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THE BAHA'I FAITHAND HOMOSEXUALITYOverview:The Baha'i Faith teaches beliefs about homosexuality that are quite similar tothose of many conservative religions. They teach that:The only acceptable form of sexual expression is between a one man and one womanafter marriage. Homosexual feelings and behavior are improper, and in oppositionto God's plan for humanity. Homosexuality as a disability for the individual toovercome. Through prayer, medical treatment, counseling, and much personal effort,they believe that a homosexual can become "straight."Unless gays or lesbians canconvert their sexual orientation to bisexuality or heterosexuality, and enter amarriage with a person of the opposite gender, they are expected to remaincelibate.The Baha'i faith has traditionally valued and accepted the findings ofscience. Their beliefs about to sexual orientation appear to be an exception tothis policy. The major medical and mental health professional associations haveissued statements declaring sexual orientation to be normal, natural, andunchangeable (or essentially so) in adults.Homosexuality in Baha'i sacred texts: References and interpretation:Prophet Baha'u'llah stated in 1875 (as translated by Kamran Hakim):"Say, it is forbidden to you adultery, homosexual relationship, and treachery. Donot commit these O assemblage of believers."Another translation of the same passage reads:"Ye are forbidden to commit adultery, sodomy and lechery."The former translation might be interpreted to condemn even celibate gay andlesbian relationships. The latter uses the word "sodomy" which is ambiguous; itmight be narrowly interpreted to condemn only anal intercourse, and thus onlyrefer to some male homosexuals. It might have a much wider meaning covering othernon-coital sexual activities, and thus include the vast majority of gays andlesbians.Elsewhere, in "Aqdas", Paragraph 107 states:"It is forbidden you to wed your fathers' wives. We shrink, for very shame, fromtreating of the subject of boys. Fear ye the Merciful, O peoples of the world!Commit not that which is forbidden you in Our Holy Tablet, and be not of those whorove distractedly in the wilderness of their desires.The Arabic word which has been translated here as "boys" appears to imply areference to the sexual molestation of under-age boys by adult males. This mayhave been a reference to slave boys kept for sexual purposes. "The Arabic term'Ghelmaan' is the plural form of the term 'Ghulaam' which according to the HansWehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic is defined as: boy; youth, lad; slave;servant; waiter. 'Ghulaamiya' and 'Ghuluma': youth, youthfulness."Baha'u'llah selected Abdu'l-Baha to interpret the Baha'i writings after his death.After the death of Abdu'l-Baha, the authority passed to Shoghi Effendi, who wasthe only authorized interpreter of the Baha'i Teachings until his death in 1957.His interpretations are believed to be based on his infallible understanding ofthe Texts. He has interpreted the second reference as prohibiting all same-sexactivity, including that between consenting gays or lesbians in committedrelationships.A letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith,(1950-MAR-26) states that a homosexual relationship is inherently sinful, that itis a handicap to overcome, and that persons with a homosexual orientation canchange and become heterosexual. He wrote, in part:"No matter how devoted and fine the love may be between people of the same sex, tolet it find expression in sexual acts is wrong. To say that it is ideal is noexcuse. Immorality of every sort is really forbidden by Baha'u'llah, andhomosexual relationships he looks upon as such, besides being against nature...Tobe afflicted this way is a great burden to a conscientious soul. But through the
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