Dangerous trends in religious freedom. View 4 photos » John Graz, of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, says there are three trends that challenge religious freedom. Michael De Groote, Deseret News PROVO — People across the world are suffering from persecution. "And why are they suffering? " Graz is the public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist world church and is secretary general for the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA). Religious intolerance does not spare any group — Muslims, Christians and other religious groups, Graz said. A 2009 study by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life, found that 70 percent of the world's population live in countries where they have no religious freedom or a lot of restrictions.
But religious freedom is being more frequently challenged across the world. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes freedom of religion as a basic human right. Why? The "freedom to change his religion" would not be allowed. 1. Obama Backs Gay Marriage. WASHINGTON -- In a nod to a dramatic shift in public opinion, Barack Obama on Wednesday became the first sitting president to announce his support for same-sex marriage. In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama completed what has been a markedly long and oft-mocked evolution on the matter. "I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally," Obama told Roberts, in an interview that will air in full on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday. (Watch ABC's entire clip below) The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years.
With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified. On Tuesday evening, the state of North Carolina passed an amendment that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. "The question is, is there a risk? " Same-sex marriage: conservative Christian positions. Sponsored link.
A contrasting liberal Christian view is explained separately . John Stott's book: Overview: John Stott's book: " Same-sex partnerships " will be used as the main reference for this essay. 1 It is worth noting that the book's subtitle is " A Christian perspective " (emphasis ours). This may indicate that the author considers his explanation to be one of many Christian perspectives. He does differentiate between casual sex and loving relationships among gays and lesbians.
John Stott's book: Terminology used: On Page 14 of his book, Stott clarifies two very important points which are often overlooked during religious discussions on homosexuality and homosexual relationships: John Stott's book: Biblical texts about homosexual behavior: In Chapter 2, the John Stott interprets four of the biblical proof texts about homosexuality . Stott concludes that the proof texts are not that significant. John Stott's book: Biblical texts about heterosexual marriage: Sponsored link: References: Homosexuality And Islam - What Does Islam Say About Homosexuality.
Islam is clear in its prohibition of homosexual acts. Islamic scholars cite these reasons for condemning homosexuality, based on teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah: It clashes with the "natural" order in which God created human beings It brings destruction of the family and the institutions of marriage It leads people to ignore God's guidance in other areas of life In Islamic terminology, homosexuality is alternatively called al-fahsha' (an obscene act), shudhudh (abnormality), or 'amal qawm Lut (behavior of the People of Lut). Islam teaches that believers should neither participate in nor support homosexuality.
From the Qur'an The Qur'an shares stories which are meant to teach people valuable lessons. The Qur'an tells the story of the people of Lut (Lot) , which is similar to the story as shared in the Old Testament of the Bible. We learn of an entire nation which was destroyed by God due to their obscene behavior, which included rampant homosexuality. Marriage in Islam. Same-sex Marriage and Religious Opposition. “Expect the wrath of Allah” as a consequence of same-sex marriage, a reader wrote in response to my preceding post about the celebrations in France today. Hey, the reader is entitled to his religious and spiritual beliefs — as long as he doesn’t take it upon himself to do the judging for God and commit violent acts. The same goes for Christians opposed to same-sex marriage. They are entitled to their views, as long as they don’t cross the line and commit the sin of harming another human being. I must confess that I don’t know much about the Muslim faith, having been raised a Christian before I studied some Eastern religions and finally became a Theosophist.
As a Theosophist, I feel that all religions can serve noble purpose, that they are all stepping stones on the path to wherever it is we spirits in the material realm are going. I know that many religions are exclusionary and feel that only they have the “truth,” and that, too, is their privilege. Said Mr. Peace unto all Jillian P.S.