The Bahá'í faith believes in the unity of religion and science, but condems homosexuality as an illness?

Question

how can you reconcile this contradiction seeing as modern science does not believe homosexuality is an illness and actively encourages gay people to be at peace with their homosexuality?

modern science has said so because homosexuality was taken off the list of mental illnesses by modern psychiatrists who use scientific research

Answer 1

That just shows that this religion represents subjective opinions of past times, just as every other religion does. Religion and science cannot be conciliated with each other, because the point of religion is that there is a fixed "truth", while science knows there is always something new to be discovered.

Answer 2

The American Psychological Association actually took homosexuality off the list of being a mental illness back somewhere back in 1970 something. I did research on this because that was a stereotype as a matter of fact for homosexuals that it was a mental illness.

Answer 3

As far as I know - and that is very little about this faith - they only sanction sexual relationships between a husband and wife. It follows that it doesn't matter what the "cause" of homosexuality is, all that matters is whether or not the couple is man and wife, without exception.

Answer 4

Homosexuals are misunderstood and most of us heteros are too stubborn to listen to them.

When a Homosexual tells you they always knew they were gay, why not take them at their word? Just because I don't have those feelings doesn't mean they cannot exist, and that people that do have them, don't tell the truth.

Religion complicates the issue, because it gives man the ability to call things he doesn't understand 'EVIL' or wrong or a 'grave disorder'.

This type of reasoning was used to justify slavery and racism in years past, its the same thing.

Answer 5

catholic crusader, do you know these alleged ex-gays? can you say for a fact that they were 'cured' and not brainwashed?

larissa, i have a loving mother and five straight brothers. i had no trauma in my childhood, or any other factor that differs from my brothers, but i have been attracted to men as long as i can remember. the same is true of all the gay men i know. i know of some lesbians who weren't aware of their attraction, but not a single gay man has ever told me that he became gay because of some childhood trauma or a poor relationship with his mother.

you both need to open your minds. there's not a queer anywhere that ever did you any harm, so why do you insist on repressing us?

Answer 6

I'm I naive to take gay people at their word? Because I do. As much as I practice the Vulcam Mind Meld, I still can't see into peoples minds and hearts. Only God can.

So, I leave that to God to worry about. I continue to take gay people at their word.

edit - thumbs down if you must, but I really do feel I am right. And I do feel God approves of my approach.

Answer 7

That's what's wrong with all religion. They are so sanctimonious and so righteous that they thing they have a monopoly on God. If they really believe in God, they should ask themselves why did God created you. I am straight and catholic. I was punished in religion class for arguing with my teacher because one of my classmate is gay. Just stand for right. Ignore then and tell them to shove it where it doesn't shine.

Answer 8

Scientifically, homosexuality is not something that comes natural for anyone - what I can tell you is that many people become gay because of the bad experiences with the opposite sex parent, and the bad feeling that has been created to all opposite sex people because of it.

Answer 9

"Modern science" has said no such thing. That is a value judgement which is outside the purview of science.

Answer 10

Homosexuality is a grave disorder. That is a fact, and all the political correctness in the world cannot change it. 50 years ago, psychologists said the same thing, but now they have been forced to bow down to politically correct pressure, lest they lose their practices.

I invite people to learn about "Courage" - http://couragerc.net/
"Courage" is an apostolate of the Catholic Church and ministers to those with same-sex attractions and their loved ones. You'll never hear about it in the mainstream media: They have many success stories of people overcoming their same-sex atraction issues, and sometimes even getting married to fellow members of the opposite sex. They are amazing stories - stories which prove wrong the notion that you are just born that way and there is nothing you can do about it.