Is same-sex marriage allowed in Judaism Christianity and Islam?

Answer 1

In the US, there is much media coverage of and research on public opinion of same-sex marriage in the United States. Most recent polls show majority support for legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Majority public support for same-sex marriage has solidified, and recent polls consistently indicate support above 50%. Support has increased steadily for more than a decade, with supporters first achieving a majority in 2010. An August 2010 CNN poll became the first national poll to show majority support for same-sex marriage, with nearly all subsequent polls showing majority support.

Support for same-sex marriage generally correlates with lack of religious fundamentalism, young age, higher education, and residence in the Northeast and West Coast. Women are also more likely to be in support than men.

After President Barack Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage on May 9, 2012, among cultural groups, 59 percent of African-Americans in some surveys taken at the time expressed support. Likewise, 65 percent supported Obama's new position on the issue. Fewer whites, 46 percent, approved of Obama's announcement, and 50 percent supported same-sex marriage.

Concerning religion, a majority of Catholics (both white and Hispanic) support same-sex marriage, as do a majority of those who are Jewish or religiously unaffiliated. Broadly, Protestant support for same sex marriage is at 34%. Amongst Protestants, however, support varies. 19% of white evangelicals support gay marriage, while 52% of white mainline Protestants support same-sex marriage. 35% of black Protestants support same-sex marriage. Support for same sex-marriage is higher amongst women than it is men. Support for same-sex marriage appears to be identical amongst whites and Hispanics, while there is less support amongst blacks.

Sixteen countries now; by August 2013; have the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide (Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, Denmark, France, Brazil, Uruguay, and New Zealand - plus Britain, which has passed a law that has not yet taken effect), while two others have regional or court-directed provisions enabling same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry (Mexico and the United States). Many other countries provide some protections for such couples. As more and more countries and parts of the United States win the freedom to marry, we see that families are helped, and communities and countries made stronger, by protecting all loving committed couples.

Those Christians and Churches which support blessing of same-sex unions do so from several perspectives:

• It is an affirmative good that stands alongside straight marriage and committed monastic celibacy as a revelation of God's self in the world.

• The logical coherence of the core Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Resurrection and the Ascension is improved through the integration of gay marriage into the Christian conception of marriage.

• Our understanding of marriage as a metaphor of Christ's relationship with the Church is strengthened by assimilating gay marriage into that metaphor.

• Some scholars maintain that scripture in the original languages contains no prohibition of homosexuality, but does record same-sex marriage. "But if we take a closer look, reading the scripture in the original Hebrew and Greek, we discover that God never condemned homosexuality, and that same-sex marriage existed in Bible times." "To tell a homosexual that the Bible is Good News, (but that) it says that their ability to love on a one to one basis (mate level) means they are sinful and perverted in God's eyes is a gross contradiction in terms. What's more, God is not saying this to gay people. God's Word is this: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting live. (John 3:16, KJV). And that is the Good News for modern gays."

• The Biblical references to homosexuality were uttered in the context of promiscuous same-sex practices of Hellenistic cultures (Paul) and cultures surrounding the people of Israel (Deut). This kind of sex without love was often practiced in lieu of going to female prostitutes, also by heterosexual men. It is a discriminating misconception of our times to transfer that prohibition of such promiscuous practice without love to what we discuss here: durable, long term, choosy same-sex unions.

Refer to related links below.

Answer 2: Judaism PerspectiveMainstream Orthodox Judaism prohibits sexual intercourse between two males (Leviticus ch.18). Answer 3: Islam PerspectiveSame sex marriage is sinful. It is strictly and explicitly forbidden and prohibited per Islam rules and teachings.

Answer 2

Per Islam teachings and rules, adultery is strictly forbidden and is one of the big sins. No sexual relation (oral or intercourse sex) is allowed per Islam religion outside licit marriage. I believe that the same teachings hold also in Christianity and Judaism although not socially and traditionally followed.

Answer 3

Same-sex marriage is permitted in most Jewish sects, some Christian denominations, but not in Islam.