The topic of "the Banquet" (formerly called Abraham's table) interfaith society food meeting on 4 december was "Sexual identity and Faith".
First there was a series of 5 minute talks by different speakers.
First speaker was an orthodox jew who was also gay, he talked of his own experience. The Hindu speaker was a girl from NHSF Hindu Soc who quoted from Bhagavad Gita, where you can achieve God no matter what you are, so sexuality isnt an issue. The sikh speaker also said its not such an issue for sikhs. The christian speaker felt that many cultural practices came under purview of religion when the church took over power that formerly belonged to the state, hence the issues. The Bahai speaker said that as in many other religions, homosexuality isnt allowed in Bahai faith, but its between you and God, no punishments are prescribed for it. The Buddhist speaker, spoke that Buddha didnt speak on the issue and so homosexuality isnt an issue but Buddhism is so diverse so its inevitable there will be different viewpoints, also the focus in Buddhism is to conquer the mind and get liberation from suffering, in the mind there is no male or female, straight or gay so this isnt an issue at all. The speaker for Paganism, said something like sexuality is not an issue: you are free to do what you want as long as you dont harm others. The muslim speaker stated that homosexuality isnt allowed in Islam as per the Shariah law.
After the first round of talks (it was around 6:45 pm) there was food which was largely vegetarian, with drinks and dessert.
When people had finished eating, there was an interfaith quiz organised by the Young Greens (Green Party student members). There were 2 questions from each religion, donated by people belonging to those religions.
At the end of everything we had a group photo. Also one leader from each religious community (including the chaplains, Mukti, Khan and Tim from multifaith reference group) signed a joined statement pledging to unite and work together on issues of common concern.
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3 comments:
Did someone say "obedience?" No?
I suggest that your Baha'i speaker go back and read the Universal House of Justice's letter on Homosexuality. The UHJ states that homosexuality is a medical problem. Your speaker avoids this point in all three of his reported points. It is a fact that supporters of homosexuality as a right, hate.
Homosexuals ARE acceepted in the Baha'i Faith; they are not "not allowed." One's homsexuality or heterosexuality is not "between you and your God." This assumes the homosexual has a choice. The UHJ states that in the future medicine may find a treatment for homosexuality, a point again lost by the speaker.
Lastly the speaker says there is "no punishment" in the Baha'i Faith for homosexuality. If he refers to the practice of homosexual love, The Guardian has stated that physical love with a person of the same sex is forbidden; likewise the Kitab-ii-Aqdas forbids sodomy, suggesting that the homosexual Baha'i must control his or her passions just as the heterosexual Baha'i must, or be subject to sanctions.
I am concerned that the Baha'i speaker did not reference the Writings on this subject. The Baha'i Teachings were forgotten in favor of a corrupted sense of unity. Had the speaker given the actual Baha'i Teachings, it is more likely than not he and the name of the Faith would be the subject of a campaign of public outrage.But wouldn't this have been a good thing? Won't the Faith grow astonishingly when the public is forced to confront the Teachings they so hate?
How many men and women in that audience were tired of being subject to the ego, the renouncing of science and of social responsibility, and the rejection of the Word of God that today's self-satisfied, anti-religious and arrogant homosexual community seek to force on society.
Finally, how many the homosexuals that do not see the need to "out" or make any more of their condition than the average heterosexual makes of his? Would his heart not be strengthed by hearing the true Baha'i Teachings?
I feel the participants in this event should be mailed a copy of the UHJ letter and the Guardian's statements immediately. Baha'is must be proud of the truths they hold and hold them up. How is mankind going to know if we all rally around the common denominator of ego, ego, ego, and leave the Teachings for some Utopian future date?
Thanks for the invitation to comment.
I find your arugment immpossible to agree with with. Only one point you have raised is true; the Ego is the problem here. Today's religious, such as yourself, are egocentric self-satisfied, and socially irresponsible, exactly what you see to be the worst sins of homosexuals.
You recognise the fact that homosexuals do not have a choice in their sexuality, but you have no compassion for them!
Surely if being gay is not their fault, you shouldn't torture them by making them feel bad about it! This is completely socially irresponsible! Think of all the young people who commit suicide and get into drugs and all sorts of trouble because of the stress of being a socially unacceptable sexual minority! It has been proven many times, that if you are homosexual, you are far more likely to commit suicide.
This ungodly lack of compassion is the REAL rejection of the Word of God. Arrogance itself!
All the troubles you cite vanish the moment you accept the authority of the Word of God. Yes it IS that simple.
Who are the idiots that let YOU, who openly deny and refute the Word, speak for the Baha'i Faith? Was it a banquet meal or pick-up?
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