Homosexuality is a topic of controversy all around the world. Homosexual individuals are often given fewer rights both socially and legally. Many religions view it as a sin, and some believe it is punishable by death. Islam and Christianity have many similarities and differences on the way they view homosexuality. Studying the differences between the two religions’ viewpoints can help to eliminate violent disagreements between the two and the rest of the world. Christianity as a whole views homosexuals in many different ways. The different denominations of Christianity have different opinions on homosexuals’ positions in the church. For example, Methodists claim that gay or lesbian individuals can join the church and they do not consider
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Patricia Jung, author of Heterosexism, claims that many of the passages that talk about the wrongdoing of homosexuality are actually about rape and prostitution. The passage from Leviticus 18:22 can be interpreted as a male prostitution (Jung 71). The translation of the Bible form Greek leads to unclear interpretations. Jung also claims that the word “arsenokoitai”, a Greek word found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 can be translated as “abusers of themselves with mankind” or “sexual perverts” (Jung 75). However, the word is translated to “homosexual” or “sodomite” in the Bible. The translation error leaves scholars debating on the correct interpretation. In contrast, Islam views homosexuality as a major sin. Some Muslims are accepting of others that are homosexual, but some Muslims claim that it is one of the worst sins possible (Marcus 136). They are not allowed to join the church if it is known that they are gay. According “Gender Me: Homosexuality in the World of Islam” in some countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Yemen, homosexuality is punishable by death. Other countries, such as Afghanistan, gay and lesbian individuals can serve up to 15 years in …show more content…
One of the major similarities in the two religions is the social discrimination and shame that homosexuals are forced to endure. For example, a Turkish Muslim claimed that he was ashamed of himself for being gay and he frequently wished he wasn’t gay (“Gender Me”). While many Muslims are not killed for being gay, they must hide their sexuality from their families in fear of being shamed. Additionally, homosexual Muslims are often not allowed to serve in the military because they are said to have a mental condition. (“Gender Me”). Christians are often shamed for being gay as well. In some denominations of Christianity, gays are shunned from the church and not allowed to participate in the service. Even though his society didn’t condemn him for being gay, he still felt internally ashamed.
The main difference between the two is the fact that Muslims may be killed if they are caught. In “Gender Me: Homosexuality in the World of Islam”, Kaltham, a homosexual Iraqi Muslim claimed that he was imprisoned for being gay. They wanted to execute him by forcing him into boiling water, or bury him alive. They also told him that he was not allowed to visit Mecca because he was a disgrace to Islam. The video shows how Muslims are treated more severely in society than
Patricia Jung, author of Heterosexism, claims that many of the passages that talk about the wrongdoing of homosexuality are actually about rape and prostitution. The passage from Leviticus 18:22 can be interpreted as a male prostitution (Jung 71). The translation of the Bible form Greek leads to unclear interpretations. Jung also claims that the word “arsenokoitai”, a Greek word found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 can be translated as “abusers of themselves with mankind” or “sexual perverts” (Jung 75). However, the word is translated to “homosexual” or “sodomite” in the Bible. The translation error leaves scholars debating on the correct interpretation. In contrast, Islam views homosexuality as a major sin. Some Muslims are accepting of others that are homosexual, but some Muslims claim that it is one of the worst sins possible (Marcus 136). They are not allowed to join the church if it is known that they are gay. According “Gender Me: Homosexuality in the World of Islam” in some countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Yemen, homosexuality is punishable by death. Other countries, such as Afghanistan, gay and lesbian individuals can serve up to 15 years in …show more content…
One of the major similarities in the two religions is the social discrimination and shame that homosexuals are forced to endure. For example, a Turkish Muslim claimed that he was ashamed of himself for being gay and he frequently wished he wasn’t gay (“Gender Me”). While many Muslims are not killed for being gay, they must hide their sexuality from their families in fear of being shamed. Additionally, homosexual Muslims are often not allowed to serve in the military because they are said to have a mental condition. (“Gender Me”). Christians are often shamed for being gay as well. In some denominations of Christianity, gays are shunned from the church and not allowed to participate in the service. Even though his society didn’t condemn him for being gay, he still felt internally ashamed.
The main difference between the two is the fact that Muslims may be killed if they are caught. In “Gender Me: Homosexuality in the World of Islam”, Kaltham, a homosexual Iraqi Muslim claimed that he was imprisoned for being gay. They wanted to execute him by forcing him into boiling water, or bury him alive. They also told him that he was not allowed to visit Mecca because he was a disgrace to Islam. The video shows how Muslims are treated more severely in society than