Part of me doesn't want to bother getting in this little fight, but, I wanted to give my 2 cents...
I suppose I should preface this by saying I am neither gay nor Jewish, and I wasn't raised in a religious home of any variation. I am not homophobic, and generally consider myself a liberal.
So, I'll begin...
I don't think liberals make much effort at understanding Orthodox or traditional perspectives on anything, which is unfair. Though there are obvious plenty of exceptions (as there are in any group) most Orthodox Jews I've met have been nothing but decent and respectful of homosexuals. They do not persecute them, and the overall movement condemns doing so. Homosexuals are not, in most circles, kicked out of the congregation. And I've never heard of Orthodox Jews pulling a Matthew Shepherd on some poor gay kid. Compared to other traditional and/or fundamentalist religions, Judaism hasn't been too rough on the homosexual community.
Too many liberals chastize religions because they don't conform to their liberal dogma, which is tremendously hypocritical.
At the same time, I do think Orthodoxy needs to be more open to the findings of modern science, as in many cases these do NOT conflict with the Torah. Torah doesn't say that homosexuality is a choice, or that you are born with it. In fact, Torah says very little about homosexuality at all. So, I do not understand the rigid opposition to considering that maybe God made some homosexuals and doesn't expect them to change-- in my understanding, what is actually forbidden in the Torah is anal sex between men. There is no prohibition of anything else regarding homosexuality, and women aren't mentioned at all (which seems telling, considering that with all the other sexual prohibitions the point is made to forbid both men and women, but suddenly women are left out of this one. I've been told that Jews think every little detail like that has significance in Torah).
Here's a few analogies, not great ones as this is a rather complicated and unique situation, and not meant to offend anyone, but just...consider them...
FROM AN ORTHODOX STANDPOINT:
Bisexuality could be compared to kleptomania (sp?)... that is, an individual may have an increased desire to steal, but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to. In this view, it could be considered a test from God. If someone is bisexual, I can see no way of defending it to the religious-minded. If you are attracted to the opposite sex, then go with that and resist the homosexual inclinations you may have (if you are religious, I mean... there should be no conflict in such a situation. I personally have no issue with bisexuals or anything).
Homosexuality, however, is not the same. The most legitimate argument to make against it is that it is "unnatural", and considering that it, in effect, disables reproducion, that would be a true statment, in a sense. However, there are numerous other 'issues' or 'states' that can disable reproduction (in effect, preventing the performance of some commandments) that are no fault of the individuals. Now, the first thing you may think is if someone is born barren-- the general view in Orthodoxy seems to be that God has something else in mind for that individual. But that wouldn't be a good comparison because unlike the homosexual, someone who is sterile is physically incapable of creating children. A better comparison, though I am not comfortable lumping the two together, would be with a disorder like autism. Just hear me out...
In many cases, autistic individuals cannot bear to be in contact with another person-- thus preventing them from engaging in sexual activity, ergo no children. Now, there would probably be little debate that God made the individual autistic, and probably did so for a reason, and while certain therapies may be pursued, chances are the individual would ultimately be excused for not being able to fulfill every commandment, even though TECHNICALLY, they would be able to do so. To me, this sounds more in line with homosexuality, though I personally would not consider it a mental disorder and something in need of treatment.
Does that make sense? Or, is it clear what I am trying to say?
I suppose I just don't understand people who are unwilling to consider that homosexuality is not a choice-- if it were, than the religious communities would have more of a cause for protest-- but it's something the individual has no control over. If God made them that way, did He do so because He didn't want them in His ranks? I don't think any religious person would say that. God wouldn't want you to turn away from Him.
So, there must be a reasonable way to be both gay and Orthodox if so many people are trying so hard to not be gay but are finding it to no avail. Do they leave the fold then? Is that what God wants? I am in no position to speak for Him, obviously, but I don't think He wants that. Just like I believe God would sooner punish the guys who beat up the gay kid than the gay kid himself.
A few other things...
Gay Marriage
It is unconstitutional for the US government to prohibit same-sex marriage, as it does so because of religious reasons, which have no place in the laws of this land. HOWEVER, no ministers or rabbis should be forced to officiate at such weddings, and I completely agree with Orthodoxy that it would be disrespectful to the tradition to officiate at such weddings. A rabbi is qualified to officiate at Jewish weddings, which are defined as a sacred union between a Jewish man and a Jewish women-- that is what a marriage is. Therefore, it is simply impossible to marry two individuals who don't meet that criteria. It wouldn't be a Jewish marriage, by definition, no matter how much someone would want it to be.
Cross-Dressing
I found it somewhat ridiculous to feature the cross-dressing man in the documentary, as I felt it undermined the point of the film. At least as far as my understanding goes, not being able to dress the way you might want is not the same as not being able to sexually function in a capacity that is befitting of you. Orthodoxy has strick dress codes in general and so, while I feel that homosexuality can be reconciled with the religion, cross-dressing cannot. It undermined the point the film was trying to make. (Note: I've no problem with cross-dressers myself, but it was stupid to include in a film designed to featre homosexuals trying to reconcile their sexuality with traditional Judaism-- they might as well have said 'I just love ham sandwhiches so I eat them when I feel like it'. It made no sense.)
reply
share