
_______________________________________
Please also look at this excellent resource:
http://bahai-library.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1788
-british_bahai, 2nd Aug 2007.
BruceDLimber wrote:Hi!
Briefly, the Baha'i teaching about homosexuality has two parts.
The first is a subset of the general Baha'i law commanding chastity. This applies to everyone regardless of marital status.
And as Baha'i marriage is a heterosexual institution, homosexual marriage isn't an option.
Further, ANYONE not married (regardless of orientation) has the obligation to refrain from sexual activity.
That aside, in all other respects homosexuals have the same rights and priveleges as anyone else, and should be treated with equity!
And yes, there are indeed homosexual Baha'is.
Best regards,![]()
Bruce
"No matter how devoted and fine the love may be between people of the same sex, to let it find expression in sexual acts is wrong."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 26, 1950, published in Lights of Guidance, no. 1223)
"Thus, it should not be so much a matter of whether a practicing homosexual can be a Bahá'í as whether, having become a Bahá'í, the homosexual can overcome his problem through knowledge of the teachings and reliance on Bahá'u'lláh."
(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, March 14, 1973)
hihellowhatsup wrote:I just wanted every one's opinion. I'm gay, and I was wondering how tolerant a Baha'i or the Baha'i community would be of me, as Im strongly considering becoming a Baha'i. Do u all believe homosexuality is a sin? Do u believe it is a choice? Do u believe I'm going to hell for being gay? I'm just wondering...
Zazaban wrote:I suggest you learn more about the Baha'i faith before you consitor joining. one of the first, basic things I learns was that there isn't a believe in the standard heaven and hell, or any sort of "sin" (which is a concept really only in Christianity.) No, Baha'is do not believe it is a choice.
british_bahai wrote:The reason why im saying this is because right now in the scientific world, people are still debating whether it is a choice or whether the child has always had gay characteristics (i.e as a child, when he/she was unaware of what sex actually is).
Zazaban wrote:british_bahai wrote:The reason why im saying this is because right now in the scientific world, people are still debating whether it is a choice or whether the child has always had gay characteristics (i.e as a child, when he/she was unaware of what sex actually is).
Actually, it's not debated in the scientific world, but it is elsewhere.
Yes they do. Okay, there is some debate on whether it's genetic or not, but not if it's a choice or not.british_bahai wrote:Zazaban wrote:british_bahai wrote:The reason why im saying this is because right now in the scientific world, people are still debating whether it is a choice or whether the child has always had gay characteristics (i.e as a child, when he/she was unaware of what sex actually is).
Actually, it's not debated in the scientific world, but it is elsewhere.
whats the definite answer from the scientific world? do they think its genetic?
Zazaban wrote:I suggest you learn more about the Baha'i faith before you consitor joining. one of the first, basic things I learns was that there isn't a believe in the standard heaven and hell, or any sort of "sin" (which is a concept really only in Christianity.) No, Baha'is do not believe it is a choice.
Hmm... don't think many christians think of hell as a spiritual condition, most I know take it very literally.BruceDLimber wrote:Zazaban wrote:I suggest you learn more about the Baha'i faith before you consitor joining. one of the first, basic things I learns was that there isn't a believe in the standard heaven and hell, or any sort of "sin" (which is a concept really only in Christianity.) No, Baha'is do not believe it is a choice.
I don't know where you're getting this, Za, but it's definitely not what the Baha'i Faith teaches and believes!
I suggest you check some authoritative Baha'i sources such as http://www.bahai.org before spouting off like this: it might save you future embarrassment.
For example (to name just two errors):
- Baha'is share the same view of Heaven and hell as many Christians, namely that they are spiritual conditions rather than places.
- And sin is definitely a concept in the Baha'i Faith.
Perhaps asking Baha'is what they believe rather than going to some random outside source (or worse, an anti-Baha'i site) would prove more productive....
Peace,
Bruce
Zazaban wrote:BruceDLimber wrote:For example (to name just two errors):
- Baha'is share the same view of Heaven and hell as many Christians, namely that they are spiritual conditions rather than places.
- And sin is definitely a concept in the Baha'i Faith.
Perhaps asking Baha'is what they believe rather than going to some random outside source (or worse, an anti-Baha'i site) would prove more productive....
Peace,
Bruce
Hmm... don't think many christians think of hell as a spiritual condition, most I know take it very literally.
With sin I meant the christian concept of sin, not sin in general. I notice sometimes what I mean is not what comes out, so I'm sorry, looking back what I wrote was kinda.. off.