L5 R&P EoYs: Same-Sex Relationships (SSR)

What is the definition of condemn?

to say something is wrong and discourage, or even ban, it.

What is the definition of condone?

to put up with (tolerate) but not support; to allow something

What is the definition of celebrate?

to support and encourage something

What is the definition of conservative (in this context)?

keeps to (conserves) the traditional views.

What is the definition of liberal (in this context)?

believes that traditional views are wrong and should be replaced; progressive.

What is the Jewish view on same-sex relationships?

Judaism has a conservative view on same-sex relationships - they are wrong because the holy books say they are wrong:

• ‘If a man also lies with a male, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.’ Leviticus 20. 13 

• The story of Lot, Genesis 19:

• Lot (the nephew of Abraham) is living in the city of Sodom. He gives shelter to angels in his house. Then, the men of Sodom surround the house and demand that Lot send out the angels so they can have sex with them. Later, the city is destroyed by God as a punishment.  

What is the Christian view on same-sex relationships?

Judaism has a conservative view on same-sex relationships - they are wrong because the holy books say they are wrong. They follow the similar teachings as Judaism to condemn SSRs.

In Romans 1.26-27, Paul writes: 

‘Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.’ 

What is the Islamic view on same-sex relationships?

Islam has a conservative view on same-sex relationships - they are wrong because the holy books say they are wrong. They follow the similar teachings as the previous two to condemn SSRs.

The story of Lot is also often used in Islam to condemn same-sex relationships. Lut is a prophet in Islam.

There is also a passage in the Qur’an which is sometimes taken as evidence that SSRs are wrong:  

In the Hadith (the sayings and actions of Muhammad), there are clear condemnations of SSRs.  

"The Prophet said: 'If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done'." 

It was narrated that Jabir: "The Prophet said: 'There is nothing I fear for my followers more than the deed of the people of Lot.'" 

What is the Catholic view on same-sex relationships?

The Catholic Church is influenced by Thomas Aquinas.

• He claimed that all things in nature, including humans have been created by God with a telos (‘end’ or ‘purpose’).

• The telos of humans is for the human race to flourish.

• Reproduction is one of the factors that contribute to a human’s telos.

• Aquinas concluded it must be possible for reproduction to occur in each sexual act.

• Because gay sex doesn’t lead to this, it’s sinful.

What is the Utilitarian view on same-sex relationships?

Jeremy Bentham argued that there was nothing wrong with same-sex sexual relationships because they maximise pleasure and as long as both consent, they do not cause pain.  

The Harm Principle:

JS Mill proposed the harm principle: An action is only morally wrong if it causes harm to others.

What is the Reinterpretation of Scripture?

Many religious thinkers note that there are problems with the passages in holy books which are used as evidence against SSRs.

e.g. they might argue that the story of Lot and the angels is not a condemnation of same sex relationships but the violation of ancient hospitality laws.

What is the silence argument?

Because a religious figure has not explicitly condemned SSRs, they can be condoned.

What is culture v religion?

A religion itself does not condemn same sex relationships, but the culture it’s part of does this. The two can be separated.