Misery Called Life wrote:So Shafique is this an implication that you support the gay movement? Cos I always assumed you'd be far right and as such would'nt tolerate them.
Nope, sorry - my views are pretty much as per God's instructions in the Bible and the Quran in regards to the acts of Homose.xuality. I view it as a sin - in the same way adultery is a sin. That said - I know guys and gals who have committed adultery and also guys who are gay (but only one girl who is gay). We get on fine, even though they know I consider homo-se.xuality to be a sin. Amongst us some us agree with our respective views on politics, movies and music - whilst some have different tastes and views. We all tolerate each other pretty well.
So, I absolutely tolerate gays and their rights to protest and work for more gay rights. I don't however agree that they should be given those rights - any more than I think that society should be tolerant about adultery and fornication. On a personal level though - what someone does in the privacy of their bedrooms is up to them - don't put it in my face, whether you're hetero or homo.
Do I think fornication and adultery should be tolerated in society? No - I think it would be better overall if everyone followed the moral code taught by pretty much all religions. Same goes with economics and justice - I have my views on what is best for society etc.
Do I think that fornicators, adulterors and gay people should be killed - no, I don't. God doesn't say this in the Quran, so I don't have an issue opposing capital punishments for these 'crimes'. Indeed, the burden of proof for these 'crimes' in Islam (as per the Quran) means it is almost impossible to convict someone - you need to provide 4 other witnesses to the deed for there to be a conviction. Thus says the Quran. (And the punishment is still lashes, not death.)
Therefore, for me, the religious teachings are more for those who choose to follow the religion of the Quran as a guide - a moral compass for those who wish to build up stable societies and homes that are like paradise. The building block is a happy married life that provides a loving environment for children.
Now, the point of this thread was to illustrate that intolerance in the name of religion is not really limited to one religion.
The death penalty for sodomy is in the Bible and the Ugandans wish to turn back the clock and implement this punishment (which, let's remember also was law in many US states until relatively recently).
Cheers,
Shafique