Homosexuality in Ha Jin's the Bridegroom Essay

Though same-sex relationships have been a prominent aspect of many cultures almost since the beginning of time, there has historically been a significant taboo surrounding the phenomenon in the Western world. "From the Fourteenth Century on, Western Europe was gripped by a rabid and obsessive negative preoccupation with homosexuality as the most horrible of sins" (Boswell 262). The majority of people did not understand or accept the idea, and consequentially did not have an appropriate way of talking about it. Over the years, as various cultures identified and even implemented practices currently associated with homosexuality, there arose a need for common terminology. Until the eighteenth century, it was referred to through the practices

Throughout history homosexuality had been seen as a sin and a punishable action. In the bible, in

The Gay Rights Movement officially began in 1924 with the Society for Human Rights. Henry Gerber, along with six other men, applied for a charter on December

It was not until the twelfth century that homosexuality started to be condemned. This condemnation proved to live through then until now. Due to the fact that America incorporated these early views into its early laws, even the most bland of today's sex acts were seen as unlawful (“Homosexuality and Mental Health”). Since then, these laws have changed, however, there is still a primarily negative connotation on homosexuals when coming from a church or legal standpoint concerning the masses of America.

The first homosexual to speak out publicly in defense of homosexuality was a writer named Karl Heinrich Ulrichs on August 29, 1867. So while most people say the gay rights movement is something that's fairly recent, that is untrue. People have been judged for being homosexual for a very long time. Prejudice is something that can cause people to be violent, hateful, and act differently towards certain people to fit in, as shown in To Kill A Mockingbird and in society today towards supporters of gay and trans rights.

The topic of homosexuality in religion has many sides. There are those who believe that it is a sin in God’s eyes and according to the Bible, and there are those who believe the God and the Bible are not specific to homosexuals. It is a tough debate based on whether you are a religious person, how you were raised, and where your morals and ethics stand. You cannot truly believe one way without taking into account the other side and have valid proof to back it up.

The struggle for gay rights was not always publicized due to fear for being “ill” for thinking that way. The fight for rights was known in the mental health community as an illness. In the courts where same-sex couples would be denied the right to marry, from the Stonewall riots to the U.S. Supreme Court decision on June 26 of this year, the evolvement and difficulty of those fighting.

Many religious beliefs do not encourage homosexuality in fact it is severely discouraged for example in the Islamic faith they do not allow this because there is no doubt that in Islam homosexuality is considered 'sinful'. Homosexuality as far as Islam is concerned is a profound mistake (as are

Brian Whitaker, in his paper ‘Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East’, argues that homophobia in Arab Muslim countries “is not a religious or a cultural issue, but is foremost a political problem of which culture and religion are reliant factors”, arguing that Homophobia in the Muslim world can be attributed to the attitude this world has to its counterpart, the modern secular European and Western

The catholic religion is in fact the biggest Christian Church, and counts with more than 1.25 billion members worldwide (Glatz, Carol). It is no secret to anyone that the Roman Catholic Church is very powerful and have a tremendous influence in many countries. It teaches us that it is the true church founded by Jesus Christ. The foundation of this Church are unconditional love and forgiveness. If you are truly sorry for your sins, you will always be welcome in the reign of God. But superficially there is always an exception. Based on biblical readings and passages, God is merciful and loves you no matter what. In the first letter of Peter it says “above all, keep loving keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Apparently everyone regardless of their situation, color, or sexual orientation, shall receive the same love from the Church.

While the concept of homosexuality did not exist in the United States, changes were happening in Europe with the issue. Right around the 1870's affectionate relationships between males acquired a label.

A major reason for the fear and objection towards homosexuality is organized religion. Whether we notice it or not, we as humans follow many everyday concepts from the Bible. Examples would be, to not steal, murder, or commit adultery in marriage. The Bible also states that homosexuality is unethical and should be avoided as other sins. These are all great to follow, if you conform to the rules of the Bible. Religious back up should not be used in order to deem something wrong or unethical. It is essential to understand, to deem homosexuality ethical or not, rational decision-making must occur. One must analyze the pros and cons; if the pros outweigh the cons, homosexuality is ethical, and visa versa. One who explicitly follows an organized religion must follow the rules of a higher power (God). Getting rid of this obstacle will leave room for autonomous decisions on homosexuality, and eventually its place in good ethics.

There are several religions which condemns the notion of homosexuality. Growing up in a Christian household I was taught that being homosexual is a sin in the sight of God. For example, in Jamaica my family practiced Pentecostal religion where they are very passionate about their traditions. There were unspoken beliefs that homosexuals were to be punished for their sexual practices. This belief followed me to the United States. Even though we went to a Baptist Church, the teachings were the same. I held on to this religious belief for many years and lived my life in a way that was conducive to my religion.

Homosexuality is not a 20th century situation but has been in history from the age of ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt, and even China. The attitude toward homosexuality always has been a variable, depending on the social, cultural and morality, or even the political development (Barnecka et al., 2005). Back in Greek history the concept of relations between two men was seen as the highest form of love, whereas the Judaic view always was against and frowned upon these relations considering it immoral and illegal. However, when the Roman rule was destroyed and the Christians took over Europe, homosexuality was seen as perverse (Woodward, 1997).

The individuals who are discriminating against homosexuals and doing these atrocious acts are heterosexual individuals, who are from a religion that is against homosexuality. The second biggest offenders are individuals who are raised in a norm where it is not accepted. It has been said, ‘‘hate the sin and love the sinner, homosexuality is a ticket to Hell. You could not be gay and go to church. You cannot be a Christian. You cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Levy 2014). In the bible Sodom & Gomorrah Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22, and Leviticus 20:13 talks about how homosexuality are condemned and abominations. There are many more other versus in the bible that speak about homosexuality. Individuals who are growing up listening and reading the bible will follow the bibles way. If the bible talks about how homosexuality are condemned and abominations, they are going to think and feel the same way as well. It becomes a manifestation of how their personality will be in the future. When it becomes part of their personality, whenever they see or hear homosexual acts they become enraged. For others who are from different religions that say nothing about homosexuals, throughout their life course they are influenced by the vast majority who view homosexuality is wrong as a cultural norm. When they reach adulthood or a critical age all they 're going to remember is homosexuality is wrong and the violence that is tied to it. It creates a super ego conscience where they are not