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 | The only acceptable form of sexual expression is between a one man and one woman after marriage. |
| Homosexual feelings and behavior are improper, and in opposition to God's plan for humanity. |
| Homosexuality as a disability for the individual to overcome. Through prayer, medical treatment, counseling, and much personal effort, they believe that a homosexual can become "straight." |
| Unless gays or lesbians can convert their sexual orientation to bisexuality or heterosexuality, and enter a marriage with a person of the opposite gender, they are expected to remain celibate. |
The Baha'i faith has traditionally valued and accepted the findings of science. Their beliefs about to sexual orientation appear to be an exception to this policy. The major medical and mental health professional associations have issued statements declaring sexual orientation to be normal, natural, and unchangeable (or essentially so) in adults.
Homosexuality in Baha'i sacred texts: References and interpretation:
Prophet Baha'u'llah stated in 1875 (as translated by Kamran Hakim):
"Say, it is forbidden to you adultery, homosexual relationship, and treachery. Do not commit these O assemblage of believers."
Another translation of the same passage reads:
"Ye are forbidden to commit adultery, sodomy and lechery."
The former translation might be interpreted to condemn even celibate gay and lesbian relationships. The latter uses the word "sodomy" which is ambiguous; it might be narrowly interpreted to condemn only anal intercourse, and thus only refer to some male homosexuals. It might have a much wider meaning covering other non-coital sexual activities, and thus include the vast majority of gays and lesbians.
Elsewhere, in "Aqdas", Paragraph 107 states:
"It is forbidden you to wed your fathers' wives. We shrink, for very shame, from treating of the subject of boys. Fear ye the Merciful, O peoples of the world! Commit not that which is forbidden you in Our Holy Tablet, and be not of those who rove distractedly in the wilderness of their desires.
The Arabic word which has been translated here as "boys" appears to imply a reference to the sexual molestation of under-age boys by adult males. This may have been a reference to slave boys kept for sexual purposes. "The Arabic term 'Ghelmaan' is the plural form of the term 'Ghulaam' which according to the Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic is defined as: boy; youth, lad; slave; servant; waiter. 'Ghulaamiya' and 'Ghuluma': youth, youthfulness."
Baha'u'llah selected Abdu'l-Baha to interpret the Baha'i writings after his death. After the death of Abdu'l-Baha, the authority passed to Shoghi Effendi, who was the only authorized interpreter of the Baha'i Teachings until his death in 1957. His interpretations are believed to be based on his infallible understanding of the Texts. He has interpreted the second reference as prohibiting all same-sex activity, including that between consenting gays or lesbians in committed relationships.
A letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, (1950-MAR-26) states that a homosexual relationship is inherently sinful, that it is a handicap to overcome, and that persons with a homosexual orientation can change and become heterosexual. He wrote, in part:
"No matter how devoted and fine the love may be between people of the same sex, to let it find expression in sexual acts is wrong. To say that it is ideal is no excuse. Immorality of every sort is really forbidden by Baha'u'llah, and homosexual relationships he looks upon as such, besides being against nature...To be afflicted this way is a great burden to a conscientious soul. But through the advice and help doctors, through a strong and determined effort, and through prayer, a soul can overcome this handicap."
1973 Statements by the House of Justice:
They wrote (1973-FEB) that:
"151. A number of sexual problems, such as homosexuality and transsexuality can well have medical aspects, and in such cases recourse should certainly be had to the best medical assistance. But it is clear from the teaching of Baha'u'llah that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled and overcome.
Implied in this statement are the beliefs that a person's sexual orientation can be changed through effort and treatment, and that homosexuality is an unnatural condition to be overcome. These beliefs are identical to those held by most Evangelical Christians, but are directly opposite to a consensus reached by that vast majority of psychologists and psychiatrists who are not Evangelical Christians or Baha'i's.
The House of Justice wrote on 1973-MAR-14 that:
"Baha'i teachings on sexual morality centre on marriage and the family as the bedrock of the whole structure of human society, and are designed to protect and strengthen that divine institution. Thus Baha'i Law restricts permissible sexual intercourse to that between a man and the woman to whom he is married."
Rulings of Universal House of Justice are considered infallible. It cannot change a law, it can only legislate in areas where no law has been previously established by the Faith's sacred writings.
1982 Letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice:
A letter from the Research Department to the Universal House of Justice dated 1993-JUL-5 cited an earlier letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated 1982-AUG-23, which said that persons with homosexual orientation are expected to live a celibate life. The letter stated, in part:
"...the Faith does not recognize homosexuality as a 'natural' or permanent phenomenon. Rather, it sees this as an aberration subject to treatment, however intractable exclusive homosexuality may now seem to be. To the question of alteration of homosexual bents, much study must be given, and doubtless in the future clear principles of prevention and treatment will emerge. As for those now afflicted, a homosexual does not decide to be a problem human, but he does, as you rightly state, have decision in choosing his way of life, i.e. abstaining from homosexual acts.
1993 gay-positive meeting:
On 1993-SEP-3 to 5, at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, a group of gays, lesbians and supporters gathered in Reno, NV to discuss the beliefs and practices of the Baha'i Faith with regard to homosexuality. The meeting was organized by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Reno and members of the Gay Baha'i Fellowship. On a letter to the Assembly dated 1993-SEP-20, they raised a number of points:
| In an apparent reference to the high suicide rate among gays and lesbians, they said "Many of us have been in hiding from our Baha'i communities, we have all been made to feel unwelcome in our own religion. For a few of us, it seems that alienation, confusion, and despair has been too heavy a burden to bear." |
| "Many of us believe that this issue revolves around the Baha'i principle of the reconciliation of science and religion." |
| "None of us has found in all our efforts any evidence whatsoever that a homosexual can be changed into a heterosexual by medicine or psychological treatments. Our personal experience supports the accepted view of science." |
| "...recent data strongly suggests that sexual orientation is not only non-pathogenic, but prenatal, in fact in part genetically determined." |
| They cite a conflict between: "On the one side, a person's unchangeable sexual and emotional needs, supported wholeheartedly by medicine and psychology and further strengthened by a global movement in Gay and Lesbian rights. On the other side, the morality and censure of their chosen Faith. This is no small dilemma." 6 |
The group produced a series of recommendations to the Assembly:
- "...greater compassion and forbearance in regarding homosexual Baha'is." They suggested that administrative action be taken against gay or lesbian Baha'is only in cases of "genuine public scandal."
- An end to "backbiting, intolerance, and unkindness" directed at gays' and lesbians' private behavior. They called for an end to a double standard; they felt that homosexuals and heterosexuals were treated differently for the same behaviors. The asked for a review of all cases where rights were removed from gays or lesbians.
- Creation of a learned committee "to develop a plan to enlighten and educate the American Baha'i community concerning homosexuality..."
- Creation of a group: Baha'i Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians (BPFLAG), modeled after the existing, secular PFLAG.
- The Gay Baha'i Fellowship provide a speakers bureau as a resource to the Baha'i community.
- The Assembly should make a "clear statement about whether gays and lesbians are welcome in the Baha'i Faith." They expressed concern about the negative effect that lack of acceptance of homosexuality by the Baha'i Faith is having upon individuals in the scientific, civil rights, and progressive religious communities.
- That Auxiliary Board Members and their assistants be provided "with up to date materials, resources, and background on this subject." They expressed concern that "the focus to date has been one of "changing' sexual orientation which is not a reachable goal, in light of current scientific findings."
- The Assembly should instruct Local Spiritual Assemblies to stop encouraging marriage as a cure for homosexuality in view of the disastrous consequences that have resulted. They recommended that lists of AIDS resources and support organizations be made available all Baha'i institutions and individuals,
- The group offered to consult with the National Spiritual Assembly about these recommendations.
They received no response from the Assembly at the time. However, the latter have since gone on record as welcoming gays and lesbians as members, as long as they make a "sincere and persistent effort to eradicate those aspects of their conduct." Presumably this means that they try to change their sexual orientation and/or remain celibate. More details below.
1995 statement by the House of Justice:
They wrote a lengthy letter on 1995-SEP-11 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.". 2 It stated (in part) that:
"It is important to understand that there is a difference between the Baha'i attitude toward, on the one hand, the condition of homosexuality and those who are affected by it and, on the other, the practice of homosexual relations by members of the Baha'i community..."
"The view that homosexuality is a condition that is not amenable to change is to be questioned by Baha'is...The statistics which indicate that homosexuality is incurable are undoubtedly distorted by the fact that many of those who overcome the problem never speak about it in public, and others solve their problems without even consulting professional counselors..."
"...the kind of sexuality purposed by God is the love between a man and a woman..."
"If, therefore, a homosexual cannot overcome his or her condition to the extent of being able to have as [sic] heterosexual marriage, he or she must remain single, and abstain from sexual relations..."
"The condition of being sexually attracted to some object other than a mature member of the opposite sex, a condition of which homosexuality is but one manifestation, is regarded by the Faith as a distortion of true human nature, as a problem to be overcome... Any Baha'i who suffers from such a disability should be treated with understanding, and should be helped to control and overcome it..."
"If the individual fails to rectify his conduct in spite of repeated warnings, sanctions should be imposed. Assemblies, of course, must exercise care not to pry into the private lives of the believers to ensure that they are behaving properly, but should not hesitate to take action in cases of blatant misbehavior...A flagrant violation of this standard disgraces the Baha'i community in its own eyes even if the surrounding society finds the transgression tolerable." 2
1996 Statement by the National Spiritual Assembly of the UK:
The NSA distributed a statement prepared for a London UK education group about the teaching about homosexuality within the school system. 7 The Assembly stated that :...the statement does not claim to be exhaustive, but it can be used with wisdom as part of a response to questions." Some excerpts from their statement are:
| "...the sexual impulse is a God-given one... The appropriate circumstance for this is within marriage, the legally, socially, and spiritually sanctioned union of two adults of the opposite sex. Other expressions are neither valid nor to be encouraged." |
| This is "taught by the world's great religions, and is part of the basis of a stable and civilized society." |
| "The moral and sexual education of children cannot be taken separately, and must be based upon heterosexuality, fidelity, and the family unit." |
| "...the sexual practice of homosexuality is no more an acceptable activity than is heterosexual activity outside marriage." |
| "We also abhor the introduction of loaded words such as 'homophobia' and 'heterosexism' to try to convey the idea that rejection of homosexuality is as prejudiced and discriminatory as racism, sexism, and other biases and intolerances..." |
1996: Draft FAQ approved by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly (NSA):
Roger Reini prepared a document which was approved for distribution by the U.S. NSA. He quoted from a number of earlier Baha'i writings. The FAQ says, in part:
| "Every good habit, every noble quality belongs to man's spiritual nature, whereas all his imperfections and sinful actions are born of his material nature.... if...allows his evil passions to conquer him, then he is no better than a mere animal." |
| "When the animal proclivity in man becomes predominant, he sinks even lower than the brute." |
| "Baha'i law...restricts permissible sexual intercourse to that between a man and the woman to whom he is married." |
| "Homosexuality, according to the Writings of Baha'u'llah, is spiritually condemned.... we do not believe that it is a permissible way of life..." |
| "No matter how devoted and fine the love may be between people of the same sex, to let it find expression in sexual acts is wrong." |
| "Immorality of every sort is really forbidden by Baha'u'llah, and homosexual relationships He looks upon as such, besides being against nature." |
| "...through the advice and help of doctors, through a strong and determined effort, and through prayer, a soul can overcome this handicap." |
| "...homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled or overcome." |
| "The Law of God requires them to practise chastity." |
| "...being [homo]sexually attracted...is regarded by the Faith as a distortion of true human nature, as a problem to be overcome, no matter what specific physical or psychological condition may be the immediate cause." |
| "If their activities overstep all bounds and become a matter of public scandal, then the Assembly can consider depriving them of their voting rights." |
| "To regard homosexuals with prejudice and disdain would be entirely against the spirit of Baha'i Teachings." |
| "If the individual fails to rectify his conduct in spite of repeated warnings, sanctions should be imposed." 12 |
Undated: A letter from a Baha'i counselor:
A Baha'i counselor, Wilma Ellis, has had published a letter to a non-Baha'i on the topic of homosexuality. She states, in part:
| "...sexual activity is not the paramount element of human existence ...sexuality must be placed in a proper social and spiritual context, regulated, and subordinated to higher purposes." |
| "Bahá’u’lláh prohibits His followers from engaging in sexual relations outside marriage, which He defines as limited to partners of the opposite sex. Intentional violation of this law subjects any Bahá'í to sanctions." |
| "...homosexual orientation, as such, does not subject a Bahá'í to sanctions. Only extra-marital sexual acts do." 13 |
2002: A reflective letter from a doctor:
Sam G. McClellan, M.D., in consultation with the Institute on AIDS, Sexuality and Addictions, wrote an essay "Some reflections on the Bahá’í Teachings as they relate to homosexuality." 14 It was revised in 2002-JAN. In it, he clearly differentiates between three meanings of the term "homosexuality:"
| A sexual orientation, defined by being is sexually attracted to members of the same gender. It is one of three orientations, including heterosexuality and bisexuality. His essay appears to be in error at this point, because a person can be "physically and emotionally attracted to other adults biologically of the same gender" and have a bisexual orientation, not a homosexual orientation. |
| A behavior, defined by being sexually active with persons of the same sex. |
| An identity, which he defines as "a process of adopting, through self-labeling, an identification with a community that shares the same preference or behavior, such as the gay or lesbian community." |
Citing a letter written by an unidentified person on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, he states: "There is nothing in the Bahá’í teachings to justify prejudice against any person because he or she happens to be dealing with issues of homosexuality – either in terms of orientation, behavior or identity."
McClellan writes:
| "Bahá’u’lláh forbids homosexual acts as He, indeed, forbids all sexual intercourse outside of lawful marriage between a man and a woman. A homosexual union, no matter how faithful and enduring, does not qualify as marriage in Bahá’í law." |
| "To change one’s self-definition requires much effort, support and encouragement, and it will, most likely, be a complex and lengthy process marked by small, cumulative successes and a great deal of struggle." |
He recommends reparative therapy as promoted by the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). The best estimate that we have been able to derive is that reparative therapy has a success rate below 0.5%
Current status of homosexuality in the Baha'i Faith:
Persons with homosexual, bisexual or transsexual orientation are all welcomed as members of the Baha'i Faith. As stated by a draft FAQ approved for distribution by the US National Spiritual Assembly:
"To regard homosexuals with prejudice and disdain would be entirely against the spirit of Baha'i Teachings. The doors are open for all of humanity to enter the Cause of God, irrespective of their present circumstances; this invitation applies to homosexuals as well as to any others who are engaged in practices contrary to the Baha'i Teachings."
"Associated with this invitation is the expectation that all believers will make a sincere and persistent effort to eradicate those aspects of their conduct which are not in conformity with Divine Law." 4
Any Baha'i member in good standing can be elected to any office within the Faith, regardless of their sexual orientation. However, gays and lesbians might be declared to be not in good standing if they flagrantly display their homosexuality. They are expected to make "sincere and persistent effort" to remain celibate.
A fundamental belief of the Baha'i Faith is that true science and religion cannot be in conflict. Sexual orientation continues to be studied by human sexuality researchers. In the West, a social and scientific consensus is being developed that
| homosexuality is a natural, normal, unchosen, and acceptable variation of human sexuality for a minority of adults, and |
| an adult's sexual orientation is unchangeable or can only rarely be changed. |
There seems to be the same conflict within the Baha'i Faith over homosexuality as is seen in other religions in North America:
| Some define "homosexuality" as a behavior. Homosexuality is what a person does, sexually. An individual is no longer a homosexual if they lead a celibate life. A bisexual orientation, in which a person is sexually attracted to both men and women, is rarely considered. A bisexual who abandons a sexual relationship with a same-sex partner and pursues only relationships with the opposite sex are seen as having "controlled and overcome" their "handicap." |
| Some define "homosexuality" as an orientation. Homosexuality is what a person is. A person with a homosexual orientation who is celibate remains a celibate homosexual. Her or his sexual orientation is unchanged. In fact, it cannot be changed. |
We expect that the Baha'i Faith will experience increasing conflicts over homosexuality and bisexuality in the West. Some will be escalating internal dissension, driven by Baha'i gays and lesbians. They believe that their sexual orientation is natural and God-given, and want their religious group to recognize this. There will also be external pressure from those in North America who accept recent scientific findings. Potential converts will be less likely to join a religion that treats minority sexual orientations as disorders. On the other hand, discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals may well increase the growth of the Faith elsewhere in the world in those countries that oppress homosexuals and bisexuals.
Gay/Baha'i Website:
| The Gay Bahai webmaster is not a member of the Baha'i Faith, but is in a relationship with a member. He describes his site as: "The only Gay Baha'i web site. Here Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered Baha'is can chat and know that they are not alone." See: http://www.gaybahai.homestead.com/ |
References used:
- "Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973", P. 110-11) (Volume 1, pages 57-58)
- Universal House of Justice, "The Baha'i Teachings on Homosexuality", Letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 1995-SEP-11. Reprinted in "The American Baha'i," Qawl 152, 1995-NOV-23, P. 11. Available at: http://bahai-library.org/uhj/homosexuality.uhj.html
- An index of materials on the Baha'i view of homosexuality can be accessed at: http://bahai.miningco.com/library/sub/soc/msubhomo.htm (this link appears to be dead)
- A "Draft FAQ: The Baha'i Faith and Homosexuality" prepared by Roger Reini on 1996-JAN-13 is available at: http://bahai-library.org/compilations/homosexuality.comp.html
- Another essay on homosexuality within the Baha'i Faith was posted to newsgroup "Soc.Religion.Bahai" by Mesbah Javid. See: http://www.bcca.org/srb/archive/951021-951231/0011.html
- Letter containing recommendations to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States from a gay-positive group is at: http://bahai-library.org/letters/gays.html
- The statement by the National Spiritual Assembly of the UK is available at: http://bahai-library.org/nsa/homosexuality.uk.html
- "A review of some Baha'i literature on homosexuality," at: http://bahai-library.org/unpubl.articles/homosexuality.html
- A discussion conducted on the listserv Talisman One, available at: http://bahai-library.org/essays/aqdas.107.html
- A memorandum sent to the Universal House of Justice on 1993-JUL-5 contains a selection of extracts from various Baha'i sources on homosexuality. See: http://bahai-library.org/uhj/homosexuality.discussion.html
- The Baha'i International Health Agency formally recognized and sponsored the establishment of the Institute on AIDS, Sexuality and Addictions, to explore Baha'i principles and concepts related to these three topics. Their web site is at: http://www.globweb.com/bnasaa/
- Roger Reini, "Draft FAQ: The Bha'i Faith and homosexuality, A Compilation of Selections from the Baha'i Writings," 1996-JAN-13, at: http://bahai-library.org/
- Qilma Ellis, "Eliminating prejudices," undated, at: http://www.bnasaa.org/
Copyright © 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, & 2004 by Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2004-AUG-17
Author: B.A. Robinson
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