Compassion is not enough

Letters

Editor: It was certainly encouraging to read the comments expressed by some of the local rabbis concerning Judaism's evolving position vis-à-vis homosexuality ("Struggle for acceptance," Bulletin Archives, Feb. 14), relating to the screening of Trembling Before G-d, although admittedly I was deeply perplexed by the apparently contradictory comments concerning the difficulty of giving an aliyah to homosexuals, while at the same time welcoming them to synagogues.

Simply put, any theology or religious doctrine that expressly condemns, marginalizes or excoriates groups of people on the basis of an ontological condition – the essence of their very being – is morally indefensible. To suggest, as many mainstream right wing and sectarian theologians (of all faiths) have posited, that homosexuals must conform to a "normative" heterosexual existence, either through the suppression of their homosexual orientation (i.e. abstinence) or subjection to heterosexual coupling, is unspeakably cruel and unnatural. Moreover, it is precisely this type of bigotry – often disguised in the obtuse language of religious moralism – that fosters indirectly the unrelenting violence and social ostracism to which gays and lesbians are subjected. Homophobia is based on fear and ignorance about an aspect of human nature that was not fully understood scientifically until recent times. Religious positions that do not account for scientific advancements about human nature are retrograde at best.

It is only in modernity that western societies have begun to understand and appreciate the natural phenomenon of homosexuality. Homosexuality is neither a preference, nor a tendency, nor a behavior, and it is quite preposterous (and deeply offensive) to suggest that one can change it – as of course it would be equally preposterous to attempt to change one's heterosexual orientation.

In recent decades, some branches of religion (including Judaism) have begun to deal with the issue in a highly enlightened and evolved manner. There are, however, others which remain deeply obscurantist where homosexuality is concerned, and which continue to demonize and vilify homosexuals and homosexuality and, of course, in the process cause unimaginable pain to gay individuals and their families (as was clearly evidenced in the film).

It is not enough for Jewish religious leaders to express compassion for the suffering of Charedi (or otherwise observant) gay and lesbian Jews. These attitudes, however well-meaning in some cases, are patronizing and miss the fundamental point: gay and lesbian Jews are suffering not because they are gay, rather precisely because of prevailing attitudes and halachic interpretations that render their very human essence anathema. Bigotry is bigotry, no matter how it is construed or rationalized.

Frederick Fajardo
Vancouver

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