radpour sexuality and bahai teachings

Sexuality and the Baha’i Teachings: 

Sexuality and the Baha’i Teachings Mary K. Radpour

Workshop overview:: 

Workshop overview: Sexuality, Chastity, and the Soul Models of Morality Love, Power, & Justice Getting a Sense of Proportion The Laws of Baha’u’llah The Advent of Divine Justice Sexuality & Identity Homosexuality The science The politics The Baha’i view Skill-building: Talking about Sexuality

Sexuality, Chastity, and the Soul: 

Sexuality, Chastity, and the Soul Part I

What is a soul?: 

What is a soul? The Baha’i teachings say that the soul is one of the signs of God and a mystery no man can comprehend. “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”

What are the powers of the soul?: 

What are the powers of the soul? ‘Abdu’l-Baha says that the spiritual powers of the soul are: Imagination Thought Comprehension Memory The common faculty

The soul is like a mirror: 

The soul is like a mirror This mirror can be turned in two directions: It can be turned toward the ego, where, if it uses its powers of imagination, memory, etc., it becomes more bestial than any animal. It can be turned toward the world of the spirit, and the light of the spirit will be mirrored forth from the soul & enhanced by the powers of the soul

What are the signs of the development of the soul?: 

What are the signs of the development of the soul? By faith is meant, first, conscious knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds Virtues become manifest in the soul

What is the purpose of religion?: 

What is the purpose of religion? The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves. That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion.

Conclusions?: 

Conclusions? A soul will be filled with spirit as it turns toward the spiritual world in a given moment But a soul which steadfastly turns to the spirit world develops A conscious knowledge of Truth A love and attraction to Beauty A strength of will for doing Good These traits constitute a good character

Spirituality is the proper development of our innate spiritual capacities: 

Spirituality is the proper development of our innate spiritual capacities

Does the soul possess a gender?: 

Does the soul possess a gender? Subsequent to its departure from this material world, the soul has no gender. Its identity consists of the virtues it has acquired and developed in this world. It has memory, thought, comprehension, imagination, and a common faculty. Its progress in the next world is aided by prayers and philanthropic acts done in its name.

What conditions contribute to the development of the soul?: 

What conditions contribute to the development of the soul? Love Acceptance Active concern Justice Rewards & Consequences

What conditions are obstacles to the development of the soul?: 

What conditions are obstacles to the development of the soul? The absence or withholding of love due to Prejudice & Fanaticism Ignorance Immaturity Illness A failure to train and educate the soul Injustice Active encouragement of the indulgence of the ego

What spiritual practices enhance the powers of the soul?: 

What spiritual practices enhance the powers of the soul? Reflection upon the meaning of the Word of God Prayer Fasting Sacrificial contributions to philanthropic endeavors Active service to others

Models of Morality: 

Models of Morality Part II

Traditional vs. Contemporary Concepts of Morality:: 

Traditional vs. Contemporary Concepts of Morality: A static concept of morality contributes to confusing the sin with the sinner, shunning, secrecy, and paralyzing guilt. A dynamic concept of morality instills hope and patience, truthfulness, personal responsibility and a deeper understanding of the conditions essential to growth.

Static Concept of Morality: 

Static Concept of Morality Evil (immorality) = immoral behavior or a violation of specific ethical norms Consequences of immorality = rejection by society or the ethical community Consequences depend upon perception of others (rejection & blame) or of self (guilt & self-devaluation)

Dynamic Concept of Morality: 

Dynamic Concept of Morality Evil (immorality) = ignorance of the dynamics of the process (of how to achieve autonomy & well-being) or unwillingness to implement knowledge. Consequences of immorality = failure to achieve autonomy & well-being = creation of unnatural dependencies (addictions & compulsions) & unhappiness (ill-being) Consequences of wrongdoing = objective (ie., independent of subjective perception)

How does sexuality relate to the development of the soul?: 

How does sexuality relate to the development of the soul? Intelligence is a power Physical strength is a power Social adeptness is a power Sexuality is a power Morality requires that all our powers be used to reduce risks to development and to foster spiritual capacities, as well as to foster unity.

What are the implications for chastity in a static model of morality?: 

What are the implications for chastity in a static model of morality? Chastity is dependent upon virginity A victim of rape or incest is therefore presumed to be unchaste Chastity is not a responsibility of men Chastity is abstaining from sexual intercourse Oral sex is a way to avoid intercourse Privacy in sexual relations is essential to avoid social condemnation or Social standards must be changed in order to protect from moral standards

What are the implications for chastity in a dynamic concept of morality?: 

What are the implications for chastity in a dynamic concept of morality? Chastity involves demonstrating restraint and purpose Chastity is using our sexual powers to attract a partner for life to assist in raising a child who will love and serve the Creator: "Marry, O people, that from you may appear he who will remember Me amongst My servants. .”

Love, Power, and Justice: 

Love, Power, and Justice Part III

Development involves the acquisition of power and the reduction of risk: 

Development involves the acquisition of power and the reduction of risk Babies have little power and great risk. The personal power of an adult is dependent upon education and training; when this is healthy, risk is reduced.

Development is dependent upon love and justice.: 

Development is dependent upon love and justice. Love is the energy essential to development. Justice is the proper use of the force of love to foster development, increasing power and reducing risk.

In order for a capacity to be developed, a need must be satisfied: 

In order for a capacity to be developed, a need must be satisfied The physical self requires food and exercise and sleep The intellectual self requires intellectual stimulation and education The social self requires rehearsal in the form of play and practice in interpersonal negotiation The spiritual self requires models of love and justice and opportunities for service

A need is a form of energy necessary for the development of a capacity. A need is always legitimate, always universal, and always satiable.: 

A need is a form of energy necessary for the development of a capacity. A need is always legitimate, always universal, and always satiable. For example, we are hungry until we eat, and then we are not hungry any more.

Desires are sometimes legitimate and sometimes not, usually particular, and sometimes satiable and sometimes insatiable.: 

Desires are sometimes legitimate and sometimes not, usually particular, and sometimes satiable and sometimes insatiable.

How can we discern the difference between a legitimate and an illegitimate need?: 

How can we discern the difference between a legitimate and an illegitimate need? Illegitimate satisfaction of needs results in morbid dependency and unhappiness and suffering Legitimate satisfaction of needs leads to greater autonomy and well-being.

Slide29: 

“Just as the earth attracts everything to the centre of gravity, and every object thrown upward into space will come down, so also material ideas and worldly thoughts attract man to the centre of self. Anger, passion, ignorance, prejudice, greed, envy covetousness, jealousy and suspicion prevent man from ascending to the realms of holiness, imprisoning him in the claws of self and the cage of egotism. The physical man, unassisted by the divine power, trying to escape from one of these invisible enemies, will unconsciously fall into the hands of another. No sooner does he attempt to soar upward than the density of the love of self, like the power of gravity, draws him to the center of the earth. The only power that is capable of delivering man from this captivity is the power of the breaths of the Holy Spirit.” Abdu’l-Baha, Selection of Baha’i Scriptures, p. 241.

Getting a Sense of Proportion: 

Getting a Sense of Proportion In a traditional view of morality, illegitimate sex is the greatest sin. In the Baha’i teachings, the greatest sins are those which foster disunity, such as gossip and backbiting, or challenges to the Covenant of Baha’u’llah. Baha’i laws regarding sexuality are most emphatic when they related to issues of justice and unity. Therefore, infidelity is a greater wrong than a lack of virginity. The Baha’i teachings do not promote asceticism or a puritanical attitude toward physical pleasure. Sexuality is celebrated when it is channeled into social structures which limit its abuse.

Marriage is the social institution which channels the sexual impulse into a path of service.: 

Marriage is the social institution which channels the sexual impulse into a path of service. According to the Baha’i teachings, the primary purpose of marriage is the procreation of children. The sexual bond between a husband and a wife serves to strengthen their partnership as parents. Each plays a specific role in marriage which serves this purpose. Mothers are the first educators of the child while fathers are primarily responsible for the financial well-being of a family. The unity between a wife and a husband provides the essential environment for the development of a child’s spiritual capacities as well as an understanding of their role in adulthood.

Contemporary American values undermine social order and the idea of service as a purpose of life.: 

Contemporary American values undermine social order and the idea of service as a purpose of life. The Baha’i writings propose that one of the “patent evils” which has been engendered in the American nation is a distortion of our understanding of a chaste and holy life. A materialistic view holds that the purpose of life is pleasure and happiness. A spiritual view holds that the purpose of life is service to humanity and the development of virtues.

In The Advent of Divine Justice, Shoghi Effendi asks us to reconsider the following in the light of a chaste and holy life:: 

In The Advent of Divine Justice, Shoghi Effendi asks us to reconsider the following in the light of a chaste and holy life: Dress Language Amusements Art and literature Attitudes toward: Alcohol & drugs Nudism, infidelity, promiscuity, living together Sexual vices

He calls on Baha’is to “demonstrate, through the dynamic force of its example,: 

He calls on Baha’is to “demonstrate, through the dynamic force of its example, the pernicious character of such theories, the falsity of such standards, the hollowness of such claims, the perversity of such habits, and the sacrilegious character of such excesses.”

Sexuality & Identity: 

Sexuality & Identity Part IV

There are two ways of thinking about the value of a person:: 

There are two ways of thinking about the value of a person: Extrinsic Value: A dollar bill has value because it is socially determined, that is, we all agree to give it value. A football player has value because the society places great value on physical strength and earning power. Intrinsic value: The sun has intrinsic value because without it we would all perish. We each have value because of the possibilities within us for contributing to the betterment of the world.

What happens when we think we have no value?: 

What happens when we think we have no value? Suicide. Why should we choose to continue to live if we have no value? Competition for value. We seek to be whatever society values – beautiful, wealthy, accomplished, etc. Power-seeking. We seek to coerce others to acknowledge our value through intimidation, manipulation, seduction, etc.

In a materialistic society, our identity is based upon what we own, what we do, or the group to which we belong:: 

In a materialistic society, our identity is based upon what we own, what we do, or the group to which we belong: If we own a Harley-Davidson, we become a “harley dude.” If we own an SUV instead of a van, we think we are not the “van-type.” If we belong to a group, we obtain value either by membership or by rejecting the value of another group. If we are a woman who loves another woman, we must be lesbian -- ie, Oprah and Gayle King If we have had a homosexual experience, homosexuality becomes our identity.

The Baha’i teachings reject the idea that we have anything other than a spiritual identity.: 

The Baha’i teachings reject the idea that we have anything other than a spiritual identity. Our essential reality is the spiritual virtues which are unique to us. God gave us a unique destiny, which is the realization of our own unique spiritual capacities. The unity of the human family depends upon our capacity to recognize virtues within each other, regardless of race, class, religion, ethnicity or other socially conferred identities.

Slide40: 

“Let all be set free from the multiple identities that were born of passion and desire, and in the oneness of their love for God find a new way of life.” ‘Abdul-Baha

Homosexuality: The scienceThe politicsThe Baha’i view: 

Homosexuality: The science The politics The Baha’i view Part V

Origins of homosexuality: 

Origins of homosexuality Because the origins of homosexuality have profound political implications, the various proposals put forward have become extremely controversial. In an atmosphere in which passions dominate, an objective and dispassionate conclusion is unlikely.

What scientific theories attempt to explain Homosexuality?: 

What scientific theories attempt to explain Homosexuality? The genetic explanation The fetal development explanation The family dynamics explanation The socialization of masculinity & femininity explanation The premature sexualization explanation The political explanation The sexual revolution explanation

The genetic explanation: 

The genetic explanation Scientists have rejected genetics alone as explanations for a wide variety of attributes, arguing that nature and nurture work together to produce outcomes. Even where a genetic predisposition exists, certain environmental conditions are essential to the manifestation of that attribute. Some studies suggest a genetic link, such as in twin studies in which homosexual identical twins show more likeness than fraternal twins. However, since not all identical twins share a sexual orientation, other factors are proposed to be at work. The linkage does not exist for female twins. Genetic theories offer no explanation whatsoever for the difference between lesbians and gays.

Genetics: 

Genetics Another proposal is that genetics may give rise to qualities of temperament, physical beauty, or non-stereotypically masculine physique which are socially associated with homosexuality, predisposing such people to be identified as gay. PET scans which identify unique brain structures in gay men fail to indicate whether these structures cause homosexuality or are caused by homosexual behavior. At this time, genetics is not universally accepted as an explanation of the origins of homosexuality.

The family dynamics explanation: 

The family dynamics explanation The psychodynamic explanation of the origins of homosexuality has been discredited, but some still argue that the absence of favorable male role models the presence of abusive male models the presence of over-involved or over-dependent mothers explain male homosexuality. This model offers no explanation for lesbianism.

The fetal development explanation: 

The fetal development explanation Distortions in fetal development produce: masculinized females (CAH); (AGS), in which genetically female persons possess internal female genitalia and external masculine genitalia but are socialized as men; (AIS), in which genetically male persons possess no internal female genitalia but appear externally to be women. Some theorize that transexualism may be attentuated forms of these disorders. And some argue that subtle manifestations of these conditions may explain some forms of homosexuality.

The socialization of masculinity & femininity explanation: 

The socialization of masculinity & femininity explanation Some social scientists argue that rigid role definitions for men and women lead to being socially ostracized and lead some men and women to question their “fit” for these roles, leading to a homosexual identity. The historical inequality of men and women would explain why some men with traditionally feminine attributes are ostracized and then embrace victim-hood with similar men. It would also explain why some women claim masculinity as a protection against abuse.

The premature sexualization explanation: 

The premature sexualization explanation Childhood sexual abuse is a well-known precursor to adult sexual confusion & promiscuity. Same-sex abuse in children may lead to same-sex attraction in adults. There is also a far greater incidence of child to child sexual experimentation than was previously assumed, which may contribute to same-sex orientation.

The political explanation: 

The political explanation As gay liberation becomes a liberal political agenda, some men and women may choose same-sex relationships as a political statement.

The sexual revolution explanation: 

The sexual revolution explanation As a wide variety of homosexual pornographic materials become readily available through the internet and the arts scene, people who are attracted to the sensationalism of such porn conclude that their attraction to such material is evidence of same-sex orientation.

Conclusions?: 

Conclusions? It is likely that homosexuality will ultimately be explained, not by a single cause, but by multiple causations.

What do the Baha’i teachings say about homosexuality?: 

What do the Baha’i teachings say about homosexuality? “To regard homosexuals with prejudice and disdain would be entirely against the spirit of Baha’i teachings. A Baha’i who has a homosexual orientation is not automatically barred from Baha’i community life or acceptance or excluded from worship.” UHJ, 9/17/93

The Baha’i Faith on homosexuality: 

The Baha’i Faith on homosexuality “there is a difference between the Baha’i attitude towards, on the one hand, the condition of homosexuality and those who are affected by it and, on the other, the practice of homosexual relations.”

The Baha’i Faith on homosexuality: 

The Baha’i Faith on homosexuality “The statistics which indicate that homosexuality is incurable are undoubtedly distorted by the fact that many of those who overcome the problem never speak about it in public, and others solve their problems without even consulting professional counselors.”

The Baha’i Faith on homosexuality: 

The Baha’i Faith on homosexuality “The condition of being sexually attracted to some object other than to a mature member of the opposite sex . . . is regarded by the Faith as a distortion of true human nature, as a problem to be overcome, no matter what specific physical or psychological condition may be the immediate cause. “

The Baha’i Faith on sexuality in general:: 

The Baha’i Faith on sexuality in general: “. . .our civilization has exalted sex and sexuality to a level of importance far beyond its proper place in our lives. Sex has also been wrenched out of its proper context. On the one hand our current culture suffuses every aspect of our lives with sex but, on the other, it isolates the sex act from its natural corollaries of marital life and the bearing and rearing of children.”