Mainly I mean , is it possible to , without living a total contradiction and a hypocrisy at least, to be a devout Muslim, or a devout observant Orthodox Jew, or a devout Christian fundamentalist, or very strict Catholic (think Opus Dei strict), and still , at the same time, be an active homosexual? Is this not, at some level, living as I said a blatant contradiction and a hypocrisy ??
2006-09-25 08:03:03 · 19 answers · asked by DinoDeSanto 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
As for being "an active homosexual", probably not. But as for the opening question, "Is it truly possible to be religiously devout and homosexual?"--yes. You just won't be "active". It isn't hypocrisy, especially in the Christian circles--we've got all types. Adulterers, drunks, addicts, molesters, thieves, gluttons (oodles of those), the deal is your religious devotion devotes you to some thing other than your desires. This is not to say you no longer have desires, not at all, you just don't "active"ly pursue them.
Go to a soldier with stacks of medal on his chest. Ask him if he was ever afraid. He didn't win them by being a coward and running from a fight, but that doesn't mean he wasn't afraid. That is not hypocrisy, hypocrisy is talking up a brave game when you've never done a brave thing in your life. Go to a college professor or a scientist. Ask him or her if he or she is really smart or if they know everything in their field of study. Often, they will equivicate and talk about all that they do not know. Does that make them hypocrits? Not at all, they likely will have forgotten more than you or I will ever learn, but in every field of study the more we know the more we discover that we don't know. Hypocrisy is thinking we've got something fully nailed down when we are but bluffing. Do you want to follow God (you listed the Christian, Moslem, or Jewish paths), you will find that you cannot be a sincere active follower of Jesus, for instance, while an active homosexual any more than you can be a good cop while taking money from crooks to look the other way when they do their dirty deeds--that is hypocrisy. That is not to say that you can't have a thought from time to time that you want to (do whatever), but that you purposely try not to.
No one expects perfection at all times--except those who aren't playing the game.
2006-09-25 08:44:19 · answer #1 · answered by Rabbit 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you have to work on the basis that the Bible is a figurative work.. not to be taken literally.
You will have problems with churches that take the Bible's words literally--word for word.
I think most sane people can read the Bible and understand what is literal and what is metaphor. Seriously, do you really think Jesus would want you to cut off your left hand? Come on. It's a metaphor. There are stupid bible thumpers that would really would really chop it off.
I also think the Bible on whole is a decent guide for life, but I know it was infused with the peculiar out-dated notions of the time. By definition man is imperfect, therefore any work created by man (such as the Bible) will be an imperfect representation of God's wishes. You will have to decide if God really meant homosexuality to be a sin or not. I believe it was the bias of imperfect men that placed it in the Bible.
Steven S:
I think you're missing the point. Marital sex is the model of purity. Same-sex marital relation is not even permitted in the model of purity, therefore you're not even given a chance to succeed. You automatically fail the test. Whereas, heterosexual christians are given a chance to succeed, although they regularly fail.
2006-09-25 15:19:25 · answer #2 · answered by it 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The truly faithful need no other sustenance.
Except maybe a little bread. Oh, and a small amount of water maybe. And some air, yes, they need air. Ok, and shelter and some modest living space perhaps.
Understand that existence itself is about compromise. You can be faithful, even devout, and still muddy yourself in the carnal nature of the physical world, without fear of hypocrisy.
Let no one be your judge but you.
2006-09-25 15:16:46 · answer #3 · answered by Todd 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and no.
The problem is in that most "orthodox" religions, they have yet to come to terms with homosexuality in general, let alone the fact that they are only encouraging a life outside orthodoxy for their fellow gay/lesbian followers by not allowing gay/lesbian unions.
If their religion, which most "orthodox" religions do, say that anyone engaging in a sexual act outside of a married union is sinful, then wouldn't it only make sence to allow gay/lesbian unions so that they are not engaging in sexual relations outside of a marriage?
The other and probably more compelling argument is that religions and most especially orthodox religions are NOT based in logic or reason, insted rely completely on what they call "faith." Which is nothing more than blind brainwashing.
Because these religions refuse to accept reason they condemn anything that rattles their proverbial cages. Anything they can't explain via their "bible." If it's not in there, or if it's condemned in there, regardless of such condemnations usefullness in today's society, they will blindly follow and reenforce such.
Orthodox religions rely too much on fear. Diregarding that fear only begets anger and hatred.
2006-09-25 15:18:29 · answer #4 · answered by DEATH 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think a homosexual person would have no trouble being a devout Christian in the Anglican union as long as he stayed in the US or in Europe.
2006-09-25 16:34:13 · answer #5 · answered by Augusta B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you devote your life to celibacy can you truly be a devout homosexual Yahweh worshiper. Otherwise, no, homosexual sex is a sin in the old and new testaments, and probably in the Quaran.
2006-09-25 15:29:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is quite possible my friend because the bible doesn't mention homosexuality in its pages anywhere. the ones that say that have been translated incorrectly because even the original King James bible condemned effeminate and temple prostitutes. but the new translation of it changed that to homosexual. Which by the way if you change gods word it is a sin. So the book that says it is against gods word it a sinful book and you have been led astray.
Jesus Christ never said anything about homosexuals. Some scholars debate this but the words in debate are the words eunuch from birth Some theologians argue that this is a reference for men who did not desire women. Jesus only said that they would be welcome in his fathers house.
So rest assured that Homosexuals will be standing in Heaven. Those of us that will be there will be hoping that you get your life together too so you can join us.
2006-09-25 15:25:28 · answer #7 · answered by ♂ Randy W. ♂ 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Actually there are Orthodox Jews that are Homosexual as well as certain denominations of Christianity(Haven't heard of Gene Robinson , have you?)...
You would really need to ask THEM to explain, not "laymen" like yourself or "us".
Either way, a persons relationship with his/her Deity through their Religion isn't open for public criticism, unless you can produce a "note from God" for the world to see that isn't open to interpretation.
2006-09-25 15:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not?
Even the religiously devout sin... and is homosexuality a worse sin than theirs?
I think not!
2006-09-25 16:16:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not have all the facts about any of mans religions and Homosexuality... But it is not possable for one to be of The True Christian Faith and to be a willfull and deliberatly practicing homosexual at the same time... One who has been a practicing homosexual can, and there are many who are, become of The True Faith. ALL who come to God in The Way He proscribes will receive His free gift of Salvation and will enter Heaven.
2006-09-25 15:09:59 · answer #10 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋