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Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) issues.

(Note: This is not an official Bahá'í web site)

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Quotations taken from various You Tube videos advocating gay equality:

	"Ye are all the leaves of one tree, and the fruits of one branch." Baha'u'llah ("glory of God") the founder of the Baha'i faith.
	"If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will advance, become illumined and spiritual." Abdu'l-Bahá, the first interpreter of Baha'i teachings.
	"If religion becomes a cause of dislike, hatred and division it were better to be without it..." Abdu'l-Bahá.
	If religious beliefs and opinions are found contrary to the standards of science, they are mere superstitions and imaginations; for the antithesis of knowledge is ignorance, and the child of ignorance is superstition. Unquestionably there must be agreement between true religion and science. If a question be found contrary to reason, faith and belief in it are impossible, and there is no outcome but wavering and vacillation. Abdu'l-Bahá. 1
	"Homosexuality according to the writings of Baha'u'llah is spiritually condemned," Shoghi Effendi, the second and final interpreter of Baha'i teaching..
	"...the Faith does not recognize homosexuality as a 'natural' or permanent phenomenon. Rather. it sees this as an aberration subject to treatment," Universal House of Justice, 1987-MAR-22.
	"LGBTI Let us live in Peace." Text of a mask worn during a protest in Kampala, Uganda, seeking and end to persecution of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, transgender and intersex persons. Local Baha'i, Christian and Muslim leaders urged the government to arrest the protestors. 2
	"Which side of history do you want to be on?" A sign at a California demonstration in favor of same-sex marriage.

The Baha'i faith and LGB issues:

The Baha'i Faith teaches that homosexual behavior is unacceptable among its members. Voting rights of some of their lesbian, gay and bisexual members (LGB) who are out of the "closet" have been suspended; some memberships have been terminated.

The Baha'i faith is in a unique position with regards to lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (LGB's) because:

• The last person capable of changing the authoritative interpretation of its holy texts confirmed that homosexual behavior, same-sex marriage, etc. is unacceptable.
  
  
• He died without naming a successor.
  
  
• Human sexuality researchers, professional mental health associations, social worker professional associations, and liberal religious groups have reached a near consensus that homosexual and bisexual orientations and behavior are normal and natural for a minority of adults, and that homosexual orientation is unchosen, and unchangeable.
  
  
• One of the main principles of the Baha'i faith is their respect and adoption of the findings of science.

Thus Baha'i beliefs concerning sexual orientation are quite similar to those of the conservative wings of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other religions. They reject the findings of science on this topic, and they have no mechanism to change their position.

Topics covered in this section:

	Introduction: Baha'i beliefs. Science-religion conflict. Keeping a proper perspective
	Homosexuality in Baha'i sacred texts.  1973 statements by the House of Justice
	1982 Universal House of Justice letter.  1993 meeting of a pro-LGB group
	Various official statements. Letter from a Baha'i counselor
	2002 letter from a physician; Current status
	Bahá'í LGBTs on the Internet, agitating for full acceptance
	A personal essay donated by Tricia B. explaining the Baha'i position on same-sex behavior

Reference used:

1. Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Page 181.
2. Peter Tatchell, "Ugandan gays demand freedom," Guardian newspaper, 2007-SEP-17, at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

Copyright © 1996 to 2011 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2011-DEC-06
Author: B.A. Robinson

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