- Published: September 17, 2022
- Updated: September 17, 2022
- University / College: Deakin University
- Level: Secondary School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 21
LGBT individuals are challenging the homophobic and transphobic structures of the monotheistic religions.” Discuss this statement in relationship to only 1 of the following religions, Judaism or Christianity or Islam.
Introduction
The religious attitudes and norms of behaviour regarding homosexuality, lesbianism and bisexuality is significantly variable among the different religions and their followers. Generally, the conservative and purists among the world’s largest religions such as Christianity and Islam are discriminative and reject homosexuality in its various forms. Evidently, among LGBT groups, Christianity is synonymously identified with homophobia, social control, misogyny and sexual abuse. In this regard, LGBT groups believe that Christianity has been abused in the name of justifying all manner of evil against people that are not heterosexually inclined.
However, for certain contemporary liberal scholars of religion, they have attempted to justify the acceptance of gays and lesbianism by quoting specific references of religious scriptures that allude towards the acceptance of homosexuality and also emphasizing on teachings of love and compassion. This is more so evident in Christianity religion which has led to the rise of sectarian Christians that are more inclusive of gay rights. Examples here include the Metropolitan Community church, Uritarians and Quakers.
In this regard, the subsequent sections of the essay will delve into the opposition of LGBT individual against the homophobic and transphobic structures perpetuated by Christianity. The three main points of argument put in opposition by LGBT individuals for further discussion will include justification of equality in Christianity through Biblical actions of Jesus. Second, will be LGBT individuals accounts that homophobia is encouraged by bigots that justify Christianity faith through acts of hatred levelled against gay people and also for liberals that attempt to incorporate gay rights within Christian doctrines. The third argument will be through LGBT accounts on the the actions of Jesus which LGBT individual believed went against the sexual norm at the time and was based on equality and love for all irrespective of sexual orientation.
