Religions are a diverse lot. But how well do they cope with diversity themselves?

From Christianity to Islam, Judaism to Bahai’i Faith, just what attitudes do religions take regarding sexuality? Of course, it is hard to define what attitude each particular religion takes to sexuality. Religions are like any other social or political movement. There is diversity between each member’s thinking. There are both conservative and liberal trends in just about every religion, with the liberals being more welcoming towards people, and the conservatives (or orthodox) being opposed to people who are not heterosexual. This article will look at the dominant groups in each religion.

Bahai’i Faith

The Baha’i faith has a reputation as being an accepting and welcoming religion that is encouraging of diversity – a reputation, dare I say it. Of being modern in thinking. Baha’i believes in equality between women and men and eliminating racial prejudices. Baha’i also has traditionally valued and accepted the findings of science. However, this particular religion appears to have drawn the line at homosexuality.

In Baha’i, sex is only acceptable between a married man and woman. Therefore, outside of marriage everyone is supposed to be celibate. Further than that is their belief that homosexuality is improper and goes against the plan for humanity devised by God. Baha’i also believes that homosexuality can be ‘overcome’ and that it is possible to become heterosexual through prayer, medical treatment and counseling. The only way for homosexuals to have sex is to ‘convert’ to bisexuality and marry someone of the opposite sex.

The Baha’i faith claims to welcome homosexuals, bisexuals and transsexuals, as to do otherwise would run against Baha’i teachings. However, they are expected to remain celibate.

The closest reference to homosexuality I could get from a Baha’i site was: “the human sexual urge is considered to be a gift from God. Its disciplined expression within the legitimate bonds of marriage can be a powerful expression of the spiritual quality of love. However, the same sexual urge, if misused, can lead one into perverse, wasteful, and even destructive actions.”

Hinduism

None of the sacred Hindu texts, such as the Vedas or the Upanishads, contain a straightforward condemnation of homosexuality. The frankest refernce comes in the Laws of Manu (in Sanskrit, the Manusmrti), one of the dharmasastra texts that lists religious laws. There is a lone verse that reads: “A twice-born man who commits an unnatural offence with a male, or has intercourse with a female in a cart drawn by oxen, in water, or in the daytime, shall bathe, dressed in his clothes.” (A “twice-born” man is one of a higher caste.) The importance of the Laws of Manu, however, is hotly debated by Hindu theologians; lower-caste Hindus, in particular, question whether the text was written by Brahmins in order to reinforce the social status quo.
While there is no condemnation of homosexuality in Hindu religious texts, that does not mean that Hindus are welcoming of homosexuals. The religion has a strong emphasis on the importance of marriage, and frowns on premarital sex. So despite Hinduism’s more progressive attitude to homosexuality (as compared to Christian/Jewish/Islamic faiths), many Hindus are not accepting of homosexuality.

Buddhism

Buddhism does not have a set answer. The Buddha did not leave teachings regarding homosexuality. Rather the Buddha, preferred people to examine religious teachings themselves before accepting any. However, just because there is no official line from Buddha, does not mean that homophobia does not exist in this religion. In 1997 the Dalai Lama claimed that “from a Buddhist point of view [lesbian and gay sex]… is generally considered sexual misconduct.” He also wrote in a book that it is not homosexuality itself that is improper; rather it is “the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact”. So oral, anal and “manual” sex is prohibited for everyone. The Dalai Lama claims to support the rights of homosexuals, however he seems to be opposed to them having sex.

Islam

All information I can find on the internet seems to suggest that Islam is anti-homosexuality. Most Islamic groups appear to hold views very similar to extremely homophobic Christian groups, such as Catholicism. Homosexuality is sinful, a “profound mistake”. (www.islamic.org.uk/homosex.html) They compare homosexuality to alcoholism, and suggest that both can be overcome, and that “prevention is 1000 times better than cure”. Shari’a law is used to justify the death penalty for homosexuals in seven Islamic countries (New Internationalist, 2000). There is debate as to whether the Qur’an actually condemns homosexuality, but most Islamic groups are clear on their view.

Judaism

Different branches of Judaism have different attitudes towards homosexuals. In America, the dominant branch in Reform Judaism, and this particular branch welcomes gays and lesbians. The movement has said that if they do “not extend support to all who have been victims of discrimination, including gays and lesbians, then we have no right to call ourselves Reform Jews.”

The conservative Jewish movement believes that homosexuality is a non-fulfillment of a particular mitzvah. There are 613 mitzvahs (or commands) in Mosaic Law, mostly found in the book of Leviticus in the Hebrew scriptures (also in the Old Testament). The conservative movement believes that homosexuality is no different to other breaches of the mitzvah, such as not being kosher, and thus believes that gays and lesbians may lead prayers, etc.

The orthodox branch of Judaism generally regard homosexuality as “an abomination” if people actually have homosexual sex. They generally believe that homosexuality is an act, not someone’s sexuality, so if gays and lesbians remain celibate, then they are not homosexual, and that is ok.

In Australia, according to a Department of Immigration document “Australia is Religiously Diverse”. Approximately 40% o f Jews are Orthodox and about the same percentage are Liberal or Progressive (the Reform branch of Australia). So the attitude of Australian Jews is not as welcoming as the attitude of American Jews.

Christianity

Catholicism in Australia is well known as a Christian faith with a regressive attitude towards gays and lesbians. The Catholic Church is not alone among the Christian faiths. Most Christian faiths generally believe that homosexual desires are ok, but any action on that desire is not. The Uniting Church of Australia, however, allows for membership and ordination of homosexual people.

Many Christians in Australia are noted for their bigotry towards gays and lesbians, with the Reverend Fred Nile being an obvious choice. Some Catholic groups (such as the Catholic Youth Ministry, CYM, from Melbourne) push groups like “courage”. These groups try to convince gay male churchgoers to remain celibate. According to the CYM website, the church’s opposition to homosexual activity is “out of love and concern for the persons involved”. CYM believes that homosexuality is “obviously dangerous physically,” partly due to AIDS. I will believe that “love” is the reason for this opposition (rather than hate) when the Catholic Church also comes out and opposes people driving cars, on the grounds that it too is obviously dangerous physically.

The main reasons Judaism and Christianity have traditionally been anti-gay is due to a few passages in the Bible. Firstly, and perhaps the biggest offender is Leviticus 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Another abomination according to Leviticus was menstruating women. The tale of Sodom and Gomorrah is also often quoted as “proof” that God hates homosexuals; however it is also argued that the punishment inflicted on Sodom was due to the failure of Sodom’s men to be hospitable towards of, or that the punishment was for attempted rape.

Anyway, the most important thing to remember is that if someone has a problem with your sexuality, the problem lies within them, not you. When someone tries to tell you that your sexuality is a problem, it is because they have extreme religious views, not because you are “evil”. Celebrate your sexuality, and if your religion won’t accept you, then why give them your time?

-John Finlayson