US Rabbis Sign Declaration on Homosexuality
August 02, 2010
More than 60 rabbis in the US have come together to sign a declaration calling for more tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality.
The declaration calls for a fresh outlook on gays and lesbians in a number of significant ways.
Religious Jews and leaders are urged to treat LGBT with “dignity and respect,” although the declaration does make clear that gay marriage and homosexual sex are still prohibited under Jewish law.
Furthermore, whether homosexuality is a choice is irrelevant because all Jews are encouraged to treat adherents to Judaism with respect, the declaration says.
Also, it slams conversion therapies, saying that in the end they do more harm and no good. Jews should also not encourage gays and lesbians to marry someone of the opposite sex.
The declaration also calls for an end to acting in a hostile manner toward gays and lesbians.
"Embarrassing, harassing or demeaning someone with a homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction is a violation of Torah prohibitions that embody the deepest values of Judaism".
"A group of educators decided it was time to give people some guidance on this sensitive matter,” said co-author Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot of New York.
"I'm sure there will be people on the right who won't like it and people on the left who will say it hasn't gone far enough, but that's the nature of trying to write a balanced document and trying to be as inclusive as possible."
He added: "We want Jews of this orientation to not feel shunned. The goal is now for communities to take up the challenge of fidelity to halakhah (Jewish law) on the one hand, and embrace people of homosexual orientation and their families as much as we can on the other."
Outing someone is also not encouraged.
While Judaism won’t recognize or bless gay weddings, the Jewish community should welcome the children of such marriages in the religion and accept them fully. The declarations calls for "sensitivity, acceptance and full embrace of the adopted or biological children of homosexually active Jews."
The declaration was created after a debate that began in New York over six months ago.
Compared to most religious groups, the majority of Jews are liberal and secular and generally support gay rights.
Image source: Gilabrand
