Homosexuality: A Lifestyle Repressed by Religion
The Liberal and the Conservative Views Battle it Out
Sep 10, 2009
Homosexuality is a concept that has been around for centuries and yet, it is still looked down upon by some as immoral, inhumane and sinful. The ancient Greeks explored same-sex love as a sign of guidance, education and bonding and it usually involved a man and an adolescent boy. Although homosexuality is a concept well known to most individuals, it still spreads hatred, fear and pain. This is because belief systems are used to repress homosexuality.
The Traditional Conservative Perspective
The conservative view on homosexuality is mostly driven by religion, using several religious references to support main arguments. First and foremost, the conservative stance claims that homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle and that it is something one does. The cause of this behaviour lies mainly in poor parenting, previous sexual molestation that usually occurs during the childhood years, and even demon possession. It is believed that the addiction of homosexuality entraps individuals in the behaviour, making it difficult to escape.
Homosexuality is sinful, according to the conservative view, as it is unnatural, abnormal, and deviant and mirrors that of disordered behaviour. This condition threatens the family unit and thus, the social stability both in and around the family.
The conservatives tend to rely on religion to gain credibility in their arguments against homosexuality. However, it appears that religion – claiming to accept all individuals and loving relationships – is used to repress homosexuality. God’s view, conservatively speaking, despises homosexuality because it is seen as always being sinful despite the act and irrespective of the nature of loving relationships between a man and a woman.
Homosexuality can be cured through counselling and prayer – and much of it is needed to do so, as the homosexual behaviour is powerful and strongly addictive. And it must be cured, as children of homosexuals will be strongly affected by this behaviour – even mentally disturbed.
The Liberal Stance
The liberal stance on homosexuality is a much more welcoming and accepting one as it focuses its arguments on a basic human need – love. From this perspective, homosexuality is something one is – an orientation that is not chosen. The argument for this lies in the explanation that homosexuality is genetically predetermined and that unknown environmental factors in early childhood affects certain genes, causing one to be homosexual.
It is not sinful to be a homosexual according to the liberals, if it is safe, consensual and committed in terms of a relationship. It is normal and natural to have these feelings and live this lifestyle, since sexual orientation is fixed and cannot be changed – thus, not curable, as the conservatives claim it is. Therefore, the children of homosexual parents will not be subject to homosexual traits as homosexuality is indeed individual The children of homosexuals will most likely be heterosexual themselves and be less judgmental and more accepting of other lifestyles and ways of living.
The Role – or Failure - of Religion
Religion, as used by the conservative view, is a tool of repression – repressing a lifestyle that is not chosen, but predetermined genetically. Most of the conservative arguments are either supported by religion or consists of nothing but religious opinions and viewpoints. It becomes weaker in a society that consists of many different religions, beliefs and lifestyles.
Homosexuality is being widely recognized as a lifestyle rather than a behavioural phase and is supported by many local communities and provinces in Canada. According to Nicole Baute, a staff reporter at the Toronto Star, Toronto is the proud host of Pride Week – a week-long festival celebrating the people and lives of homosexuality (09/09/09). Canada is not the only city that proudly hosts pride parades – cities like London and Stockholm are also contributors to the homosexual parades and are part of the international pride commission that brings homosexual communities together on an international level. It is these initiatives that spread awareness – not only about homosexuality, but also about the struggles that homosexuals face in a fierce battle with religion.
Contest Code: BNC101
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