Post subject: Re: Religion in public life - criminal?
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:33 am
Kosh
Moderator
Joined: Jul 31 2003 Posts: 36786 Location: Leafy Worcester, home of the Black Pear
Thoth wrote:Most religions have not considered homosexuality objectionable to their associated deities, if anything homosexual acts were often considered positively and encouraged including being active part of religious ritual. This was particularly the case in the various middle eastern cults. The religions of ancient Greece followed suit in this practice. Even earlyish Christian groups openly practiced homosexual activities this continued into the early medieval period. The campaign against homosexual practices occurred centuries after the religion was strongly established. The first real large scale move against homosexuality came from Rome in the sixth century. The biggest reason for homoseuality being a sin in Judaic texts appears to be as much about worshipping false gods as it is about the act itself. Most major religions in Asia have traditionally no problem with homosexuality, branches of Japanese Buddhism actively encouraged it, similar thing happened with Taoism in parts of China but to a lesser degree. Hinduism was largely accepting of homosexuality, Sikhism itself has no real issue with homosexuality.
Likewise most anti-homosexual laws put in place did not come from religious organisations, if they did there would be a plethora of sacred texts forbidding such practices.
Nice summary, but not the evidence that most secular societies consider homosexuality to be socially unacceptable that I requested.
All Abrahamic religions consider homosexuality to be a sin, and have done since the earliest forms of their religious texts. Hinduism and Buddhism are largely accepting or at least neutral. Sikhism is formally against homosexuality although this stance is not popular with large numbers of Sikhs. Confucianism and Taoism don't really have a position on it one way or the other. After that we're into the territory of minor religions and cults. Given the numbers of active worshippers in each faith it's fair to say that the majority of believers belong to religions that proscribe homosexual behaviour. I sincerely doubt the same can be said of secular societies.
Hold on to me baby, his bony hands will do you no harm It said in the cards, we lost our souls to the Nameless One
Post subject: Re: Religion in public life - criminal?
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:00 am
dr_feelgood
International Star
Joined: Feb 12 2012 Posts: 1011 Location: Wigan
Thoth, I would disagree with your statement that I am not free thinking. I went to church schools all my life and was taught in science about evidence that totally went against what was being taught in RE. I took in both points of view and came to the point of view that the bible was bullshit as there was no proof for creationism and that there was evidence that tended to disprove it. I subsequently embarked on a career in science gaining qualifications upto PhD level. Every day I have to "think outside the box" to overcome technical problems. I am constantly reading of new theories and discoveries in my chosen field in academic literature, some of which I believe, some I don't. Over the years science advances as researchers find evidence supporting or disproving various theories they come up with. To a religious person the bible/koran/torah cannot be proven to be untrue as it is the word of their god and as such must be undeniably true, even without any proof. I believe that religious stories, used in the right context, can be very good at teaching children how to behave in a civilised society, in much the same way as Aesops fables, but Genesis, for example , should not be portrayed as an accurate description of the creation of our planet.
Although I am no expert on the bible I do know that there is something in there about it being an abomination for a man to lie with another man as he does his wife. This is where all the bigotry stems from. Personally I'm not gay and as I said earlier cannot understand why anyone who is gay would want to be in a religion that demonised their sexuality. Equally I cannot understand why a religion would condem homosexuality.
Tarquin Fuego wrote: I love Jamie and have done since he was 10 years old.
The Reason wrote:Hi Andy
The Rugby Football League are in the process of reviewing the video that you are referring to. We do not condone behaviour of this nature and have contacted the player’s employer, Hull F.C., who have confirmed that they are dealing with the incident under their club rules.
Post subject: Re: Religion in public life - criminal?
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 6:46 am
Rock God X
Player Coach
Joined: Oct 21 2006 Posts: 10852
Speaking of promoting creationism, the National Trust are reviewing their decision to discuss the 'controversy' surrounding the formation of the Giant's Causeway in their teaching materials at the attraction's visitor centre. Hopefully they'll reach the correct decision and make no mention of the unfounded creationist ideas surrounding their formation.
Christianity: because you're so awful you made God kill himself.
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