Baháʼí views on homosexuality

The issue of homosexuality has become a highly debated topic, especially with relation to religion. Many people investigating the Bahá'í Faith want to to know exactly what the stance is on the issue.

Pro or Anti?

The Bahá'í writings and scriptures make no direct statement that can put it in either of the categories that today's society is polarized into.

Homosexuality is clearly considered a distortion of the sex impulse, and is not encouraged in any way. However, the writings clearly don't carry the same condemnatory nature that is commonly attached to other religions. Bahá'ís are encouraged to practice absolute chastity before marriage, which is defined as between a man and a woman. Outside of marriage, any sexual act is forbidden, which puts un-married homosexual Bahá'ís in the same category as un-married heterosexual Bahá'ís, that they should practice chastity and control their carnal desires.

Therefore, homosexuals are not prevented from entering the Faith and joining in community life. This acceptance is not an endorsement of their personal conduct, it is a realization that every Bahá'í must strive to exemplify the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, regardless of where they are in their spiritual progress.

Homosexual Bahá'ís have been reprimanded for being flagrant in their presentation to the public. There are many examples of situations where an individual's rights were taken away when their actions were decided by a Spiritual Assembly to be damaging to the image of the Faith. This response is also applied to alcoholism, promiscuity, and anything that is considered flagrant immorality.

This letter from the Universal House of Justice in 1995 specifically addressed the issue of homosexuality in detail.

Letters from Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice

The following are quotes from Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice on homosexuality. These comments are considered authoritative to Bahá'ís.

"Bahá'í law restricts permissible sexual intercourse to that between a man and the woman to whom he is married."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, 14 March 1973)

"...according to the Bahá'í Teachings no sexual act can be considered lawful unless performed between lawfully married persons. Outside of marital life there can be no lawful or healthy use of the sex impulse."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; cited in Lights of Guidance, pp. 364 #1220)

"...it is clear from the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled or overcome. This may require a hard struggle, but so also can be the struggle of a heterosexual person to control his or her desires."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 12 January 1973; Lights of Guidance, p. 366, #1222)

"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."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

"Briefly stated, the Bahá'í conception of sex is based on the belief that chastity should be strictly practiced by both sexes, not only because it is in itself highly commendable ethically, but also due to its being the only way to a happy and successful marital life. Sex relationships of any form, outside marriage, are not permissible therefore, and whoso violates this rule will not only be responsible to God, but will incur the necessary punishment from society."

(On behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, 5 September 1938)

"They (homosexuals) should be treated just like any other people seeking admittance to the Faith, and be accepted on the same basis. Our teachings, as outlined in “The Advent of Divine Justice” on the subject of living a chaste life, should be emphasized to them just as to every other applicant, but certainly no ruling whatsoever should be laid down in this matter. The Bahá'ís have certainly not yet reached that stage of moral perfection where they are in a position to too harshly scrutinize the private lives of other souls, and each individual should be accepted on the basis of his faith, and sincere willingness to try to live up to the Divine standards"

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly, 11 April 1948)

"Bahá'u'lláh has spoken very strongly against this shameful sexual aberration, as He has against adultery and immoral conduct in general."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 25 October 1949)

"Amongst the many other evils afflicting society in this spiritual low water mark in history is the question of immorality, and over-emphasis of sex. Homosexuality, according to the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, is spiritually condemned. This does not mean that people so afflicted must not be helped and advised and sympathized with."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 21 May 1954; Lights of Guidance, p. 365, #1221)

"Homosexuality is forbidden in the Bahá'í Faith by Bahá'u'lláh; so, for that matter, is immorality and adultery. If one is going to start imposing heavy sanctions on people who are the victims of this abnormality, however repulsive it may be to others, then it is only fair to impose equally heavy sanctions on any Bahá'ís who step beyond the moral limits defined by Bahá'u'lláh. Obviously at the present time this would create an impossible and ridiculous situation."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly, 20 August 1955; Lights of Guidance, pp. 368-369, #1230)

"While recognizing the divine origin and force of the sex impulse in man, religion teaches that it must be controlled, and Bahá'u'lláh's law confines its expression to the marriage relationship. The unmarried homosexual is therefore in the same position as anyone else who does not marry. The Law of God requires them to practice chastity."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 9 January 1977)

"As for the responsibility of Assemblies and of individual Bahá’ís, certainly all are called upon to be understanding, supportive and helpful to any individual who carries the burden of homosexuality."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 22 March 1987)

"In studying these principles, it should be noted that in most areas of human behaviour there are acts which are clearly contrary to the law of God and others which are clearly approved or permissible; between these there is often a grey area where it is not immediately apparent what should be done. It has been a human tendency to wish to eliminate these grey areas so that every aspect of life is clearly prescribed."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual, 5 June 1988)

"However, the doors are open for all of humanity to enter the Cause of God, irrespective of their present circumstance; this invitation applies to homosexuals as well as to any others who are engaged in practices contrary to the Bahá’í teachings.

"One could have concluded that homosexuals could well establish stable relationships with one another for mutual support, similar to the marital relationship of a heterosexual couple who cannot have children. This, indeed, is the conclusion that some churches and governments have come to. But Bahá’u’lláh, having divine knowledge of human nature, shows that such a relationship is not a permissible or beneficial solution to a homosexual’s condition. If a homosexual cannot so overcome his or her condition to the extent of being able to have a heterosexual marriage, he or she must remain single, and abstain from sexual relations. These are the same requirements as for a heterosexual person who does not marry. "This law is no reason for Bahá’ís to consider homosexuals as outcasts. If they are not Bahá’ís there is also no reason to expect them to obey the Bahá’í law in this respect any more than we would expect a non-Bahá’í to abstain from drinking alcohol. (16 March 1992)

(Letters of The Universal House of Justice, 5 June 1993, Homosexuality, p. 11)