Personal Beliefs and homosexuality Essay Example for Free

Personal Beliefs and homosexuality Essay Homosexuality can be defined as a sexual behaviour or the attraction of people within the same sex. It is a distinguished aspect of sexuality including gender identity,social gender role and biological sex. It is a collective term reffering to both lesbians and gay men. It has been argued that the negative perception by heterosexuals to homosexuals is because they are a threat to the society. This is because homosexuals have violated the traditional sex role structure. Over the years we have witnessed battles as to whether equal rights and protection against discrimination should be extended to homosexuals. The conflict is between two dictates: should marriage be restricted to one man one woman? Or should adults committed in relationships regardless of their sexual orientation be allowed to enter civil unions? It catches my attention but with no surprise either that many Americans are denying gay men and lesbians access to their living a happy life and access to marriage. I believe that marriage is a union of love and not gender. And this is simply because a marriage union is defined by love and not hatred. Just as one does not choose to be male or female so is homosexuality. It should not be seen as an illness. And no one whatsoever should consider it as an illness and hence ashamed of being a homosexual. In American for example their exists certain personal beliefs about homosexuality. Some Americans consider homosexuality a crime and those practicing the act should be arrested. Others believe that it is just a condition that one is addicted to and can be corrected. Still others believe that homosexuality is just a neutral trait, like one being left handed; it is very normal and neutral. In my paper I will discuss some of these beliefs in support of my thesis question: should personal beliefs of everyone in America affect the rights of homosexual people to living happy lives and access to marriage? The warfare Theologians and scientists often have minimal conflicts within themselves. This is because none of the larger group is interested in the field of the other. When it comes to homosexuality it raises brows of both parties. This is a major area that has seen both theologians and scientists promoting their own beliefs in. According to scientists an adult’s human sexuality comes in three different orientations. These orientations are completely normal and interchangeable. No one chooses any of the orientations. One is heterosexuality where one is sexually attracted to a member of the opposite sex. Two is homosexuality where an individual is attracted to members of the same sex. And three is bisexuality where we have a smaller minority who are attracted to both men and women. Religion claims that homosexuality is mentioned in both the Bible and the Qur’an. Hence it is a topic of major study by theologians. There exist two groups of religiou0s beliefs. One is by religious conservatives who believe that there is freedom of error of the bible. According to their biblical interpretation of the bible, homosexuality is completely an abnormal, chosen and unnatural behavior that can be changed. Another group referred to as religious liberals take the bible as a historical book. They consider the scientists explanations about sexual orientations and they believe that just as heterosexuality homosexuality is normal, unchosen and natural sexual orientation. The above passage gives two definitions of homosexuality. According to religious conservatives, homosexuality is what a person does. According to Scientists it is one of the three sexual orientations. Public beliefs: Gender biliefs The gender bilief system is defined as a set of biliefs and views about qualities of masculinity and feminity about males and females respectively. People tend to respond to others by assuming that what is masculine is not feminine and vise versa. Another factor included in this set of beliefs is the different roles of different sexes. These are some of the traditional patterns of defined gender roles,therefore a different perception is percieved to those who violate these patterns including homosexuals. A common judgement is faced by men who posses feminine characteristics(gay) and women having masculine characteristics(lesbian). They people are always viewed negatively by the society. This bilief therefore holds that heterosexuals dislike both gay men and lesbians because they are stereotipically having crossed gender characteristics ,traits, and roles. This bilief tends to hold much to the traditional roles of male and females. But it is evident that this bilief is outdated and becomes unreliable because times have changed and the current society believes in freedom. Freedom to choose what kind of life to lead. It is not necessary that a man feminine is gay or a female masculine is a lesbian. Hence it is a bit difficult to judge an individual according to the sex characteristics he or she displays in his or her style of living. Religious biliefs Religion is different in different societies. Christians for example argue that the bible forbids homosexuality. But in christianity there has emerged different denominations that interpret the bible differently. Different religions have heard different views on both sexual relations and love amongst people of the same sex. Within the Muslim community homosexuality is prohibited. Infact it is cited in the Qur’an the abominable act of the people of Lof,who are known as Sodomites who were destroyed because of their engagement in illegal sexual offences. However,some liberal muslims e. g the Al Fatiha Foundation regard homosexuality as absolutely normal. They argue that the Al Qur’an speaks against homosexual lust but it is silent about homosexual love . The Anglican communion received discord that saw a rift between the African exceptb south Africa and Anglican churches from Asia on one hand and American churches on the other hand when Canadian and American churches ordained a clergy and started blessing same sex marriages. Other churches e. g the Methodist church experienced trials from a gay clergy who some argued was a against religious principles and there were mixed verdicts that depended on Geography. These religional beliefs about homosexuals affect the different perceptions about homosexuality by different people. Some religiouis groups e. g the Hellenics view the aspect of some forms of homosexuality as sacred. Some groups e. g the Abrahamic forbid the relationship. The opposition to homosexual behaviour by religuious sectors range from quietly displ[aying homosexual activities and displays to explicitly forbiding same sexual practices and opposing acceptance of homosexuals. The support of homosexuals can be seen reflected in religion by the acceptance of individuals who are sexually heterodox in church functions. There has also been a manifestation of same sex union. Religious reasons have partly played a role in changing some gay men and lesbians. They seek to change through religious practice and faith. A recentb survey explains the analysis oof 882 homosexduals who underwent a convrsion therapy. 22. 9 percent of the attendance did not undergo any changes,some change was seen from 42. 7 percent and a 34. 3 percent showd much change. With time relgion has accepted gay men and women in their congregations. For instance in the later 20th century there was no limit to secular institutions. A larger branch of Judaism known as the Reform Judaism that is outside Israel began to facilitate gay marriages. Religious beliefs do not change the way of life of hoosexuals. I think a person should not be instructed on which religion to follow. This is because,as I have discussed above,within the religious groups there is divisions meaning no one cxonclusion has been agreed upon by thelarger group. This also means that interpretation of the bible or Qur’an is different amongst different people. Therefore no one at any one point should decide how one is going to lead his or her life. It is a personal decision either to be or not tyo be homosexual. The polls Homosexuality is considered as one of the major topics of concern in America and especially North America it has been under debate for several times. The debate is between religious conservatives and supporters for equal rights to homosexuals and bisexuals. I will discuss some f the public views in relation to rights of homosexuality. It is a point to note that with time there has been a rapid change in America in regard to legality in interracial marriages. I feel it is only logical to embrace change and accept homosexuals as part of our society and stop judging them negatively. Currently sex marriages are acceptable to those residing in the Netherlands. Dutch lawmakers decided to rewrite the laws so that gay people and lesbians were accommodated therein. They are accepted top marry and enjoy all rights and privileges of married people. By mid 2004 the Canadian government received orders from courts on arrangements to offer civil unions amongst homosexuals. In 2001 there was a U. S poll that was conducted in high school seniors. From the research it was clear that a majority had support for equal rights for both lesbians and gay men. This support was at a remarkable higher level than their parents on homosexuality. However in North America there was much opposition on the legality of equal rights to homosexuals. The general public belief is that special rights that were reserved for heterosexuals and whether to extend or deny the same top homosexuals should be determined through polls. According to me this belief is really dangerous because, if the state will deny the minority some rights then it follows that we are not really safe here in America. And since every member of this society is a member of a certain minority then it beats logic to deny them rights. Morality and legality Many individuals here in States still regard homosexuality as immoral and illegal. Homosexuals are discriminated in the work place and sometimes even by the society. Conservative Christians still regard homosexuality as sinful and an acceptable behavior. It is perfectly moral if sexual behavior is non-manipulative, safe and consensual and above all between two people who love and care about each other and are in a committed relationship. Just as heterosexuals homosexuals never choose to be what they are. It is therefore illegal to discriminate this social group that is part of our society. They are supposed to be treated equally and fairly. Equality Homosexuals reside in our society. Since it is only normal to be a homosexual. And since several religious groups accept the laws governing homosexuals in the work place, there is no point of discriminating against them in the society. They should be given equal rights and access to civil unions since they are in no crime caring and loving each other. It will be unfair to deny them these rights because they are among the three sexual orientations and they are not acting homosexuals but were born so. Liberation Every member of a society needs liberal position. When two individuals are in love and are committed to one another they deserve liberty. It is only fair to accord homosexuals liberty and freedom to express their love to one another since they are responding(part of the three sexual orientations) to nature and doing no one harm. Conclusion Research shows that there is much and widespread prejudice against homosexuals. The society still views homosexuals as immoral people. Further research by Berril in 1992 and D’Augelli ion 1989 in the American society shows that negative attitude towards homosexuals are often acted on through physical and verbal aggression. In the research by D’Augelli,50 percent of homosexual students repoorted that they have overheard awful comments,that verbal insults were experienced by 26 percent of the gay and lesbian population,26 percent were threatened through physical assault and 23 percent said they were victims of assault. I choose this topic because it is realy fascinating that traditionally like in the olden Greek there existed homosexuals but it did not take a society notice. Traditionally,marriage was percieved as a sacred matrimony between man and wife. The core purpose of marriage was children. And therefore ,traditionally marriage without siring children is meaningless. Recently homosexuality has become a central topic of discussion. The society and the world at large has received many arguments of whether to or not to legalize gay relationships. It is with the many challenges thjat face this topic that I decided to have a wider look on this topic. The gender set of biliefs is a rampant view among many individuals. It has an impact amongst men and women. Gender is seen in the society as one of the major stable constructs. Those having an aspect of a particular gender are supposed to have characters of that particular gender. This beliefs make the society have different junjements on men feminines and women masculines as gay and lesbians respectively. This is among the stereotype biliefs and as I have explained before it is a biased bilief. Over time we have seen religion adjusting abit and some religious groups are accepting homosexuals in their congregation and even go as far as uniting gay partners. Religions have broken up into denminations where others are supporting homosexual relationships and others do not. The traditional aspect of marriage is totally different now from the old perspective. From the above discussed beliefs it is clear that homosexuality is still percieved negatively by the society. Over time the law has tried to come in between to ammend a law that may govern such relationships. Most people still argue that there is freedom of choice and therefore do not agree in the ammendment of a law to abolish gay relationships. To the homosexuals who choose to remain in their relationships it is a choice. There is no particular law that forbids one from establishing a homosexual relationship and at the same time there is freedom of worship. This does not bind one into following a particular relationship in as much as most religions regard it a sin to have a relationship with a same sexual fellow but my argument is that a sin is sin. And therefore if one chooses to be or not to be a homosexual is personal. Who cares what the society is going to have what perception with your personality. I therefore conclude by saying that this research is not realy giving a solution as to whether gay or homosexual relations should be stoped but rather embraces the fact that every social being has freedom of choice of what to do with his or her social life. I have explained some of the personal beliefs and noted that both are personal decisions and therefore no one is to judge the other on what life to lead.