Can Religion Survive Being Wrong About Homosexuality? (moral, Creator, followers)

[lunamoth]

Not only was the church wrong in rejecting the scientific view that the earth revolved around the sun, it revealed a heresy: humans (once again) putting themselves at the center of the universe.

No doubt the same will eventually be revealed about the church's heresy regarding homosexuality: humans allowing their fear of 'other' to displace love.

luna

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Djamila

What they believe now has little to do with what the Bible actually says - in any language. That's the same wherever you go, in most faiths.

But they wrote it, handed it down generationally, and the interpretation is consistent from the time of the writing until today because we actually have many historical writings for Christianity and Judaism.

It's true that interpretation often changes throughout history.

The Church and the Jewish interpretation of homosexuality - from the writing of the original works until today has been one of the very few things that have not undergone revision. The argument for misinterpretation is incredibly weak.

[Feathers in Hair]

For me, I suppose that how the issue was treated would be the major factor on how or if a religion survived. For example, if they said acted on the belief of "We think it's wrong, but who among us is right, so I'll respect your right to love whom you wish as you respect mine and honor you as a fellow being of equal worth in the eyes of our creator", then I would imagine that it would survive nicely. If they only gave the latter part lip service (emphasizing the 'it's wrong' part), survival might be iffy. If a faith used the issue to condemn certain peoples and to state that eternal damnation will be theirs if they don't change who they they love, then I kind of wonder if the vitirolic (sp) nature of such a brand of faith would ultimately destroy itself.

[sojourner]

Originally Posted by Feathers in Hair

For me, I suppose that how the issue was treated would be the major factor on how or if a religion survived. For example, if they said acted on the belief of "We think it's wrong, but who among us is right, so I'll respect your right to love whom you wish as you respect mine and honor you as a fellow being of equal worth in the eyes of our creator", then I would imagine that it would survive nicely. If they only gave the latter part lip service (emphasizing the 'it's wrong' part), survival might be iffy. If a faith used the issue to condemn certain peoples and to state that eternal damnation will be theirs if they don't change who they they love, then I kind of wonder if the vitirolic (sp) nature of such a brand of faith would ultimately destroy itself.

And yet, despite this, the Southern Baptists seem to be flourishing...

[!Fluffy!]

I don't know if religions will survive, but I'm pretty sure G_d will be okay.

[robtex]

Originally Posted by Moon Woman

I don't know if religions will survive, but I'm pretty sure G_d will be okay.

so we can understand your post in context which God(s) do you believe in?

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by Peace4all

Salam,

Ooo , its been like 2 months since I last logged on

I don’t recall anything about how Islam denies that some people are homosexual at birth. It just condemns it. Weather or not we like alcohol we still have to abstain from it.

I take this stance.

As for whether or not religion can survive being "wrong" about homosexuality? Well, last time I checked, there were a lot of people who were gay and still quite religious. If that's any indication, I think religion will do just fine.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by sojourner

And yet, despite this, the Southern Baptists seem to be flourishing...

Personal experience, but...

The churches here seem to be emptying out. It seems like the old members are dying off, and not enough young people are taking their place. There are several churches within a few miles of me that get a mere handful of people each Sunday.

Or course there are bigger ones, but at least here it seems to be going out of style, so to speak.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

If homosexuality is ambiguous in the Greek, why does the Greek Othrodox church consistently speak out against it, not marrying homosexuals or promoting the practice of homosexuality?

Maybe as a way to separate themselves from the ancient polytheistic Greeks?

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

Maybe as a way to separate themselves from the ancient polytheistic Greeks?

No, I don't think so.

Greeks and Romans celebrated homosexuality but mostly as a deviant sex practice. That is, homoerotic behavior was in addition to heterosexual marriage (either adult or pederastic), although some wanted to do so. This homoerotic behavior can be expressed with adult friends (like Socrates and Alicbiades), pederasty, soldiers in the field, or children and slaves (both were sexually available to the pater familias and whoever he authorized).

I don't think that the Christian teachings against homosexuality (both in the NT and other Christian writings) were to subvert Greco-Roman practices, but rather re-inforced common moral philosophy - that humans should live according to reason (or religion) rather than animalistic impulses.

note: Commited Same-Sex Relationships in Plato