Homosexuality and Confucianism
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As long as they do not impede one's fulfilling one's obligations to the family and the state, loving and sexual relations between individuals of the same sex have been traditionally accepted in confucian thought. However, relations which result in one's failure to fulfill one's filial and reproductive duties are seen as disruptive, and condemned. This is due to the mandate of procreation in the teachings required of sons. As Confucianism is considered primarily an ethical tradition and not strictly a religion (see Is Confucianism a religion?), views on homosexuality are not shaped by divine law as in other religions.
[edit] Homosexuality in Scripture
Homosexuality is not mentioned at all in the Confucian scriptures. It is neither listed as a sin nor is it condoned. However, men and women are each expected to abide by traditional gender roles. Men are forbidden from acting too effeminate and woman are forbidden from acting too masculine. Thus, transvestism is strictly forbidden. Some have argued that during anal sex between two men, one must take on the passive role of a woman, defying the man's proscribed gender role. The opposite is true of lesbian couples.
[edit] Social responsibility
The Confucian moral code emphasizes each person's responsibility to society. Confucians are expected to get married and have children; this is their responsibility to their ancestors and their country. A male's duty is to have male children to pass on his family name; a female's duty is to bear her husband male children to carry on his family name. Homosexuality cannot result in reproduction and this is the main reason why Confucians tend to disapprove of it. However, there are records of married men who took male lovers, and that this was seen as a private matter. It is unknown if the same applied for married women.
Confucianism stresses an individuals' loyalty to their family and their country. If a one's parents forbade one from engaging in homosexuality, or if the state outlawed homosexuality (as was the case in China between 1740 and 1997), one would be expected to comply with these orders.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
- Homosexuality in China
- Homosexuality in Japan
- Homosexuality in Singapore
- Homosexuality and Buddhism (many Confucians practise a hybrid form of Confucianism and Buddhism)
- Homosexuality and Taoism (many Confucians practise a hybrid form of Confucianism and Taoism)
