Quote:on just about any attribute you can measure we are all different. How you cope with that difference is what matters. I do not believe homosexuals have any more control over their sexual orientation than they do over their eye colour, and hence to me punishment of homosexuality is as bad as punishment on racial grounds.
I was under the impression that you were implying some form of racial superiority and inferiority concept when talking about muslims and the general part of the world where they are predominantly found. Your explanation makes it clear that you are now speaking of human diversity. I agree with this concept and in fact find human diversity beautiful.
I find it backward of clerics of all faiths to try to fit all believers into the same mold. The Prophet Muhammad had a full beard and no moustache. That was the fashion of his time and what he was comfortable with. He never advised that others should grow a full beard. If some one wishes to grow one that is his right, but being made to grow one or feeling that it makes you purer is just plain stupidity. The nun's habit and the priests collar are really part of that same mentality. I don't wish to begrudge anyone that, but it does not appeal to me. Faith is about the spirit and moral values, not about outward appearance.
Homosexuality is something complex. As I made clear a few posts ago, the reference to it in the Quran advises punishment followed by a pardon. Clearly all religions share very conservative views (by todays social standards) on all aspects of sex - same sex, premarital and even positions (hence the term missionary position!!). One could justly argue that this is against free will. But we also have to agree that if the religious restrictions on promiscuity had never existed, the entire social fabric of society today would be unrecognisable.
