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Religion and homosexuality
Religious belief & the desire to
criminalize homosexual sexual behavior
Sponsored link.
Religious beliefs and the criminalization of homosexual sexual behavior:
The Barna Group is a conservative Christian polling group that specializes in researching the public's beliefs on religious and moral questions.
 | In 2001, they determined people's views on the criminalization of
homosexual behavior. They found that:
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| Also in 2001, they found that 95% of Evangelical Christians believe that homosexuality is a "morally unacceptable lifestyle." 2 | ||||
| In 2002, they found that "Nearly one out of five [American] adults listed moral decline as a top issue" of concern. They found that homosexuality was "...listed by less than one-half of one percent of the public as being among the most serious national issues. However, even though homosexuality is not near the top of most American's concerns, it is probably a major item. 3 |
The Gallup Organization has been polling American adults for almost three decades to learn their opinion on the criminalization of homosexuality. They found:
| Those favoring criminalization of homosexual behavior reached a peak in 1986 when 57% of the adult population believed that it should be illegal; 32% felt it should be legal. |
| Those favoring legalization reached a peak in 2003 when 60% believed it should be legal; 35% felt it should be illegal. |
In its Lawrence v. Texas ruling in mid-2003, the U.S. Supreme Court decriminalized private homosexual acts between adults throughout the U.S. They have interpreted the U.S. Constitution as guaranteeing adults' right to privacy. Thus, all laws which criminalize such behavior are unconstitutional.
Conclusions:
There appear to be two solitudes in the United States:
| Religious conservatives from all major religions:
Many conservatives:
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| Religious liberals, human rights activists, and others:
Many of them:
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Dialogue and debate between these two groups is not liable to be productive until they can first reach a consensus on the nature, morality, and legality of homosexuality. Religious liberals and others who promote and end to employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation hate-crime protection for persons of all sexual orientations and same-sex marriage will not be able to achieve a national consensus if the conservative side wants to talk about sending all gays and lesbians to jail.
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Home > "Hot" religious topics > Homosexuality > Religious aspects > here |
References:
"Born Again Adults Remain Firm in Opposition to Abortion and Gay Marriage," The Barna Group, 2001-JUL-23, at: http://www.barna.org/
"Most Americans Satisfied with Life Despite Having Quality of Life Issues," The Barna Group, 2002-MAR-26, at: http://www.barna.org/
"Six out of 10 Americans Say Homosexual Relations Should Be Recognized as Legal," The Gallup Organization, 2003-MAY-15, at: http://www.gallup.com/
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On this website, we define "homophobia" to be engaging in a behavior aimed at restricting the human rights of persons who have a homosexual orientation and/or who engages in homosexual behavior. More information.
Copyright © 2004 to 2007 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally posted: 2004-NOV-18
Latest update: 2007-AUG-03
Author: B.A. Robinson
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