Bahá’í Faith’s Stance on Homosexuality
- By Alison Lesley --
- 18 Sep 2013 --
Homosexuality is a very common topic in all faiths — the Bahá’í Faith is no different. Unlike many other religions, however homosexuality is not prevented nor advocated against because it would be “against the spirit of the Faith,” according to a 2010 letter from Kenneth E. Bowers, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. The Bahá’í Faith teaches that it is only acceptable to have sexual expression within marriage. Another teaching states that marriage is between a man and woman. The importance of absolute chastity and personal restraint in unmarried persons is stressed more so than the gender of a potential partner.
Homosexuality, according to Bahá’í Faith teachings, is a condition to control and subdue, but recently, singling out homosexuality over other transgressions is frowned upon. Gay and lesbians may have membership in the Bahá’í community, and although it is commonplace to advise and sympathize with them, membership is permitted. However, those who have “accepted the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh” are not permitted to enter into a same-sex marriage.
Bahá’í teachings say that homosexuals should not be condemned as outcasts, nor do Bahá’ís expect those of other faiths to follow Bahá’í laws. Bowers goes on to say, “In attempting to reconcile what may appear to be conflicting obligations, it is important to understand that the Bahá’í community does not seek to impose its values on others, nor does it pass judgment on others on the basis of its own moral standards.”
The writings state to treat all with respect and dignity without exception; discrimination and intolerance is not supported by any Bahá’í teachings. The adherence of laws for social conduct remains up to the individual, unless their actions are causing harm to the community. Spiritual Assemblies are instructed to be patient, as well as to persuade members to accept the laws out of conviction and desire, rather than blind faith. The Bahá’í Faith for the most part neither advocates nor discriminates against the gay community.
The only time an individual is sanctioned by the Spiritual Assembly for being damaging to the image of the Bahá’í Faith in regards to sexuality is if an individual is being sexually promiscuous. These sanctions remove the ability to contribute funds, vote or hold office within the community and bar an individual from the Nineteen Day Feast, a monthly spiritual gathering. This consequence is used only in cases of public scandal and in very flagrant cases. Often the individual is placed on probation, if disregard continues the assembly may remove the person’s administrative rights. This is similar to ex-communication of the Catholic faith; however other Bahá’í members are not directed to avoid fellowship and interaction with the de-administrated individual.
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4 comments
Sen McGlinn">Alison Lesley
12:03 pmThe article states, “Another [Bahai] teaching states that marriage is between a man and woman.” The Bahai teachings are defined by scriptures, not made up on the fly by the members. So when somebody asserts that X or Y is a Bahai teaching, the first thing to ask is, where is this stated in Bahai scriptures?
As far as I know, there is no statement in the Bahai scriptures saying that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Nor have I found any instance of a Bahai asserting this, before the public debates in the USA about the Defence of Marriage Act and its state-level predecessors. It’s not uncommon to mix their own ideas up with the Bahai teachings, which is why it’s so important to challenge Bahais to present their sources, in scripture, for any claims they make.
It is true that there are marriage and divorce procedures stipulated in scripture that assume that the marriage will involve a man and a woman. There are also inheritance procedures that assume that the person who has died and left and estate is a man. Nobody concludes that Bahai woman cannot own property, or cannot die. Rather we apply the rule “mutatis mutandi”, adapting the archtypical case assumed in the scripture, as required, to other situations.
Same-sex marriage is a new question, and the Bahais have one authority which can decide policy for new issues: the Universal House of Justice. It has not made a ruling on same-sex marriages, only on other issues relating to homosexuality. It is precisely because of the lack of any ruling so far, that opponents of marriage equality in the Bahai community must create their own policies, by alleging that marriage is scripturally limited to one man and one woman.
Alison Lesley
12:03 pmAn interesting point Sen, and I appreciate your logical approach and insistence that we back up our beliefs with reference to the authoritative scriptures. In response, I would say that nowhere in the Baha’i writings is it acknowledged that ‘sexual orientation’ exists. The idea that one’s sexuality is an integral part of one’s identity has no basis in scripture. The idea that sexual intercourse is an expression of love is also a modern, secular concept. Rather the sex impulse is a biological instinct which, along with many of our other primal urges and desires, must be conquered and controlled in order to live a Baha’i life. In modern western society, it is believed that marriage is the consummation of a process of finding one’s ‘soul-mate’ – another concept which is alien to the Baha’i teachings. The person we marry is not necessarily the person we love the most or are most physically attracted to, but rather someone who is pleasing to us and with whom we choose to establish a family. It is possible and desirable to love and be in love with many people. But sexual intercourse, and indeed any intimate physical affection is reserved for marriage. In the words of Baha’u’llah “Marry O people, that from you may appear he who will remember Me among my servants.” He clearly states that the primary purpose of marriage is the procreation and raising of children
Sen McGlinn">Alison Lesley
12:03 pmYou may feel that the verse implies that the primary purpose of marriage is procreation and child-rearing, but to say this is “clear” is quite a jump. Marriage serves many purposes, mentioned at various places in the Bahai writings. Abdu’l-Baha states for example : ” This eternal bond should be made secure by a
firm covenant, and the intention should be to foster harmony,
fellowship and unity and to attain everlasting
life.” It would also not be legitimate to claim that Abdu’l-Baha says the primary purpose of marriage is to attain everlasting life, or to establish unity.
(The verses Guest and I are referring to can be found at the Bahai Library, a searchable online collection of Bahai scripture and other writings that Bahais commonly use:
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/c/BP/bp-86.html )
Alison Lesley
12:03 pmI have been a Baha’i for 47 years and I am gay. I strive to live my life in accordance with Baha’u’llah’s laws and teachings and I have chosen to marry. My wife and I will celebrate our 20th anniversary next month. Since homosexuality is expressly prohibited it is illogical to believe that same-sex marriages could ever be sanctioned in the Faith.