This Thesis is focuses on the Catholic and Islamic teachings on the morality of homosexuality. Each religions will show its view on homosexuality based on the holy books.
Being from a conservative Arab country, the title of this thesis will undoubtedly raise many eyebrows. As an Arab and Muslim woman embarking on a difficult and bumpy journey, I have decided, despite the controversial nature of this topic, to choose it for different reasons. The secular or conservative condemns homosexuality in many Islamic countries. Islamic secular countries tend to tolerate homosexuality more than the conservative ones, where the death penalty is often handed down to homosexuals. In non-Islamic countries, the majority of people do not condone homosexuality. Nowadays, homosexuality has become a buzzword. Despite its condemnation, it continues to make inroads. From its clandestine status, due to harsh treatments, to a solemn recognition of its rights, gays and lesbians have achieved substantial gains for their rights, landmark legal rulings have been pronounced in its favor. Some countries have legalized the same-sex marriage. On the other hand, Islam continues to emerge as a staunch critic of homosexuality. This fight is relayed by the Roman Catholic, which condemns homosexuality but calls for more compassion for homosexuals. What are the views of Islam and the Roman Catholic on homosexuality? This thesis includes five main chapters:
Chapter 1: Deals with the story of the Prophet Lot and his people.
Chapter 2: Deals with homosexuality through history.
Chapter 3: Deals with the major positive in favor of homosexuality.
Chapter 4: Covers the Roman Catholic teachings on homosexuality.
Chapter5: Puts in exergue the Islamic teachings on homosexuality
Table of Contents
1. Chapter One: The Story of the Prophet Lot and His People
1.1 The Story of the Prophet Lot in the Qur’an
1.2 Animal Homosexuality
2. Chapter 2: Homosexuality Through History
2.1 Early History of Homosexuality in Greece
2.2 The Roman Empire
2.3 Early Christianity
2.4 The Feudal Period and the Dark Ages
2.5 Thirteenth and Fourteenth Century
2.6 Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century
2.7 Homosexuality in the Islamic World
3. Chapter Three: Changing Religious Attitudes to Homosexuality
3.1 A Response to the Bible
3.2 Reinterpreting the Qur’an
3.3 Other Reasons Why Muslim and Human Right Groups having Favorable Views about Homosexuality
3.4 Rethinking Procreation
3.5 Recognizing Orientation
3.6 Homophobia
4. Chapter Four: The Roman Catholic Teachings on Homosexuality and its Arguments against these Changes
4.1 The Catholic Interpretation of the Bible Texts that Condemns Homosexuality
4.2 Love, Sex and Procreation in the view of Catholic Teachings
4.3 A Response to Recognizing Orientation
4.4 Roman Catholic Church View on Homophobia
5. Chapter Five: Islamic Teachings on Homosexuality and its Arguments against the Changes
5.1 How Does the Main Four Schools of Thought and Jurisprudence Treat Homosexuality?
5.2 The Islamic Interpretation of the Qur’an Texts that Condemns Homosexuality
5.3 Some Muslims Views against Homosexuality by Muslims groups and Individuals
5.4 Why Orientation is not Recognized in the Islamic World
5.4.1 Homosexuality is not innate
5.4.2 Choice or Destiny
5.5 Excess of Passion (Hawa)
5.6 What is the Purpose of Man Creation?
5.7 God’s Mercy (Rahman and Raheem)
5.8 Islamic View on Homophobia
Objectives and Core Themes
This thesis examines the morality of homosexuality from the perspectives of Roman Catholic and Islamic teachings. It explores the tension between traditional religious condemnations of homosexual acts and emerging arguments from reformist scholars and human rights groups that advocate for more inclusive attitudes and the recognition of sexual orientation.
- Comparative religious analysis of scriptural interpretations regarding homosexuality.
- Historical evolution of attitudes toward homosexual behavior in Western and Islamic contexts.
- Evaluation of theological arguments concerning procreation, natural law, and human orientation.
- The clash between traditional religious doctrine and modern, secular human rights perspectives.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 The Story of the Prophet Lot in the Qur’an:
The oldest Biblical account that can be found about homosexuality was in the story of Lot. That story is found in both the Bible and the Qur’an. The story of Lot in the Bible is not considered to be historical, but rather a religious text. Some scholars and theologians think it is just a story based on myth and folk tales just like Homer’s epic poetry. In the Bible, it mentioned that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were wicked and sinners, but it does not mention any particular sin. Therefore, some scholars and theologians find it difficult to relate the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah to homosexual practice. It is also not likely that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were punished for being pagans and worshiping idols because at that time no religion revealed.
Even though “Abraham built two alters in Palestine to the Lord for sacrificing, and continued to have occasional conversations,” Moreover, the Story of Lot in Genesis Chapter 19 ends with the two daughters of Lot getting their father drunk and sleeping with him, and that still did not make the Lord angry. Then what was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? This question is open to different possibilities.
The story of Lot narrated in the Qur’an is historical. It is not just a religious text, but also a fact that happened. Therefore, the story of Lot will be narrated based on Islamic religious and historical view.
Chapter Summaries
1. Chapter One: The Story of the Prophet Lot and His People: Discusses the narrative of Prophet Lot in Islamic and Biblical traditions, focusing on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a divine response to sin.
2. Chapter 2: Homosexuality Through History: Provides an overview of how attitudes toward homosexuality have evolved from ancient Greece and Rome through the Feudal period to the modern era.
3. Chapter Three: Changing Religious Attitudes to Homosexuality: Reviews contemporary theological arguments and reformist perspectives that challenge traditional religious interpretations of scriptural texts regarding homosexuality.
4. Chapter Four: The Roman Catholic Teachings on Homosexuality and its Arguments against these Changes: Analyzes the official Roman Catholic stance, which views homosexual acts as intrinsically disordered while advocating for compassion toward individuals.
5. Chapter Five: Islamic Teachings on Homosexuality and its Arguments against the Changes: Details the Islamic perspective on homosexuality, emphasizing its status as a sin and a moral disorder, while discussing the theological basis for these views.
Keywords
Homosexuality, Islam, Roman Catholic Church, Qur’an, Bible, Sodom and Gomorrah, morality, theology, human rights, orientation, procreation, sin, sexual ethics, Lot, Sharia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The work explores how Roman Catholic and Islamic traditions define the morality of homosexuality and addresses the contemporary debate between these traditional religious stances and modern, inclusive interpretations.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The thesis covers religious history, scriptural exegesis, theological ethics, human rights discourse, and the intersection of religious law with modern views on sexual orientation.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The main goal is to compare the religious teachings of Islam and Roman Catholicism regarding homosexuality and to analyze the arguments presented by those who advocate for a reinterpretation of traditional religious views.
Which scientific methods are employed in this analysis?
The author uses a comparative, qualitative methodology, analyzing historical documents, religious scriptures (Qur’an and Bible), official ecclesiastical documents, and secondary literature from theology and historical studies.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body systematically analyzes the story of Lot, the history of homosexuality, re-interpretations of religious texts, official Roman Catholic and Islamic teachings, and the concept of homophobia.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best defined by keywords such as homosexuality, Islam, Roman Catholicism, theology, scripture, morality, human rights, and religious reform.
How does the author characterize the Islamic perspective on homosexuality?
The author describes the Islamic view as generally unequivocal in its condemnation of homosexual acts, citing the Qur’an and the Hadith as the basis for considering it a grave sin and a violation of the natural order.
What position does the Roman Catholic Church take on the morality of homosexual acts?
The Roman Catholic Church holds that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered" and cannot be approved of, though it emphasizes that individuals with homosexual tendencies should be treated with respect, sensitivity, and compassion.
- Citar trabajo
- Anwaar Aldhamer (Autor), 2009, The Roman Catholic and the Islamic Teachings on the Morality of Homosexuality, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/303453
