Love from Hate Hatred from Love:
Challenging Religious Conservatism towards Gay Culture
Religious life has spawned times of war and times of peace and it has been responsible for changes in the human condition and even the course of human history. Professed beliefs are passed down by religious traditions, ideally speaking, these beliefs have consequences effecting social behavior. This analysis is particularly evident when examining the critiques of some Chris-tian [traditionalist] interpretations that take exception to gay culture. The underlined message to these persons arguments seem to be that condemning homosexuality in society is not about deny-ing ones rightful place in the world, but rather about steering people away from the nature of sin that is associated with undercurrents of its practice. The logic behind such a message is that all human beings are natural sinners however, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transsexual (LGBT) community just happens to be engaged in a more critical form of that sin through the activities surrounding their homosexual life-style. This understanding is, to Christian traditionalists, the Word of God and being such, they consider it to be a moral law. Adhering to this rule of under-standing often allows its believers a certain elitist justification that they consider to be beyond reproach. There are a few problems with many of the claims that support what these proponents of interpreted religious scripture and doctrine hold as sacred. The purpose of this paper means to challenge the social behavior and rhetoric stemming from Christian conservatives aimed at homo-sexuality, as well as, to exam the current state of affairs existing in gay culture as it pertains to religion, society, and the argu...
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...inful behavior or by any sort of law in general. Many (most?) Christians socialize with individuals who are divorced and accept their gay children. Some Christians are even gay themselves. Polite society does not have to simply accept a teaching just because it is religious in nature. In the past, religious justifications have been fueled and advanced by the subjugation of women by men/husbands, the burning of witch-es, and even the prohibition of interracial marriage. Today, in modern society these sort of views are recognized and seen as impolite because they are widely understood as incorrect, regardless of the religious sincerity by which they are held. The only difference between the tol-erance of fearful, misogynistic, or racist views in the name of anti-sin and the same tolerant views of discrimination towards gay culture is about 1000 years of social change.
In the debate over homosexuality, Christian ethicists have many authorities to draw from. From the mixture of biblical sources, traditional authorities, empirical and descriptive accounts, and cultural norms, Cahill chooses general biblical themes and modern culture as the primary authorities for her ethic. This departure from traditional Roman Catholic teaching implies some flaw in the connection between the Holy Spirit, the church, and common believers. Cahill’s decision is her method of fixing this disconnect and reuniting Christ’s message with all believers.
All sins are forgivable and we are all sinners, but sin has to be recognized for what it is if divine mercy is to be had. So much of the talk about homosexuality is an understandable human effort to change the subject. Any reference to the wrongness of homosexuality is likely to invite the charge of homophobia, turning the accusation on the supposed accuser. But of course the moral law is not the property of anyone, and invoking it need not be an accusation. The problem is not how others react to homosexuality but the plight of the homosexual. And reaching out to the homosexual in his plight is the subject of this paper.
Although homosexuality is not a mental disorder in and of itself, gay men and other men who have sex with men can present with poorer mental health outcomes as a result of social discrimination, rejection, isolation and marginalization.3 4, 5 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gay men and other MSM are at increased risk for major depression, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, the common basis of which is likely homophobia.6 Sustained stress from this can also lead MSM to contemplate suicide or cope through substance use.7 Although providing appropriate mental health support for gay men and other MSM from a clinical perspective is similar to treating anyone else with mental challenges, it is critical to recognize the role that structural and social barriers play in exacerbating negative mental health outcomes among these individuals.
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.
According to biblical texts, in the beginning, God created the first man, Adam and made him a woman, Eve. He gave Adam a woman, not a man, so that the human race can maintain a man/woman relationship. For thousands of years homosexuality has been misconduct or in the church’s case, sin. We are continuously beset with this controversial topic and have since reached a point where homosexuality is more open and more accepted than ever. Now, gay men and women fight for the right to be legally married in the United States. In Christianity, marriage is a lifelong commitment under God and many Christians believe this is a “major sin.” However, no matter the relation of man and woman or man and man, Homosexuals should be allowed to have a lifelong
Religion has been a big issue with judging homosexual. Some Christians believe that the Bible speaks with one clear voice in condemning homosexuality. In many Anti-gay Christians groups see homosexuality as sinful. Using the Bible to justify their hate against anything they do not understand.
The LGBTQIA community has faced strong opposition from groups falling outside this minority for years, primarily conservative and religious groups. This phenomenon is not particular to the United States, but spans hundreds of countries across the world. Religious leaders in varying religions not only oppose the act of marriage, but often times oppose the actual act of homosexual behavior. Often religious oppositionist will cite religious text, like the Bible as a means of opposing the LGBTQIA lifestyle. One of the most blatant oppositions to homosexual b...
Homosexuality is a sensitive topic and often avoided in conversation. For centuries the human race has oppressed and persecuted others strictly because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual etc. Although it is disturbing to most of us, these actions still occur in our society today, as many believe that homosexuality is abnormal and disgraceful. One supporter of this belief is Michael Levin, who strongly believes that homosexuality is highly abnormal and thus, undesirable. Although his beliefs and theories supporting this claim are subjective, there is evidence that can support his stance on this topic; we will analyze this claim in further detail and how it relates to his other views mentioned in this essay.
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. In history, mainstream Abrahamic religions have had a negative relationship with LGBT persons. Beginning during the Hebrew exodus of Egypt, the purity codes documented in the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Leviticus explicitly stated a slew of rigid rules that attempted to keep a new Israelite nation “clean”. As William Countryman argues in the article “Dirt, Greed, & Sex”, the Bible sets a precedent for what is “clean” and pure as well as what is “dirty”. In this sense, dirty means where something doesn’t belong, or is out of place.
For example in the Roman Catholic followings. The church is totally against gay and lesbian relationships, because it if you do follow the gay and lesbian side its considered a big sin because in the teachings of GOD and Jesus you have to be with the opposite sex so you can make life.
In the rural, Catholic village that I grew up in, there were a total of 3-5 gay people ranging in age from teenagers to adults. When we would go out of town and see a presumed member of the LGBT community, I often heard homophobic comments. Most of the residents in my hometown were born and raised there, for at least two generations. Be it that homosexuality used to be considered a mental illness or the fact that everyone is Catholic, the community was moderately homophobic. This played a large role in the formation of my identity over the next several
Christians know what to abide by. They may know that being a homosexual is going against Gods word but they also know that the Lord says that one should love all no matter what circumstances. Calling homosexuals offensive names is just as offensive as from public displays of affection from homosexuals. Of course I for one do not fin any kind of this public display offensive but some might. So if some want the respect to get homosexuals to keep their proclamation of loving one another private then they have to stop the name calling and violence. Homosexuals are just as human or Christian as anyone may be so that is more of a reason to love them. The Bible says that sinners will be forgiven so for us to be more God like shouldn't we forgive homosexuals?
There are many ways to define popular culture. Many individuals have grappled with the question what is popular culture? And how to critically analyze and deconstruct the meanings. Looking at the root words of popular culture is where to begin. Raymond Williams states ‘popular’ means: “well liked by many people" or “culture actually made for the people themselves (Storey, p.5). This is part with the word ‘culture’ combine to look at how the two words have been connect by theoretical work within social and historical context. John Storey approaches popular culture in six categories, they are as followed: “Popular culture is simply culture that is widely favoured or well liked by many people”, Popular culture is “the culture that is left over after we have decided what is high culture”, Popular culture is “mass culture”, “Popular culture is the culture that originates from ‘the people.” and “Popular culture as a site of struggle
There are individuals that live in fear of showing their true identity to the world because they simply fear that society won’t accept them for having a different sexual orientation. Society advocates that individuals should be able to be proud of who they are, but yet they judge homosexuals for being different. People are taught not to judge others based on their race or religion, so why do they still discriminate against homosexuals? The homosexual subculture is not accepted by society, looked down upon, and misjudged; however, they are human beings and deserve to be treated equally.
Many Christians have never fully read the bible and base their understanding of it on word of mouth. Looking at it closer, one would notice that many parts of the bible are not of any use or are mostly rejected in today’s society, which is why we should reevaluate its teachings and revoke any that are no longer needed. Even the Pope has gone against scripture that is unacceptable in our world today. “If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?” This is a quote from Pope Francis, stating that as long as a person does good, who is anyone to judge them. In the Old Testament it says, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” (NKJ, Leviticus 18:22) and “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” (NKJ, Leviticus 20:13) Not only do these quotes condemn homosexuality they illustrate the lack of equality due to the lack of representation of women in the law. In the New Testament, Jesus never directly mentions homosexuality, but instead condemns all forms of sexual immoral behavior. “What comes out of