Re: Muslim lesbian couple from Pakistan defies life threats, becomes first to get mar
I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I do not believe you have to present everything as a choice to children. What I am saying is that the government should not be limiting choices and discriminating against individuals. And the adults in a society do see that people have made choices that they do not agree with.
If you feel that your religious beliefs are best, then you study and teach others what you feel is good/right, both by your actions and your words. You are welcome to do that especially in the very countries you accuse of having some sort of hidden agenda because you have freedom of speech and freedom of religion in those countries.
Forcing people to practice some form of morality through laws is not going to encourage “good” behavior. It will simply encourage secretive, criminal, and abusive behavior.
I do not understand the opinion that allowing gay marriage and equal rights for gay people will somehow spread homosexual behavior. I feel no urge to fly to England to have a romantic relationship with another woman simply because of this news. The issue is not about spreading immoral behavior. It’s a civil rights issue.
When we condone the restriction of human/civil rights for one group, we risk threatening our own.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – MLK, Jr.
Last, I will simply add that I do not have the right or audacity to label other humans non-Muslim. I do not know what is in their hearts or between that individual and Allah . I actually think it is extreme hubris to do such a thing, and to make threats and label another of Allah’s creations in such a way. But those who think that is okay will need to answer for their own behavior. It is for Allah to judge who is a Muslim and who is not. The Quran has told us what is sinful behavior, and I am not suggesting to make what is haram in Islam halal. We can read, study, and teach based on our understanding of the Quran’s teachings, without making threats and abusing our power to hurt another individual.
The government should only step in to ensure public safety and restrict behavior that deliberately harms others.
This. We’re not the gatekeepers of Islam. No one is suggesting that Islam allows homosexuality, but we can treat them with dignity, much as we might treat an alcoholic Muslim with at least some measure of respect.
This is a civil rights issue. As long as there are tax benefits that go along with marriage, we should not deny any citizens this right. Religions have the right to refuse to recognize gay marriage, but we don’t live in societies that only have spiritual unions. Like it or not, marriage is a legal contract between two people so viewing this topic through a religious bias, without civic consideration, is incorrect.
Excellent post overall too S02.