Re: Do gays deserve the same rights and access to benefits as the straights?
Reha, first of all, let me clarify I’ve nothing against you. Secondly, we both are on the same page that we should follow the non-aggressive examples of the prophets. What I disagree with is your opinion that we can’t condemn something which Allah condemned before us. The Prophet SAWS, was also a mere human being like all other messengers. The Quran, which is also a book of criterion, meaning that it makes clear what is right and wrong…was sent for mere human beings like us. So, if we repeat what Allah has said in the Quran, there is no gunnah in that.
Just yesterday I heard a tafseer in which the speaker said that the intolerance/arrogance even among us Muslims is such that we get mad at others for even giving reminders and guidance. The speaker said that your awaaz is not a talwaar…and he gave examples of how the various prophets did not use violence…but they had the duty to remind/guide. Nowadays if one even gently guides/reminds others to pray namaz…they get angry and tell you to bugger off and look at your own deeds. In this tafseer, the speaker said that we will be asked by Allah if we guided others and an example was given oh how on the Day of Judgment one’s neighbor will put forth a case against them. The accused will say to Allah that I have not stolen from my neighbor’s possessions not have I hurt anyone from his family. They accuser will agree that yes, you didn’t steal from me nor hurt my family, but you saw me doing wrong and you did not guide me.
I admit that it is not within me to go around stopping gay people from committing homosexuality, but I should at least be able to admit that I don’t condone gay marriages because it’s declared a sin by Allah. I understand it would make no difference in laws allowing gay marriage, but can I not even be respectfully honest about my religious beliefs? If I sugar coat them, I believe I’ll be held accountable by Allah for inventing things about rulings which He has been very clear about.
So, I do not agree with your view that why are “mere” human beings telling others what is right and wrong. In that case, none of us should guide our parents, siblings, kids, friends, etc etc. None of the Muslims in this thread are going to act with aggression toward the gay community, but we should not be chided for saying what the Quran says. That’s wrong. Honestly, it seems that Goray Christian laug have more confidence than us…un k apnay laug un ko bolne se mana nahi karte…and look at our fellow Muslims who get upset should we repeat a condemnation that is in the Quran. And if you’re going to say that none of us is perfect…well life is a growing process…faith is a developmental process. There’s no condition ya sharth stating that thou must be a a perfect Mussalman in order to share what the Quran, a book written for the guidance of “mere” human beings says.
I will emphasize again that being honest about Allah’s rulings in the Quran does NOT mean that one will violate laws of the country protecting the gay community. One can be honest about their religion’s rulings and STILL manage respect toward others and adherence of laws.
