SCOTUS IMPACT ON MARRIAGE #2-RELIGIOUS

(I have posted many excerpts from articles "googled" instead of paraphrasing since as the authors wrote can not be bettered.)

In continuation of the implications of SCOTUS’S decision there must be a discussion on society’s sexual preferences for determining the validity of that action.

Since we cannot justify the prohibition of same sex marriages on legal grounds; then besides the religious forces there also has to be one or more of the following factors; genetic, philosophical, medical including psychological and historical aspects involved in the mix that produced the homophobia which led to legislation forbidding same gender marriages.

It is important to focus on Religion as the prime determining factor.

The five great world religions vary in the acceptance of sexual acts except for procreation.

The three religions of the “Book” point to various passages that seem to pointedly call ‘homosexual sex “a sin against G-d. * 

Leviticus: 18:22, 20:13 and Genesis 19 in the Old Testament which all three recognize. In the New Testament (Christian Bible) there are several passages including Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Timothy 1:9-10 ND Jude 1:7. Are the ones most frequently referred to and are called the Clobber Passages

There are at least 20 other or “minor” references; perhaps the most pointed is Genesis 2:23-24: "The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh'...For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh."  Interpreted as G-d created marriage only between one man and one woman.

Of the three ;( 1) Islam is the strongest in the condemnation of adulatory, same gender sex, sodomy, pedophilia etc. The punishment of any of these violations is usually death; most often by stoning.

The justification is dependent on “how specific passages in the Qur'an and statements attributed to the prophet Muhammad are interpreted. The mainstream interpretation of Qur'anic verses and hadith consider homosexuality and cross-dressing a sin. The Qur'an cites the story of the "people of Lot" (also known as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah), destroyed by the wrath of God because they engaged in "lustful" carnal acts between men.”(Wikipedia)

On the other hand in various Muslim countries the prohibition against homosexuality is not as strong as in the Arabic and African states. Indeed, “in some Muslim-majority nations, such as Albania, Turkey, Jordan, Indonesia or Mali, same-sex intercourse is not forbidden by law, and in Albania there have been discussions about legalizing same-sex marriage” .(Wikipedia)

There is also abundant homoerotic literature from about the 8^th century until modern times. There is also historical evidence of bi-sexuality among various rulers during the height of the Islamic empires.

It seems that the strict sexual conduct that we feel is dominant in the Muslim nations may not be traditional but a result of the recent revival in Islamic doctrine.

(2) Judaism is similar to many Christian sects in that gay and lesbian rabbi’s are tolerated  not only in the newer more liberal movements but even orthodoxy does not condemn homosexuality but only sexual acts.**

Rabbi Shmuel Boteach, an American Orthodox (Chabad-Lubavitch) Rabbi, holds that “homosexual acts are wrong simply because the Torah says they are wrong, and not because they are an aberration or sickness. Sexuality as a whole is instinctive, and both heterosexuality and homosexuality are natural. Then why does G-d say that heterosexual love is holy and homosexual love is an abomination? Heterosexual love is the way the human race propagates itself. G-d demands that we regulate our sexual activity so that we will lead happier lives and fulfill our commitments to our communities.” This is of course not the opinion of many other Rabbis especially the ultra-orthodox.

There seems to be a tolerance of LGBT in all but those groups that adopt the most conservative interpretation of the Torah.

(3) Christianity also is not uniform in its reaction to same gender sexual relationships as well as certain sexual actions. There is near universal condemnation of pedophilia, but toleration of oral sex and sodomy may vary. (Click)

“From the beginning of the thirteenth century, the Catholic Church formally recognized marriage between a freely consenting, baptized man and woman as a sacrament—an outward sign communicating a special gift of God's love. The Council of Florence in 1438 gave this definition, following earlier Church statements in 1208, and declared that sexual union was a special participation in the union of Christ in the Church.^] However the Puritans, while highly valuing the institution, viewed marriage as a "civil", rather than a "religious" matter, being "under the jurisdiction of the civil courts". This is because they found no biblical precedent for clergy performing marriage ceremonies. Further, marriage was said to be for the "relief of concupiscence" as well as any spiritual purpose.” (Wikipedia)

At present there is a wide variation regarding homosexuality among the various dominations. If List of Christian denominational positions on homosexuality ... does not; provide a direct hit enter it in your URL line.

As can be seen, there is no consensus in the treatment of homosexuality among the so called Abrahamic religions.  To quote;”The Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, have traditionally forbidden sodomy, believing and teaching that such behavior is sinful.Today some denominations within these religions are accepting of homosexuality and inclusive of homosexual people, such as Reform Judaism, the United Church of Christ and the Metropolitan Community Church. Some Presbyterian and Anglican churches welcome members regardless of same-sex sexual practices, with some provinces allowing for the ordination and inclusion of gay and lesbian clerics, and affirmation of same-sex unions. Reform Judaism incorporates lesbian and gay rabbis and same-sex marriage liturgies, while Reconstructionist Judaism and Conservative Judaism in the USA allows for lesbian and gay rabbis and same-sex unions.^” (Religion and homosexuality – Wikipedia), 

Although most address the question of "homosexuality" instead of specifically "marriage" ;same sex marriage can not receive approval if same gender sex is treated as a sin.

Next blog; Hinduism and Buddhism.

  *Orthodoxy Judaism believes that G-d's name should never be written

  **http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_samesexrelations.htm