Freethought & Rationalism Archive

conkermaniac · 08-12-2003, 06:28 AM

I am interested to learn what the view of Taoism and Lao Tzu is towards the issue of homosexuality. I have read views from Taoists on both sides of the argument. One side says that homosexuality is natural and that Taoism supports natural sex, but others claim that the idea of homosexuality goes against the yin-yang philosophy. What is your opinion on this issue?

And please, I do not want this to turn into a gay rights thread. We've had enough of those around here.

Darth Dane · 08-12-2003, 06:46 AM

Both men and women contain both yin and yang....

DD - Love & Laughter

andy_d · 08-12-2003, 08:46 AM

I doubt there's any such thing as a Taoist "answer" to any such question.

It would be down to the individual, surely?

conkermaniac · 08-12-2003, 07:35 PM

Does the Tao Te Ching say anything on the issue of sexuality?

triplew00t · 08-13-2003, 03:22 AM

The Daodejing is more of a philosophy of balance and following your nature and the natural flow of life than one of morality. I would say Taoism is fine with homosexuality just on the basis that it is NOT dogmatic, and is opposed to any societial limitation on personal expression and freedom in ANY form. This, to me, includes sexual expression.

Nero

andy_d · 08-13-2003, 05:18 AM

I'd guess that any repression of homosexuality in Chinese culture is much more likely to be Confucian in origin.

Lonely_Road_Of_Faith · 08-13-2003, 01:52 PM

I've read the Tao, can't say as I saw anything much on homosexuality (or sex in general) in there.

Vajradhara · 09-10-2003, 10:51 AM

Namaste all,

missed this thread before...

in any event....

i've an extensive collection of Taoist works, from all the major schools and there is talk of sex and how to do it and so forth. typically it's presented as man/woman however, that should not be taken to mean that is the only way that it's endorsed.

homosexuality is never talked about in any fashion.. at least in the texts that i've access to. heterosexuality is talked about, however, it's not so much from the "sex" point of view, rather it's from the "generative energy" point of view.

depending on the school of Taoism in question, there is different emphasis placed on the role of sex. generally speaking, sex is simply a tool that one uses at a certain stage of the practice.. and then one leaves it behind when no longer needed.

by the same token.. there are plenty of instances of accomplished masters living regular lives with children and spouses.

in the end.. it really isn't so much about what is proscribed or not.. it's really about the harmony of Yin/Yang.

now.. if we want to talk alchemical schools... i'll have to modify my position a bit since it's a bit different for them

08-12-2003, 06:28 AM	#1
conkermaniac Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: American in China Posts: 620	Taoism's attitude towards homosexuality I am interested to learn what the view of Taoism and Lao Tzu is towards the issue of homosexuality. I have read views from Taoists on both sides of the argument. One side says that homosexuality is natural and that Taoism supports natural sex, but others claim that the idea of homosexuality goes against the yin-yang philosophy. What is your opinion on this issue? And please, I do not want this to turn into a gay rights thread. We've had enough of those around here.

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08-12-2003, 06:46 AM	#2
Darth Dane Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Required Posts: 2,349	Both men and women contain both yin and yang.... DD - Love & Laughter

08-12-2003, 08:46 AM	#3
andy_d Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: umop apisbn Posts: 568	I doubt there's any such thing as a Taoist "answer" to any such question. It would be down to the individual, surely?

08-12-2003, 07:35 PM	#4
conkermaniac Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: American in China Posts: 620	Does the Tao Te Ching say anything on the issue of sexuality?

08-13-2003, 03:22 AM	#5
triplew00t Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 141	The Daodejing is more of a philosophy of balance and following your nature and the natural flow of life than one of morality. I would say Taoism is fine with homosexuality just on the basis that it is NOT dogmatic, and is opposed to any societial limitation on personal expression and freedom in ANY form. This, to me, includes sexual expression. Nero

08-13-2003, 05:18 AM	#6
andy_d Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: umop apisbn Posts: 568	I'd guess that any repression of homosexuality in Chinese culture is much more likely to be Confucian in origin.

08-13-2003, 01:52 PM	#7
Lonely_Road_Of_Faith Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 519	I've read the Tao, can't say as I saw anything much on homosexuality (or sex in general) in there.

09-10-2003, 10:51 AM	#8
Vajradhara Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dharmadhatu Posts: 240	Namaste all, missed this thread before... in any event.... i've an extensive collection of Taoist works, from all the major schools and there is talk of sex and how to do it and so forth. typically it's presented as man/woman however, that should not be taken to mean that is the only way that it's endorsed. homosexuality is never talked about in any fashion.. at least in the texts that i've access to. heterosexuality is talked about, however, it's not so much from the "sex" point of view, rather it's from the "generative energy" point of view. depending on the school of Taoism in question, there is different emphasis placed on the role of sex. generally speaking, sex is simply a tool that one uses at a certain stage of the practice.. and then one leaves it behind when no longer needed. by the same token.. there are plenty of instances of accomplished masters living regular lives with children and spouses. in the end.. it really isn't so much about what is proscribed or not.. it's really about the harmony of Yin/Yang. now.. if we want to talk alchemical schools... i'll have to modify my position a bit since it's a bit different for them

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