This Article is From Jul 20, 2009

The conservative religious response to gay verdict

The conservative religious response to gay verdict
Bangalore:

Several religious leaders of many different faiths came out united in Bangalore taking on something they describe as unnatural. At a press meet, they asked the Central government to oppose the Delhi High Court verdict legalising consensual adult gay sex.

"All our religions are coming together to oppose this. We have our culture," said Sowmyanatha Swamiji.

"This kind of thing does not happen among any creature except human beings. When human beings can differentiate right from wrong, why should humans run after such wrong things?" said Mufti Iftikhar Ahmed, president, Jamiat Ulema, Karnataka.

And it was not just Hindu and Muslim leaders who came to state their point of view.

"We the Sikhs, the followers of Guru Granth Sahib, are saying no, no and no. We are not going to allow in Sikh dharma, gay sex or gay marriage at all," said Dr Harminder Singh, general secretary, Sri Guru Singh Sabha.

The Delhi High Court's decision on decriminalisation of consensual adult homosexuality may have cheered the gay community, but the religious leaders have been rather vocal in their opposition to the ruling.

"God has made males and females for sex. Where does this new community come from? Many people don't know what gay sex is," said Uttam Chand Bhadari, a Jain community representative.

The Delhi High Court decision was a major cause for celebration for activists and the gay community, but clearly it's just one aspect. The battle for basic acceptance is still on.

.