Why does the way gays are regarded change from culture to culture?

Question

I'm just curious. After looking up different religions and countries on this issue, there's a lot of deviation between them. What factors in to acceptance (for anybody for that matter, gays are just easier to use as an example nowadays) in a culture and what factors into discrimination? Is it all religion, or are there other causes at work?

Answer 1

Great question!

Not only are gays treated differently from culture to culture, lots of other types of peoples are grouped & categorized and treated differently too.

For instance, you could say that "race" is a social construct. What I mean by that is the definition of race changes from culture to culture as well. In the US, there are the terms "white" or "caucasian" and "black" or "African-American" (as well as others - hispanic, Native American, etc.). But if you looked at a country like South Africa, you'd find that the groupings are more granular. There's different groups for different shades of pigmentation. All these different groups have different meaning and roles in their respective societies.

So how does this all happen? Is the categorization of people completely arbitrary?

The answer is yes.

What does this mean?

It means that people are discriminated for purely arbitrary reasons that are culturally enforced & culturally distinct.

Answer 2

I think the culture and the standards of society have more relevance on how people react to homosexuals. Back in ancient Greek and Roman times, it was popular, as women were regarded as inferior creatures. Even in our day, we've seen popular opinion change cause in the 70's it was widely practiced and then in the 80's it was shunned and now it is accepted again and even religion is approving of it.

The bible has not changed and is against all forms of immorality, but outside forces have affected people's attitudes. For example look at the difference of tv programs from the 50's to our day.

Answer 3

Looking into it, the more tribal and mystic the society, the less tolerant of homosexuality they will be.

The United States is the only industrealized country where more than 1% of the population are creationists, this is reflected fairly accurately in the steriotyping and intollerace of our culture.

Scandinavian countrys have phenomenal rate of atheism and agnosticism and are very tollerant of homosexual life styles.

In parts of Africa, being openly gay is inviting sabotage, brutality and perhaps even death.

Answer 4

It not a matter of religion it's MORAL VALUE that majority are brought up. Remember the US was founded on Christianity our laws are base on the ten commandments. In UK they are more atheist. Early century being Christian you where killed. Remember gays are small minority.

Answer 5

It is interesting to note, though, that most cultures do have a negative view on homosexuality. Could it be because it is obviously unnatural?

Answer 6

hate varies.

look at our own culture in the U.S.

there are very large congregations of christians and jews who have dropped the hate, and they bless and perform gay marriage, and induct gays into their leadership. a few are church denominations with millions of members.

but, then there some others enjoy hating, though. hate is very important to a lot of christians.

Answer 7

since each religon have diffrent belifes .....each religon has diffrent veiws on the issue....it is discriminized more and more these days because there is more and more gays running around the world these days