Awhile back, I ran across some material about Islam as it is practiced in Indonesia as I was doing research about homosexuality in Indonesia and, specifically, the “waria” (considered by many in Indonesia to be a third gender)

While there are the typical Sunni, Shitte, and even radical Islamic factions in Indonesia, Islam is also mixed with many of the folk religious beliefs producing a more…syncretic and dynamic version of Islam.

My guess would be that a number of those folk traditions aren’t “homophobic” at all and may even be “pro-gay” (I am wary of applying this type of terminology to another culture’s practices but it’s the only way I can communicate the idea.).

Folk religions tend to be accomodating for GLBT people in some shape or form (I have heard this about Vodou (sp?) as well as native American traditions.

To be sure, fundamentalist Islam is a problem in Indonesia (the Bali bombings). But I think that what we are seeing here are more moderate and syncretic forms of Islam that are practiced in Indonesia that seem to be reflected in the scholarship.

Emily K: what a beautiful story. You are truly fortunate to have such a wonderful and caring friend.

Most Muslims I’ve known are in fact very peaceful and quite tolerant, with varying levels of religious observance.

In the book “Individual Self, Relational Self, Collective Self” (edited by Constantine Sedikides and Marilynn Brewer), authors Harry Triandis and David Trafimow note that:

“Cultures that have highly centralized religions, such as the Roman Catholics, are more collectivist than cultures that have decentralized religions, such as the Protestants. Decentralization means that each individual has a relationship with the deity that is not mediated by a collective (such as the church), so that individual understandings of the way the world functions are possible.”

The above came to mind when I read the opinion of a prominent (and liberal!) Baha’i scholar to the effect that should the Universal House of Justice in Haifa decree that a same-sex married couple divorce if one or both partners became Bahais, it would have to be obeyed, without question. It seems the Baha’is have inherited a literalism of scriptural words similar to that found within Islam but, ironically, it is modernist Muslims who openly challenge the literalism and authoritarianism of their inherited faith traditions.

For example, Edip Yuksel, whose major work Quran: A Reformist Translation, is featured on Irshad Manji’s website, had this to say about Ms. Manji:

“Ironically, many of those who blame her for being lesbian are committing similar or even bigger sins, including the cardinal sin of not using their brains, the cardinal sin of following polytheistic doctrines, idolizing their favorite prophet, saints, clergymen, etc. Just ask those people who do not ‘like’ Irshad, whether they like Abu Hurayra, Bukhari, Tirmizi, Shafii, and thousands ot other male names; well male-gods… To me, Irshad Manji, as far as I know, is much closer to the message of Islam than all those men who betrayed their God-given minds by following the manmade stories that are contradictory, diabolic, and destructive.”

Cheers

Thank you for posting the, “Indonesian Moderate Muslims Accept Gays.” article.

I was raised in Presbyterian home. At church, the first thing said is, “Who are we to judge?”.

I don’t understand why people are so quick to judge.

I don’t understand “sins”. Some religous rightous people are so quick to judge.

I understand theft. If you see something you like, take it! But you will pay for it eventually.

(Like you’ll get caught or no one will do business with you.)

I understand lying. Everyone lies. We can’t help it. There are kind lies, “you look great.” and there are bad lies, “This thing will get 50mpg, seats six and has a 5 star safety rating.”.

I don’t understand Rape or Murder. period. Humans who commit rape or murder might not be human.

I don’t understand the opinion that all religions are hallowed ground. Examples are not picturing Muhammad in any image and not “cursing”.

Example of Christianity:

Commandment THREE: ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.’

Does this mean, “God Damnit”, when you are mad? Or does it mean that YOU are saying what YOU think GOD is saying? It’s a catch 22. Don’t you think?

Thanks. Jim.

I’m well aware that Baha’is are not Muslims. But as one Baha’i scholar has noted, the relationship between Islam and the Baha’i Faith has its own particulars and is deeply affected by the proximity between the two faiths in both time and geography.

“The mission of the American Baha’is is, no doubt, to eventually establish the truth of Islam in the West.” (Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, #1665.)

“An ‘Islamic scholar’ should know that Islamic law isn’t based only on the Koran.”

Islamic law is not a monolithic concept and is susceptible to varying interpretations. Sunnis, Shias, Ismailis, Noorbukhshis, Khojas, Ahmadis, etc.: different sects have different laws and customs. Asghar Ali Engineer is Ismaili: Maulana Abu Zafar Hassan Nadvi is Sunni.

Since Islam is not a centralized religion, it’s not as restrictive as one might assume. The sphere of prohibited things is small, while that of permissible things is wide. One cannot, for example, be “disenrolled” from Islam as a global religious and cultural phenomenon.

I’m well aware that Baha’is are not Muslims. But as one Baha’i scholar has noted, the relationship between Islam and the Baha’i Faith has its own particulars and is deeply affected by the proximity between the two faiths in both time and geography.

“The mission of the American Baha’is is, no doubt, to eventually establish the truth of Islam in the West.” (Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, #1665.)

Islamic law is not a monolithic concept and is susceptible to varying interpretations. Sunnis, Shias, Ismailis, Noorbukhshis, Khojas, Ahmadis, etc.: different sects have different laws and customs. Asghar Ali Engineer is Ismaili: Maulana Abu Zafar Hassan Nadvi is Sunni.

Since Islam is not a centralized religion, it’s not as restrictive as one might assume. The sphere of prohibited things is small, while that of permissible things is wide. One cannot, for example, be “disenrolled” from Islam as a global religious and cultural phenomenon.

I know; that’s why I was pointing out that a religion as restrictive as Islam would be less likely to accept homosexuality than a “progressive” one like the Baha’i Faith.

“The Quran condemns homosexuality, but doesn’t prescribe any punishment for it. It’s a sin, not a crime. Sin is between Allah and the sinner, but crime concerns the entire society. So, sexual minorities should be left to their conscience. They are answerable to Allah for their act and should not be treated as criminals,” said Islamic scholar Asghar Ali Engineer.

Maulana Abu Zafar Hassan Nadvi, a cleric, too accepts that since the Quran is silent on the punishment for homosexuality, it should be treated as an irreligious, immoral act. ‘‘Every non-religious act is not liable to be punished. Just as we don’t pronounce death for atheists, homosexuals should be left alone until they get reformed,” said Maulana Nadvi.

Source.

TRiG.