Similarities Between Laestadianism And Reform Judaism

Homosexuality between Laestadianism and Reform Judaism
Homosexuality has been found within the bounds of humanity for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Egyptians somewhere around the time of 2400 BC (LLC, 2010). Throughout history, it seems many religious groups have not directly dealt with the problem because earlier generations have not introduced the issue. In recent years, homosexual communities, activists, and advocates seeking social acceptance and support have brought the topic of homosexuality into public perception. As a result of modernity, homosexuality has become one of the most controversial and important social rights movements of our time. For the purposes of this paper, two of many separate religious groups focused …show more content…
In the same context, how does Reform Judaism deal with the rather brutal oppositions of homosexuality and the obligations to adapt to the influence of modern injustices in the homosexual community? It’s appropriate to look at the verses between the two popular Leviticus passages against homosexuality in the Bible, Leviticus 19:18 which reads, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” According to Steve Greenberg’s Homosexuality and Reform Judaism, the Hebrew Bible is not necessarily interested in homosexuality. “Homosexuality, that is, sexual desire and activity between members of the same sex, is not the concern of Leviticus” (Greenberg, Pg. 94). To explain, Leviticus approach towards homosexuality is in a way that seeks to avoid promiscuity, or having casual sex with a multitude of partners and being indiscriminate in choice of sexual partners, in relationships. Being that the Torah does not directly address the issues of loving homosexual couples, it seems the most reasonable to rely on the Torah as a whole rather than singular passages on behalf of the …show more content…
Laestadianism is now faced with the issues of homosexuality and the demand for rights to marry and raise children. Apart from homosexuality, some other issues of family are heterosexuals living together unmarried and having no children. In short, Laestadians belief that same-sex marriage along with co-habitation is detrimental to the balance of society and overall mortality. As is mentioned in Ephesians 5:31, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This gives indication of God’s intention for marriage to be between man and woman and not between like genders. As a result, priests strictly reject any notion to marry like genders within the church