Q&A: Religious Homosexual
Religious Homosexual
Question
A discussion came up among us בעקבות Yair Cherki.
Is it possible to be a religious homosexual?
What is the problem with homosexuality?
If it is a natural inclination, how can the Holy One, blessed be He, forbid it? It is not his fault; it is his inclination. What can be demanded of him!? It is the fault of the Holy One, blessed be He, who created him that way.
What exactly is forbidden in homosexuality? Is it only the sexual act? Or also the desire? If a person is homosexual but does not act on it (does not go with a man), has he committed a transgression?
What are parents supposed to say to such a child?
Answer
The problem is the sexual act. Desires are not forbidden in relation to anything. That is a natural matter. The Holy One, blessed be He, also forbids us to eat pork, even though it is very natural to eat pork. It tastes good. He also forbids theft even for kleptomaniacs. The fact that it is difficult for you is a claim that exempts from punishment (duress), but it is not a claim that leads to the conclusion that there is no prohibition. The Holy One, blessed be He, is responsible for everything we do, since He created us with all our shortcomings.
Discussion on Answer
I answered everything.
After all, if there were a Sanhedrin today, they would stone him according to Torah law. How can you decree the death penalty on a person whom You Yourself created with such inclinations? Is there a rational explanation that Judaism offers as a justification for this law?
What is the Rabbi’s position regarding the prohibition of “do not come near” between homosexual men? Is it forbidden for a religious homosexual man to be with a partner whom he hugs and kisses? And can one rely on the various views regarding emitting semen in vain that would permit intercourse by way of the limbs?
Why on earth would they stone him? Do you know what he does in his life? Do you have witnesses and prior warning? And even if so—one does not stone a person acting under duress (and to live your whole life against your nature, that is duress. See Ketubot 33a: had Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah been flogged, they would have worshipped the idol).
And finally, who said that the Holy One, blessed be He, created his inclination? It is a result of the laws of nature. Moreover, by your reasoning, He also implanted in us the inclination to speak gossip, and the inclination toward sexual immorality and idolatry.
As I understand it, this is no different from any other prohibited physical closeness involving forbidden sexual relations. I do not know which positions regarding emitting semen in vain you mean. It is forbidden according to all views, whether Torah-level or rabbinic.
I understand.
What about the rest of the questions? About homosexuality?