Same-Sex Marriages
Physical intimacy is not simply a biological action and
reaction. It is bigger than that. It is more about the value system that one
prefers and adopts because it impacts not only the individual, family and the
society but human civilizations, cultures as well as the rise and fall of
nations.
On the one hand, are Freudian followers who argue that
civilization is a byproduct of repressed sexuality and on the other hand, are
those who in the words of J. D. Unwin believes that “in human recorded history there is
no instance of a society retaining its energy after a complete new generation
has inherited a tradition which does not insist on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial
continence.”
Unwin, a sociologist at Cambridge University,
published "Sex and Culture," in 1934. He studied 86 different
societies and he found no exceptions to the rule that the cultures flourished
during eras that valued sexual fidelity and discipline. He demonstrated through
empirical data that whenever sexual mores loosened, the societies declined, and
whenever they followed rigid sexual discipline they rose again.
In our recent history, the fall of the Soviet society offers a
recent example where Vladimir Lenin espoused a "glass of water"
theory about sex explaining that sexual desire is just like a desire for food or
water. The theory collapsed, and with it collapsed the Soviet society.
However, new interpretations are being offered to explain the
Freudian ideas. Barbara Ehrenreich, a widely-read and award-winning author of
21 books wrote not very long ago that sex, preferably among affectionate and
consenting adults, belongs squarely in the realm of play. This
"de-moralization" of sex is promoting new sexual ethics that legitimizes
and justifies everything in the name of pleasure and freedom.
What was presented as his personal opinion by President Obama about
same-sex marriage is an effort to legitimize the de-moralization of sex to develop
a new culture where every sexual activity is fine as long as individuals
engaged in the act have their consent and pleasure.
His perspective is based on a world view, a world view that Islam
does not share. Islam regards physical intimacy as an act of responsibility
between a man and a woman within the confines of contractual marriage. Islam, on
the basis of its value system, takes a strong stand on pre-marital, and post-marital physical relations as well as on physical relations between people of
the same gender. Islam calls for sexual discipline in society and recommends
restrictions on sexual behavior to help people channelize their energy in
matters that are fundamental in preserving the interests of people.
However, Islam does recognize the rights of people to reject this
world view and acknowledges the freedom of people to adopt an alternative perspective
with the admonition that people are responsible for the consequences of their
action in the eyes of God.
Marriage is an institution promoted and protected by all
religions. Islam recognizes it as part
of the revealed knowledge, a knowledge that is given by the divine to help
human beings find their way to a better life in this as well as in the
hereafter. Obviously, those who do not believe in the idea of divine revelation
would find it hard to accept this notion. But this is what Islam expects its
adherents to accept.
Accepting an alternative definition of marriage is like changing
the revelation and the divine guidance, an act that is not supported by Islam.
Obviously, Obama and those who want to demoralize sexuality and
promote the idea of extending the term “marriage” to same-sex unions would not
find support among the followers of Islam, because Muslims would view it a challenge to their own value system.
They can give whatever term they want to this type of
relationship, but when they would refer to that as a marriage, it would be seen
conflicting with the Islamic value system. This does not mean that people who do
not view the Islamic value system should be discriminated and denied their basic
rights including the rights and privileges in matters of health and education
and opportunities. If Islam recognizes the right of people to reject the idea
of God as the creator and master of the universe, it also recognizes the rights
of people to follow an alternative value system.
We Muslims owe it to ourselves and our future generation an
education that promotes the value system that we deem right for ourselves and
others. We must speak out on this important issue to let the people know about
what we stand for.
Our political pundits have already presented the Obama
perspective as an electoral and political issue. It is much more than that. In fact, it should not be an electoral issue at all. These matters are not determined through ballots. Because it would be unfair to vote God out on matters where the choices are purely human. They matters deserve to be discussed and debated with openness so that the alternative value systems can be profoundly understood by people. We must realize that this issue is about the value system that we adopt as our guiding principle. It is our
right to share our value system with others without being intimidated and
trying to be politically correct. If others have a right to promote their ideas
based on Freudian ideas, we Muslims also have the right to present our
perspectives based on revealed knowledge.
Dr. Aslam Abdullah's blog on "Islam and Muslims: Same Sex Marriages" provides a profound perspective esp. in light of President Obama's recent announcement on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated his reference to Unwin, a sociologist at Cambridge University, who published "Sex and Culture," in 1934. He studied 86 different societies and he found no exceptions to the rule that the cultures flourished during eras that valued sexual fidelity and discipline.
Further, Unwin demonstrated through empirical data that whenever sexual mores loosened, the societies declined, and whenever they followed rigid sexual discipline they rose again.
We need a mechanism of "Check and Balance" when it comes to morality Vs. Political correctness. Dr. Aslam Abdullah has just done that.
Dr. Aslam Abdullah, As-salaamu 'alaikum. I have just today came upon your blog, you can find my thoughts via askiatalibdeen.blogspot.com, and look forward to following your reflections on various subjects within Islam. One subject I would like to get your opinion on: Although Qur'an opens with, "Read, In the name of your Lord," however, there still seems to be a lack of encouragement/accomplishment in the African-American Islamic community toward education. I know it is urged to learn Arabic and to pray, however, similar to many, if not all, of the non-Native American Muslims, it isn't promoted to study the sciences, law, economics, these disciplines that would truly make a difference, not just in the infrastructure, but in the community and individuals that make it up. For the sake of brevity, I look forward to your response. Ma salaama, Kirk Askia Talib-deen
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