THERE is much wailing and gnashing of teeth among Catholics and Muslims in India over the decision this week to overturn a 150-year-old law that criminalised homosexuality.
Gay rights groups in India have campaigned for years for a repeal of the law – Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which outlaws “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” – saying homosexuality is not a perversion and the state had no business regulating sexual affairs between consenting adults.
A couple embrace at a gay pride rally in New Delhi last Sunday
But Christian and Muslim groups were vehemently opposed to any review of the law.
The Catholic Secular Forum, a Mumbai-based lay organisation, said it opposed the move because it was against India’s culture and social mores. Forum general secretary Joseph Dias, in a press release, said homosexuality was unnatural even among animals.
So why do human beings want to stoop down even lower than animals.
The ignoramus warned that homosexual behavior would increase if it were legalised, and encourage:
Manipulative, dominating, coercive, under age and unsafe sex.
Father Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, added:
The Church is very clear that gay relations are against the order of nature and divine will. In homosexual relations, persons may get personal gratification but they are not obeying natural law and social obligations.
The Catholic Church has consistently opposed homosexual behavior because it considers the social obligation of giving birth to a new generation to be “very important,” he said.
Leading Islamic figures also condemned the proposed law review. Maulana Abdul Khalik Madrasi, deputy vice chancellor of the Darul Uloom Deoband, said:
Homosexuality is an offence under shari’a law and haram (prohibited) in Islam.
Maulana Salim Kasmi, vice-president of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, referred to gay activities as “crimes”, and said Islam punishes homosexual acts.
But The United Nations Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has hailed the decision, voicing hope that more countries that ban same-sex activity will follow suit.
The Delhi High Court found that the law violated the South Asian nation’s constitution. Said Chief Justice AP Shah and Justice S. Murlidhar:
The inclusiveness that Indian society traditionally displayed, literally in every aspect of life, is manifest in recognizing a role in society for everyone.
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised the High Court for:
Restoring the dignity and human rights of millions of men who have sex with men and transgendered people in India Oppressive laws such as Section 377 drive people underground, making it much harder to reach them with HIV prevention, treatment and care services.
In a press release issued in New Delhi, UNAIDS called on all governments to guarantee the full respect of human rights for men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgendered people by repealing laws prohibiting sex between consenting adults in public.
The agency also underscored the importance of enacting laws to protect these groups from violence and discrimination; addressing homophobia and transphobia; and bolstering health services.
The annulment of Section 377 “sends a positive message to countries where such laws still exist,” Mr. Sidibé stressed, noting that UNAIDS looks forward to working with the Indian Government to address the AIDS pandemic.
In addition to violating individuals’ human rights, the prohibition of homosexuality in over 80 countries impedes the response to HIV, hampering treatment to access for people living with the disease, said UNAIDS.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
July 4th, 2009 at 9:57 am
The BBC TV news had an item on this that featured a self-important and serious-faced Roman Catholic bishop saying that decriminalisation would increase AIDS and paedophillia.
A bit rich coming from a condom-banning bunch of child rapists.
July 4th, 2009 at 11:27 am
What about Hindu & Sikh homophobes, have they found some consolation?
July 4th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
As usual, I suppose the BBC did not press for evidence by that RC Bishop?
July 4th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Imagine if Al-Beeb had the courage to put across an opposing view from an athiest. They would have to call the programme 'I thought today.'
July 4th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
In a press release issued in New Delhi, UNAIDS called on all governments to guarantee the full respect of human rights for men who have sex with men, lesbians and transgendered people by repealing laws prohibiting sex between consenting adults in public.
I don't care if their gay or not, consenting or not, I am really quite against people having sex in public.
July 4th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
I wonder who the religiots are going to pick on once it becomes unacceptable to bash the gays, which within another generation or so it surely will? I think that us atheists maybe all they have left. If that is the case, bring it on, it really is great fun to see them make themselves look ridiculous.
July 4th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Hallelujah!! The Roman Catholics would know all about "Manipulative, dominating, coercive, underage and unsafe sex", wouldn`t they? Sometimes my "You-couldn`t -make-it-up" meter goes right off the scale!!!
July 4th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Spoing!
July 4th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
The ignoramus warned that homosexual behavior would increase if it were legalised, and encourage:
Manipulative, dominating, coercive, under age and unsafe sex.
Yeah, because none of that occurs in the heterosexual world, particularly in religious circles.
July 5th, 2009 at 1:21 am
"Forum general secretary Joseph Dias, in a press release, said homosexuality was unnatural even among animals."
WRONG.
July 5th, 2009 at 2:35 am
"Forum general secretary Joseph Dias, in a press release, said homosexuality was unnatural even among animals.
'So why do human beings want to stoop down even lower than animals.'"
Hmm. So what else is unnatural or uncommon amongst animals…
1) Farming
2) Mining
3) Industry
4) Driving a car
5) Wearing shoes
6) Religion
Of course, by doing those things, we are not "lower" than animals. Homosexuality is also far from uncommon in animals. Mallard Ducks are astonishingly gay.
July 5th, 2009 at 10:01 am
did anyone else's irony meter register 101% at this:
"Father Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, added:
The Church is very clear that gay relations are against the order of nature and divine will. In homosexual relations, persons may get personal gratification but they are not obeying natural law and social obligations.
The Catholic Church has consistently opposed homosexual behavior because it considers the social obligation of giving birth to a new generation to be “very important,” he said."
So this celibacy thing is against natural law and is a failure to fulfill social obligations?
July 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am
…And amazingly beautiful, as well! BTW I have seen videos of dogs skateboarding, and even windsurfing, but I agree that the shots of them "driving cars" do look a little contrived, if not downright fake!!
(PS Spot on with your observations there!)
July 5th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I couldn`t agree more Modusoperandi! This is just the sort of demand that gets the religious right screaming out: "They don`t want equal rights, they want special rights!"
July 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Very good! Do you visit Platitude Of The Day? I said on that site that "Thought For The Day" was a complete misnomer, as thinking is the very last thing that they want!!
July 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Isn't there a little too much baby making going on in India right now anyway?
July 7th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Yes – and much of it by "celibate" priests, too, if their behaviour in other countries is anything to go by!