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 | "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." 2 |
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 voting and other 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 generally result. 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.
References used:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
- "The Bahai's and the homosexuals," at: www.studiedocumenten.googlepages.com/ This is a PDF file.
- 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/
Copyright © 1996 to 2009 by Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2009-OCT-06
Author: B.A. Robinson
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