Homosexuality and Cultural Diversity

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Homosexuality and Cultural Diversity Homosexuality and religious beliefs The influences of religious beliefs greatly affect the controversies with addressing homosexuality. This holds true for many American views. Even with the multitude of cultural differences between ethnic groups, religion seems to be at the center of issues regarding sexuality. According to Olson and Cadge (2002, pp. 155): It is a prism through which all of the denominations’ central questions and issues reflect and refract… homosexuality is about scripture: How is the Bible to be read, interpreted, and understood? It is about creation: How ought the people that God created behave sexually? Homosexuality is about families and reproduction: Who can be married? Bear children? Adopt children? Raise children? What lessons should those children be taught about sexual behavior? Homosexuality also raises questions about who can serve the church and about how those people and the church are to act in the world. Beliefs are used as an attempt to influence behaviors and are created at a fundamental level to reinforce social pressures. Brubaker (1997, pp. 57) believes that, “in part the debates are between essentialist and social constructionist views of sexuality; in part between purity-centered and love-centered ethics.” Homosexuality spans across all ages, ethnic groups, socioeconomic standings, and religious communities. “Religious familism, or ideology about “the good family,” has been central to the culture and practice of local religious communities in the United States… and shapes how gender is symbolized and enacted… for contemporary men and women” (Edgell & Docka, 2007, pp. 26). Views of homosexuality within ethnic groups With religious implementation, a variety of ethnic groups have different views regarding homosexuality. It is within each ethnic group that traditions and
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