Entre bênção e maldição : percepções do âmbito religioso acerca da homossexualidade nos dias atuais,

Abstract

This qualitative research, carried out as a course completion assignment, sought to acknowledge the way different religions (Catholic, Evangelical, spiritualist and African-Brazilian), represented by their respective leaders, perceive and deal with homosexuality today. A semi structured survey was conducted in a countryside town of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where eight religious leaders where interviewed. The phenomenological method was used in order to analyze the data content. The studies presents a heterogeneous range of views about homosexuality. The subject has been understood by pluralistic and multifaceted views, starting from an understanding of acceptance and equality, up to an idea of sinfulness and awry. Moreover, it is possible to say that religions have moved towards a conceptual reconstruction of normal / abnormal, sin / holiness, finally, blessing / curse related to several existing sexualities. Though this, religion seems to be dealing with these issues in a respectful an human manner, admitting the existence of motions that have reconstituted and transformed the historical relationship between religion and homosexuality.