Posted by Sir Four at 11:38am Nov 18 '08Aside from select Biblical passages, the religious view on homosexuality seems to hinge on it being a choice that one makes, rather than an innate quality one is born with. Under this rubric, the religious straights are held up as having made the righteous choice in their lives, whereas their gay brothers and sisters have fallen into sin and must repent.
But is this the proper way to frame the issue? If the virtuous path comes naturally to you, do you get credit for it? Or maybe, for the zealots on the issue, it doesn't come naturally.
The clear implication here is that being gay is a temptation which must be resisted. If the notion of "turning away from God" to pursue the supposed earthly pleasures of the "gay lifestyle" is to make any sense, it must be seen as a tempting option--a siren song wooing "straights" over to the dark side. Who else views homosexuality that way except closeted self-deniers or those horrified by their bi-curiosity?
The notion that gays have chosen to give in to sinful temptation has always fallen flat to my ears, foremost because I see nothing tempting about it. In fact, I see many reasons against it, not the least of which is the hostility and isolation one faces when growing up gay surrounded by religious intolerants. Yet for all the policing that religious people do in their own communities, there are still gays--the gays are just made to suffer a more hellish life than they otherwise might. Why would people still be gay? Could it be that homosexuality is intrinsic to them, and that asking them to love the opposite sex is like demanding a black man change his skin color?
To admit that would likely force a re-evaluation of the religious perspective on gays, so it seems out of the question.
But is this the proper way to frame the issue? If the virtuous path comes naturally to you, do you get credit for it? Or maybe, for the zealots on the issue, it doesn't come naturally.
The clear implication here is that being gay is a temptation which must be resisted. If the notion of "turning away from God" to pursue the supposed earthly pleasures of the "gay lifestyle" is to make any sense, it must be seen as a tempting option--a siren song wooing "straights" over to the dark side. Who else views homosexuality that way except closeted self-deniers or those horrified by their bi-curiosity?
The notion that gays have chosen to give in to sinful temptation has always fallen flat to my ears, foremost because I see nothing tempting about it. In fact, I see many reasons against it, not the least of which is the hostility and isolation one faces when growing up gay surrounded by religious intolerants. Yet for all the policing that religious people do in their own communities, there are still gays--the gays are just made to suffer a more hellish life than they otherwise might. Why would people still be gay? Could it be that homosexuality is intrinsic to them, and that asking them to love the opposite sex is like demanding a black man change his skin color?
To admit that would likely force a re-evaluation of the religious perspective on gays, so it seems out of the question.
The Religious Mentality on Homosexuality - Sir Four