World Religions and Homosexuality

Buddhism and Homosexuality

In the Buddhist texts a Monk is forbidden any type of sexual contact.  Be it male, female or any other abnormal sexual person.  However, there is a diverse belief on homosexuality in the Buddhist religion.  Tibeten Buddhism considered that anything other then penis-vagina sex is a sexual misconduct.  Chinese Buddhism believes that homosexuality is a third level sin, punishable in one of the nine hells.  But in Japanese Buddhism there is a strong tradition of bisexuality and homosexuality. 

Confucianism and Homosexuality

Homosexuality is not mentioned in the Confucian scriptures.  Confucianism is about a person’s responsibility to society.  As a man you have the responsibility to get married and have children to pass on the family name.  The female has the responsibility to love her husband and bare his children.  Even though it is not mentioned, homosexuality is frowned upon because it can not result in the desired offspring.  However, there have been times when married men have taken on male lovers.

Hinduism and Homosexuality

There is no text that prohibits homosexuality in Hinduism.  Like in China, India has a long history of homosexuality in its culture.  The Hindu sacred texts focus on the romantic love between two people.  There is very little distinction between what sexes the two people need to be.  As long as they share a true romantic love, not lust, then they are doing something that is in line with their ideology.  However, there is belief that since a homosexual relationship can not procreate it is not a typical relationship and should not be promoted.  But, this is not in any of the scriptures.

Taoism and Homosexuality

Taoism has the strong belief of Yin and Yang.  There has to be a male and female energy in the relationship.  However, there is a dissention in this opinion.  There is a conviction that everyone in them has the female and male energy that is needed for a relationship.  Thus, in a Yin and Yin relationship one person will develop the needed Yang energy. 

Christianity and Homosexuality

This is a very touchy subject in Christianity right now.  With the liberal churches taking the lead and looking into homosexuality and the bible.  They are trying to find a way to mediate and remove the concept of homosexuality as a sin.  On the other side,  the conservatives believe that homosexuality is a sin and if unrepented will doom the person to hell.  Christianity is in the process of reinventing itself in terms of how to accept gay members into her church without going against God and the bible.

Islam and Homosexuality

Homosexuality for men is strictly forbidden in the Islam.  The act of it can earn the death penality in some countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran.   But, female homosexuality is still unclear in Islam.