had muliple 'genders' and didn't see sexuality as a 'choice' or eaven as a given based on sex of the individual. Gender wasn't just what organs you had
And Lightkeeper your right it did have a lot to do with ballance between male and female. Ballance was/is a big thing.
so anyway give me a little time to get the thread set in my head and I'll get a post together
wa:do
Green Gaia
Veteran Member
Can you quote a Hindu religious text on that for me, Prash? Thanks.
prash4
Member
It's there in almost all relegious texts that Brahmins preach, I'll let you know about those specific references, soon - it is what we, brahmins, were taught from childhood.
What I just posted is an interpretation of what we have been practising in real life; of course, theoretically, Hinduism does not condemn homosexuality (heck, even Kamasutra has a whole chapter devoted to it) - but our caste (and almost all other castes too) have followed it that way for several centuries; in fact the highest brahmin priests who wrote those texts which we are following today, have been proved to have copied only the portions of hindu faith that they agreed with, while omitting the portions they did not agree with (homosexuality being one amongst them) and actually making us people believe that the latter were evil, and only some other castes might agree with them.
What I just posted is an interpretation of what we have been practising in real life; of course, theoretically, Hinduism does not condemn homosexuality (heck, even Kamasutra has a whole chapter devoted to it) - but our caste (and almost all other castes too) have followed it that way for several centuries; in fact the highest brahmin priests who wrote those texts which we are following today, have been proved to have copied only the portions of hindu faith that they agreed with, while omitting the portions they did not agree with (homosexuality being one amongst them) and actually making us people believe that the latter were evil, and only some other castes might agree with them.
fromthe heart
Well-Known Member
I feel that some are actually born homosexual...but they are to abstain from acting on that...Some just perfer that lifestyle and I think I'd better not say what I feel because I'm against that lifestyle and I might offend someone in saying what my religion feels on the subjet...I'll just say it is considered an abomination unto the Lord...but on an individual basis I can't speak for those in my church.
Green Gaia
Veteran Member
Well, then quote me one, please.prash4 said:
Doc
Space Chief
My religion condemns it, but I support it even if I burn in whatever Hell is. Whether it is right or wrong, I dont care. People suffer everyday around the world starving and having no home, getting shot, addicted to drugs, struggling to pay that next bill, while Religious Bigots spend countless dollars and time condemning a practice which has no affect on them whatsoever. It is an absurdity! If these 'conservative christians' spent as much time protesting the death penalty as they did bashing gays, they would have a lot worthier cause.
I once of course like every stereotypical teenager, thought it was wrong just because it was repulsive. Then as I began to think for myself, question everything, change beliefs, read about the Buddha, I finally decided such claims were irrational and a waste of time.
I will never be seen promoting the lifestyle, but only promoting people to exercise their right to do so and countering the nonsense thrown at them.
I once of course like every stereotypical teenager, thought it was wrong just because it was repulsive. Then as I began to think for myself, question everything, change beliefs, read about the Buddha, I finally decided such claims were irrational and a waste of time.
I will never be seen promoting the lifestyle, but only promoting people to exercise their right to do so and countering the nonsense thrown at them.