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Can we return to the basics of religion: Pairing morality with ethics
In the article “Religion and politics create the sharpest divides over LGBTQ+ Americans, poll shows” in the Los Angeles Times, Matt Hamilton discusses the chasm between democrats (mostly positive views) and republicans (mostly negative views), along with non-religious and religious people regarding their opinions of the LGBTQ+ community. He goes on to explicate how differing views cause a political collision in America on the rights of the intersectional groups that make up the LGBTQ+ community.
Historically, race, gender, and sex discrimination have been ongoing battles, and religion is often at the foundation of these battles (e.g., right to abortion). The LGBTQ+ community has consistently experienced tribulation and resistance politically to gain fundamental rights (i.e., access to healthcare, access to legal marriage, and access to fair employment). “[…] historically, religious communities have often themselves violated human rights norms” (Henkins, 229). Many laws and ideals created within American culture have a religious foundation, which creates a discriminatory predicament for the LGBTQ+ community.
Kendra Jackson stated, “I worry about the increasing visibility of transgender, nonbinary, gay, and lesbian people – in entertainment, politics, and advertising. I see it being forced on other people” (Hamilton 2024). Views such as this derive from a religious view that trans, nonbinary, and gay/lesbian people should not be the norm and don’t belong as whole members of society.
Unfortunately, many people forget to pair moralistic views with ethics. Ultimately, differences in gender and sex are irrelevant. What matters is that you lead a good life, are a productive citizen, and embody love, a constant theme throughout The Bible.
Richard Carr stated, “As long as you are not hurting kids or animals, I don’t care what you do” (Hamilton 2024). Who you are should never matter. Why people meddle in the private affairs of others is a pointless vocation, and religion should never be misused to justify discriminatory behavior against human beings. Human life is never subjective.
Works Cited
Hamilton, Matt. “Religion and Politics Create the Sharpest Divides over LGBTQ+ Americans, Poll Shows.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024, www.latimes.com/politics/story/2024-06-06/lgbtq-poll-religion-politics-americans.
Henkin, Louis. “Religion, Religions, and Human Rights.” The Journal of Religious Ethics, vol. 26, no. 2, 1998, pp. 229–39. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40008655. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Wim Peumans. “The Moral Breakdown between Religion and Sexuality in Narratives of Muslim Gays, Bisexuals, and Lesbians in Belgium.” DiGeSt. Journal of Diversity and Gender Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, 2016, pp. 39–56. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.11116/jdivegendstud.3.1.0039. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Liboro, Renato M. “Community-Level Interventions for Reconciling Conflicting Religious and Sexual Domains in Identity Incongruity.” Journal of Religion and Health, vol. 54, no. 4, 2015, pp. 1206–20. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24485484. Accessed 10 June 2024.
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