Prodaytrader

I don't see the difference in all honesty. I think that an honest dialog with a member of NAMBLA for instance would reveal that they feel like there is nothing wrong with their particular expression of love since they were born that way. But I think there is a distinction between Love and the expression of Love. There are most certainly unhealthy expressions of love that would be just as applicable to heterosexual couples as any other group. Love does not have to include sexual expression. I love my mother and my dog. Expressing that love in a sexual manner to either is unhealthy.

Again I point out that souls are genderless entitities so it's not possible to be spiritually attracted to one form or another. Sexual preferences in all their many flavors are a human/animalistic limitation that we will no longer be burdened with in the afterlife. As a heterosexual person this would free me up from the limitations of culture and body after I die and for all I know allow me to explore or enrich all manner of spiritual bonds with any soul I choose. My male golfing partner/neighbor is a kindred spirit. Our relationship is probably not nearly as close as it could be if society, religion and sexual desires allowed us to share equal opportunities that my wife and I share. In the afterlife I look forward to being freed of these earthly limitations and thus have a relationship on par with what I would expect to have with my wife or child.

Being able to freely engage in homosexual relationships is at odds with our purpose in life which is to know God and to Worship him. One of the tenets of the Faith is to help others find God as well. In part that means having children and guiding them towards the path of God. The process of having children is a very rewarding experience that teaches us in part who God is as a creator. Parenting in a lot of ways is a metaphor that God uses to help us know him better. It has certainly changed my life in a lot of ways which most parents will attest too. Adoption has its rewards and I admit likely has certain rewards/blessings in its own right but the fundamental act of creation is missing and that is not something homosexuals would be privy too.

I hate to say this but in the end this topic is as clear cut as any other of the laws with which we must follow. It has been strictly forbidden for the reasons I listed and others which I am likely ignorant too from a lack of perspective and experience. It is not for us to guess at, circumvent, question, or undermine the will of God. Part of the will of God has been written down in Bahai writings, so if we are to succumb to the Will of God, which is where true happiness, inner peace and the blessings that follow come from then it is tantamount that homosexuality not be practiced in any form.

If I dare give you an example: drinking alcohol is probably the hardest for Baha'is to practice at least for American ones anyway. Science tells us that a drink a day is actually healthy to our bodies and in full discloser I have been guilty of breaking this law. Now mind you I am a second generation Bahai so this is something I have known about my entire life. I choose to disobey God and drink a glass of wine or two from time to time with the justification that in moderation it was not unhealthy and none influential to me and thus was written for others and not myself. Some years ago tho in an effort to more fully align my will with Gods, I swore to never drink again. It wasn't easy especially in certain social settings where drinking is encouraged and can even become a badge of honor and acceptance in many ways. At first I made excuses for not having that drink such as I'm not in the mood or I'm riding my motorcycle etc. As I grew more cemented in the position I started to discover that by taking an active stance in not having that drink I could influence others to not drink as well. One drink most of the time hurts no one but given the right circumstances for the right person, one drink can mean the difference in keeping your job, your family together, jail, you name it. I once helped a friend use a military ration card to buy a drink who latter that night was arrested in Germany for a DUI and his career was over by weeks end. How was i to know that would happen? Had i followed the will of God that would not have happened or at the very least if it had, I wouldnt have been the catalyst. That's an important part of being a Bahai, setting the example for others to follow which is a powerful influence I assure you.

Following the laws in strict obedience is a powerful example for others to follow. These laws bring about peace of mind, ease the heart and eventually lead to a better society.

Someone suggested that the Faith might in the future be more accepting of homosexual practices. I can assure you this will not happen. It has been strictly forbidden by the profit/founder of the faith Baha'u'llah:

In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi it is stated:

'No matter how devoted and fine the love may be between people of the same sex, to let it find expression in sexual acts is wrong. To say that it is ideal is no excuse. Immorality of every sort is really forbidden by Bahá’u’lláh, and homosexual relationships He looks upon as such, besides being against nature. To be afflicted this way is a great burden to a conscientious soul. But through the advice and help of doctors, through a strong and determined effort, and through prayer, a soul can overcome this handicap.'

It's clearly not an easy burden to live with, but if one is too earnestly accept Baha'u'llah and his teachings as the Word of God then it would mean not practicing homosexualality or at least not exercising on the sexual desires associated with it.

God Bless you and may He assist you in finding a path to his Love. Take comfort in the knowledge that this life is short in comparison to eternity so this not something you will struggle with forever.