== SEX IS NOT THE GOAL ==
Namaskar,
We are living in a world where same sex marriages are gaining momentum.
For those who may not be aware, a same sex marriage means a man marrying
another man, or a woman marrying another woman.
From the US to India, from Germany to Brazil, there is increasing
interest and public acceptance of same sex marriages.
It has even become legal in some states, provinces, and countries around
the globe. At present, more than a few states in the US have made it
legal. This has spurred heightened support in other regions of the world.
As Ananda Margiis - as Proutists - we should clearly understand AM's
position on this sizzling & controversial issue.
AM MARRIAGES & THE GENERAL SOCIETY
As in many spheres of life, the perspective of our Ananda Marga on the
issue of marriage is quite different from what goes on in the general
society.
In our Marga, marriages are strictly for society building - i.e.
creating a nurturing and stable environment for birthing and raising
children. That is the defining point of marriage in Ananda Marga.
In contrast, most of the relationships in the today's materialistic
culture are sexually based. People quickly enter into lustful
relationships, fall in love (temporarily), and then may or may not
produce children - with or without getting married.
In that case, children are mere by-products of sensual escapades.
Pregnancy often comes when the parents either do not want or are not in
a position to properly raise a child. This type of thing is happening
everywhere and is only growing as the degrading ways of materialism spread.
SEX-BASED MARRIAGES & HOMOSEXUALITY
The main point then is that AM marriages are for creating a stable
family environment and relations in the general society are for the
selfish pleasure, i.e. sex.
Given the current climate in the general society, it is no wonder then
that homosexuality is gaining ground around the globe. Because when
materialism preaches that sensual pleasure is everything, then it does
not matter who is doing the sex - whether it be a wealthy older man with
a 19 year old girl, two lesbians, two gay guys, or whatever. Since it is
all sex based - and the goal is lustful fulfillment - then anything
goes. Because it is all founded on the lowly principle of selfish,
sensual pleasure.
With just a bit more degradation in the society, adults may even embark
on sexual relations with sheep, and it will be socially acceptable.
Because, after all, if sex is the defining point of a relationship, then
it does not matter who or what is involved.
AM OPPOSES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Since the "union" of two men or the "union" of two women are not
biologically capable of producing children, then according to the
perspective of Ananda Marga, that union or marriage cannot be supported.
In that case our aim on this issue is towards education and
rectification. We are to teach people that the goal of life is not
lustful pleasure but spiritual attainment. The mind's desire is
infinite, and that infinite desire cannot be fulfilled by limited carnal
pleasures, like sex. Always the mind will want something more.
A millionaire wants to become a billionaire, an older man is not
satisfied with his aging wife and instead turns toward a new young honey
for his sexual satisfaction. Why? Because of looking for supreme
fulfillment in the wrong way, in a limited way.
Where materialism reigns, such things are the norm. People are even
praised and respected for doing this. Such is the height of materialism
in our present era.
To take it s step further, some even come into fame for making films of
themselves having sex with their chosen partner. Thus sex really is
placed on some type of holy pedestal. In that environment, it is hardly
surprising to witness the rise of viagara, homosexuality, same sex
marriages and anything else related with sex.
In response our educational goals are two-fold: To introduce people to
spiritual ideals so they will not view sex as the main thing in life,
and help rectify and counsel those people who practice gay and lesbian
relations.
After all they should not be shunned or pushed away. Gay and lesbian
people should be taught spiritual practices, given a sentient diet, and
encouraged to lead a moral life according to yama and niyama.
The bottom line then is that in our Ananda Marga, there is no space or
place for same sex marriages. That practice cannot be supported, yet the
people involved in such a practice should be helped and guided properly.
SO-CALLED OPEN-MINDED PERSPECTIVE
One sticking point in all of this is that some educated liberals around
the globe have equated accepting gay and lesbian relations and same sex
marriages as being a sign of one's broad-minded outlook. In response,
the middle class elite and the intelligentsia think that, "If I do not
support same sex marriages then I will be looked upon as being in the
dark ages, just like the Catholic church."
However, following dharma is the quality of a broad-minded person, not
one who latches on to some far out idea just because it is the opposite
from what the dogmatic church preaches. For more information on this
point of broad-mindedness and homosexuality, please refer to the
following link.
FALSE JUSTIFICATION:
BABA LOVES ALL, THEN WHY NOT ALLOW GAY MARRIAGES
The logic stands clear: AM marriages are for society building purposes
only; same sex marriages are based on lustful desires and cannot produce
children; therefore same sex marriages cannot be condoned or supported
by AM. That is the whole story in a nutshell.
Even then some in our Marga are confused.
They say, "Baba loves all, including gay and lesbian people, so we
should allow gays and lesbians to involve in same sex marriages. They
have that right."
However there is an inherent flaw in that justification. For instance,
by that logic we can also say that, "Baba loves all, including
criminals, so we should allow criminals to involve in their criminal
activity. They have that right."
Here the main point is that, Yes, Baba loves all, but that does not mean
He supports their practice or approach to life. Baba loves all,
including meat-eaters and drug addicts, but that does not mean we should
therefore place a positive spin on eating meat or doing drugs etc.
The main point is that we have to differentiate between the person and
their chosen activity. Baba loves all because He has infinite love for
all of creation, but that does not mean that He therefore supports their
way of living. Rather, all the teachings of AM are given to inspire
people to adopt a dharmic way of life.
Thus the faulty argument that, "Baba loves all so we should support the
legal right of gays and lesbians to marry", can never be considered to
be ideological or consonant with the teachings of AM.
Just as the legalisation of drugs and prostitution has led to the
further degradation of society in those areas, same will be the case if
same sex marriages are made legal. With no other ideal in same sex
marriage than that of sexual lust, degradation is all that remains.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He has given the teachings of neo-humanism. People
should be educated and guided to free their mind from dogmas like same
sex marriage and taught how to satiate their mental longing in a
sentient and spiritual way.
Our way is not to shun anyone but rather to rectify those whose life
practices are counter-productive or harmful.
Today, society is polarising on all kinds of issues, including same sex
marriage. By clearly understand AM's stand we will be able to propagate
the gospel of neo-humanism.
Satyameva jayate...
Baba says, "It is satya that ultimately wins. I shall call only that
satya, behind which there is a sentiment of benevolence for others.
Falsehood or untruth never triumphs. It never can. It may succeed for a
time but that success is only prognostic of dire defeat. Satya widens
and smooths the most difficult and thorny path of salvation. It is
through such a path that a desireless sage attains proximity to that
most sublime treasure of satya – the Supreme Spirit." (SS-2)
Namaskar,
Punya'tman
Note 1: MORE ABOUT THE HOMOSEXUAL ISSUE
Here is another article on homosexuality that may be of interest.
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Far Reaching Effect
Baba says, "In the world today a handful of people who do no physical
work, but live by their wits, have appropriated to themselves most of
the wealth of umanity, so they are able to buy comparatively expensive
foods, and use them to satisfy their taste buds. As result, they, on the
one hand, swell their unnecessary fat, while, on the other hand, those
people doing hard manual labour are forced to live in poverty and
deprived of the ghee, butter and sweets they need to maintain their
bodies; they have nothing to compensate properly the energy they expend,
and they become weak, emaciated and broken in health. On account of
malnutrition and excessive hard labour, they fall victim to
tuberculosis." (YT, p. 82-83)
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