'Liberal' Muslims support 'gay rights' movement?

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
10/25/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Report on a new movement to welcome practicing homosexuals in mosques

Christians are not the only people who grapple with those seeking to make active homosexuality acceptable in their ranks. Ani Zonneveld, the cofounder of 'Muslims for Progressive Values', a socially liberal American Islamic organization, believes that it is okay to be actively homosexual based on her interpretation of the Koran.

Ani Zonneveld does not believe the Koran is opposed to the practice of homosexuality.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Born in Malaysia, the 49-year-old singer-songwriter and organization cofounder said, "the community we are building is very different from most of the mosques you would walk into. We are very inclusive of all Muslims, gay Muslims, mixed-faith couples. We also don't segregate [the genders] when we pray, and we allow women to lead prayer. Our values are very egalitarian and we really live those values out."

Zonneveld founded the organization in 2007 with Pamela Taylor, a feminist American Muslim. The organization has 10 guiding principles. Among those are:

-Accepting anyone who identifies themselves as a Muslim
-The equality of all people regardless of homosexual practice
-Separation of church and state
-Freedom of speech
-Universal human rights
-Women's rights
-LGBTQ rights
-Critical thinking
-Compassion
-Diversity

Some say the group is a sign of a growing trend amongst some who call themselves Muslims, particularly in the United States, to embrace a form of diversity which is at odds with the teachings of Islam and encourage a more 'liberal' interpretation of the Koran.

Statistics show that the US Muslim population is relatively liberal in their interpretation of Islam - and their behavior - when compared to their counterparts overseas. The US population of Muslims is estimated to be somewhere between 3 and 6 million people. While many are immigrants from overseas, the largest number have been born in the US, or are converts. Less than half say they attend mosque at least once a week, according to a 2011 Pew survey. Only 37 percent say they believe there is only one correct interpretation of the Koran. A tiny minority continued to follow traditional practices and dress in traditional fashion.

Still, most mainstream Islamic leaders say that homosexuality is a moral disorder. Muzammil Siddiqi, former president of the Islamic Society of North America wrote, "It is a moral disease, a sin and corruption. No person is born homosexual, just like no one is born a thief, a liar or murderer. People acquire these evil habits due to a lack of proper guidance and education."

The mainstream Islamic view is said by some to be similar to the view of the Roman Catholic Church, which, while it does not condemn people for their sexual orientation, does condemen homosexual practice. However, the Catholic Church, unlike some proponents of Sharia Law, does not proscribe capital punishment for those who engage in homosexual practice. Rather, it offers forgiveness and help to assist those with same sex attraction disorders.

Those among this group who call themselves "liberal" Muslims are attempting to create a change in the acceptability of homosexual practice, at least in the American Islamic community. They want to see an Islam that is more "inclusive"; meaning to them one which embraces a more 'compassionate' and open-minded viewpoint on the "issues of the day". Such an approach may do well in America. However, it is highly unlikely that it will have any effect in other Islamic countries.

To this day, at least six Muslim countries still consider active homosexuality to be a capital offense, punishable by death.

� 2011, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Ani Zonneveld, Muslims for progressive values, liberals, gays, rights, Koran

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1 - 7 of 7 Comments

Robert Burford
1 year ago
Romans 1 and Leviticus 18 are pretty clear for Christians and Jews. Homosexuals are not bad because of their desires. No more than I a hetrosexual am bad. It is the acting on those desires in ways that God did not intend that is bad. Sacramental marriage is the only way that God intend those desires to be met. It is funny how people like Muslims or others try to bend the truth to meet their own desires. I disagree with the statement that Christianity tries to grapple with accepting homosexuality.We are told to love as Christ loves. We accept all what is at issue is to say what is right or wrong. Ez 33: 7-9. Christianity is not grappling with anything.
David Carlon
1 year ago
The post-modern nihilistic USA has a unique talent of perverting everything it touches... sensible and spiritual. In its hubris the self worshiping American creature calls evil good and good evil... the profane and brute is holy... Babylon on steroids.
Daayiee Abdullah
1 year ago
John and Abey, you have your right in a free society to espouse any personal interpretation from your scriptures you believe is true; and in return, others who do not agree with your opinions have the same right as you to have a personal interpretation of what they believe is true from their scriptures. This is what freedom of religious belief means in a pluralistic society as the US. What I question is why it Is so difficult for you to accept those facts. Ultimately, we shall all find out on the day of judgment what is and is not permissible from our texts. What surprises me most when I hear explanations of how "God works" from people of your ilk, it is apparent God's determinations does not need your nor my assistance in making His judgments come to fruition. Let us pray your vengeful God is also quite merciful for all of humankind for our misjudgments, for I do not hold God to be lacking in justice, compassion and mercy. Time will tell.
Kelly
1 year ago
The picture is of Irshad Manji instead of Ani Zonneveld. Ani is a heterosexual woman in a committed heterosexual marriage.
Joseph R Yungk
1 year ago
so how do you like that? Muslims with more compassion than catholics.
john
1 year ago
It appears the gay activists have found a way to pervert Islam..an American born lesbian and her Muslim lover formed their own version of Islam to fit their lifestyles.Just like all other knockoffs in other denomination...these people do not truly love nor worship God.Instead they set themselves up against Him.Whether you are Jew,Christian or Muslim,,the God of Abraham,Isaac and Jacob is still the same God who loathes sin and has defined what is sinful.Homosexuality itself is not sinful..however the sex act is..as it goes against the laws of nature and of God.It is just as sinful as heterosexual sin committed outside of marriage.When someone decides to form a religion or offshoot from the main branch in order to conform their lifestyle and justify it before people..you are in rebellion and going against God.You repeat the cry of Satan who said I will not serve.You do not love God you are forming a religion of man..the lines are drawn in the spiritual battle..they are no longer blurred.They are out there for all to see now as the days are getting short.Your decisions must be black or white,yes or no.There are no in betweens.You fool yourselves and have no fear of God or of His coming wrath and Judgement.We are called to obediance in whatever faith we were born into..those who rebel will soon fall by the wayside and suffer for it.This version of Islam..just as the many Christian and Jewish knockoff sects and denominations are mockeries and false.You cannot make God conform to your sinful desires...it is we who must conform.Attaining Heaven is not so simple..it is the most difficult road to travel..it involves sacrifice,suffering and obediance to the laws of God.None of which you'll find in these types of perverted offshoots of Islam,Christianity or Judaism.
abey
1 year ago
Likewise are the Apostates in Christianity who twisted scriptures to read it differently. It surprises me that these are usually women led., a pattern or trend to remove the name of god in continuation. to the first temptation, where satan uses the woman to get his Agendas going. It does requires serious thought , as he uses the law through twists, via the beasts of this world, Head the warning of Jesus Christ "Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees"> A serious study of it leads to the Root of Pagan Philosophy , which Religious Philosophy reads of the manner " Short term Liberty in a long term Slavery" to eternal damnation.

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