THIS week, two readers wrote in asking whether I could pen a column giving an insight into the religious aspect of homosexuality. Another requested for advice on the physical side of abnormal sex as she was having problems in that area with her husband.

I believe the three of them are having genuine problems on homosexuality and carnal intercourse and wrote to me after reading my column last week on ‘Rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender’. The other two guys (of different religious backgrounds) admitted they have homosexual tendencies. I guess they are God-fearing enough to seek more information on the moral side of it.

While the men did not request for anonymity, I feel I should not reveal their identities out of respect. However, the woman wisely did. All three have however given me permission to discuss their issues here as they agree that such information should be shared with others.

But first, I must concede that I know next to nothing about religion and homosexuality put together. I am no counsellor too and neither am I a physician who is well-versed with the functions of our internal organs.

However, since the issue is current and heavily debated in the public sphere, I thought I should make an effort to do some reading and get the required information for the benefit of our readers.

I’m actually glad I did. What I learn about the subject is very interesting, although awkward in a way. Please note that the following is extracted online and I am compiling the relevant materials for our readers who had requested for them.

What is now clear to me is that all major religions generally frown upon homosexuality.

Let’s take a look first at Islam. According to Wikipedia, traditional Islam prohibits sodomy, both between heterosexual couples and members of the same sex. As one hadith explains, “Allah (SWT) will not look at the man who commits sodomy with a man or a woman” (Sahih Al-Tirmithi). Muslims who interpret the Quran and hadith strictly believe Islam condemns homosexuality and considers it a deviant act.

Catholicism teaches that sexual intimacy is a gift to married heterosexual couples; God intended for them to “experience pleasure and enjoyment of body and spirit”. The Church teaches that sex has two ends: “The good of the spouses themselves and the transmission of life.” These two meanings — which Catholic doctrine calls the ‘unitive’ and ‘procreative’ functions of sex —‘cannot be separated’.

The Catechism says homosexual acts “are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved”.

In general, Christianity teaches that sexual union between husband and wife is primarily for procreation, though sexual pleasure is important as well. The bible prohibits homosexual sex and sodomy, though it is mostly silent on heterosexual sodomy.

Many Christian denominations, however, have more liberal stances toward homosexuality, allowing gay clergy and ordaining gay marriage.

Buddhists generally believe that all sexual desire is something to overcome, like other forms of attachment. Buddhists do not believe that humans have an obligation to procreate, and celibacy is seen by many Buddhist traditions as a step on the path to enlightenment. Buddhist teaching doesn’t normally distinguish between what type of sex is appropriate and what is not, though some believe Buddhism prohibits oral and anal sex. The Buddha did not teach about homosexuality or homosexual behaviour. Although the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhism leader, has made statements against homosexual relationships and has said that lesbian and gay sex is ‘sexual misconduct’, many Buddhists interpret Buddhism as more accepting of homosexuality than other religions.

As for Hinduism, it does not have specific laws about sodomy, but the tradition does teach that sex is primarily for procreation. According to Hinduism Today, “Hinduism neither condones nor condemns birth control, sterilisation, masturbation, homosexuality, petting, polygamy or pornography.”

To answer the poser from our lady reader whose husband’s sexual behaviour is causing her concern, a recent Bernama article provides just the information she needs.

According to Datuk Dr Maamor Osman, secretary-general of the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM), homosexuals who indulge in anal intercourse are prone to various risks.

“Each of the human organs have their respective systems including blood circulation, nerves, immune system and other systems. A woman’s sexual organ and hormones are different from that of a man.

“They are specific for certain functions. Unfortunately for some humans, they resorted to commit deviations,” he said.

According to Dr Maamor, the human gastro-intestinal system begins right from the mouth until the anus. The system is outfitted with specific cells for the digestion and absorption of food.

“There is the rhythmic (intestinal) muscle movement, known as peristalsis. And if this system is disturbed, such as when anal intercourse occurs, it will invite damage to the person’s physical, emotional and spiritual attributes.

“As this system is not for erroneous acts, it invites various risks like AIDS, hepatitis, haemorrhoids and septicemia (bacterial infection of the blood)),” said Dr Maamor, adding that this unnatural sex act also provokes various sexually transmitted diseases.

What I do find very worrying is the report that the homosexual act in the country had grown to a worrying trend. The tendency to perform homosexual acts is there, as shown by the proliferation of gay bars.

Here, parents have an important role to play. They must exercise caution and give the issue a serious look in the efforts to prevent their children from being trapped in the homosexual clutches.

The report rightly points out that the community should be exposed to education and counselling on the homosexual topic to create awareness among the public on the ills and evils of this felony.

I must confess that I do get an uneasy feeling when writing about this topic and I cannot explain why. However, I do hope that I have been of help to our readers who need some serious answers to their queries, thanks largely to Wikipedia and Bernama.

With this, I wish to close further discussion of this topic — for quite a while possibly. Of late, we have an overdose of stories about the ‘back door’ and that should last us a long time.

(Comments can reach the writer at paulsir99@hotmail.com)