This paper will attempt to compare and contrast that ideas of homosexuality within Taoism and Roman Catholicism. In an attempt to do so, Taoism and Roman Catholicism will be discussed in regards to their initial opinions on homosexuality. Both show ideas of naturalness and homosexuality, expressed in opposing ways. Then, both of their views on the purpose of sex will be used to fully compare and contrast views.
Taoism texts are, intentionally, vague in their writing. Interpretation of how to live according to the Tao is meant to be discovered by individuals throughout their lives. The main points of focus for discovering insight into Taoist views on homosexuality are in the beliefs of the balance of yin and yang energies and the purpose of sex (which will later be simultaneously compared to Roman Catholic views). Although these two focuses seem straightforward, their interpretations do vary.
Yin and Yang
Liang Shi (2013) describes yin and yang as “equal and interdependent” and as “…the two forces are in constant flux and capable of changing into each other” (p. 765). Since yin and yang are constantly evolving and can change into each other, this school of Taoism thought does not see homosexual sex as an imbalance of yin or yang. Yin and yang are not in perfect balance in any place or person, meaning that while men may, primarily and traditionally, be associated with yang, men also have yin. This same concept applies conversely to women. Through this constantly changing balance of yin and yang, the levels of yin and yang are able to be balanced in the partners having homosexual sex; one partner takes the dominant (yang) role and the other takes the submissive (yin) role.
Further exploring this school of thought, Liang ...
... middle of paper ...
...ntal Handicap, and Sexuality. Studies in Christian Ethics, 17(3), 11-26. Retrieved June 14, 2014, from the Academic Search Premier database.
Hanigan, J. P. (1998). The Centrality of Marriage. The Ecumenical Review, 50(1), 54-63. Retrieved June 11, 2014, from the Academic Search Premier database.
Loughlin, G. (2004). Gathered at the Altar: Homosexuals and Human Rights. Theology and Sexuality, 10(2), 73-82. Retrieved June 16, 2014, from the Academic Search Premier database.
Shi, L. (2013). Mirror Rubbing: A Critical Genealogy of Pre-Modern Chinese Female Same-Sex Eroticism. Journal of Homosexuality, 60(5), 750-772. Retrieved June 11, 2014, from the Academic Search Premier database.
Wawrytko, S. A. (1993). Homosexuality and Chinese and Japanese Religions. Homosexuality and World Religions, n/a, 199-230. Retrieved June 16, 2014, from the ATLA Religion Database database.
Cahill sees Scripture as having three dimensions, which she defines as “the specific texts on the issue at hand, specific texts on related issues, and general biblical themes or patterns” (64). For specific texts, she mentions Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, the Romans, and Timothy. Citing the historical and social contexts of the Old Testament texts, she dismisses them as not easily applicable to modern society (65). When she considers Paul, she questions whether his lists of sins translate well into modern moral discourse because of Paul’s primary concern with idolatry and because of the Greek model of homosexuality, which greatly differs from modern homosexual relationships that resemble marriage (65). Though she does not specifically state it, implicit in these references to historical context is doubt about the Spirit-inspired nature of the Scriptures. In questioning the ability of the Scriptu...
Chinese people might find naming their religion challenging as it is a mixture of “traditional religion, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism” (Corduan, 2012, p.388). The Chinese Popular Religion continues to evolve and change as the world around it changes and outside influences enter the Chinese culture (Corduan, 2012). Investigation of the Chinese Popular Religion includes its key features, practices, and influences, along with tis role in contemporary China, and how Christians can enhance their interactions.
Homosexuality has become a hot topic of acceptability within the past few decades. The United States has its own fair share of legislation and debate among different cultural groups with the society. However, some societies across the world have instances of ritualized homosexuality as passage to adulthood. Gilbert Herdt is a noted cultural and clinical anthropologist who has conducted extensive research on human sexuality. He is a founder of the Department of Sexuality studies in San Francisco State University and maintains a position as a professor (Gilbert Herdt 2010). He has become an international figure in regards to child and adolescent sexuality, the gender relations involved in cultural views and development of sexuality, and orientation. His work The Sambia: Ritual and Gender in New Guinea, has gained recognition and highlighted the dichotomy of gender in relation to sexuality and power. He won the Ruth Benedict Prize in 1988 for his research (Gilbert Herdt 2010). The Sambia are a “rugged mountain people” that call the rainforest of Papua New Guinea home (Herdt 2006: 1). Herdt began his research in 1974 to discover a group of people who broke the preexisting stereotypes of overly aggressive behavior (Herdt 2006: xvii). His ethnographic research included field observations through participant observation and interactions with informants (Herdt 2006: xxi). His close relations to his informants allowed him insight into traditions and the associate change. He looked to the evident gender differences in the Sambian society that preoccupied the people to the ritual initiation th...
Wengert, Timothy J. "The Book of Concord and Human Sexuality, Seen Through the Institution Of Marriage." Dialog: A Journal of Theology 48.1 (2009): 9-18. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 May 2014.
In the article “An Anthropological Look at Human Sexuality” the authors, Patrick Gray and Linda Wolfe speak about how societies look at human sexuality. The core concept of anthology is the idea of culture, the systems of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors people acquire as a member of society. The authors give an in depth analysis on how human sexuality is looked at in all different situations.
“For The Bible Tells Me So,” documented by Daniel Karslake, is a journey through the belief of homosexuality and its perceived conflict with Christianity, as well as various interpretations of what the Bible says about same-sex sexuality. Through the use of parallelism, pathos, and logos, the documentarian is able to communicate his creed that homosexuality and Christianity, with a lot of effort, can have a vigorous relationship. Whether or not your personal religious and political stances on homosexuality are influenced by Karslake’s film, the audience is moved by its portraits of unbreakable family love. The documentary skillfully dives beneath the constraints of its title theme to find deeper treasures that family values are still alive and well.
Religious life has spawned times of war and times of peace and it has been responsible for changes in the human condition and even the course of human history. Professed beliefs are passed down by religious traditions, ideally speaking, these beliefs have consequences effecting social behavior. This analysis is particularly evident when examining the critiques of some Chris-tian [traditionalist] interpretations that take exception to gay culture. The underlined message to these persons arguments seem to be that condemning homosexuality in society is not about deny-ing ones rightful place in the world, but rather about steering people away from the nature of sin that is associated with undercurrents of its practice. The logic behind such a message is that all human beings are natural sinners however, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transsexual (LGBT) community just happens to be engaged in a more critical form of that sin through the activities surrounding their homosexual life-style. This understanding is, to Christian traditionalists, the Word of God and being such, they consider it to be a moral law. Adhering to this rule of under-standing often allows its believers a certain elitist justification that they consider to be beyond reproach. There are a few problems with many of the claims that support what these proponents of interpreted religious scripture and doctrine hold as sacred. The purpose of this paper means to challenge the social behavior and rhetoric stemming from Christian conservatives aimed at homo-sexuality, as well as, to exam the current state of affairs existing in gay culture as it pertains to religion, society, and the argu...
Halperin, David. "Is There a History of Sexuality?." The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader. Ed. Henry
The idea around the sexual tradition has drastically changed over the years; for centuries homosexuality was considered as a sinful act; but with developments in the scientific, cultural and social world this ‘act’ developed into an identity, a way of being based around characteristics which make an individual who they are. The essentialist theory reflects this in terms that in every concept known to be there is a formed idea around them; in terms of homosexuality the theory contributes to the idea that homosexuality is not just act, with reference to sodomy, but is a characteristic of the individual who engages in the act; an identiy.
In this essay, I will explain how religion is sometimes used to mobilize against LGBT people, how some people’s religious and personal doctrines conflict regarding LGBT issues, and how religious belief and community can be a positive force for the LGBT community.
Parascandola, Louis J. “Love and sex in a totalitarian society: an exploration of Ha Jin and
Silva, A L De. "Homosexuality and Theravada Buddhism" March 10, 2005. Online. Available FTP: http://www.dragon-gate.com/resources/Articles/display.asp?id=89&pg=1.
Somerville, Siobhan. "Scientific Racism and the Invention of the Homosexual Body." Gender, Sex, and Sexuality. New York: Oxford University, 2009. 284-99. Print.
Stein, Edward. The Mismeasure of Desire: The Science, Theory, and Ethics of Sexual Orientation. New York, NY: Oxford UP, 1999. Print. 20 Oct. 2011
The sexual orientation of a person has been a critical debate over the past several centuries. For several...