A Critique of the Innate Nature Theory of Homosexuality Based on Islamic and Christian Teachings

Document Type : Original Article

Author

. Professor and Associate Researcher, Department of Comparative Studies of Islam and Religions, Imam Reza (AS) International Research Institute.

Abstract

The topic of homosexuality is currently a focal point of discussion and debate. This behavior has experienced a significant evolution influenced by two opposing perspectives. On one hand, the acceptance of certain individuals has contributed to the normalization of what was previously deemed a deviation. On the other hand, some scholars argue that the non-volitional aspect of this behavior stems from its intrinsic qualities, bolstered by genetic, hormonal, and neurological studies concerning homosexual individuals. While this hypothesis has faced criticism from an empirical scientific standpoint, this research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to examine, for the first time, the concept of homosexuality as innate through the lenses of Christianity and Islam. Both of these Abrahamic religions link this behavior to the people of Lot, thereby rejecting any notion of an inherent nature associated with it. Their sacred texts underscore, both directly and indirectly, that homosexuality represents a form of sexual deviation that contradicts human nature and essence.

Keywords

References

  1. References

    1. Quran Karim (The Noble Quran), Tarjome: Mohammad Ali Rezaei Esfahani va Jami’i az Asatid Jami’at al-Mustafa (Translation: Mohammad Ali Rezaei Esfahani and A Group of Professors from Al-Mustafa Univeristy), Qom: al-Mustafa, 2nd Edition, 1388 SH (2009 CE).
    2. Aquinas, S. T. (2014).The Summa Theologica: Complete Edition. Catholic Way Publishing.‌
    3. Baydawi, Abdullah bin Omar, Anwar al-Tanzil wa Asrar al-Ta'wil (The Lights of Revelation and Secrets of Interpretation) [Baydawi's Commentary], Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 1418 AH (1997 CE).
    4. Blanchard, R. (2018). Fraternal Birth Order, Family Size, and Male Homosexuality: Meta-Analysis of Studies Spanning 25 Years. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(1), 1-15.‌
    5. Byne, W., & Parsons, B. (1993). Human Sexual Orientation: The Biologic Theories Reappraised. Archives of General Psychiatry, 50(3), 228-239.‌
    6. Chalabi, M. (2013). Gay Britain: What Do The Statistics Say? The Guardian,3. ‌
    7. Crompton, L. (2006).Homosexuality and Civilization. Harvard University Press.‌
    8. Drescher, J., & Zucker, K. J. (2013).Ex-Gay Research: Analyzing The Spitzer Study And Its Relation To Science, Religion, Politics, And Culture. Routledge.‌
    9. Ellis, L., & Ames, M. A. (1987). Neurohormonal Functioning and Sexual Orientation: A Theory of Homosexuality–Heterosexuality. Psychological Bulletin, 101(2), 233.‌
    10. Farahidi, Khalil bin Ahmad, Al-Ayn, Qom: Hijrat, 1410 AH (1989 CE).
    11. Firoozabadi, Mohammad bin Ya'qub, Al-Qamus al-Muhit (The Comprehensive Dictionary), Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1415 AH (1994 CE).
    12. Garnets, L. D., & Peplau, L. A. (2000). Understanding Women's Sexualities and Sexual Orientations: An Introduction. Journal of Social Issues, 56(2), 181-192. ‌
    13. Ghafoori-Nejad, Mohammad, Nazariyeh-ye Fitrah va Oloum Insani (The Theory of Human Nature and Humanities: Intersecting Perspectives), Aql va Din Journal, Vol. 1, No. 2, Farvardin, 1389 SH (2010 CE).
    14. Golombok, Susan, Robin Fiwish, Roshd Jinsiyyat (Gender Development), Translated by Mehrnaz Shahrayari, Tehran: Qoqnoos, 1378 SH (1999 CE).
    15. Hammer, Dean; Copeland, Peter, Naqsh Genha dar Shaklgiri Shakhshiyya (The Role of Genes in Personality Formation), Translated by Ali Motavallizadeh Ardekani, Tehran: Chahre Publications, 1382 SH (2003 CE).
    16. Haqqi Barsui, Ismail bin Mustafa, Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan (The Spirit of Explanation Commentary), Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, undated.
    17. Hur Ameli, Mohammad bin Hassan, Wasail al-Shi'a (The Means of the Shia), Qom: Al al-Bayt, 1409 AH (1988 CE).
    18. Ibn Abbas, Ismail bin Sahib, Al-Muhit fi al-Lughah (The Encircling Dictionary in Language), Beirut: Alam al-Kutub, 1414 AH (1993 CE).
    19. Ibn Abi Hatim, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim (Exegesis of the Great Quran), Riyadh: Nazar Mustafa al-Baz Library, 1419 AH (1998 CE).
    20. Ibn Babawayh, Mohammad bin Ali, Ilal al-Sharai' (The Reasons for the Laws), Qom: Davari Bookstore, 1385 SH (2006 CE).
    21. Ibn Faris, Ahmad bin Faris, Mujam Maqayis al-Lughah (Dictionary of the Measures of Language), Qom: Office of Islamic Media, 1404 AH (1984 CE).
    22. Jabali, Seyyed Jalil, Shanasa'i va Tabyin Ab'ad Hoviyat dar Javanane Pesar ba Garayesh be Ham-Jens (Identifying and Explaining Aspects of Identity in Young Males with Same-Sex Orientation), Master's Thesis in Family Counseling, Tehran: University of Tehran, 1397 SH (2018 CE).
    23. Jawadi Amoli, Abdullah, Fitrah dar Quran (Human Nature in the Quran), Qom: Esra, 1390 SH (2011 CE).
    24. Karimpour Qaramalaki, Ali; Mulaei, Ahmad, Tahlil-e Mabani Qurani Tolid Nasl Insan (Analysis of Quranic Foundations for Human Reproduction), Quran va Ilm Journal, Vol. 17, No. 32, Spring and Summer, 1402 SH (2023 CE).
    25. Kruijver, F. P., Zhou, J. N., Pool, C. W., Hofman, M. A., Gooren, L. J., & Swaab, D. F. (2000). Male-To-Female Transsexuals Have Female Neuron Numbers In A Limbic Nucleus. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 85(5), 2034-2041.‌
    26. Kugle, S., & Hunt, S. (2012). Masculinity, Homosexuality and the Defence of Islam: A Case Study of Yusuf Al-Qaradawi’s Media Fatwa. Religion and Gender, 2(2), 254-279.
    27. Kulayni, Mohammad bin Ya'qub, Al-Kafi, Edited and verified by Ghaffari, Ali Akbar; Akhundi, Mohammad, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 4th Edition, 1429 AH (2008 CE).
    28. Majlisi, Mohammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar (The Seas of Lights), Beirut: Maktabah al-Wafa, 1403 AH (1983 CE).
    29. Makarem Shirazi, Naser, Tafsir-e Nemounah (The Exemplar Exegesis), Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 1371 SH (1992 CE).
    30. Mccarthy, J. (2018). Two In Three Americans Support Same-Sex Marriage. Gallup Politics.‌
    31. Mohammadi Rayshahri, Mohammad, Karayem al-Quran fi Fazayil Ahl al-Bayt (Quranic Narratives on the Virtues of Ahl al-Bayt), Qom: Dar al-Hadith, 1394 SH (2015 CE).
    32. Motahhari, Morteza, Majmu'eh-ye Asar (Collection of Works), Tehran: Sadra, 1391 SH (2012 CE).
    33. Mustafawi, Hasan, Al-Tahqiq fi Kalimat al-Quran (Research on Quranic Words), Tehran: Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, 1368 SH (1989 CE).
    34. Noori, Hossein bin Mohammad Taqi, Mustadrak al-Wasa'il wa Mustanbit al-Masa'il (Supplement to the Means and Derivations of Issues), Qom: Al al-Bayt, 1408 AH (1987 CE).
    35. Park, D., Choi, D., Lee, J., Lim, D. S., & Park, C. (2010). Male-Like Sexual Behavior of Female Mouse Lacking Fucose Mutarotase. BMC Genetics, 11, 1-12.‌
    36. Qasemi, Salman; Safourai, Mohammad Mehdi; Ali-Pourshahraki, Shahla, Naghsh-e Kanoni Khanevadeh va Naghsh-haye Khanevadegi dar Tahqiq-e Style Zindagi Islami bar Asas-e Quran (The Central Role of Family and Family Roles in Achieving an Islamic Lifestyle Based on the Quran), Quran and Science Ilm Journal, Vol. 17, No. 32, Spring and Summer, 1402 SH (2023 CE).
    37. Qorashi Bonabi, Ali Akbar, Qamus al-Quran (Dictionary of the Quran), Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 1412 AH (1991 CE).
    38. Raghib Isfahani, Hossein bin Mohammad, Al-Mufradat fi Gharib al-Quran (The Singularities in the Quranic Lexicon), Tehran: Office of Publishing Books, 1412 AH (1991 CE).
    39. Rahman, Q., & Wilson, G. D. (2003). Sexual Orientation And The 2nd To 4th Finger Length Ratio: Evidence For Organising Effects Of Sex Hormones Or Developmental Instability?. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 28(3), 288-303. ‌
    40. Roznahan, D.V.; Seligman, Martin, Ravanshenasi Nabehanjari, Asibshenasi Rawani Bar Asas dsm-1 (Psychology of Abnormality: Psychopathology Based on DSM-I), Translated by Yahya Seyed-Mohammadi, Tehran: Arsbaran Publications, 1392 SH (2013 CE).
    41. Sadock, B. J., & Sadock, V. A. (2007). Abnormal Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunctions.Sadock BJ, Sadock VA. Kaplan & Sadock‟S Synopsis of Psychiatry: Behavioral Sciences /Clinical Psychiatry. 10th Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 689 - 705.
    42. Shartouti, Said, Aqrab al-Mawarid fi Fusha al-Arabiyya wa al-Shawared (The Closest Sources in Arabic Purity and Abstractions), Tehran: Awqaf, 1416 AH (1995 CE).
    43. Spitzer, R. L. (2013). Can Some Gay Men And Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? 200 Participants Reporting A Change From Homosexual To Heterosexual Orientation. In Ex-Gay Research (Pp. 35-63). Routledge.‌
    44. Tabarani, Sulayman bin Ahmad, Al-Tafsir al-Kabir: Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim (al-Tabarani) (The Great Commentary: Exegesis of the Great Quran), Arshad: Dar al-Kitab al-Thaqafi, 2008 CE.
    45. Tabari, Mohammad bin Jareer, Jami' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran (Tabari's Commentary), Beirut: Dar al-Ma'arifah, 1412 AH (1991 CE).
    46. Tabarsi, Fadl bin Hassan, Majma' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran (The Gathering of Elucidations in Quranic Exegesis), Tehran: Nasser Khusro, 1372 SH (1993 CE).
    47. Tabatabaei, Seyyed Mohammad Hossein, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (The Balance in Quranic Exegesis), Qom: Islamic Publications Office, Society of Seminary Teachers, 1417 AH (1996 CE).
    48. Vakili, Sherwin, Ham-Jens-Garai; Tahlili dar Jameh-Shenasi Takamoli (Homosexuality: An Evolutionary Sociology Analysis), Tehran: Raga Publications, 1396 SH (2017 CE).
    49. Vasey, P. L. (2002). Same-Sex Sexual Partner Preference in Hormonally and Neurologically Unmanipulated Animals. Annual Review of Sex Research, 13(1), 141-179.‌
    50. Wasiti Zabidi, Mahbub al-Din, Taj al-Arus min Jawahir al-Qamus (The Crown of the Bride from the Jewels of the Dictionary), Beirut: Dar al-Fikr al-Taba'ah wa al-Nashr wa al-Tawzi', 1414 AH (1993 CE).

    51.Zhou, J. N., Hofman, M. A., Gooren, L. J., & Swaab, D. F. (1995). A Sex Difference in the Human Brain And Its Relation To Transsexuality. Nature, 378(6552), 68-70

The Quran and Science
Volume 18, Issue 34 - Serial Number 34
September 2024
Pages 237-262

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 30 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 13 February 2024
  • Accept Date: 31 May 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics