American Muslims, why do you support same sex marriage?

[Anonymous]

Pew research found 42% of American Muslims support same sex marriage. I find this surprising, considering the Quran is pretty clear that homosexuality is an "abomination." Can any Muslims explain that here? Hoping to discuss with American Muslims only who support same sex marriage please. I know I can't stop you from posting if you're not, but I'm interested in how Muslims reconcile this in their heart.

[Anonymous]

The infidels will burn for eternity and suffer form a sexless and naggy life like the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, not a Muslim, but I have a theory: Like everyone else, American Muslims are the product of the American society in which they live and that society has swung big time to acceptance of gay marriage. As a group that probably feels pretty marginalized at times, they probably sympathize with groups that have suffered marginalization in the past.

The OT is pretty clear on homosexuality as well, but plenty of American Jews and Christians support gay marriage.

[Anonymous]

American Muslim here.

I believe that the government should not be restricting any civil liberties. The government should treat everyone equally. I do not believe that another person's beliefs/religion/morals should affect my life, unless I am harming another person.

I believe God's laws are complex and nuanced, far more than we understand. I will leave God to decide who has sinned and whether/how he or she should be punished. It is not my job to do anything more than be kind and just and encourage knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Also not Muslim, but an article posted by a Muslim friend does a nice job making the case:

http://religiondispatches.org/an-open-letter-to-american-muslims-on-same-sex-marriage/

[Anonymous]

My husband is Muslim, born and raised in the middle east. He's a flaming liberal socialist, for what it's worth. But he feels that if people are gay, then God made them that way, so why should they suffer on earth?

I think you might find a divide, too, between religious marriage by an imam, vs. civil marriage by a judge.

[Anonymous]

I am not a practicing Muslim (anymore), but I know many who are, including family members.

Most (especially those who were born in the US) support same-sex marriage because of at least one of the following reasons:

- They know and respect that US is not a theocracy, and personal religion cannot dictate civil rights no matter if they believe homosexuality is innate, or a choice
- They believe people are "born that way" and deserve to have their love recognized as equal
- Same-sex marriage doesn't hurt anyone. If it's a "sin" then let people make their choices, and let God be the judge
- Straight people don't exactly have some perfect moral record when it comes to the marriage choices/reasons, so the morality factor is pointless. It's strictly an equal rights issues

And as mentioned, there is a difference between civil/legal marriage, and religious marriage. I know of no Muslim who supports marriage equality, and argues for forcing imams (or priests, rabbis, etc) to perform religious ceremonies for same-sex couples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not a practicing Muslim (anymore), but I know many who are, including family members.

Most (especially those who were born in the US) support same-sex marriage because of at least one of the following reasons:

- They know and respect that US is not a theocracy, and personal religion cannot dictate civil rights no matter if they believe homosexuality is innate, or a choice
- They believe people are "born that way" and deserve to have their love recognized as equal
- Same-sex marriage doesn't hurt anyone. If it's a "sin" then let people make their choices, and let God be the judge
- Straight people don't exactly have some perfect moral record when it comes to the marriage choices/reasons, so the morality factor is pointless. It's strictly an equal rights issues

And as mentioned, there is a difference between civil/legal marriage, and religious marriage. I know of no Muslim who supports marriage equality, and argues for forcing imams (or priests, rabbis, etc) to perform religious ceremonies for same-sex couples.

Also, a general "golden rule" reasoning.

Muslims who don't want others to legally force their beliefs on them, so... ditto. Don't force your beliefs on me, and I don't want to force my beliefs on you. As long a it doesn't hurt others, you make your own life choices.

[Anonymous]

I'm Muslim and I know the real reason and it's NOT for the reason PPs are saying. It's really unbelievable to me, but from my understanding, the real reason is so that the government will have to consider polygamy as a legal form of marriage if they accept two gays marrying then they will have to accept a man legally marrying four women. Real muslims in no way shape or form accept homosexuality. It's very clear that this is sin and an abomination. Clearly spelled out in the Quran. I think it's really twisted that some will accept something that is forbidden as a means to an end. Another thing against Islam- the ends never justify the means. As Muslims we CANNOT say something is OKAY if GOD has already told us it is not. Any Muslim worth his salt KNOWS this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Muslim and I know the real reason and it's NOT for the reason PPs are saying. It's really unbelievable to me, but from my understanding, the real reason is so that the government will have to consider polygamy as a legal form of marriage if they accept two gays marrying then they will have to accept a man legally marrying four women. Real muslims in no way shape or form accept homosexuality. It's very clear that this is sin and an abomination. Clearly spelled out in the Quran. I think it's really twisted that some will accept something that is forbidden as a means to an end. Another thing against Islam- the ends never justify the means. As Muslims we CANNOT say something is OKAY if GOD has already told us it is not. Any Muslim worth his salt KNOWS this.

I respect your opinion for yourself, but you cannot and should not speak for all Muslims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Muslim and I know the real reason and it's NOT for the reason PPs are saying. It's really unbelievable to me, but from my understanding, the real reason is so that the government will have to consider polygamy as a legal form of marriage if they accept two gays marrying then they will have to accept a man legally marrying four women. Real muslims in no way shape or form accept homosexuality. It's very clear that this is sin and an abomination. Clearly spelled out in the Quran. I think it's really twisted that some will accept something that is forbidden as a means to an end. Another thing against Islam- the ends never justify the means. As Muslims we CANNOT say something is OKAY if GOD has already told us it is not. Any Muslim worth his salt KNOWS this.

I respect your opinion for yourself, but you cannot and should not speak for all Muslims.

I'm not speaking for all Muslims. I actually said I can't believe that some Muslims are supporting this (even if it only to use it to their advantage). I am speaking for what is black and white in Islam- NOT my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Muslim and I know the real reason and it's NOT for the reason PPs are saying. It's really unbelievable to me, but from my understanding, the real reason is so that the government will have to consider polygamy as a legal form of marriage if they accept two gays marrying then they will have to accept a man legally marrying four women. Real muslims in no way shape or form accept homosexuality. It's very clear that this is sin and an abomination. Clearly spelled out in the Quran. I think it's really twisted that some will accept something that is forbidden as a means to an end. Another thing against Islam- the ends never justify the means. As Muslims we CANNOT say something is OKAY if GOD has already told us it is not. Any Muslim worth his salt KNOWS this.

I respect your opinion for yourself, but you cannot and should not speak for all Muslims.

I'm not speaking for all Muslims. I actually said I can't believe that some Muslims are supporting this (even if it only to use it to their advantage). I am speaking for what is black and white in Islam- NOT my opinion.

You are saying that the Muslims who support gay marriage are doing it only because the government will have to consider polygamy. I personally don't know any American Muslims who are fine with polygamy. None of my friends would accept their husbands having a second wife. None. I'm sure there are some. But I wouldn't lump the 42% of Muslims who support marriage equality as doing so for only one purpose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Muslim and I know the real reason and it's NOT for the reason PPs are saying. It's really unbelievable to me, but from my understanding, the real reason is so that the government will have to consider polygamy as a legal form of marriage if they accept two gays marrying then they will have to accept a man legally marrying four women. Real muslims in no way shape or form accept homosexuality. It's very clear that this is sin and an abomination. Clearly spelled out in the Quran. I think it's really twisted that some will accept something that is forbidden as a means to an end. Another thing against Islam- the ends never justify the means. As Muslims we CANNOT say something is OKAY if GOD has already told us it is not. Any Muslim worth his salt KNOWS this.

There is no such thing as a "real Muslim," as no two people will read the same verse or interpret the same verse identically. One could also say that a "real Muslim" doesn't speak with such insane authority on what a "real Muslim" means. That power simply is not up to you. If you really are as practicing as you identify yourself, you should really find ways to humble yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Muslim and I know the real reason and it's NOT for the reason PPs are saying. It's really unbelievable to me, but from my understanding, the real reason is so that the government will have to consider polygamy as a legal form of marriage if they accept two gays marrying then they will have to accept a man legally marrying four women. Real muslims in no way shape or form accept homosexuality. It's very clear that this is sin and an abomination. Clearly spelled out in the Quran. I think it's really twisted that some will accept something that is forbidden as a means to an end. Another thing against Islam- the ends never justify the means. As Muslims we CANNOT say something is OKAY if GOD has already told us it is not. Any Muslim worth his salt KNOWS this.

I respect your opinion for yourself, but you cannot and should not speak for all Muslims.

I'm not speaking for all Muslims. I actually said I can't believe that some Muslims are supporting this (even if it only to use it to their advantage). I am speaking for what is black and white in Islam- NOT my opinion.

You are saying that the Muslims who support gay marriage are doing it only because the government will have to consider polygamy. I personally don't know any American Muslims who are fine with polygamy. None of my friends would accept their husbands having a second wife. None. I'm sure there are some. But I wouldn't lump the 42% of Muslims who support marriage equality as doing so for only one purpose.

Ditto. And polygamy (or polygyny, or polyandry) are actually forbidden in Islam, *except* under fairly specific and strict circumstances. Muslims ignore those circumstances all the time, and bend the rules in certain countries. Besides - pp is talking about religious, vs. civil marriage - the two are not the same.

As long as consenting adults make their own decisions without harming another individual, then I don't really care what people decide to do, to be happy in their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm Muslim and I know the real reason and it's NOT for the reason PPs are saying. It's really unbelievable to me, but from my understanding, the real reason is so that the government will have to consider polygamy as a legal form of marriage if they accept two gays marrying then they will have to accept a man legally marrying four women. Real muslims in no way shape or form accept homosexuality. It's very clear that this is sin and an abomination. Clearly spelled out in the Quran. I think it's really twisted that some will accept something that is forbidden as a means to an end. Another thing against Islam- the ends never justify the means. As Muslims we CANNOT say something is OKAY if GOD has already told us it is not. Any Muslim worth his salt KNOWS this.

There is no such thing as a "real Muslim," as no two people will read the same verse or interpret the same verse identically. One could also say that a "real Muslim" doesn't speak with such insane authority on what a "real Muslim" means. That power simply is not up to you. If you really are as practicing as you identify yourself, you should really find ways to humble yourself.

Isn't the Quran pretty definitive on this? In which case we need to distinguish between what would seem to have been required by God in the 7th century and how some people interpret that today.

I'm guessing that American Muslims who are against polygamy are the same set that are fine with gay marriage - i.e., liberal!