Ethical Arguments Against Homosexuality

The controversial debate over homosexuality is very popular in multiple religions and has become a very big topic as gay marriage is increasingly accepted by law across the globe. Homosexuality is defined as the “sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one’s own self” (Dictionary). Homosexuality has brought opposing views within a religion, causing further schisms. Some argue that homosexuality goes against one’s religious doctrines and rituals while others argue and advocate that the historic viewpoints should be modernized and more accepting to today’s culture. Judaism which is practiced by 13 to 16 million people in the world with five to six million of those in the United States and Israel. Ethical issues within

It is also included within the Halakah, the Jewish law. The Torah forbids the homosexual act, known as mishkav zakhar, but has no regard with homosexuality as a personal inclination. Furthermore, a person with a homosexual urges can be an obedient Jew as long as he or she does not act out that homosexual desire. The Torah defines and describes homosexuality with the passage, “thou shalt not lie mankind as with womankind; it is detestable” and that “if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed a detestable act: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (ReligionFacts). Gay men are explicitly referenced and threatened with the death penalty in the Torah. On the other hand, lesbian activity isn’t explicitly written in the Torah but it’s forbidden by many rabbis

Orthodox Judaism is comprised of about 14% of the Jewish community and is characterized with strict Kosher dietary laws, no work on the Sabbath, and services performed in Hebrew. The Orthodox Judaism community has broad views on homosexuality which ranges from viewing it as an abomination and deserving of the death penalty, to persons who deserve the same dignity and respect as heterosexuals. The Orthodox community made a Statement of Principles in 2010 which states their opinion on homosexuality. They argued that, “it is critical to emphasize that halakha only prohibits homosexual acts; it does not prohibit orientation or feelings of same-sex attraction, and nothing in the Torah devalues the human beings who struggle with them” (Groves). Furthermore, with the belief in the strict interpretation of the Torah, the Orthodox community argues the acting out of homosexual urges is against the halakha but the actual thoughts and urges themselves cannot be condemned if taken care of responsibly and not acted upon. This Statement of Principles also writes, “Jews who have an exclusively homosexual orientation should, under most circumstances, not be encouraged to marry someone of the other gender, as this can lead to great tragedy, unrequited love, shame, dishonesty and ruined lives” (Groves). Homosexuals are taught to stay celibate and unmarried because the Orthodox Jews define marriage as a sacred union strictly between a man and