It's no secret that most modern religions frown upon homosexuality. There are a few that do now and perhaps even embrace it but most do. The big question is - why?
Arguments against it being unnatural do not stand up to scrutiny. Science has proven this incorrect. And, even if it is a disorder or some sort, this is essentially no different than somebody having any other unprovoked condition like say - seizures. We certainly wouldn't consider seizures evil or sinful.
It seems that the most likely reasons for condemning homosexuality originated something like this.
Heterosexual sex can create new life. And, in ancient times, this was much more likely due to lack of scientific knowledge about menstrual cycles and the non-existence of artificial contraception. Naturally, homosexual sex cannot.
Sexual relationships not producing a higher population where not beneficial. They did not produce future workers and additional subjects to the religious and secular leaders of the time.
This would have been cause for concern because it would limit the number of people leaders held power over and limit the taxes governments could receive from them.
So, ultimately, it seems that it was about power.
As far as the Bible goes, it could not possibly have condemned homosexuality as we perceive it today. Why? Well first off, the word didn’t even exist until the 19th century. Second, history itself (dating both before and after the writing of the Bible) defies this logic.
Here are some great resources on the subject:
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/homosexuality/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_year_did_homosexual_become_a_word
Arguments against it being unnatural do not stand up to scrutiny. Science has proven this incorrect. And, even if it is a disorder or some sort, this is essentially no different than somebody having any other unprovoked condition like say - seizures. We certainly wouldn't consider seizures evil or sinful.
It seems that the most likely reasons for condemning homosexuality originated something like this.
Heterosexual sex can create new life. And, in ancient times, this was much more likely due to lack of scientific knowledge about menstrual cycles and the non-existence of artificial contraception. Naturally, homosexual sex cannot.
Sexual relationships not producing a higher population where not beneficial. They did not produce future workers and additional subjects to the religious and secular leaders of the time.
This would have been cause for concern because it would limit the number of people leaders held power over and limit the taxes governments could receive from them.
So, ultimately, it seems that it was about power.
As far as the Bible goes, it could not possibly have condemned homosexuality as we perceive it today. Why? Well first off, the word didn’t even exist until the 19th century. Second, history itself (dating both before and after the writing of the Bible) defies this logic.
Here are some great resources on the subject:
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/homosexuality/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_year_did_homosexual_become_a_word