Since the beginning of time there has been homosexuality and that has always led to a debate of opinions. But in the last 20 years this topic has jumped to the top of the religious/political controversy list. This topic is important to all Americans because so many different groups have a stakeholder position in this issue. Adoption agencies, health services, insurance companies and the wedding industry just to name a few. Many believe legalizing marriage for same-sex couples would not only change the meaning of marriage, but change society all together. On the matter of religion, homosexuality is a very sensitive topic and has been throughout history.
Every religion has their own opinions and beliefs for homosexuality and same-sex marriage based on their interpretation of their sacred text. The members of these churches and congregations then have their own beliefs and way of thinking. Ultimately, the issue from a religious standpoint is should homosexuality and same-sex couples have equal rights as heterosexual couples and individuals? Also, how should religion play a role in this deep controversy? Should the religious leaders be judging homosexuals for their wrong doing or supporting them with compassion and kindness?
Peter J. Gomes, author of “Homophobic? Re-Read Your Bible”, gives his more liberal views on homosexuality from a preacher’s point-of-view against the more conservative beliefs. He starts off by saying how homosexuals are hated and not respected by so many people. He gives an example of this by quoting Pat Buchanan, “Homosexuality is a litmus test of moral purity.” This is in complete opposition with Gomes’s beliefs. In his article, he states where in the Bible it talks about homosexuality and h...
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...wers: Catholic Apologetics, Catholic Evangelization, Catholic Teachings, Catholic Radio, Catholic Publishing, Catholic Truth. 2004. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. .
Gomes, Peter J. Philosophy and Religion. 1992. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. .
Moss, Chris. "Faith & Reason: Christian Prefer Prejudice To Science on Section 28; Traditionalist Church Attitudes To Homosexuality Threaten Once Again To Drive a Wedge Between Religion and What Evolution Has Taught Us." LexisNexis Academic. LexisNexis, 12 Feb. 2000. Web. 13 Mar. 2011.
Robinson, B. A. "Gay/Homosexual/Same-sex Marriages - All Sides to the Issue." ReligiousTolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 10 May 2009. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. .
Within America’s society today, 3.8 percent of the population is gay, lesbian, or bisexual. With only 17 of the 50 states legalizing and recognizing this type of relationship (“History…”), it puts a stronghold on same-sex couples to publicly declare their love with the promise of marriage. Same-sex marriages should be legalized because everyone has equal rights of freedom and liberty.
Smith, M. (2005). The politics of same-sex marriage in canada and the united states. PS,
Gomes applies culturalism a great amount in this part. The four cultural events analyzed in this section are: Christians justification for racism and slavery, the history of women in the Bible and in the religious community, the treatment of Jews by religious peoples, and the general negative opinion of homosexualy amount Bible readers. Gomes explains that in these four events, people did use, or are using, the Bible to justify their hatred of different groups. He also brings up the fact that Christians and other religious people have since apologized for their treatment of women, African Americans, and Jews. By saying this he heavily implies his belief that, once again, Christians are going to be on the wrong side of the debate in regard to homosexuality. The section on homosexuality is the most relevant in this part as it is a current event that is still debate nationwide. In said section, Gomes analyzes the Bible verses that Christians believe to have homosexual implications. Eventually, Gomes uses his personal interpretation of what the verses could mean along with historical context, to explain that the Church should not harbor any hatred or negative opinions to those practicing homosexuality. The other sections of, “The Use and Abuse of the Bible”, give
Saunders, William P. Straight Answers: Answers to 100 Questions about the Catholic Faith. Baltimore, MD: Cathedral Foundation, 1998. Print.
The American debate on homosexuality reveals an unquestionable, though awfully uninvited, fusion between religion and politics, revealing a dangerous lack of separation between the church and state. The concern is not about the presence of spirituality in American politics, but the implications institutionalized religion has on the lives and rights of human beings. Nothing hinders the political and social progress of lesbian women and gay men quite like the complexities of religion. Dating back to the beginning of literature itself, homosexuality is far from modern. Nonetheless, homosexuality is currently the most divisive and fiercely debated topic in recent religious discourse. While most Christians maintain allegiance in labeling same-sex relationships as morally wrong, the church is dramatically divided on the proper place for gays and lesbians in American society and of course, American politics.
In Daniel Karslake’s documentary, For the Bible Tells Me So, he examines the intersection between Christianity and homosexuality. Karslake uses parallelism, appeal to emotion, and appeal to logic to highlight how the religious right has used its interpretation of the bible to stigmatize the gay community. With the use of these rhetorical devices, he is able to auspiciously convey his argument that there can be a healthy relationship amongst the opposing side of this belief. He attempts to enlighten the viewer with the thought that Christianity's homophobia represents a misreading of scripture, a denial of science, and an embrace of fake psychology. The families call for love.
The Holy Bible and its various renditions is the most common religious book that many religions have founded from. The first collection of writings of the bible can be dated back as far as 1500 years, which is 3500 years after homosexuality existed. The bible looks at homosexuality as an abomination and sinful, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22), “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28). There are nearly eighty bible verses about homosexuality being sinful and sacrilegious (Open Bible). Not all religions had the same view on homosexuals,
Wolf, Richard. “Timeline: Same-Sex marriage through the years.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 26 June 2015,
"[I]t seems appropriate to understand sexual orientation (heterosexual or homosexual) as a deep-seated dimension of one's personality and to recognize its relative stability in a person. Generally, homosexual orientation is experienced as a given, not as something freely chosen. By itself, therefore, a homosexual orientation cannot be considered sinful, for morality presumes the freedom to choose. The teachings of the Church make it clear that the fundamental human rights of homosexual persons must be defended and that all of us must strive to eliminate any forms of injustice, oppression, or violence against them"(Pastoral).
Shulman, Sam. "Sam Shulman -- Gay Marriage -- and Marriage." OrthodoxyToday.org |. Commentary Magazine, Nov. 2003. Web. 31 May 2010. .
In this essay, I will explain how religion is sometimes used to mobilize against LGBT people, how some people’s religious and personal doctrines conflict regarding LGBT issues, and how religious belief and community can be a positive force for the LGBT community.
The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved February 21, 2010 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org
... made groups of people have a very hostile attitude toward the subject matter. The traditional view of marriage is also important because it influences future generations and teaches children the meaning of the special union of a man and a woman. Many people also argue that when raising a child he or she should be raised by a father and a mother. Not both of the same sex. Although the debate of same-sex marriage may not affect some people, this is a hot topic that has changed the opinion of many people around the world. The topic of same-sex marriage is a subject that needs to be discusses by individuals who are certain of what they stand for and are capable of providing others with true and convincing arguments.
Our world is constantly changing and people are constantly facing new challenges. Throughout society, there are many different people and different opinions to match. One matter that has a lot of different opinions is the matter of homosexuality. Depending on what a person believes or how accepting they are, will reflect on their opinion on this topic. With the world constantly changing, we have very old styles of thinking versus more modern opinions.
From the beginning of time, homosexuality has been, and continues to be an extremely sensitive and controversial topic among the masses. Individuals constantly find themselves lost in seas of chatter, participating in riveting debates regarding whether or not homosexuality is born or made. Every human being has their own set of values and beliefs, but both society and the church 's perspective of the issue have changed dramatically over the years.