IslamMenuIslam and homosexuality: All viewpoints
Sponsored link.
Speaking generally, religious beliefs within the world's major faith groups
are based on four main foundations: revelation in the form of a holy text;
religious tradition; logic & reason; and personal experience.
 |
More liberal movements within these religions often tend to stress
logic, reason, and personal experience. This includes scientific findings.
It is only since about 1950 that homosexuality has been seriously studied by
human sexuality researchers. Liberal individuals and groups within
Christianity, Islam and other religions have been quick to incorporate
scientific findings within their ethical and religious beliefs. They
generally regard homosexuality as a sexual orientation which is ethically
neutral, fixed, unchosen, and is normal and natural for a minority of
adults.
|
|
More conservative movements tend to stress revelation and tradition.
Their beliefs are anchored to the past, particularly the pre-scientific tribal culture as described in the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. Old Testament). Their beliefs are much less amenable to
rapid change. They generally regard homosexuality as a deviate and
disordered behavior, which is immoral, changeable, chosen, abnormal and
unnatural. |
A person's beliefs about homosexuality tend to be determined less by their
specific
religion, and more by where their faith lies on the liberal-conservative
divide. For this reason, conservative Christians and Muslims tend to have
similar beliefs about the nature and origin(s) of homosexuality, as well as
God's attitude towards homosexuals.
According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association ILGA
there are at least seven countries today which still retain capital punishment
for homosexual behavior. All are predominately Muslim countries. They are: Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan,
and Yemen. The situation with regard to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is
unclear. The government of Uganda -- a predominately Christian country -- was considering a genocidal bill that would make certain types of same-sex sexual behavior capital offenses. However, they may have shelved the bill as of 2011-MAR.
Topics covered in this section:
|
Introduction: | |
Reaction to homosexuality by Muslim groups: |
Additional topic:
Sponsored links:
Site navigation:
Copyright © 1997 to 2011, by Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Last update: 2011-MAR-30
Author: B.A. Robinson
Sponsored links
|
Page Translator:
