Other faiths & homosexuality and gay marriage?

[LOCO]

This is a question for people of other faiths (non-christians) e.g. Muslims, Jewish, Buddhists, Hindus etc.

How does your faith view homosexuality?

Is it in favour of gay marriage?

If yes, why?

If not, how do you feel about the State legislating to force your clergy i.e. Imams/Rabbies/Monks etc…to perform marriage ceremonies for gay couples?

Where there is no God, the Government becomes God - GK Chesterton

 

[ChrisRedfield47]

Im pretty sure Jewish and Muslims are against homosexuality, the Old testament and the Qur’an both condemn it.

 

[mlz]

Im pretty sure Jewish and Muslims are against homosexuality, the Old testament and the Qur’an both condemn it.

Interesting that you would mention the verses in the Old Testament about homosexuality…any of these verses are denied by the leadership of the ELCW.
I’ve left this church.

My love in Him,
mlz

 

[LOCO]

Im pretty sure Jewish and Muslims are against homosexuality, the Old testament and the Qur’an both condemn it.

Maybe, but you rarely hear their ‘religious’ or ‘laity’ vocalise their opinions about it. Personally I have never heard or read a news report from representatives of these two faiths about this issue.

The media always portrays Christians as being the lone crusader, the ‘thorn in the side’ of the gay rights/marriage movement.

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Interesting that you would mention the verses in the Old Testament about homosexuality…any of these verses are denied by the leadership of the ELCW.
I’ve left this church.

My love in Him,
mlz

I noticed your religious affiliation. If I can help, pm me. Any Catholic on the forum would be glad to help you. I know ELCA but ELCW?

 

[meltzerboy]

Maybe, but you rarely hear their ‘religious’ or ‘laity’ vocalise their opinions about it. Personally I have never heard or read a news report from representatives of these two faiths about this issue.

The media always portrays Christians as being the lone crusader, the ‘thorn in the side’ of the gay rights/marriage movement.

The Jewish view on homosexuality (as on several other issues) is divided. Torah Judaism, commonly–and incorrectly–referred to as Orthodox Judaism, is morally opposed to homosexuality, particularly male homosexuality, because it is forbidden in the Torah, at least according to their interpretation of the relevant passages. One of the problems is translating the Hebrew word for “abomination,” which, dependent on the context, can mean either a gravely sinful act or a culturally improper behavior. Female homosexuality, however, is NOT expressly forbidden in the Torah, only indirectly in the statement that women should not follow the practices of other, Pagan nations, which would presumably include homosexuality. No Orthodox Rabbis will marry gay couples of either gender. However, as in Catholicism, Torah Judaism does not condemn gay people themselves and does not consider same-sex attraction as sinful, only homosexual behavior.

One of the less orthodox major branches of Judaism, Conservative Judaism, is itself divided on the moral issue of homosexuality. The official position of this branch has changed more than once. Most Conservative Rabbis, however, will not marry gay couples of either gender.

The least orthodox (and most liberal) branch of Judaism, Reform Judaism, does not officially regard homosexuality as immoral. For the most part, Reform Rabbis will marry gay couples of either gender although there may be individual rabbis who will not.

 

[Sam_777]

How does your faith view homosexuality?

I think we should define homosexuality to give you a proper answer:

1- Does it mean persons born with mixed organs?
2- Does it mean persons born normally but decided to make surgery to change their genders?
3- Does it mean persons from the same sex marrying each others?

Islam condemn & punish the 2nd and 3ed ones but not the first one, even Islam allows the person in 1st one to make surgery to cure him/her self.

 

[Longbeard]

How does your faith view homosexuality?

Very negatively; probably moreso than even Catholics (e.g. I consider it a form of insanity)

Is it in favour of gay marriage?

Absolutely not…

If not, how do you feel about the State legislating to force your clergy i.e. Imams/Rabbies/Monks etc…to perform marriage ceremonies for gay couples?

Absolutely unacceptable… I hate big gov’t.

Where there is no God, the Government becomes God - GK Chesterton

Very interesting quote to contemplate, I like it.

 

[Lokabrenna]

How does your faith view homosexuality?

It varies depending on what sort of Pagan you’re talking to. I would say that Vanatruar are generally more accepting than our Odinist or Asatru brethren, but I would say that most Pagan groups in general don’t try to “legislate” such things.

Is it in favour of gay marriage?

Again, it varies. I personally am in favour of gay marriage, others are not. We don’t have a “Vanapope” who tells us what we should or should not believe regarding these things.

If yes, why?

I am personally in favour of it because I don’t think it’s right to deny basic human rights to two consenting adults just because the bits between their legs are the same. It’s not even just about all the rights that heterosexual couples already enjoy, it’s also about love and companionship.

If not, how do you feel about the State legislating to force your clergy i.e. Imams/Rabbies/Monks etc…to perform marriage ceremonies for gay couples?

I’m not against gay marriage, but I should say I’m against forcing anyone to perform marriage ceremonies that are against their beliefs. I’m sure there are many organizations out there who would be happy to marry same-sex couples. I would happily do so if I had the authority, of course, my country already has same-sex marriage, and so far I haven’t heard of anyone suing anyone over it.

 

[ThamesCrosser]

I think we should define homosexuality to give you a proper answer:

1- Does it mean persons born with mixed organs?
2- Does it mean persons born normally but decided to make surgery to change their genders?
3- Does it mean persons from the same sex marrying each others?

Islam condemn & punish the 2nd and 3ed ones but not the first one, even Islam allows the person in 1st one to make surgery to cure him/her self.

Actually Islam allows for Transgendered persons to change to the appropriate gender. (or at least in some sects of Islam. In Iran the practice is allowed. The BBC did a story on it a few years ago. You can read it here: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4115535.stm

---

Homosexuality is very different from Transgendered persons, or a persons born with both genitals. Homosexuality means (in common parlance) a person who is sexually attracted to members of the same sex. A Transgendered person is a person who may be heterosexual or homosexual, but being transgendered has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

 

[Esdra]

Interesting that you would mention the verses in the Old Testament about homosexuality…any of these verses are denied by the leadership of the ELCW.
I’ve left this church.

My love in Him,
mlz

Just curious: what does the abbreviation ELCW mean? I mean I know ELCA that is the Lutheran Church of the US (the liberal one, on the contrary to WELS and LCMS )

…

 

[LOCO]

The Jewish view on homosexuality (as on several other issues) is divided. Torah Judaism, commonly–and incorrectly–referred to as Orthodox Judaism, is morally opposed to homosexuality, particularly male homosexuality, because it is forbidden in the Torah, at least according to their interpretation of the relevant passages. One of the problems is translating the Hebrew word for “abomination,” which, dependent on the context, can mean either a gravely sinful act or a culturally improper behavior. Female homosexuality, however, is NOT expressly forbidden in the Torah, only indirectly in the statement that women should not follow the practices of other, Pagan nations, which would presumably include homosexuality. No Orthodox Rabbis will marry gay couples of either gender. However, as in Catholicism, Torah Judaism does not condemn gay people themselves and does not consider same-sex attraction as sinful, only homosexual behavior.

One of the less orthodox major branches of Judaism, Conservative Judaism, is itself divided on the moral issue of homosexuality. The official position of this branch has changed more than once. Most Conservative Rabbis, however, will not marry gay couples of either gender.

The least orthodox (and most liberal) branch of Judaism, Reform Judaism, does not officially regard homosexuality as immoral. For the most part, Reform Rabbis will marry gay couples of either gender although there may be individual rabbis who will not.

Thank you for your very informative answer Meltzerboy.

 

[LOCO]

Very negatively; probably moreso than even Catholics (e.g. I consider it a form of insanity)
**
Catholics do not view homosexuality in and of itself as a sin. The Catholic Church teaches that a homosexual person is a human being who is bearing their own cross and must be treated like anyone else with dignity and compassion.

The sin is the ‘behaviour’ the sexual act of homosexuality itself. It is possible for a homosexual person to abstain and indeed we have homosexual Priests and laity who abstain by choice.

Interesting that you say it is considered a form of insanity because up until the 70’s I believe it was a diagnosed psychiatric illness and some argue that it was taken off the list due to ‘interest group pressure’ not any conclusive psychiatric research. This is not my view, I don’t know enough about it.**

Very interesting quote to contemplate, I like it.

Yes, Chesterton is one of my favourite Catholic author, poet and debater. Below are a some more of my favourite Chesterton quotes.
**
Fallacies do not cease to be fallacies because they become fashions.**

Marriage is a duel to death, which no man of honour should decline.

Surely the purpose of having an open mind, is to shut it on something solid.

**The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people.
**

P.S. Welcome to CAF. Thank you for your answers, I just googled Odinist to find out a little about it. Is it a remnant of the Nordic religions with Gods like Thor God of Thunder etc?

 

[meltzerboy]

Actually Islam allows for Transgendered persons to change to the appropriate gender. (or at least in some sects of Islam. In Iran the practice is allowed. The BBC did a story on it a few years ago. You can read it here: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/4115535.stm

---

Homosexuality is very different from Transgendered persons, or a persons born with both genitals. Homosexuality means (in common parlance) a person who is sexually attracted to members of the same sex. A Transgendered person is a person who may be heterosexual or homosexual, but being transgendered has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

I saw that story on transgenders. It included the cases in which male homosexuals in Iran were actually encouraged to change their gender and live as women (who were respected), even though they were NOT transgender, just so they would not be persecuted or put to death as homosexuals. Fascinating and a bit horrifying IMO.

 

[meltzerboy]

Thank you for your very informative answer Meltzerboy.

You’re very welcome! I suppose Torah Judaism is closest to Catholicism on this issue.

 

[CMatt25]

You’re very welcome! I suppose Torah Judaism is closest to Catholicism on this issue.

Metzger, I’m not sure why the OP limited the question to non Christian faiths. But I suppose of the churches considered to be among mainline Christian denominations, the United Church of Christ might then be the closest to Reformed Judaism on the issue.

nytimes.com/2005/07/05/national/05church.html

 

[LOCO]

Metzger, I’m not sure why the OP limited the question to non Christian faiths. But I suppose of the churches considered to be among mainline Christian denominations, the United Church of Christ might then be the closest to Reformed Judaism on the issue.

nytimes.com/2005/07/05/national/05church.html

Hi CMatt,

I limited it to non-christians only because that is the viewpoint I was interested in, you do not often hear their views on this issue covered in the media. Whereas the media tends to be saturated with Christian views on this subject

 

[CMatt25]

Hi CMatt,

I limited it to non-christians only because that is the viewpoint I was interested in, you do not often hear their views on this issue covered in the media. Whereas the media tends to be saturated with Christian views on this subject

Hi LOCO, thanks got it

 

[Sam_777]

Actually Islam allows for Transgendered persons to change to the appropriate gender. (or at least in some sects of Islam. In Iran the practice is allowed.

Yes, that what I have said in my previous post, so both main sects (Sunni & Shiite) allow that.

Homosexuality is very different from Transgendered persons, or a persons born with both genitals. Homosexuality means (in common parlance) a person who is sexually attracted to members of the same sex. A Transgendered person is a person who may be heterosexual or homosexual, but being transgendered has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

Thanks for the info, I have added “Transgendered” to my dictionary.