Islam 'recognizes homosexuality'

[Dan J 277]

Homosexuals and homosexuality are natural and created by God, thus permissible within Islam, a discussion concluded here Thursday.

Moderate Muslim scholars said there were no reasons to reject homosexuals under Islam, and that the condemnation of homosexuals and homosexuality by mainstream ulema and many other Muslims was based on narrow-minded interpretations of Islamic teachings.

Siti Musdah Mulia of the Indonesia Conference of Religions and Peace cited the Koran's al-Hujurat (49:3) that one of the blessings for human beings was that all men and women are equal, regardless of ethnicity, wealth, social positions or even sexual orientation.

"There is no difference between lesbians and nonlesbians. In the eyes of God, people are valued based on their piety," she told the discussion organized by nongovernmental organization Arus Pelangi.

"And talking about piety is God's prerogative to judge," she added.

"The essence of the religion (Islam) is to humanize humans, respect and dignify them."

Musdah said homosexuality was from God and should be considered natural, adding it was not pushed only by passion.

Mata Air magazine managing editor Soffa Ihsan said Islam's acknowledgement of heterogeneity should also include homosexuality.

He said Muslims needed to continue to embrace ijtihad (the process of making a legal decision by independent interpretation of the Koran and the Sunnah) to avoid being stuck in the old paradigm without developing open-minded interpretations.

Another speaker at the discussion, Nurofiah of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said the dominant notion of heterogeneity was a social construction, leading to the banning of homosexuality by the majority.

"Like gender bias or patriarchy, heterogeneity bias is socially constructed. It would be totally different if the ruling group was homosexuals," she said.

Other speakers said the magnificence of Islam was that it could be blended and integrated into local culture.

"In fact, Indonesia's culture has accepted homosexuality. The homosexual group in Bugis-Makassar tradition called Bissu is respected and given a high position in the kingdom.

"Also, we know that in Ponorogo (East Java) there has been acknowledgement of homosexuality," Arus Pelangi head Rido Triawan said.

Condemnation of homosexuality was voiced by two conservative Muslim groups, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Hizbut Thahir Indonesia (HTI).

"It's a sin. We will not consider homosexuals an enemy, but we will make them aware that what they are doing is wrong," MUI deputy chairman Amir Syarifuddin said.

Rokhmat, of the hardline HTI, several times asked homosexual participants in attendance to repent and force themselves to gradually return to the right path.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/03...xuality039.html

[Jenn! 918]

Good!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Cool.

Are the Ay-Rabs listening?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Cool indeed.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Cool.

Are the Ay-Rabs listening?

The Ay-Rabs are listening just as little as those fanatics with bibles in their hands that condemn homosexuals.

[sereia 0]

interesting!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Cool.

Are the Ay-Rabs listening?

The Ay-Rabs are listening just as little as those fanatics with bibles in their hands that condemn homosexuals.

[Amby 490]

cool. yay for the gays!

[almaty 19]

i agree..very good

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Cool.

Are the Ay-Rabs listening?

The Ay-Rabs are listening just as little as those fanatics with bibles in their hands that condemn homosexuals.

Remind me again... who hangs homosexuals?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Cool.

Are the Ay-Rabs listening?

The Ay-Rabs are listening just as little as those fanatics with bibles in their hands that condemn homosexuals.

Remind me again... who hangs homosexuals?

Let's not talk about medieval punishment. The US looks pretty bad in that department.

That said, some of them bible swinging fanatics would if they could. You know that.

[funkyab 0]

GREAT!!!!! ANYONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO PRAY AND BE GAY!!!!

Like anyone will listen though..... Like trying to convince the religious right majority in the U.S. that the churches that have allowed gay bishops or condones homosexuality have some all encompassing revelation that should be paid attention to.

Sad sad sad state of the world.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

...

Edited March 28, 2008 by Mr. Big Dog

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Cool.

Are the Ay-Rabs listening?

The Ay-Rabs are listening just as little as those fanatics with bibles in their hands that condemn homosexuals.

Remind me again... who hangs homosexuals?

Let's not talk about medieval punishment. The US looks pretty bad in that department.

That said, some of them bible swinging fanatics would if they could. You know that.

But they do kill them in Iran. TODAY.

[funkyab 0]

"""But they do kill them in Iran. TODAY. """

NOW THAT IS GHEY!!!!!!

Pitiful!!

Was so funny when dude was at Columbia University... A bit out of his intellectual league. Came off as a total douche bag.

I was pleased.