Religion vs. homosexuality

Overview

Many religious groups (especially Christian and Islamic fundamentalists) are vehemently opposed to homosexuality – typically citing scripture as a basis for condemning it – while other religious groups show varying degrees of tolerance and support for it.

Although homosexuality is just one of several sexuality issues, homosexuality is currently the most visible of these issues and any entity's stand on those other issues can generally be extrapolated from their views on homosexuality.

Religious intolerance of homosexuality and other non-harmful sexualities is one of the most serious issues involving religion.

Christianity

The Bible

• quotes condemning homosexuality:
  • Leviticus 18:22: "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (This of course says nothing regarding lesbianism.) All of Leviticus 18 seems to concern laws regarding sexual relationships. I have been told, however, that the Levitican laws are not to be taken as current law as they are "unfulfilled". Obviously not everyone agrees with that... --Woozle 16:08, 15 April 2007 (EDT)
  • 1 Corinthians 6:9,10: "...Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men... will inherit God's kingdom."
• It should be noted, however, that "The Sin of Sodom" was not homosexuality, but being "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49, NIV translation)
• information on homosexuality and the Bible

News

• 2007-03-27 Drama at Abbey, Akinola 'comes out' on anti-gay law, "Articles of Faith" column by Ruth Gledhill, The Times Religion Correspondent