Homossexuality Across Religion

Origins of Homosexuality

The first known same-sex couple is registered in history books from 2400BC. (Kamna Kirti, 2020) Thus, twenty-four thousand years before Christ walked on Earth, around four hundred and twenty years before Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob formed the congregation of  Israel and, more than three thousand years before Muhammad had revelations from Allah about the basis of the Quran. The couple, formed by Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum was found buried together in a tomb in Egypt.

 Homosexuality has been around for longer than its stigma. Yet the discussion around it was not very familiar as the controversy was brought by religious affairs. Many ancient historical figures can’t particularly be fit in today’s categories of sexuality although many historians might want to assume everyone’s heterosexuality, lines were very blurry until religious entities came along. (Upbin, 2013)

The Bible

“If a man has sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman, the two of them have committed an abomination. They must be put to death; their blood guilt is on themselves.” Leviticus 20:13 (Bible, 2021) 

It is very straightforward: any sort of homosexual act is a sin and must be punished with death. The Bible leaves no room for questioning or arguing. Through different passages as “You must not have sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman; it is a detestable act.” Leviticus 18:22 (Bible, 2021) and several others, both in the Old and New Testament, it is made very clear that same-sex relationships are a severe sin. 

Yet, there is a slight difference between each book. While the Old Testament - as seen in Leviticus - predicts that there is no salvation left and only death is a solution, the New Testament preaches that God’s grace is unlimited and can save humans from any sin - even homosexuality - as said in Romans 5:20 “Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so, might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Bible, 2021)

Thus Christianity preaches that homosexuality is a sin, that can be avoided through choosing the world of God, as He will have mercy of all mankind’s errors. 

The Torah

“But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.” (Nehemiah 9:17)

As the Torah and the Bible’s Old Testament get intertwined, its straightforward view stated on Leviticus is also the same. Homosexuality is forbidden. With a few interesting details. Firstly, there are no mentions on the Torah about the prohibition of female homosexual relations, and the discussions in the Talmud are also still very few, making it an inconclusive subject. As the Torah only specifically mentions man, and males, using no feminine or female words, it does leave room for interpretation regarding it being acceptable for women to have same-sex relationships. 

The second point is the fact that Judaism is based on actions rather than thoughts. Although in Christianity the mere thought of desire is seen as a sin, it can be said that only the homosexual act rather than the homosexual orientation itself would be a sin in Judaism. (“Homosexuality in Judaism,” 2021) Only acting upon its desire would make a man sinful. 

The Quran

“When their brother Lot said to them, “Will you not fear God? Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear God and obey me. I ask no reward from you, for my only reward is with the Lord of the Worlds. Must you, unlike [other] people, lust after males and abandon the wives that God has created for you? You are exceeding all bounds" (Quran 26: 161-166) 

In Islam, sex is seen as a gift from Allah, but to be kept strictly within marriage between a man and a woman (“What does Islam say about homosexuality? - Human sexuality and relationships - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - BBC Bitesize,” 2021). Thus, choosing to have a same-sex partner would be disregarding Allah’s gift, going against nature and His will. 

Not only it is forbidden by the Qoran in Islam, as it is by the Torah for Judaism and the Bible in Christianity, homosexuality is not only illegal in many Muslim countries but can also be punished with death in this century.  “And as for the two of you men who are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. And if they repent and improve, then let them be. Lo! Allah is Merciful.” (Qur'an 4:16) Although it is mentioned, as in the New Testament that if the sinful individual repents, he can be forgiven as Allah - as God - has mercy, it is debatable how can there be any improvement if the individuals already died. 

The Common Ground

Coming from different points of view all religions got to the same conclusion: homosexuality is a sin. Although all three religions believe their gods are merciful, preach love, and forgiveness, they believe same-gender couples sharing a bed should be punished with death. Yet, all religions contradict themselves, by saying that if the individuals repent they can be forgiven, but how can they do it if they are dead? There’s a lot of missing information in between the lines that leave room for debate. 

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are three of the most influential religions in the world and completely transformed the way same-sex relationships, sexuality, gender, and identity are seen around the world. 

Today

Although religion severely impacts the view on homosexuality, these religions are adapting themselves to the modern world and trying to comprehend what can be applied to today’s reality. It took almost 2000 years for these religions to build this stigma on homosexuality, yet, it can slowly be torn down. The Bible, the Torah, the Quran share many values and ideas that have to be curated to the contemporary age. It is all about choosing the words from these scriptures.

Bible

“Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)

Torah

“But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.” (Nehemiah 9:17)

Quran

“Those who believe and do good deeds — the Gracious God will create love in their hearts.”  (Al Quran 19:97)

References

Kamna Kirti. (2020, August 13). History’s First Gay Couple - Lessons from History - Medium. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from Medium website: https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/historys-first-gay-couple-f877be3a5b86

Alexander The Great: Gay or Straight?

By Bruce Upbin Container: Forbes Year: 2013 URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/booked/2011/02/10/alexander-the-great-gay-or-straight/?sh=2436ecc13447

Homosexuality: The Biblical-Christian View | Bible.org

By  Container: Bible.org Year: 2021 URL: https://bible.org/article/homosexuality-biblical-christian-view#II.

Homosexuality in Judaism

By  Container: Jewishvirtuallibrary.org Year: 2021 URL: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/homosexuality-in-judai

What does Islam say about homosexuality? - Human sexuality and relationships - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - BBC Bitesize

By  Container: BBC Bitesize Year: 2021 URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z8kjpv4/revision/5

58 Bible verses about Acceptance

By  Container: Knowing-jesus.com Year: 2011 URL: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Acceptance

10 Verses From The Torah That Can Help You During Difficult Times

By  Container: Faithcounts.com Year: 2021 URL: https://faithcounts.com/10-verses-from-the-torah-that-can-help-you-during-difficult-times/

Two Hundred Verses about Compassionate Living in the Quran

By Zia H Shah Container: The Muslim Times Publisher: The Muslim Times Year: 2013 URL: https://themuslimtimes.info/2013/10/29/three-hundred-verses-about-compassionate-living-in-the-quran/