RELIGION

吸

Real & Counterfeit

by

R. H. Crowther

The subject of religion has been treated so often and from so many aspects in the pages of One that it would seem by now that few essentials remain to be spoken. Yet thoughts concerning religion constantly recur in the minds of those connected with One, and for that matter there is scarcely a meeting among thoughtful and in formed homosexuals where the subject of religion does not at some time or another enter seriously into the conversation. In this respect, as in most others, the homosexual is no different from the thoughtful and in formed heterosexual, who seeks among religious values for guides to right conduct, and for concepts and inspirations which elevate individual character and uplift the standards of society generally.

Throughout human history, so much has been said and done in the name of religion that it is often difficult to distinguish the real, potent factors of religion which determine character and conduct and present a force ful picture of the spiritual goals of man's destiny, from the many questionable notions and activities which often masquerade under religious trappings. Those who have been close to One during recent months have witnessed a rather bizarre outbreak of fanaticism which appears to fall in the latter category. Religion has so often been used as a name for dogma, superstition, hysteria, theatrical display, intellectual and social tyranny, and other negative or vicious elements in human experience, that we cannot be over-careful about how we use the word, and about how we ally ourselves with activities which seem to carry religious associations.

Whether wisely or not, but probably for the sake of being consistently rebellious, homophiles readily extend the non-conformist attitude far beyond the limits of romantic or sexual matters, in to many other phases of traditional culture. For this reason, many become easily intolerant and dissatisfied with the routine do gmas, rituals, and formulas which are characteristic of the world's major

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