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Contrasting Treatment of Gays Among Islam vs. Christianity Yesterday, I read Mitee’s blog inquiring about the comparative severity between how Islam and Christianity deal with the question of homosexuality. Just felt compelled to share a few thoughts on the topic. There are a few dogmatic and self-righteous types in any religion, even Christianity. And along with them you can find some violent members. And within any of the major world religions, there are always some off-shoot sects who don’t reflect the overall majority. There are only two modern religions I know of that may possibly be accused of actually advocating violence. Although I have great respect for Judaism, one may possibly build a case to argue that they advocate violence because they still adhere to the Torah (Old Testament in the Christian Bible) and it’s true that within it can be found some places wherein followers are exhorted to practice some barbaric things. However, aside from military conflicts, I haven’t seen any reports of them stoning or murdering anyone in the last couple millennia, and I’m confident Jewish scholars could explain why they conduct themselves better than those Scriptural passages call for. And please note that Christians also include the Old Testament in their holy book, but for the most part, it’s primary function there is to provide a history and background for the New Testament. And within the New Testament, which is the basis of Christianity, no Christian follower is ever CALLED to inflict cruelty or forceful domination on others, even if they disagree with their morality. (Tho some evil and/or misguided “Christians” have done so in the past, you will not find such a command in the New Testament.) The other one is Islam. Within the Koran (their main holy book) are numerous calls for Muslims to use deceit, cruelty, terrorism and murder in order to bring the entire world into compliance with Islam, and for all surviving humanity to become Islamic. Within Islam, any vile act is justifiable if it (perceivably) can be argued to further the “will of Allah.” It’s true that many Christians today can be rude towards homosexuals, and that’s because there is no shortage of rude people in any group. But the fact that they refuse to condone a behavior, or accept it into their church doctrine is NOT an abuse. It’s a defense of their beliefs. And even as such, I know of no sanctioned Christians or Christian Churches who have stoned or beheaded any gays at any time. I can’t speak for all local churches, but I think many who read this might be surprised at the numbers of churches who accept gay people into the congregation, just like they do adulterers, thieves, abusers, junkies and all others who are guilty of acts their denomination consider to be sins. Christians in general are saying “We refuse to change our definitions or categorizations of sin.” Muslims are saying, “We will kill you for not conforming to our definitions and categorizations of sin”. It is not abuse to disagree with someone. It IS abuse to force them to agree with you. I hope I’ve clarified and distinguished the appropriate “degree of severity” that Mitee inquired about so that we no longer need to put Christianity or all other religions in the same category as Islam as regards homosexuality or any other questions of morality. It is apples vs oranges. Thanks for reading and GBU all, Gavin |
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9/22/2014 3:04 am |
Hi Gav: Interesting info. I don't know why anyone (of any religion or no religion) can possibly object to what other people do in their bedrooms. Whatever gay or straight people do in their bedrooms, it doesn't concern or harm anyone else in any way and is none of their business.
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Good blog, but you do realize that you are on Mighty's hit list now. You have dared to offer facts against one of his blogs. I didn't think my views here were a challenge to Mitee's blog. I certainly didn't intend them that way. I just wanted to share my thoughts into the subject. Thanks for reading, and GBU! Gavin
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Hi Gav: Interesting info. I don't know why anyone (of any religion or no religion) can possibly object to what other people do in their bedrooms. Whatever gay or straight people do in their bedrooms, it doesn't concern or harm anyone else in any way and is none of their business. I'm with you. I may have my personal views of what is or isn't acceptable in the bedroom, but as long as it's knowledgeable and consenting adults, it's not my place to condemn anyone. I have my own sins to answer for. GBU, Gavin
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TY ET! GBU, Gavin
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Hi Maisie! I'm not sure Mitee intended his blog to be an attack on Christianity. Perhaps it was a gentle rebuke, but I'm going to consider it more of a polite reminder to be tolerant of differences. I'm of the opinion that we are often called to judge those things we see or experience from others in life, but our right to judge doesn't necessarily include the right to condemn. I have my own sins to deal with, and it's of no benefit for me to condemn others for theirs. So, my main point here was to point out that most Christians are NOT abusers nor oppressors, simply because we disagree on the morality of some certain acts that others do. More importantly, we are NOT oppressing anyone by simply stating our preferences for or against the laws and cultural norms of our society. I guess I'm saying that our society can and will change along with what ever the majority moves towards. But just because the masses are going one way, does not obligate us to like, welcome, or support it. Thanks and GBU, Gavin
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Gavin, Thank you for responding to my blog even though I have blocked you from reading and commenting on my blogs months ago. Apparently you found a way to go where you weren't wanted once. That has not changed. I do take exception to your stated belief that your church does not seek to force your beliefs on others. That can clearly be seen in what preachers in countless churches across this land are preaching. I know, because I have personally observed it and I have had in-depth conversations with people of your faith. Beyond what is taught in churches we might look to the efforts of the religious right in their efforts in both state and federal governments insofar as women's reproductive health. So the facts don't indicate what you are purporting. GBU Gavin. Let me know the next time that you view my blog and choose to comment because I will take the steps to alleviate that situation. Apparently your block of me reading ur blog is not working. I merely clicked on it and it opened up. (I seldom do that anyway, so you probably needn't worry about me reading it. If I was frequently interested in your blog I'm sure it would be no trouble for me to find a way to read it. Fortunately for you I'm not.) But rest assured that had your blog not said that only friends of yours could comment on your blog, I'd have simply responded there. I personally have no fear of who reads or comments on my blogs, so feel free to read and comment as much as you choose. However, before you comment, I'd appreciate it if you'd actually READ it so you know what you're talking about. Thanks and GBU, Gavin
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Hi Myseek Thanks for your comment! However, I'd have to disagree with you about what Islam really teaches. I've read those teachings myself. Because Islamic furvor had not risen to a head for several centuries, we in the West have assumed that all religions are peaceful. But Islam is not. Most devout Muslims today are not violent jihadists to be sure! However, it is extremely rare to find any that reject even the shortest single passage from the Koran. And that is typical of the way Islam infiltrates a culture before they eventually become oppressive totalitarians. In general, as the more militant factions make headway, those Muslims who were reserved initially begin to become much more supportive and gravitate more to the ranks of those aggressive Muslims. GBU, Gavin
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Hi Liszt! An especial thanks to you for your comments here. You seem to have a solid grasp of what I was trying to convey! GBU, Gavin
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The recent Gay Bashing incident in Philadelphia by a coach at the Catholic school and his Christian co-horts who participated.......nah.....that's just another misguided Christian......nothing to do with Christianity as a whole........and that is always how it is with you Christians...........every single incident of violence and murder and abuse perpetrated by Christians is assigned by them to the same file......... I could post a blog on this site every day for years citing Christian violence and Christian organizations who have committed murder and terrorist acts in this century and that is what other Christians would say.....that it wasn't typical, not condoned by REAL Christians.....and on and on............Christians always find a way to distance themselves and their faith from it......... I guarantee that the cops who have been slaughtering young black men in your country are almost exclusively Christian........and those who excuse and condone and look the other way are also Christian.......... How many wife beaters and child molesters are Christian?.....Oh wait, child abuse is instituted into the churches......... The doctors that have been murdered, shot, harassed, threatened by "pro life" Christians and all those who support it.......Check out Fox and the difference in the way they report Islamist and Christian atrocities...............And the Rapture freaks......they are Christians and they are promoting an incredible amount of violence........They are Terrorists ...........Rapturists are Terrorists.......... Not saying you are lying. But I'll say you are grossly mistaken, because every single point you are claiming is either untrue, you can't back it up, or not relevant to the topic. Please go back and re-read EXACTLY what I have said, and at the same time don't read anything into it anything that isn't there. But thanks for commenting and GBU, Gavin
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If anyone can find a person who has been threatened with death or torture if they don't convert to Christianity, then I'll have to agree that SOME Christians force others to agree with their beliefs. Thank you all for commenting, and GBU all! Gavin Gavin
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