Islam Ethics : Homosexuality
Islam is a religion that takes right beliefs and right behavior very seriously. As various countries and societies, especially in the Western world, drift toward moral and legal tolerance concerning homosexuality and same-sex relationships, traditional orthodox Islamic teachings that homosexuality is sinful has been criticized, just like it has been in Judaism and Christianity. In Islam, homosexuality is condemned in the story of Lot's people in the Qur'an (15:73; 26:165) and in the last address of the Prophet Muhammad. However, attraction of men to beautiful male youths has been a part of the culture of some Islamic societies and the attraction is not generally condemned in itself. With regard to lesbian homosexuality, some have argued that since penetration is not involved, female homosexual acts should be less severely punished. Shari'a (Islamic law) is most concerned with public behavior and outwards, so there is no strong condemnation of homosexuality if it is ...