From: Tagi@cup.portal.com (Thyagi Morgoth NagaSiva)
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: Non-Christian Religions & Sexual Morality
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 92 08:13:33 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
  <1992Dec16.013205.20129@gboro.glassboro.edu>

9212.17 e.v.


Darren Provine writes:


In a post in bit.listserv.christia, Michael Kline quotes Pat Robertson as
saying this:

> [ Sodomy ] is a sexual practice that is condemned by every major religion.
> [...]  EVERY MAJOR RELIGION, you name it, and they're opposed to sodomy.

Mr Robertson goes on to list `Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc' as major
religions, and another person on his program says that the only group which
does not condemn sodomy is the `New Age movement'.  (No attempt was made to
define "New Age movement".)

Anyway, Mr Robertson did not mention eastern religions.  According to my
almanac, there are 700 million Hindus, and almost 400 million Buddhists; those
both sound `major' to me.  Also, since they are thousands of years old, they
hardly qualify as `New Age'.  I was under the impression from some of our
Hindu and Buddhist posters that their religious traditions did not include
the detailed proscriptions of sexual activity found in Judiasm &c.

So then: are there any adherents of any `major religions' that wish to take
issue with Mr Robertson's statement?


Response:

There is no 'religion' which condemns sodomy.  Only cultures proscribe
behaviors.  Religions only give hints about how to approach divinity
(or perfection, if you like).

Most large cultures have proscriptions within their religious traditions
about sexuality.  Western ones seem keen to prevent homosexuality.
This results, I think, from their blatant fear of their Father (who
will kill them if they don't obey).  Note that lesbianism seems not
to generate so much heated debate.

All religious traditions have sordid histories with lurid tales about
their saviors.  Western ones are just good at hiding them.  Check out
the Nag Hammadi Library for some Christian variants (though probably
tame).  Also look into Gnosticism on modern fronts.  Aleister Crowley
and his lot are doing the world of Western Tantra some very lovely
turns.  Christianity goes sensual. ;>

I tend to agree that Wicca and the like are 'New Age' (in that they
developed within the last 50 years), yet they are ostensibly linked
with traditions older even that Christianity (which absorbed many
pagan elements).

With regard to 'major religions', however, you are correct, Darren,
that Buddhism and Hinduism (and Taoism/Confucianism?, Yoruba?  Santeria?
Shinto?) are also major.  Most Western fanatics ignore the facts and
live in worlds of their own creation, Robertson included.

As long as health issues are considered, sodomy is a very important
and worthwhile practice among consenting individuals, I think.  That
it has the name 'sodomy' is a very interesting thing to me.  I'd like
to see (and email me if it begins) a thread on the origin of the terms
'sodomy' and 'fornication'.

Those in Asian CULTURES could more adequately respond to your question
than I, regarding whether or not sodomy, specifically, is proscribed.
Members of Asian religions in the West are largely left alone as the
culture breaks down through time-space within the tradition itself.


Thyagi
-------------------------------------------------
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie.
Through pastures green he leadeth me the silent waters by.
With bright knives he releaseth my soul.
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.
He converteth me to lamb cutlets,
For lo, he hath great power, and great hunger.
When cometh the day we lowly ones,
Through quiet reflection, and great dedication,
Master the art of karate.
Lo, we shall rise up,
And then we'll make the bugger's eyes water."

Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Animals: Sheep, 1977.
Newsgroups: talk.religion.misc