Religion and Homosexuality.

[Montes]

Something occurred to me the other day; why do many of the world's major religions consider themselves anti-homosexual? To be honest, it seems like a random thing that they'd have to hate. In Ancient Greece, homosexuality was common and not frowned upon, but with the growth of the Abrahamic religions, homosexuality has become taboo and sinful. What is the reason for the anti-homosexuality? Is it just because it is different and it was just for the hell of it? Is there a materialist reason behind this?

All thoughts would be appreciated.

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

Something occurred to me the other day; why do many of the world's major religions consider themselves anti-homosexual? To be honest, it seems like a random thing that they'd have to hate. In Ancient Greece, homosexuality was common and not frowned upon, but with the growth of the Abrahamic religions, homosexuality has become taboo and sinful. What is the reason for the anti-homosexuality? Is it just because it is different and it was just for the hell of it? Is there a materialist reason behind this?

All thoughts would be appreciated.

It's probably somewhat arbitrary. However, the idea of a man taking the role of a women, so to speak, probably raised issues with the reinforcement of male patriarchy. If men can act as women, why can't women act as men? The solution is to turn homosexuals into a new classification that makes them not women and, in some cases, worse than women.

I'm sure there are more advanced reasons. I doubt homophobia arose entirely because of its relation to patriarchy. However, it probably didn't help things. Really, people like an excuse to demonize someone else. If a person in power suddenly became a known homosexual, it's an opportunity for their opponents to criticize them. I mean you can look at today. People have managed to sway people into believing charity and common decency are "evil socialist methods." Perfectly harmless and even good ways of acting are widely opposed merely because it hurts the interests of the elite.

Controlling sexuality gives the Church a lot of power. It wants heterosexual relationships that yield more followers - no birth control for some, no abortion for others. No sex for priests. There is really little to be gained for the Church domination by not persecuting homosexuality. The more things that are evil the more leverage you have over your followers.

[Red Saxon]

I agree with the above statement entirely.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

This should be in Discrimination, or Religion, surely?

[Foldered]

Controlling sexuality gives the Church a lot of power. It wants heterosexual relationships that yield more followers - no birth control for some, no abortion for others. No sex for priests. There is really little to be gained for the Church domination by not persecuting homosexuality. The more things that are evil the more leverage you have over your followers.
I agree with this. It has more to do with control, I think, than anything else.

[gofatchix]

Homosexuality is a disease.