as a psychological illness . . .'
99
A good many of the Jews interviewed in ONE's Social Service activities do have severe emotional problems but it is not possible to clearly determine that these may be attributed mainly to their religious teaching. Enough of these cases have not been observed to warrant such a conclusion yet.
While Mormon doctrine follows the general religious pattern those Mormons coming to ONE have for the most part been able to work out resolutions of their homosexuality as also have, surprisingly, a considerable number of those with strong Fundamentalist background.
Christian Science, one of the more intellectually sophisticated modern religious groups, has a record concerning homosexuality no more favorable than others. A case coming to our attention was that of a young man deeply disturbed over the moral questions concerning his homosexuality. Failing to secure satisfaction from several clergymen and psychiatrists, as a last resort he sought a Christian Science practitioner for help. The practitioner heard his story and then confessed that he had long had a curiosity to have a homosexual experience. The young man was both too weak and by this time too confused to refuse compliance. Following the incident he returned to his home and shot himself.
Is this instance untypical? Yes, insofar as particulars are concerned. yet examples quite as unfeeling could be charged against many other churches and churchmen.
While it long has been believed that Buddhism and Hinduism each have held more morally defensible views concerning homosexuality than has Christianity, the trend today in Far Eastern countries is in the direc-
one
tion of increasingly repressive attitudes. Homosexuals in Japan, India and elsewhere have written us describing their fears and their sense of social and religious isolation.
In the West there has been quite a bit of faddist espousal of Buddhist and Hindu teachings on the part of some homosexuals. The Zen groups have had an appeal of that sort for some. As to Moslems, their official position appears to be antihomosexual. In Moslem countries tourists tell us of considerable tolerance of homosexual prostitution but great severity directed against what might be called "upper class homosexuality," a situation not unlike that found in a number of the European countries.
There are at least two religious bodies known to be willing to speak directly to the homosexual: the Basilian Friars in Washington, D. C.. of the Old Roman Catholic Church. have placed advertisements in ONE Magazine inviting inquiries; the American Eastern Orthodox Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, has sent representatives more than once to address ONE Institute groups. More recently it has agreed to accept for counselling persons under twenty-one who normally are debarred from ONE's services until reaching legal age. Mention should also be made of current progressive studies of homosexuality being made by some Quaker groups.
TOWARD A HIGHER MORALITY
Many homosexuals charge that it is the duty of the world's religions to become aware of the inadequacy of their moral standards respecting homosexual men and women. It is their contention that churches uphold one standard of morals for heterosexuals and another for homosexuals.
10