Is homosexuality completely incompatible with Islam?

Question

I am a western guy with a passion for religion and religious studies. I was born and raised as a Christian bit I have attended a lot of different religions, both Christian and non Christian, and Buddhist.

I have been reading a lot about Islam and Islamic countries, especially the Middle East and its ancient past, recent past and now.

I would really like to go and live in a Middle Eastern Muslim country, learn Arabic, study the Qur'an, work there, use the local clothes and grow a beard.

I work in the financial sector and have been reading about the Sharia law in this sector so that I know how I can adapt my experience to the Sharia law.

The thing is that I am gay and even though I can appreciate that Islam, like a lot of Christian religions, does not accept sexual contact of people of the same sex, only condemns it if there is sex involved.

I think I couldn't live a life of chastity

Answer 1

There are gay guy everywhere regardless of religion and law. Arabs are notorious for homosexual behavior among men but what the consequences are probably depends on the local customs -- which vary a lot.

If you think you might go to Saudi Arabia consider reading a book called "Inside the Kingdom - My Life in Saudi Arabia" by Carmen Bin Ladin. A fascinating and informative memoir by a sister-in-law of the infamous Osama bin Laden.

Answer 2

Ancient scripture cannot legitimately be used to make human rights abuses against homosexuals seem acceptable, whether it be the Bible or the Quran. If a religion tries to dehumanize other people, in this case gays, then the religion is totally worthless morally as it is being used as a weapon of persecution.

A homosexual who denies his sexual orientation can either become a closet gay. that's living a lie and pretending to be straight... often in marriage with a woman and even with children to disguise his gayness, he may also continue to have gay sex on the side secretly But it is exaggeratedly homophobic religion that has driven people to this kind of subterfuge and deceit sometimes just to survive.

Or, he can say he is a celibate... celibacy is best kept for the clergy, it's damaging enough for them anyway and even those who say they are celibate seem manage to have secret sexual liaisons as we are often hearing about in the news.

Acceptance is by far the best policy for everyone, both the gay person and society.

Answer 3

Well, homosexuality is againts Islam. But the prophet did say that those who liked men but refrained himself deserves Heaven.

Anyways, let me post you an article regarding Islam's view on Homosexuality:

There is no doubt that in Islam homosexuality is considered 'sinful'. Homosexuality as far as Islam is concerned is a profound mistake (as are all sins if they are not intending to do wrong). Humans are not homosexuals by nature. People become homosexuals because of their environments. Particularly critical is the environment during puberty. Suggestions, ideas & strange dreams are symptoms of confused attempts to understand new and blunt sexual desires and are rashly interpreted as defining someone as being one sexuality or another. If these conclusions are accompanied by actual homosexual acts they are even more strongly reinforced.

Human instincts can be subjected to acts of will. Sexuality is a choice of identity which follows choices of action which follow from choices of what to have sexual fantasies about. Human beings are especially able to control their thoughts, entertaining some and dismissing others.

However, if this free will is not recognised it is easy to get into a cycle of thinking which starts from accepting a hypothesis about yourself as true rather than as a possible choice (even if the options are sometimes difficult).For example: "I am lazy " could be supposed true by someone. When the person who thinks this lies around in bed in the morning he observes this inaction as evidence of the statement "I am lazy." As he repeatedly chooses to do so the evidence mounts and the idea becomes fixed in his identity. It may even have physical manifestations and change his physiology and psychology. This process can easily occur for any idea good or bad about the self which is based largely on evidence resulting from ones own action. The idea may be "I am 'gay'" or "I am content" or "I love eating lots of food". The truth is - you are what you choose to be ; you do what you choose to do ; you think what you choose to think. There may be long time delays between the causing choices and the effects but anyone can change themselves. There are reformed ex-drug addicts, reformed ex-compulsive gamblers and ex-homosexuals. In all these sins prevention is 1000 times better than cure and much easier.

It has been suggested that homosexuality is genetically inherited and that those who have this 'predisposition' are victims of it not sinners of any sort. However, there are other things which are probably genetically influenced to give predispositions to for example gambling or alcoholism. It could also be argued (and has been) that it is programmed into men's genetics for them to be unfaithful to their partner. All these things don't make it the right thing to do, nor does it prevent these things from being regarded as sinful. Drinking alcohol will still be regarded as sinful in Islam even if you have a predisposition to be an alcoholic. The trick as every post alcoholic will tell you is never touch another drop after you quit—it is a long slippery slope—your life is better without it. Once a certain desire is connected to your identity strongly and you get in some way hooked on it, it will always be easy to return to it—you are unable to forget the satisfaction. The difficult task is remembering the bad side of the desire, such as hangovers, lost money, self loathing or a simply sense of loss because of what you missed out on. But if you are to change for the better, you must remember this and the past desires you bound up with your identity can become disconnected from what you choose to become.

Answer 4

The one thing I will never understand and never will understand is how any person who is homosexual could have anything to do with any of the religions which would consider him an abomination.

Just shows the wonderful complexity of the human heart.

Answer 5

Good luck. In some Islamic countries you could actually be stoned to death for sodomizing. That is Sharia Law

Answer 6

IMAGINE one who has lost both legs & insist 2 share in the world cup, keep away saty where u r , & ask god 2 forgive u

Answer 7

That's what they say, but then they can turn around and have little boys. Go figure.

Answer 8

if you are looking for a religion that accepts your choice to be homosexual....and cant find one...perhaps you should consider repenting and obeying God....His love is true.....your redeemer is Christ....†

Answer 9

why would you want to join this most violent of religions that includes in its holy texts, passages to kill any non-believers.

you need your head examined