The origins and the mechanisms through which homosexuality came to be a part of human history is not well known. However, it is thought that it has been practiced by people since they came into being.
One of the earliest documented accounts of homosexuality is found in ancient pagan religious practices according to Kulkarni (3). It is not known if these homosexual practices were already within the society before entering into pagan worship; or if pagan rituals were responsible for the introduction of these practices to the rest of the society. According to Paul’s gospels however, the latter was what likely took place.
In those days pagan gods were either female or male and could engage in coitus with one another in order to procreate. Having sex with gods became the norm with the aim of seeking divine intervention for the productivity of crops, human beings and animals (Koranteng-Pipim 5). Females and female gods were not preferred in particular as compared to male gods and other males.
In ancient Greece, heterosexual and homosexual were not separate concepts; all of them were viewed as part and parcel of human sexuality. It was widely accepted that people were able to respond to attractiveness in a person regardless of their gender. The submissive role was for women and inferiors such as slaves and male youths according to Brent (3).
However, it was frowned upon for male youths if they continued to be in the submissive role even after maturity. These views were also seen among the Romans but drastically changed when Rome became an empire as a result of social and economic upheavals.
Christianity frowned upon homosexuality or any overt engagement in sexual activity for that matter except for the purposes of procreation. However, this has come under sharp debate with some arguing that Christianity was only against immorality and out of the ordinary sexual activity such as prostitution.
In addition, the church eased on this stance and allowed sex for purposes other than procreation in its quest to recruit new members. Some Christian teachings prohibited any form of sex outside marriage a stand that has been adopted by all churches today (Brent 6).
The decline of the Roman Empire saw more tolerance of the people and the authorities for homosexuality except the church and Visigothic Spain. In the subsequent centuries intolerance towards homosexuality arose once again and the church instituted punishments for what was now called sodomy, a practice that was possible even in heterosexual relationships.
This continued to the 19th century when secular arguments and interpretations from discipline such as medicine psychology replaced theological frameworks (Buchanan 17). At the same time, formal schooling reduced transgenerational contact and people were forced to engage in coitus with others of their age (Koranteng-Pipim 3).
The idea that homosexuality and indeed one’s sexual orientation is innate came into being. Doctors began to advocate for the repeal of the punishments that were handed down to homosexuals and started treating this as a disorder.
Today, homosexual sex is widely and openly practiced all over the world. However, there are legal, religious and personal reactions to the practice; some of which are not favorable (Brent 12). Legally, homosexuality is outlawed in 70 of the 195 countries on earth. Where the practice is not illegal there are laws that regulate the age of consent, marriage and adoptions among others.
Islamic sharia law imposes the death penalty for homosexual acts. Most religions denounce the practice but Indic religions are not so explicit on the practice. However, the Anglican Church ordained a man that was known to be gay as a bishop.
The church does not have a definite stand on homosexuality. In the business arena most firms in capitalist countries do not discriminate against homosexuals who now include both men and women in same sex relations.
In spite of the existence of homosexuality and tolerance by some populations such as in the United States of America, the lifestyle should not be recommended or even allowed due to certain reasons. To begin with the rate of faithfulness among homosexual couples is only 25% as compared to the 80% that is found in heterosexual relationships.
This puts the participants in such relationships prone to health risks from sexually transmitted infections which are a burden to the state as well. Secondly, where such relationships are allowed to enter into marriages and adopt children, the early development of children is put at risk (Brent 2). This is because children need a male and female parent for proper development in all aspects.
Studies have shown that there are definite negative effects that are related to the lack of either parents in the course of the growth and development of a child especially while less than five years of age. As a result the society may have to accommodate the increase in numbers of adults that are not well adjusted in their midst and who are prone to engage in certain antisocial behavior.
Lastly, the practice of homosexuality is forbidden in most religions as are other vices such as stealing and murder. There is a possibility that like the other vices, homosexuality has long term repercussions for the human race that we have been unable to forecast by ourselves. It is therefore important to exercise caution and indeed restraint with this issue.
On the other hand however, it is commonly argued that homosexuals are born that way and can do nothing about it (Koranteng-Pipim 11). This is a fact that is hard to verify by scientific means and therefore very hard to argue about. On the other hand, homosexuals and their supporters claim that it is a perfectly acceptable life choice and is neither immoral nor moral (36).
This argument is mainly aimed at the religions that constantly attack this lifestyle condemning it as evil and sinful. Lastly, some argue for homosexuality on the basis of the freedom of expression and on the grounds of basic human rights.
In addition, homosexuality is immoral and thus a form of sexual perversion just like necrophilia and bestiality. It does not serve the human race any purpose as it cannot lead to reproduction or development of a normal family. Moreover, most religions if not all do not allow homosexuality among their faithful (Koranteng-Pipim 7).
Therefore, more strict measures should be enforced to crack down the vice as it is a danger to the traditional religions and its legalization may negate or invalidate the role of religion in intervening in the lives of people who are engaged in the crime (Kulkarni 5). There are people that have been known to leave this lifestyle in favor of heterosexuality which is a more wholesome choice.
Legalization of homosexuality will disorganize our social world as we know it as it will be impossible to refer to homosexual couples as Mr. and Mrs. or as husband and wife. Where these couples are allowed to adopt their children will not have the privilege of having a mother and father as in traditional families (Brent 12).
Societal organization and ideas of gender roles will also be disorganized especially when it comes to the use of restrooms for adults and for young children whose parents are in such unions. Legalization of homosexuality and their according of rights just like everybody else will mean that mothers who wish to give away their children for adoption will risk their children being adopted by a homosexual couple (Kulkarni 7).
Not many parents would make such a choice for their children were it left to them as most prefer their children to grow up in healthy and balanced homes and not those with homosexual couples as parents.
Most of the reasons that are given to justify homosexuality are neither factual nor objective but are counter attacks against the church’s arguments. This is unlike the reasons that are against homosexuality as given by Koranteng-Pipim (6). Homosexuality has definite repercussions for the family unit and the future citizens of every nation.
Every child deserves a right to grow and develop into a functional and socially adept member of the society and this will not be possible for children that grow up in households where the parents are in homosexual relationships. In addition, the morbidity that is associated with the homosexual lifestyle should be a reason for governments to ban its practice altogether (Kulkarni 9).
When HIV/AIDS first appeared, the homosexual society suffered greatly as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. However, there are places where homosexuality is hardly an issue as it is rarely observed. This rubbishes the argument that people are born as homosexuals and have no control over it.
Works Cited
Brent, Pickett. Homosexuality. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (spring 2011 Edition), n.d. Web.
Buchanan, Robert. Homosexuality in History. 11/07/2011. Web.
Koranteng-Pipim, Samuel. Some Popular Arguments for Homosexuality N.d. Web.
Kulkarni, Dhananjay. History of Homosexuality. Web.