Explain two religious beliefs about same-sex relationships.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. [6 marks]#

• Some Muslims say that same-sex relationships are haram (forbidden).

• They point out that in the Qur’an, Prophet Lut (pbuh) tells the men of Sodom, ‘You lust after men instead of women! You are certainly transgressors’ (7. 81).

• They argue that this means a person cannot have a same-sex relationship and still be a good Muslim.

• However, Liberal Christians (e.g. many Quakers) say that same-sex relationships can be acceptable.

• They claim that in the biblical version of Lot’s story, the people of Sodom are punished for being ‘very evil’ (Genesis 18. 20), and not for homosexuality specifically.

• They argue that there is nothing inherently sinful about a same-sex relationship, as long as it loving and respectful.