Many religions have their own stories about gods and goddesses who demonstrate acts of compassion towards marginalized groups. In Hinduism, for example, there are tales of Krishna protecting the cowherds from an angry demonic king and Rama rescuing his wife Sita from captivity. Similarly, Judaism has stories of Abraham negotiating with God to spare the city of Sodom from destruction. Christianity also has its share of parables that center around kindness toward outcasts, such as Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well and his healing of ten lepers. These narratives often convey messages about divine benevolence and justice that shape societal attitudes towards minorities.
LGBT members have been historically excluded from these religious traditions due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. They were seen as deviant and sinful, which led to discrimination and violence against them. This is reflected in various texts, such as Leviticus 18:22's prohibition of same-sex relations and Romans 1:26-27 condemning homosexual behavior. Such scriptures contributed to negative views towards LGBT people that persisted until recently.
Though, some religious institutions have begun to embrace more inclusive interpretations of these texts. The Episcopal Church, for instance, ordained Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, as bishop in 2003. Similarly, the United Methodist Church voted in favor of marriage equality in 2019. These developments reflect a shift away from traditional dogma towards greater acceptance of diversity within faith communities.
It remains debatable whether this trend will continue or if it represents merely tokenism on the part of certain denominations. Nevertheless, there seems to be increasing recognition among believers that all humans are created equal in God's eyes regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The narratives of compassion and justice found in religious tradition may play a role in shaping societal norms towards LGBT members moving forward.
How do narratives of divine compassion and justice shape social norms and attitudes toward LGBT members?
Research shows that religious teachings on divine compassion and justice can shape social norms towards members of the LGBT community (e. g. , Atran et al. , 2015; Barker & Shibley Hyde, 2008). These teachings influence beliefs about what is morally right and wrong, which may lead people to accept or reject certain behaviors.