Same sex attraction. Should it be stopped? - Page 32

A note worthy take on Homosexuality in Hinduism. The article was too long, covering 26 pages (PDF), but I am posting the conclusion/jist here.

Modern Indian Puritanism

It is quite stupefying that in a country which produced the Kama Sutra and assimilated ecstasy into mystical experience there should be a strong puritanical bias in a world which is becoming more liberal by the day. This puritanism of modern India, mostly restricted to the managerial class, is largely a product of Islamic and Anglo-Saxon prejudice. Unfortunately most Hindus who are educated in India passed through a Christian orientated educational system which inculcates Anglo-Saxon-Victorian values.

Whilst being profoundly lapse in the study of their own faith it is very easy to overlay the
inculcated values over a shallow Hindu socio-cultural awareness. Hence we find highly
educated Indian managers denying that homosexuality exists in India and that it is a foreign
vice!

The Indian penal code promulgated by Nehrus's socialist government first enacted article
377 punishing "sexual relations against nature with a man, woman or animal, whether the
intercourse is anal or oral." There is a move afoot to have it removed but the struggle still
goes on and there have been and are prosecutions under this act.

The Summary of Homosexuality & Hinduism

When discussing controversial issues in Hinduism one needs to take into account a number of factors. There are those acts which are crimes and there are those acts which are categorised as sins. There are crimes which are not sins and sins which are not crimes.
Crimes are acts which are contrary to establishes Law (usually civil) and sins are religious offences which are usually never crimes. In the west there is a separation between religion and law. In ancient India there was no such distinction.

Sin in Hinduism

Christians declare homosexuality to be a sin, an act hateful in the eyes of their god. There are some modern Hindu commentators who, mimicking their christian mentors, concur with them! But the term "sin" is very differently understood in the true Hindu context. There are a large number of terms which indicate different ideas. But are all translated by the English term sin.

Papa ' an act which causes demerit being defined as causing suffering to another being.
Vipatti ' failure to fulfil some duty
Klesha ' defilement
Aparadha ' a ritual or protocol offence against either the deity, guru or other devotees.
Dosha ' a character fault
Pataka ' an act causing loss of caste
Dushkrta ' misconduct
Agha ' misdeed
Amhas ' blame
Agas ' heedlessness
Drugdha ' transgression
Abhidroha ' an act based upon hatred
Enas ' contamination, physical or mental
Anrita ' untruth ' an act against the laws of nature
Durita ' a ritual offence against the gods
Droha ' an act of maliciousness against the gods


Before an act can be declared a Sin one needs to ask the following questions:'

1. Is it a crime ' in other words an act contrary to the Law?
2. Is there a victim ' has any suffering been intentional caused to another being?
3. Has the actor done anything which would compromise their social status (i.e, "
results in loss of caste")?
4. Has the actor compromised their ritual purity.

In consensual adult sex between members of the general Hindu community the answer to all of these would be no!

A Srivaishnava Perspective

Being a non-dogmatic and non-institutional faith community, there can be no official Hindu dogma or position on the subject of homosexuality or "gay marriage'.

Firstly to judge whether something is morally wrong or right we need to establish that there was free-will and ability to choose in the matter. The Hindu Scriptures declare that homosexuality is an orientation which is karmically predisposed and not a matter of choice.

The Self (jiva) which is enveloped by ignorance, is sometimes embodied as a male, sometimes as a female, sometimes as a homosexual (ubhaya). According to its deeds and the nature one acquires thereby, one may be born as a god, a human or a beast. (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.29.29.)

Whatever the sexual orientation of the child whether it be male, female or homosexual (napumsaka) it is born in the ninth or the tenth month. (Garuda Purana. 2.32.29)

In fact one need not refer to scripture for support when every homosexual will testify that they had no choice in the matter!

"Against the natural order" argument also does not stand because if we use animals as the "natural" yardstick then every aspect of human life is against the natural order ' from clothing to housing to food etc.

Chapter 9 of the Kama Sutra is dedicated to oral sex in general with the major part dealing
with this particular activity between men. Interestingly enough Vatsyayana also mentions
that some people "marry" (parigraha) members of their own sex and live together either
openly or in secret.
Edited by Darklord_Rehan - 12 years ago

Originally posted by: Darklord_Rehan

NARTH can cure homosexuality. eh?
Read this

Position of professional organizations on sexual orientation change efforts

Main Article: Sexual orientation change efforts

In 2009 anAmerican Psychological Association research summary^[36] --

 

According to Psychiatric
News,

survey in the journal Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality showed that 69 percent of
psychiatrists disagreed with the vote, and still considere d homosexuality a disorder. Bayer
remarks that the APA:

 

American Psychological Association'which is three times larger than the
APA' voted to follow suit, and soon the National Association of Social Workers did likewise.
The seventh printing of the DSM in 1974 placed a special note that announced that the
APA had "voted to eliminate Homosexuality per se as a mental disorder and to substitute
therefor (sic) a new category titled Sexual Orientation Disturbance."

 

VOTING= POLITICS😊(US lobby)

 

The new entry read as
follows:

302.0 Sexual Orientation Disturbance [Homosexuality]
This is for individuals whose sexual interests are directed primarily toward people of the
same-sex and who are either disturbed by, in conflict with, or wish to change their sexual
orientation. This diagnostic category is distinguished f rom homosexuality, which by itself,does not constitute a psychiatric disorder. Homosexuality per se is one form of sexual
behavior, and with other forms of sexual behavior which are not by themselves
psychiatric disorders, are not listed in this nomenclature.

 

http://narth.com/docs/TheTrojanCouchSatinover.pdf