Which is more immoral, homosexuality or society's attitude towards it?

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Anna Grinevich ©

Which is more immoral, homosexuality or society’s attitude towards it?

Historically, homosexuals have been discriminated against, scapegoated and often even feared. The orientation has been labeled as immoral and unnatural, and the sexual practice considered contrary to God’s intent and perverted. There are a number of views on the issue; some believe it to be a mental or genetic disorder that is not the homosexual’s fault yet this still cannot be accepted; others accept the orientation yet frown upon genital contact. Others believe same sex relationships, although they still fall short of ideal morality, to be more acceptable in committed relationships than in transient ones. And lastly, there are liberals, both religious and not, who support and tolerate homosexuality as long as it is consensual. Many surveys have been conducted in order to discern how much of the population has had such experiences, inclinations or relationships, and the figures vary greatly. However, if homosexuality is wrong, then it makes no difference as to the numbers of people who admitted to it; if it is morally neutral then society’s discriminatory attitude is immoral in itself.

Many people remain hostile towards homosexuality. Christian views, formed by the literal interpretation of the Bible, deem homosexuality incompatible with the Church. Although Jesus’ teaching does not include anything on the issue, the church he founded stemmed from Jewish tradition. The law commanded: ‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable’ (Lev. 18.22) and clearly this refers to sexual conduct. It goes on to promote the death penalty for such practices, and clearly this is referring to consensual relationships: ‘They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own hands’ Homophobic attitudes were clearly encouraged, most likely in order to keep stability within society and uphold family values, possibly minimise pederasty. Many Christians agree with the traditional interpretation of the scriptures. Thus, homosexuals can and do face antagonism if they wish to practice their religion within the Church that does not accept who they are. Other gays are forced to lie or hide their identity. This rejecting-punitive stance can have a serious effect on a homosexual person, triggering guilt, loneliness, depression, alcoholism.

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Still within the Christian community, there are those who believe that homosexuals are nevertheless full members of the Church or the Body of Christ, and can be blessed and forgiven like other sinners. However homosexual behaviour is still seen as straying from God’s good plan for the purpose of human life and procreation; therefore Christians are not permitted to practice it. The rejecting-compassionate stance, although of course more tolerant than the view discussed above, can still be seen as immoral in its partial rejection of a person’s nature. This is the stance officially taken by the Catholic Church and ...

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