Homosexuality is the sexual attraction or behavior between individuals of the same sex. Religion and sexual identity are cultural aspects that have continued to clash in the society for a long time. The issue of homosexuality, to be precise, has brought mixed feelings in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Each faith has strong perceptions on sexuality which shapes how people perceive homosexuality in their society. Religion reacts to homosexuality in three ways that include rejection, acceptance and the 'love the sinner hate the sinner' approach. The views of the three religions on homosexuality have continued to change over the years, with both Judaism and Christianity rejecting the practice, while Muslims tend to reject both the sinner and the sin.
Christianity
Christianity prefers the rejectionist approach and considers the practice as unholy and an abomination. According to this method, individuals practicing homosexuality do not deserve equal rights. The 'love the sinner hate the sin' approach is an upgraded version of the rejectionist approach which respects homosexuals but does not tolerate homosexual behavior. The 'love the sinner hate the sinner' approach acknowledges that sexuality is an aspect which is difficult to change but also insists that homosexuals should refrain from homosexual activities as a sign of obedience to God. Only a few churches have adopted the full acceptance model by labeling homosexuals as queers who deserve similar rights as their heterosexual counterparts in the society. One church that has taken this approach is the Episcopal Church (Pew Research Center). Christianity has an adamant view on homosexuality which is derived from the Bible. Corinthians 7; 2 dictates that each man must take his wife so that they can refrain from sexual temptations. Chastity is emphasized, and those who fail to do so are considered sinners. Homosexuals are excluded from the sacrament of matrimony. In Christianity, they are a few individuals who have maintained very strong opinions on homosexuality who have come to be referred to as fundamentalists (Siker 114). There are some Christian movements such as AXIOS, which have come together to fight for gay and lesbian rights in Christianity. Axios is a Greek word which means worthy (Siker 106). Individual Christians have labeled the AIDS pandemic as a punishment and a call for reconciliation for same-sex relations in the society today (Siker 53).
Judaism
Judaism has failed to accept homosexuals and these individuals from this faith are struggling to fit in. Judaism perceives sexuality as a gift that should be used responsibly. Homosexuality is considered as strange or foreign behavior, and it is believed to interfere with the group's harmony. The Reconstructionist and the reform movement which are Jewish movements have however supported gay and lesbian rights since the 1990's . The conservative Jewish movement also conducted a ceremony which allowed same-sex couples to marry in 2012. The three movements, however, do not influence rabbis on whether to officiate same-sex marriages. The Orthodox Judaism is strongly against homosexuality . The highest Jewish governing body has continued to lobby against gay marriages.
Islam
The Islam perception on homosexuality ranges among Muslims. This is partly caused by the fact that Muslims do not have a central form of authority, and therefore they have diverse beliefs. Muslim texts are considered to take a rather active sex stance compared to most religious texts. Sexuality is considered as an object for pleasure and reproduction. Islam allows for polygamy and concubinage unlike Christianity and Judaism (University of California). Muhammad is believed to have advocated for many practices which were thought to enhance individuals to enjoy intercourse, and therefore most of his supporters are assumed to support homosexuality. Significant historical figures in the history of Muslims such as Sultans are said to have practiced homosexuality in various parts of the world (Siker 7). In certain countries which are dominated by Islam, homosexuality is a crime which is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.
Discussion
The three religions have few texts which prove that they have been rejectionist to homosexuality over the years. The religions are currently split between homosexuality as opinions among members of these religions seem to differ as far as the issue of homosexuality is concerned. Different churches in Christianity have differing takes on the issue of sexuality. Judaism has three Jewish movements which are in support of homosexuality. The Quran cites the incidence of Sodom in which the sin of sodomy which is associated with gay sex up to five times and the sin was punished when the people of Sodom were burnt . The sharia law strongly condemns homosexuality, although the appropriate punishment for the offense is yet to be reached by jurists. The Sunni Islam movement has called for protests to pass death as the deserving punishment for homosexuality.
In 2012, over 40 individuals were tortured and murdered for practicing homosexuality in Iraq . Other Muslims have interpreted the Sodom and Gomorrah sin as rape and inhospitality especially by Muslims in Toronto and those advocating for LGBT rights among Muslims. In the United States and other countries where Christianity is the majority religion, the laws are made by Christian theology which strongly condemns homosexuality. Christianity is divided into Protestants and Catholics, with Catholics holding a very firm position against homosexuality (Bronski). Protestants are however more tolerant, and some Protestant churches have even allowed same-sex marriages. The book of Hebrews in the Bible is common to all three religions, and members of these religions refer to these groups to gain access to religious laws on homosexuality . The Bible mentions homosexuality limited times which most people consider to be insufficient to offer enough directive on the matter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Judaism and Christianity seem to be divided on the issue of homosexuality with the orthodox leadership being strongly against homosexuality, while Muslims appear to have an even firmer stand on the issue of homosexuality. The Jews are divided on the issue of homosexuality with at least three Jewish movements being formed. One Jewish movement has even conducted a gay sex marriage even though none of these movements has tried to influence the decision of their religious leaders to conduct same-sex marriages. The Jewish orthodox leadership is, however, a leading lobbyist against homosexuality across the world. Christianity is split between Catholics who are strongly against homosexuality and Protestants who are becoming more accommodating to homosexuality and same-sex marriages. Some churches are accepting the ‘Love the sinner hate the sin approach,' which is based on the fact that sexuality 's hard to change. Individuals in different religions have interpreted religious texts to suit their needs, which have caused difficulties in making a simple decision on the matter of homosexuality in the society.
Works cited
Bronski, Michael. Does Religion Condemn Homosexuality. 1 October 2013. Web. 10 July 2016. <http://religiondispatches.org/does-religion-condemn-homosexuality/>.
Pew Research Center. Religious Groups' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage. 12 December 2012. Web. 11 July 2016. <http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/07/religious-groups-official-positions-on-same-sex-marriage/>.
Siker, Jeffrey S. Homosexuality, and religion: an encyclopedia. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2007. Print.
The University of California. Homosexuality and Religion. 2016. Web. 11 July 2016. <http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/article/homosexuality-and-religion>.
