On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 19:29:37 GMT, "Tom Kunich" <
[email protected]>
wrote:
>I hate to point this out to someone so well versed as yourself, but Muslims
>don't use ONLY the Koran as their total law.
Here's a pretty good summary of Islam and homosexuality
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Qur'an and Homosexuality:
There are five references in the Qur'an which have been cited as
referring to gay and lesbian behavior. Some obviously deal with
effeminate men and "masculine women." The two main references to
homosexual behavior are:
"We also sent Lut : He said to his people : "Do ye commit lewdness
such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For ye
practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a
people transgressing beyond bounds." Qur'an 7:80-81
"What! Of all creatures do ye come unto the males, and leave the wives
your Lord created for you? Nay, but ye are forward folk." Qur'an
26:165
Both references relate to gay sexual activities; lesbian practices are
not mentioned in the Qur'an.
Lut is referred to as "Lot" in the Hebrew Scriptures. This passage is
an apparent reference to the activities at Sodom and Gamorah. It seems
to imply that there was no homosexual behavior before it first
appeared in Sodom. This is a uniquely Islamic concept; it does not
appear in Jewish or Christian beliefs. The passage also links the sin
of Sodom (the reason for its destruction) to homosexuality. That
linkage is contradicted by other verses in the Hebrew Scriptures.
The Hadith and homosexuality:
The Hadith are collections of sayings attributed to Muhammad. Many
Hadiths (ahadith) discuss liwat (sexual intercourse between males).
Two examples are:
"When a man mounts another man, the throne of God shakes."
"Kill the one that is doing it and also kill the one that it is being
done to." (in reference to the active and passive partners in gay
sexual intercourse)
There is at least one mention of lesbian behavior mentioned in the
Hadith:
"Sihaq (lesbian sexual activity) of women is zina (illegitimate sexual
intercourse) among them."
Traditionalist orthodox Muslims generally claim that the Hadith
literature contains the authentic sayings of Muhammad. Many liberal
Muslims doubt the authenticity of at least some of them. The latter
might point out that during the times of the first Caliphs, Muslims
did not know what to do with individuals guilty of "liwat/lutiyya".
No sahabi (companion) of Muhammad could quote a saying or decision of
Muhammad relating to this question.
Treatment of homosexuals within Islamic countries:
According to a pamphlet produced by Al-Fatiha, there is a consensus
among Islamic scholars that all humans are naturally heterosexual.
Homosexuality is seen by scholars to be a sinful and perverted
deviation from the norm. All Islamic schools of thought and
jurisprudence consider gay acts to be unlawful. They differ in terms
of penalty:
The Hanafite school (currently seen mainly in South and Eastern Asia)
teaches that no physical punishment is warranted.
The Hanabalites, (widely followed in the Arab world) teach that severe
punishment is warranted
The Sha'fischool of thought (also seen in the Arab world) requires a
minimum of 4 adult male witnesses before a person can be found guilty
of a homosexual act.
Al-Fatiha estimates that 4,000 homosexuals have been executed in Iran
since their revolution in 1979. 10 public executions of homosexuals
have been performed in Afghanistan by the Taliban army.
Statment by the Islamic Society of North America:
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi of the ISNA said: "Homosexuality is a moral
disorder. It is a moral disease, a sin and corruption... No person is
born homosexual, just like no one is born a thief, a liar or murderer.
People acquire these evil habits due to a lack of proper guidance and
education.""
"There are many reasons why it is forbidden in Islam. Homosexuality is
dangerous for the health of the individuals and for the society. It is
a main cause of one of the most harmful and fatal diseases. It is
disgraceful for both men and women. It degrades a person. Islam
teaches that men should be men and women should be women.
Homosexuality deprives a man of his manhood and a woman of her
womanhood. It is the most un-natural way of life. Homosexuality leads
to the destruction of family life."
Beliefs of
www.islamic.org.uk:
They hold views which are very similar to those held by conservative
Christianity:
Homosexuality is considered sinful within Islam
Homosexuality is a profound mistake
Humans are all naturally heterosexual
Homosexuality is caused by environmental factors, particularly
near the time of puberty.
People can control their thoughts and steer themselves away
from homosexuality
Homosexuality is a chosen sexual orientation.
Any homosexual can become a heterosexual.
British Muslim group Al-Muhajiroun
According to RainbowNetwork.com, the British Muslim group
Al-Muhajiroun issued a fatwa (religious decree) on 2001-JUL-16 against
a Muslim homosexual rights group Al-Fatiha. The alleged fatwa said:
"The very existence of Al-Fatiha is illegitimate and the members of
this organisation are apostates. Never will such an organisation be
tolerated in Islam and never will the disease that it calls for be
affiliated with a true Islamic society or individual. The Islamic
ruling for such acts is death. It is a duty of the Muslims to prevent
such evil conceptions being voiced in the public or private arena."
