Fridae

It does seem that Islam is the most homophobic religion in the world, even beyond some of the Christian extremists (of course there is Uganda). I have known some nice Muslims, but this kind of thing seems to surface it's ugly head more and more. I wish it were not so

Hey, lots of gay people are confused by gay marriage. Applying heterosexual constructs to homosexual relationships seems odd at best

Marriage in most cultures is the accepted way of having a relationship acknowledged by the wider community. I know that in the UK there was a quite a sudden shift in public acceptance of gay relationship when Civil Partnerships became legal. So it is not just the bit of paper, its all the consequences that follow... mortages, insurance, legal rights, and not being worried about some cleric being able to raise a mob and demanding the beheading of someone in love. But then Islam is in Year 1432, and the Christians were happily burning gays (hence 'faggot') in the same period of it's history. Hopefully Muslim gays will not have to wait 570 years.

I guess I need to remember, Douglas (in Seattle), that any religion's "spokespeople" can make others who affiliate to said religion can make the whole lot seem intolerant. I am dissapointed in my own insfar as the mainstream goes, but if you follow Jesus Christ, you will see He said nothing about gay people. Oh yes I know of parts of the Old Testament and the parts of the New, but it is these "spokespeople" who get the est of us confused and we miss the basic message. I for one know quite a few in our community who are Muslim, yet they cannot abide by what their "spokespeople" say. If what so and so says on TV is inconsistent with what God says to you, best to not listen to them. Christ spoke of such deceivers often, starting with the Pharasees and Saducees. Look at Al Quaida, who want to kill the "Saturday people" followed by the "Sunday people", or so they are quoted. What Muslims would want to follow that? What Christian, even Jerry Falwell (if living) would approve of Ugandan laws? There are so many among us in the community, having so much in common with our beliefs. The three religions are "Abrahamic", having started with Abraham of the Old Testament. We all got along fine until UBL and his people showed up. I can see why people shed religion and call themselves spiritual. I can call myself Christian becasue I follow Christ's tenets, not that of those who call themselves His minions or "spokespeople".

By the way Douglas I feel you are blessed to live in Seattle. Love that place!

Douglas of Seattle , get your apostrophes right before you preach to others. Islam is like any other religion, got its nutcases and its vastly more numerous level-headed people trying to get by in this world. Live and let live is the golden rule, liberty and respect for all. These two would have a better case to come to a Western country as refugees than most of the economic resettlers and chancers who turn up on boats and expect instant permanent residence. See if your Secretary of State,Hilary Clinton, who ought to be especially interested in lesbian politics,will take up their cause.

Aceh Islamic court must be confused on what to do with these lesbian (gay) couple cause in Islam, there is no laws pertaining to homosexuality. All that u see in cases of beheading in Iran or in some extremist Islamic countries are laws created by humans who define homosexuality as an unacceptable way of life. But surprisingly, even in Iran, there are thousands of gays living in Tehran and they seem to be accepted by the community as long as they dont make trouble.

There is no mention at all in the Koran that 'homosexuality is not an accepted way of life.' The only mention is a story on 'Lot and his people who practiced homosexuality and engage in sexual acts and orgies in public, and God punished them with a terrible earthquake that destroyed the whole city.'

I guess being gay out of no choice, and practising the same ethical and moral responsibility as the rest of the society, did not make being gay a crime. Unless that gay seem to go out of hand and doing stuffs which offend the general public.

"ferribal"--

Get your spelling of U.S. officials' names right before you preach to others.

I'm not preaching, Yank, Hillary or Hilary, take your pick. Installed or instaled, you Americans can't spell anyway. If you hate Islam so much, why are you in Asia? Go back to Little Rock.

Isn't religion a wonderful thing?

Hilarious article. I wonder how will Malaysia react if it were to happen there in light of the ongoing sodomy trial of Anwar...

Maybe same-sex couples should just device their own way of certifying their union (i prefer this word) or getting their relationship recognised (at least to people they know) instead of having to use a fake name and phony certs... They can exchange rings, matching tattoo, private party with friends and families with a simple ceremony... :)

#7 wrote: " All that u see in cases of beheading in Iran or in some extremist Islamic countries..." ALL that we see??? Are you sure??? ;)

Here's an article that documents Iraqi Islamist gangs on gay-baiting missions: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/13/iraq-gays-murdered-militias

Let me quote a paragraph: "Sitting on the floor, wearing traditional Islamic clothes and holding an old notebook, Abu Hamizi, 22, spends at least six hours a day searching internet chatrooms linked to gay websites. He is not looking for new friends, but for victims.

"It is the easiest way to find those people who are destroying Islam and who want to dirty the reputation we took centuries to build up," he said. When he finds them, Hamizi arranges for them to be attacked and sometimes killed..."

Here's another, detailing the very real, harrowing violence homosexuals face in the
Muslim world : http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,647913,00.html

The 1st thing the gay victim said to his captors? "DO WHAT YOU WANT TO ME, BUT DO NOT TELL THEM (MY FAMILY)!!!"

I quote a paragraph:"In Baghdad a new series of murders began early this year, perpetrated against men suspected of being gay. Often they are raped, their genitals cut off, and their anuses sealed with glue. Their bodies are left at landfills or dumped in the streets. The non-profit organization Human Rights Watch, which has documented many of these crimes, has spoken of a systematic campaign of violence involving hundreds of murders. " (Spiegel)

http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/4836/15/02/2011/islamists-spark-anger-after-calling-for-gay-free-zone-in-east-london.aspx

Quote: "Islamists in East London have sparked anger after flyposting stickers which called for a gay-free zone.

The stickers were distributed around the Whitechapel, Shoreditch and Poplar areas over the weekend. Specifically, they were targeted at schools and pubs, including the gay-friendly George and Dragon.
The professionally produced, anonymous stickers say: “Arise and Warn. Gay free zone. Verily Allah is severe in punishment.”

The 'Gay free zone' slogan is within a diagonal bar across a rainbow flag. (Pink News)

Thanks Bains, those were very interesting articles, especially the Spiegel article, which suggests the matter of interpretation of the Koran or Bible can often make a difference, and that neither book really condemns. It seems to be the interpreter who makes that choice. Thanks again.