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Odiyya

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Everything posted by Odiyya

  1. After reading Audarya lila's response, it prompted me to do more research both online and on a local religious bookstore. The following is based on general themes that kept popping up during my research yesterday. My search revealed that There is no "one" Hindu tradition. Like Christianity, Hinduism has many denominations, or groups, who interpret the holy scriptures differently. However, no one group is right or wrong. If you wish to believe that being gay is a sin or a choice (which I still hold it's not) then you have the right to feel that way, but you don't have the right to impose that view on others and insist that it's the "only way and the right way." Hinduism (theoretically) promotes that all paths will eventually lead to God, so differences in how one practices or interprets Hinduism is not very important (based on some sources) and should be respected as another path leading to the same place - God. Therefore, those who insist on imposing their unique view of Hinduism are actually not practicing the "acceptance" that Hinduism promotes (at least in theory). Does this make some of you hypocrites? I'll let you answer that question for yourself. Each person has to seek his own path within Hinduism that will best develop him spiritually, which is what I'm desperately trying to do. Therefore, I will no longer continue this "gay" issue on this forum. Hypocrisy is not what I'm looking for at this moment. I want answers, not agendas or personal prejudices or phobias. As a person who seeks to become a loving and peaceful Hindu, I won't try and force my views on anyone - even if supported by credible sources. Some people believe that The Christian British influence had a slightly corrupting effect on Hinduism (especially in the area of sexuality). Perhaps this might be the case, but I can't say this for sure until I know for sure. But even then, it won't give me the right to force that view on anyone else. I still think I can learn a lot from this forum, but I'll just have to look at the info with a cautious eye and try to "weed out" the personal agendas that apparently this forum is so famous for around the Hindu-cyberspace (did you know this place has such a bad reputation in some circles many of which are not gay). Anyhow, as far as I'm concerned this gay topic is over. I won't post another reply to this thread. Perhaps it should be left to die a natural death. Once again. I want to thank "Audarya lila" for helping me open my eyes and to seek the answers on my own. [This message has been edited by Odiyya (edited 10-24-2001).]
  2. I'm sorry jndas, but unless you're gay you can't know how it is. I did not choose to be gay. Believe me, I would give my life to be straight. I've tried everything possible. I tried therapy, exorcism, hypnosis, pastlife regression, and nothing worked. There is no way on earth that you can say that I choose to be this way.....For the past 22 years of my life I hated myself for what I am....I've never been with a man so my sexuality/homosexuality is not a sexual thing. It's part of who I am inside. It's part of my identity. I'm tired of the self-hatred. A year ago, during a bio-chemistry class, my teacher mentioned that the scientists working on the Human Genome project discovered what they called "The Gay Gene." At that point it proved "scientifically" what I had already known - That 99% of homosexuality is Genetic and not Choice. I'm not asking for special rights within Hinduism. I'm just asking to be recognized for who I am and not be made less of a person for something I had no control over and for something which I had no choice in. Jndas, you're obviously a very educated man, but in this area either you or Hinduism is severly flawed. I refuse to believe in a supreme god that picks and chooses which people are accepted and which are not. This whole homosexuality issue is right up there with the caste system and women repression that is still prevelent in Hinduism. Most of these practices were created by men or changed to suit their own biases and issues - it's a practice which is common in ALL religions on earth. I don't know what I was in my previous life, but I know for a fact that who I am in this life is not by choice, but rather, by genetics. By the way, if you look at any Cultural Anthropology book, you'll see that your "point of view" is not the accepted one. [This message has been edited by Odiyya (edited 10-25-2001).]
  3. Gauracandra, If 10% scares you, then I'll just use the smaller number of 5% to make you feel better. But be aware that estimates go as high as 10%. The numbers vary from source to source, but the range is always between 5% to 10%. [This message has been edited by Odiyya (edited 10-23-2001).]
  4. I'm not asking you to buy anything. I'm simply stating facts. As for the 10% number. I think I wrote in parenthesis that it was a rough estimate. I've heard many ranges. Anywhere between 5% to 10%. And you're right about the Kinsey study being slightly skewed. But when Gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people are taken as a whole (and not just gays - which is what the Kinsey study looked at), then 10% is not that far off. If that number scares you, then I'm sorry. But you have no reason to fear us.... I don't doubt that there might be some in the scientific community who oppose the gay gene. But the vast majority of the opposition comes from the religious right, and those scientists who oppose it tend to lean towards the religous side of things, which lessens their credibility in many peoples' eyes. There are scientists who claim that humans were living along side the dinosaurs, does that mean that they are right. And it's no coincidence that those scientists are strong believers in the creation theory, so they are biased. I don't see a difference in this situation. As for the gay lobby thing. The Gay gene was discovered and announced without any gays lobbying for some fabrication to be created. If anything, the gay lobby may be trying to prevent people from trying to destroy this TRUE evidence from becoming common knowledge. I understand you have your point of view, and I have mine. Fortunately, I believe that my side is supported by science. Besides, I have nothing to prove. I don't care if science is on my side (although it's nice that it is). I know as a gay individual that it's not a personal choice I made (in this life anyway - if you take your argument). So, I don't have an agenda to promote. If you believe it fine, If you don't, then that's fine also.
  5. Gauracandra, Actually, the gene remains dormant in some people, but in about 10% of the population (rough estimate) it's active, thus making an individual be homosexual or bisexual.... The people who challenge the so called "gay gene" are usually the religous right who don't like anything that challenges their beliefs (I'm talking about the Christian right, but I suppose this can be true for any religion as well). That may be so, but does that mean that our previous karma gives us a genetically predisposed gay body to teach us a lesson (or to punish us for evil deed in the past?). If so, this can satisfy both the religous hindus who believe like you and also the scientifically inclined individuals who believe it's genetic.
  6. jndas, How do you explain the discovery of the "Gay gene." You neglected to comment on that? How do you rationalize a scientific discovery that goes against your own personal belief. I know that science and religion rarely agree on anything, so this might be a logical explanation. From what I've learned, religion requires faith, while science requires facts. Sometimes the two don't mix very well. Just a thought......what do you think?
  7. Audarya lila, Thanks for your kind words. Your explanation makes a lot more sense to me. The more I learn about Hinduism, the more convinced I am that this is the path I want to take. I'm a beginner so i have a lot to learn and will most likely not understand many things along the way, but I'm glad that there are people like you who are able to guide me along the way. I'll definitely take your advice and seek to surround myself with the right people who will help me in my spiritual growth. If it means giving up the possibility of sex, then so be it. I'm a virgin now and I have no problem staying a virgin forever. Sex has never been something I've looked forward to anyway. My spiritual development has always been my number one priority. But we'll see what the future will bring me. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge with me. I can't possibly tell you how much it's helping me understand this new road I've undertaken.. Thanks.. [This message has been edited by Odiyya (edited 10-23-2001).]
  8. I'm beginning to understand a bit more. Although, I'm beginning to see that Hinduism is not as open-minded as people say. It reminds me a bit of Christianity which I found spiritually repressive. But anyhow, I'll pursue my path and see what comes of it. One question though: Did I choose to be gay in my pastlife so that I could learn some type of lesson in this life?? thanks..
  9. Jndas. i read your article and although you seemed somewhat logical there is something you said that makes me question the validity of your whole argument. You said or implied that homosexuality was a "choice." That leads me to believe that you're biased and really don't know much about this as you claim to know. As a gay man I can tell you that it's NOT a choice. If i had a choice of being gay or straight I would choose to be straight. The fact is I can't choose so I'm stuck with being gay. You, yourself seem to be guilty of twisting and manipulating things to suit your own prejiduces also. I'll take what you say with a grain of salt. I appreciate your input, but you obviously know nothing about homosexuality. Also, some of the phrases you quoted from the scriptures could be interpreted in different ways. Your interpretation doesn't seem to make logical sense at times... Thanks for your response. It did more for me than you would think. Odiyya
  10. Where do gay people fit into this religion? Is hinduism a homophobic religion or a compassionate one. I read in an anthropology course that you guys consider Gays to be sacred with healing powers. Is this true? I'm not asking to be mean. I was shocked when I read this, and i thought it was kinda cool that you people were so open-minded. It blew my mind away to learn of such an open religion. I would appreciate your input.
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