Homosexuality
Cont’d from page 1
In the Quran, we see reference to homosexuality in the story of
Lot:
Lot said to his people, “You commit such an
abomination; no one in the world has done it before! You practice
sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing
people.” His people responded by saying, “Evict them
from your town. They are people who wish to be pure.” [Quran
7:80-82]
Lot said to his people, “How could you commit
such an abomination, publicly, while you see? You practice sex with
the men, lustfully, instead of the women. Indeed, you are ignorant
people.” The only response from his people was their saying,
“Banish Lot's family from your town; they are people who wish
to be pure.” [Quran 27:54-56]
While liberal interpretations suggest a contextual limitation on
the prohibition of sexual activities between members of the same
gender, the verses themselves are quite direct in their condemnation
of the behavior. Some people argue that, “God created humans
with a certain sexual preference, hence there cannot be sin in it;
the verses therefore must be limited in their applicability.”
Medical research on the genetic predisposition for homosexual behavior
is far from conclusive. In any case, God prohibits it. Therefore,
even if such a genetic link were found, the argument against it
would be similar to that against consumption of alcohol or gambling.
The latter two are associated with the make-up of one’s genes,
but that does not make them acceptable in God’s eyes. In fact,
much the same as homosexuality,
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God terms intoxicants and gambling as
abominations of the devil (Quran 5:90). As such, we must refrain
from any behavior that God commands against. While we may be inclined
to sin; the test is to remain steadfast.
Is one who recognizes that your Lord's revelations
to you are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess
intelligence will take heed. They are the ones who fulfill their
pledge to GOD, and do not violate the covenant. They join what GOD
has commanded to be joined, reverence their Lord, and fear the dreadful
reckoning. They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe
the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly
and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the
best abode. [Quran 13:19-22]
You shall seek help through steadfastness and the
Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for
the reverent, who believe that they will meet their Lord; that to
Him they ultimately return. [Quran 2:45-46]
Marriage
The advocates of same-sex marriages point out that the scriptures
do not expressly prohibit a marriage between members of the same
gender. In light of the prohibition of homosexuality, this argument
does not have much utility. Also, for those who follow God’s
scriptures, marriage is a divine institution (Quran 30:20-21). The
scriptural references to marriage always suggest a union of a man
and a woman, e.g. Genesis 1:27-28; Mark 10:6-9, Quran 7:189, etc.
Among His proofs is that He created you from dust,
then you became reproducing humans. Among His proofs is that He
created for |
you spouses from among
yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each
other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses.
In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think. [Quran
30:20-21]
But from the beginning of creation, God made them
male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and
mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer
two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let
no man separate. [Mark 10:6-9]
Proponents of same-sex marriages argue that this scriptural restriction
deprives them of enjoying equal rights under the law. Married couples
typically enjoy tax, medical, inheritance and other benefits which
are denied to same-sex partners. The problem here is one of financial
and procedural difficulties that same-sex marriage partners endure.
These issues are relevant to human laws and are addressable by the
law-making bodies. This also serves to highlight the fact that religious
and civil unions are two separable entities.
God defines religious unions and lays down what constitutes a marriage
in His eyes. Consequently, a woman and a man may fulfill the requirements
specified in the scripture (e.g. mutual attraction and dowry—Quran
4:24) and be a married couple by God’s rules, but may not
necessarily be recognized as a couple by the state.
Sexual Preference & Persecution
An unfortunate repercussion of homosexuality is mistreatment by
fanatics. Regardless of the view one has of same-sex marriages,
there is no justification for persecution of those with homosexual
leanings.
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