June 2004: Page 1, 2, 3, 4

Submitters Perspective

Page 2

Homosexuality

Cont’d from page 1

In the Quran, we see reference to homosexuality in the story of Lot:

Lot said to his people, “You commit such an abomination; no one in the world has done it before! You practice sex with the men, instead of the women. Indeed, you are a transgressing people.” His people responded by saying, “Evict them from your town. They are people who wish to be pure.” [Quran 7:80-82]

Lot said to his people, “How could you commit such an abomination, publicly, while you see? You practice sex with the men, lustfully, instead of the women. Indeed, you are ignorant people.” The only response from his people was their saying, “Banish Lot's family from your town; they are people who wish to be pure.” [Quran 27:54-56]

While liberal interpretations suggest a contextual limitation on the prohibition of sexual activities between members of the same gender, the verses themselves are quite direct in their condemnation of the behavior. Some people argue that, “God created humans with a certain sexual preference, hence there cannot be sin in it; the verses therefore must be limited in their applicability.”

Medical research on the genetic predisposition for homosexual behavior is far from conclusive. In any case, God prohibits it. Therefore, even if such a genetic link were found, the argument against it would be similar to that against consumption of alcohol or gambling. The latter two are associated with the make-up of one’s genes, but that does not make them acceptable in God’s eyes. In fact, much the same as homosexuality,

God terms intoxicants and gambling as abominations of the devil (Quran 5:90). As such, we must refrain from any behavior that God commands against. While we may be inclined to sin; the test is to remain steadfast.

Is one who recognizes that your Lord's revelations to you are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess intelligence will take heed. They are the ones who fulfill their pledge to GOD, and do not violate the covenant. They join what GOD has commanded to be joined, reverence their Lord, and fear the dreadful reckoning. They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode. [Quran 13:19-22]

You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent, who believe that they will meet their Lord; that to Him they ultimately return. [Quran 2:45-46]

Marriage

The advocates of same-sex marriages point out that the scriptures do not expressly prohibit a marriage between members of the same gender. In light of the prohibition of homosexuality, this argument does not have much utility. Also, for those who follow God’s scriptures, marriage is a divine institution (Quran 30:20-21). The scriptural references to marriage always suggest a union of a man and a woman, e.g. Genesis 1:27-28; Mark 10:6-9, Quran 7:189, etc.

Among His proofs is that He created you from dust, then you became reproducing humans. Among His proofs is that He created for

you spouses from among yourselves, in order to have tranquility and contentment with each other, and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who think. [Quran 30:20-21]

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. [Mark 10:6-9]

Proponents of same-sex marriages argue that this scriptural restriction deprives them of enjoying equal rights under the law. Married couples typically enjoy tax, medical, inheritance and other benefits which are denied to same-sex partners. The problem here is one of financial and procedural difficulties that same-sex marriage partners endure. These issues are relevant to human laws and are addressable by the law-making bodies. This also serves to highlight the fact that religious and civil unions are two separable entities.

God defines religious unions and lays down what constitutes a marriage in His eyes. Consequently, a woman and a man may fulfill the requirements specified in the scripture (e.g. mutual attraction and dowry—Quran 4:24) and be a married couple by God’s rules, but may not necessarily be recognized as a couple by the state.

Sexual Preference & Persecution

An unfortunate repercussion of homosexuality is mistreatment by fanatics. Regardless of the view one has of same-sex marriages, there is no justification for persecution of those with homosexual leanings.

Cont’d on page 3