World Religions: Examining Diverse Perspectives on Same-Sex Marriage

This essay delves into the multifaceted social issue of same-sex marriage, examining the diverse and often conflicting views held by major world religions. It provides a comparative analysis of perspectives from Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, highlighting the internal debates and varying levels of acceptance within each faith. The essay contrasts orthodox and liberal Christian viewpoints, explores the evolving stances within the Muslim community, and discusses the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation's approach. Furthermore, it considers the secular perspectives on the issue, particularly in Canada, where the separation of church and state has influenced the legal and social recognition of same-sex marriage. The paper references several scholarly sources to support its analysis and concludes by emphasizing the controversial nature of same-sex marriage within the religious realm and the increasing influence of secular and human rights perspectives.

Running head: WORLD RELIGIONS
World Religions
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1WORLD RELIGIONS
The social issue of same sex marriage has become very debatable in the recent times. The
religious views on this issue have been quite conflicting. Many people have provided their
secular views on this i.e. quite acceptable to some extent (Whitehead, 2014). Therefore, the
views of the religions like Islam, Christianity and Judaism will be discussed in this paper along
with the secular view.
In some cases, orthodox Christians have protested against the gay and lesbian marriages
since they are strictly against this practice from the very beginning. On the other hand, the liberal
scholars of the Christianity like people belonging to Metropolitan Community Church believe
that no kind of prohibition can exist regarding the marriage between the two homosexuals. As a
matter of contrast, the Christian churches following the orthodoxy have resisted this practice
completely within their community (Whitehead, 2014). Some of the rigid religious followers
have also termed this practice as a mental disease also. Therefore, there are already several
internal conflicts regarding this social issue but most countries have given their permission on
the same sex marriage (Reinbold, 2014).
Some Islamic countries like Tunisia, Albania and Turkey have been thinking over the
legalization of the same sex marriage for some time now. It has to be noted in this context that a
Muslim same sex marriage had taken place in France in the year 2012. According to the surveys,
it has been found that more than 50% American Muslims support this practice. On the contrary,
Muslims are very much strict about legalizing same sex marriage in the countries of Middle East
Asia (Reinbold, 2014). The Muslim community has protested against this practice since they talk
about Quran and claim that this practice has been termed as a sin.

2WORLD RELIGIONS
The Jewish community also believes that the practice of same sex marriage. The Jewish
Reconstructionist Federation has left the entire matter at the hands of the concerned individuals.
They believe it is completely the matters of the concerned individuals if they want to get married
(Whitehead & Perry, 2016). Thus, it is very contrasting to see that Jewish religion is quite soft on
this social issue unlike the Islamic community. The Christian community has given the mixed
reactions on this issue also.
On the other hand, the seculars of Canada have always welcomed this social issue with a
warm heart. They believe it is completely scientific and there is no harm done to the society if
someone thinks he or she might be a gay or lesbian (Whitehead & Perry, 2016). However, the
Canadian government has viewed this practice in a controversial manner since it has to be seen
from a larger perspective. The questions of religious, political and cultural contexts should be
considered also (Osterlund, 2017). Nowadays, both types of marriages have been getting the
proper recognition since the church and state have been separated. Most people in the country
view it as a moral human right.
In the concluding section, it must be said that social issue of same sex marriage has been
very controversial over the realms of religion. Therefore, secular and human rights perspectives
have given this as a normal thing in the society.

3WORLD RELIGIONS
References
Osterlund, K. (2017). Love, freedom and governance: Same-sex marriage in Canada. In Marital
Rights (pp. 115-132). Routledge.
Reinbold, J. (2014). Sacred institutions and secular law: The faltering voice of religion in the
courtroom debate over same-sex marriage. Journal of Church and State, 56(2), 248-268.
Whitehead, A. L. (2014). Politics, religion, attribution theory, and attitudes toward same‐sex
unions. Social Science Quarterly, 95(3), 701-718.
Whitehead, A. L., & Perry, S. L. (2016). Religion and support for adoption by same-sex couples:
The relative effects of religious tradition, practices, and beliefs. Journal of Family
Issues, 37(6), 789-813.