In this essay I will describe in detail various religions and their perspective on the controversial topic, homosexuality. I will be taking an in depth look into three religions views on homosexuality and how it is viewed in scripture, community and also how each religion believes the consequences, if any, are applied to those who engage in homosexual relations. Christianity, Islam and Theravada Buddhism will be the religions we will be observing in this essay, all three having a unique view on homosexuality; also all having scriptures that define a general approval or disapproval of engaging in homosexual acts and how their community believes is appropriate to act towards those who practice a homosexual lifestyle. As far as the layout of
…show more content…
Theravada Buddhism emerged out of the fourth century in India; unlike Christianity and Islam, Theravada Buddhism does not have a center God like we have seen in the previous two religions, nor do they believe in the traditional linear timeline of the world like the Christianity and Islam; Theravada Buddhism believes in a circular timeline of existence with the belief in reincarnation also known as samsara within Buddhist belief and the only way to be liberated from the cycle to shed one’s life of all bad karma. Theravada Buddhism is described as the middle path of self-denial and self-indulgence and only they can free themselves from the cycle of reincarnation. As far as the act and practice of homosexuality within Theravada Buddhism we will first need to take an individual look at the two lifestyles of Theravada Buddhists. First, we have the monks in Theravada Buddhism, who are the strict practicing Buddha’s who often time leave all worldly lifestyles to fully commit into the Buddhist lifestyle. Second, are the less conventional Buddha’s who practice a more general approach to a Buddhist lifestyle, these Buddha’s will often lead perfectly average lives such as having typical jobs and families. Within the practices of Theravada Buddhist monks must obey the rule to no celibacy, meaning they are not to engage sexually in any means hetero/homosexual. However, Theravada Buddhists, monk or non-conventional, must also obey the five perceptions (Van Voorst, pg. 127) which describes forbidding the act of sexual misconduct. As far as what the under lying details of what exactly sexual misconduct is in Theravada Buddhism an article posted titles Buddhism on Homosexuality, researchers explain that sexual misconduct within Theravada Buddhism consists of coercion, sexual harassment, molestation of children and also adultery. However, it does not explicitly in Theravada Buddhist research describe the act of
Theravada Buddhism emerged out of the fourth century in India; unlike Christianity and Islam, Theravada Buddhism does not have a center God like we have seen in the previous two religions, nor do they believe in the traditional linear timeline of the world like the Christianity and Islam; Theravada Buddhism believes in a circular timeline of existence with the belief in reincarnation also known as samsara within Buddhist belief and the only way to be liberated from the cycle to shed one’s life of all bad karma. Theravada Buddhism is described as the middle path of self-denial and self-indulgence and only they can free themselves from the cycle of reincarnation. As far as the act and practice of homosexuality within Theravada Buddhism we will first need to take an individual look at the two lifestyles of Theravada Buddhists. First, we have the monks in Theravada Buddhism, who are the strict practicing Buddha’s who often time leave all worldly lifestyles to fully commit into the Buddhist lifestyle. Second, are the less conventional Buddha’s who practice a more general approach to a Buddhist lifestyle, these Buddha’s will often lead perfectly average lives such as having typical jobs and families. Within the practices of Theravada Buddhist monks must obey the rule to no celibacy, meaning they are not to engage sexually in any means hetero/homosexual. However, Theravada Buddhists, monk or non-conventional, must also obey the five perceptions (Van Voorst, pg. 127) which describes forbidding the act of sexual misconduct. As far as what the under lying details of what exactly sexual misconduct is in Theravada Buddhism an article posted titles Buddhism on Homosexuality, researchers explain that sexual misconduct within Theravada Buddhism consists of coercion, sexual harassment, molestation of children and also adultery. However, it does not explicitly in Theravada Buddhist research describe the act of