Spiritual Aspects Behind Homosexual Orientation

Homosexuality in the Modern Times

Between the 1960s and 1980s, some individuals never accepted the concept of homosexuality and assumed that LGBT people are not ready to come out due to societal homonegativity or because they are just experimenting with heterosexuals. Additionally, homosexual people had been stigmatized and oppressed socially for the spread of HIV/AIDS. Nonetheless, with all these disparate views of homosexuality, the movement toward greater awareness and acceptance of the LGBT community finally began to come to fruition by the 1990s. Since then, bisexuality has started to be addressed in both research and practice. 

Science Behind Sexual Orientation

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Several pieces of scientific research have examined the possible genetic, hormonal,

developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation. But there is no consensus

among scientists about the exact reasons behind individuals developing a specific sexual

orientation.

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Many scientists think that nature and nurture both play complex roles in the sexual orientation of an individual. They conclude that some people develop homosexual orientation due to genetic causes (genes with a penetrance factor less than 100%) whereas, others develop because of a factor in their early childhood. In the case of the latter, the orientation is presumed treatable with therapy.

History Religion on Homosexuality

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In most non-Christian ancient societies, homosexuality was never a taboo.

 In many tribal cultures, homosexuals were considered spiritually gifted and chosen to be shamans and healers.

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In Hindu traditions, karma determines homosexuality. Since our actions contribute to our future karma, homosexuality is seen as a manifestation of karma, and we have to deal with it.

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According to Tulsidas' Shree Ramcharitmanas, God loves all creatures: plants, animals, males, females, and queer identities (napunsakas), who give up malice and surrender to HIS grace. 

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The epic Mahabharata features the transgender character Sikhandin and depicts the warrior

Arjuna cross-dressing to become Brihannala, a teacher of fine arts.

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Medical texts, such as Sushruta Samhita, subscribe to the Tantrik belief that the gender and

sexuality of a child depend on the proportion of the male-white seed and female-red seed during sexual activity. If the male-white seed is stronger, then heterosexual men are born, and when the female-red seed is stronger, then heterosexual females are born. When both seeds are equally strong, the child becomes a queer identity (napunsaka or kinnara).

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Ancient Sanskrit texts on astrology, architecture, and music all refer to three genders: male,

female, and queer.

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The Vedas refer to the third sex - people for whom sex is not procreative, either through

impotence or a lack of desire for the opposite sex. Members of the third sex (known as hijras)

were not banished but recognized for having divine powers or insights. Further, the Vedic culture allowed transgender people of the third sex to live openly according to their gender identity.

Buddhism treats each life equally and includes potential Buddhahood regardless of sexual

orientation.

Spiritual Aspects Behind Homosexuality

Based on the theory of karma and reincarnation, there are some uncommon spiritual explanations behind homosexuality. Let us explore.

1. Past Lives:

This idea involves genders embodied in past lives. If a person was female in all of his

past lives, and this is his first life as a male, then he may carry lots of feminine energy

from past lives and remain attracted to males as he was before.

 Some even believe that homosexual lives are intermediary or transitional stages between

two genders. In other words, whenever a person shifts from being predominantly one

gender to the other in a reincarnation cycle, he/she may spend one or more lives as

homosexuals, or at least have many traits typically associated with the other gender. Dr.

Ian Stevenson’s research on reincarnation supports this theory.

2. Spirit Attachment:

 Spirit attachment may also influence sexual preference. As an example, a typical little

girl may grow up to her mid-twenties, beginning to walk, talk, and act like a man. As the

girl starts feeling uncomfortable as a woman, she decides to shed her femininity and

develop her masculine side. At this time, she realizes that she is gay. But what she does

not realize consciously is that she was under the influence of an earthbound male spirit

who was trying to attach to her aura and gain control over her by influencing her thoughts

and feelings. Over time, the spirit gains more and more influence, attaches itself, and

begins to express himself and live through her. Once this spirit is released, the woman

goes back to feeling like her old self again.

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So, if anyone gets influenced by outside social pressures or invisible entities, there will be

some part of him/her forever struggling to set the real self free.

 Usually, in such cases, there is a marked change at some point. However, since spirits can

attach before birth and can even travel through lifetimes with an individual, these changes

may take place before conscious memory. The understanding of this phenomenon may

help some people who are struggling with their sense of identity.

3. Evolution of Consciousness:

 Being gay poses huge spiritual challenges, and many times, these are related to lessons

that the incarnating spirit chose to work on in this lifetime. 

 Usually, incarnating spirits choose to be homosexual to work on loving and accepting

themselves as they truly are, leading to new levels of unconditional love and personal

freedom and an evolution of consciousness.

Conclusion:

Sexuality is a gift from God, and LGBT people are His children. If we truly have faith in a higher plan or power, then we must trust that people are born as they are for a good reason, and it is not for us to judge them. God has a plan to help us find joy in this life and return to live with him when this life is over.

If you are an LGBTIQA+ individual looking to rediscover the spirituality in you, then contact Poonam Dutta or call on +91-8830824402 to schedule an appointment today!

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not intend to hurt any sentiments. There is no intention to be biased in favor of or against any particular caste, creed, gender, religion, individual, community, or nation.