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SUBDIVIDING TWO EXTREME BELIEF SYSTEMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY INTO SIX DISCRETE VIEWPOINTSSponsored link.
The two most vocal belief systems:Throughout most of the essays in the homosexual and bisexual section of this web site, we have stressed two extreme positions. We have tried to describe them accurately, without bias, and with clarity. These two viewpoints are generally the most vocal. They are frequently seen and heard on the media and in sermons. They tend to be the viewpoints of the movers and shakers who are changing legislation and North American culture. In this series of essays, we will call the most conservative position "Abomination," because that is the term that is frequently used by religious conservatives to condemn what they call the homosexual lifestyle. We will name the most liberal viewpoint "Liberation," following a book by lecturer and author L.R. Holben. 1 A comparison of the these positions follows:
These two viewpoints are obviously in virtually total opposition. One can see why this topic creates so much heat, so little light, almost no dialogue, and endless amounts of angry and fruitless debate. Persons at the two extremes agree on almost nothing about the nature of homosexuality. Some of the above beliefs can be proven to be either true or false. However, it appears to be impossible to develop proofs that are convincing to everyone. People's beliefs on homosexual topics tend to be relatively rigid. Intermediate viewpoints on homosexuality:The 1998 Lambeth Conference of the worldwide Anglican Communion discussed homosexuality in its Section Group One committee -- titled "Called to Full Humanity." The group issued a draft statement which dealt in part with human sexuality. They declared that some forms of sexual activity are "inherently contrary to the Christian way and are sinful." Their list included adultery, incest, pedophilia, promiscuity, prostitution, female circumcision and rape. It did not include homosexual activity in the list. They admitted that "We must confess that we are not of one mind about homosexuality." Rather than emphasize the two extreme positions evidenced during their discussions, they reported that the bishops "generally subscribe to four main perspectives on homosexuality:" They were described as:
Author L.R. Holben subdivides viewpoints on homosexuality further. 1 He adds two additional categories to those suggested by the Lambeth Conference committee -- a viewpoint that emphasizes the importance of celibacy for homosexuals, and another which emphasizes sexual liberation and identifies homophobia as the main evil. The result is six discrete viewpoints:
The essays in this section will explain and compare all six viewpoints. For simplicity, we will refer almost entirely to homosexuality. But the same arguments would apply to persons with a bisexual orientation if they engage in sexual activity with a member of the same sex. The essays largely describe conservative and liberal Christian perspectives. However very strong parallels exist with conservative and liberal Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and other religions. Sponsored link: Useful reference:
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Religious Tolerance.
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