Is it safe to say that religion is directly responsible for Homophobia?

Question

I'm really curious about this... Most of the gay bashing I witness on here, is directly linked to "the bible", or organized religion in general. Don't get me wrong, there are those who dislike homosexuals for their own personal reasons, but I think this "taboo" was created by religion in the first place. I'd like to hear some opinions on this.

I wouldn't know Paul, being naturally gay all my life since birth, and all.

Answer 1

Hi Psych!
Well, I think most people mask their homophobia through religion. If many people cared to practice what the Bible actually preached, doesn't it say something like "love thy neighbor" and to treat others as you would want to be treated. All the gay bashing I've seen in the news goes directly against the Bible, and it's teachings, but yet people still say that they do it in the name of religion. It all just doesn't add up to me. So, I guess it all boils down to the followers of different types of religions, not the actual religion. If there is a God, I can't help but to wonder if he is slightly disappointed with his creations, that cause pain in others in his name.

Paul also made an interesting point. Homosexuality isn't one of the seven deadly sins. More people are more tolerant towards those who watch porno (lust), stuff their face with food every second (gluttony), or even others with enormously large egos (pride), than they are with homosexuality. And here they claim to be religious. Again, that just doesn't make much sense to me.

While my religious beliefs are more towards Agnostic, I still just don't see how homosexuality could be considered a "sin." But, that's probably because I believe a person's sexual preference is determined during the developmental stages of the fetus.
*Hugs*

***Edit*** Here's something interesting to read:
http://www.welcome-committee.org/booklet-5-keener.html
Also, for people who believe it is an "unnatural act"...why is it that men's prostate is their g-spot, and women are more stimulated by the clitoris instead of actual penetration?

Answer 2

If religion created this taboo, then it was doing society a favor.

Our bodies simply are not designed for gay sex. Gay sex, especially between men, causes such an increased risk for deadly diseases (not just AIDS) that it's a wonder the Surgeon General hasn't declared it hazardous to one's health.

(Actually, it's not a wonder that the SG hasn't done this, given how "politically incorrect" it is to say anything negative about homosexuality.)

The average life span for a US gay man is only around 40 years old, and only about 1% of gay men in our country live long enough to be eligible for Medicare and Social Security.

Homosexuals have declared war on nature with their sexual behavior, as commentator Pat Buchanan correctly pointed out over 25 years ago, and nature has been exacting an awful retribution ever since.

So, religion was trying to do humanity a favor by declaring homosexuality to be taboo. Whether homosexual people take the hint is another story.

Answer 3

Yes, I think so. Religion has been the cause for a lot of irrational fears. Fear of science and evolution was pushed back due to religion. So yes, I think it's very safe to say that most religion is responsible for homophobia. Because when people strike against homosexuality, or participate in gay bashing, the reasons they use ARE always quoted from the bible, or some such like that.

Answer 4

That is the only reason for Gay bashing. I believe homosexuality is wrong and a sin. But I am not such a religous hypcryte to not be able to see the hypocracy in condeming someone else for a sin when I sin everyday myself. Homosexuality is not even one of the seven deadly sin.

Now be honest about this, if you are straight have you gone a day without commiting one of these sins in some form ?; Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth. Wrath, Envy, and Pride. Don't judge someone for loving someone else.

Answer 5

Religion was probably the biggest cause of homophobia. Religious followers often feel its their duty in the name of religion to speak out against homosexuality.

However, homophobia is also caused by fear/intolerance towards those who are different from the majority. Bit like racism.

In a small number of cases, one might use homophobia as a means of denying their own homosexuality.

Answer 6

Yes, it is. Religion has taught many to fear things that they do not understand. Religion even though good, does have it's flaws. For example many people follow the bible which they claim is written by God, but the truth is that the bible is a book of opinions written by people who wanted to scare or strike fear into people. So religion is mainly responsible for Homophobia.

Answer 7

I think it was created by religion... most taboo things were made just because some religion was competing with the christian church... and they turn everything that that competing church sees as good... they turn it to be against the religion... like the pagan religion used to be a good religion.. but the christian church saw it as competition so they turned the pentacle into the pentagram... same with other religious beliefs.. so it's hard to tell as to weather it is false or not.

Answer 8

i'll bet homophobia is what drove bible writers / editors to etch out the garbage of their own minds about the matter. Nothing they wrote about the matter provides any insight about homosexuality -- the emotional / sexual packages -- . All of what they wrote reveals more ignorance, fear, kissing up, brown nosing, and nonsense than anything else.

I'll bet homophobia is at the root of all religious objections against homosexuality.

Answer 9

Well, I think you have to clarify what kind of religion you are talking about. In general neo-paganism and all of its off shoots has no problem with gay people at all. A large majority of the male Pagan community is gay in fact....which means slim pickings for Pagan women looking for a witchy husband! :-P

Answer 10

yes, it IS safe to say that. Even if a person in this society claims to "not" be religious but still harbors feelings of animosity, it is only because this society was FOUNDED on religion, making it impossible to truly separate the two.