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'''Camp Shelby''' is a military post approximately 15 miles south of [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi]], on [[United States Highway 49]]. It is the largest state owned training site in the nation, has a long history of serving the country and is considered by many as “a national treasure.” During wartime, the camp's mission is to serve as a major, independent mobilization station of the [[U.S. Army Forces Command]] (FORSCOM). Camp Shelby Training Site is the largest reserve component training site, covering 136,000 acres, allowing up to battalion level maneuver training, Gunnery Table 8-12, excellent FA Firing Points and a wide range of support facilities. This is the normal Annual Training ___location for [[National Guard]] and Reserve units located in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennesse. However, units from accross the country use its excellent assets to support a varity of missions. The 2nd BN, 114th FA conducts its gunnery and has the bulk of its combat equipment stored in the Mobilization and Annual Training Equipment Site (MATES) located there.
{{RAH}}
The issue of '''homosexuality''' has become a highly debated topic, especially with relation to religion. Many people investigating the [[Bahá'í Faith]] want to know exactly what the stance is on the issue.
Camp Shelby Training Site (CSTS), encompassing over 525 square kilometers, is located in portions of [[Perry County, Mississippi|Perry]] and [[Forrest County, Mississippi|Forrest]] Counties, in south Mississippi. The training site was established during [[World War I]] and it has served almost continuously since then as a training site, not only for the Reserve Components of the Army, but also for the Active Components of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. The training site consists of a mix of State, [[Department of Defense]], and [[U.S. Forest Service]] lands in the [[DeSoto National Forest]].
==Summary of Views==
For references of these views, please review the quotes in the last section of this page.
Encompassing more than 134,820 acres, Camp Shelby, Mississippi is the largest state-owned and operated field training site in the United States. It is a training ground for the [[M1 Abrams|Abrams M1 Tank]], [[Paladin Howitzers]] and home to the 3rd Brigade 87th Division Training Support. Camp Shelby serves as a training site for National Guardsmen and Reservists from throughout the country hosting as many as 100,000 personnel annually.
===The Bahá'í View of homosexuality===
Camp Shelby was established in 1917. The Post was named in honor of [[Isaac Shelby]], Indian fighter, Revolutionary War hero and 1st Governor of Kentucky, by the first troops to train here, the [[38th Division]].
The [[Bahá'í Faith]] teaches that the only acceptable form of sexual expression is within a marriage between one man and one woman.
In 1934, the State of Mississippi acquired the site for use as a summer camp by the National Guard. Because of Camp Shelby's natural advantages of climate, terrain and ___location, it was reopened in 1940 as a federal installation. Some of the divisions that have trained in Mississippi include the 31st, 37th, 38th, 43rd, 63rd, 65th, 69th, 85th, 94th, and the 99th Divisions.
Therefore, homosexuality is seen as something an individual must reconcile with, one of the many conflicts between the higher and lower nature of a human being, which must be battled with and overcome.
The famous [[Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team]] and the [[100th Battalion]] trained here in preparation for [[World War II]]. [[Women's Army Corps]] (WAC) units also trained here. The Post contained a large convalescent hospital and had a prisoner of war camp which housed members of the German Afrika Corps.
Some Bahá'ís compare homosexuality with heterosexual promiscuity, stressing the importance of absolute chastity for any un-married person, rather than the exclusive prohibition of homosexual relationships. The attitude is that the rules are the same for everyone, although this argument plays down the fact that while a chaste and faithful marriage is an acceptable outlet for heterosexuals, this avenue of sexual expression remains closed to homosexual Bahá'ís.
The post closed shortly after the end of World War II. During the [[Korean Conflict]], Camp Shelby was established as an Emergency Railhead Facility.
===Treatment of Homosexuals===
Bahá'ís are taught not to treat homosexuals as condemned outcasts, and are told not to apply the Bahá'í teachings to people who have not accepted [[Bahá'u'lláh]].
In the summer of 1954, non-divisional National Guard units trained at Camp Shelby and in 1956, it was designated a permanent training site by Continental Army Command (now Forces Command). Over 5,000 troops were processed through Camp Shelby during Desert Storm Operations.
The Bahá'í writings teach people to treat everyone, including homosexuals, with love, respect, and dignity.
Camp Shelby is also home to the [[Youth Challenge Program]] (a boot camp for troubled youths)and the [[Mississippi Armed Forces Museum]].
===Gay Bahá'ís===
Admitted homosexuals are not prevented from entering the Faith and joining in community life. This acceptance is not an endorsement of their personal conduct, rather it is recognition that becoming a Bahá'í for any person is not conditional on their complete and strict compliance with Bahá'í standards and laws. Homosexuality is seen as one of many tests and difficulties every individual must face, which can be discussed openly and sympathized with.
Homosexual Bahá'ís have been reprimanded for being flagrant in their presentation to the public. There are many examples of situations where an individual's administrative rights were taken away when their actions were decided by a [[Spiritual Assembly]] to be damaging to the image of the Bahá'í Faith. This response is also applied to alcoholism, heterosexual promiscuity, and anything that is considered flagrant immorality. As a general rule, the Spiritual Assemblies do not get involved in the private lives of believers, unless their actions are causing some harm to the community.
The Bahá'í Faith has received criticism in the gay community. The [[Bahá'í Administration]] has reminded followers of the religion not to single out homosexuality over other transgressions of the religious code, and to be very tolerant of what is perceived to be immoral behaviour.
===Curing Homosexuality===
Bahá'ís believe that a homosexual must endeavor to use prayer, medical treatment, counselling and personal effort to overcome their condition. Anyone who is not able to have a heterosexual marriage must remain celebate, just like any person who does not marry.
The theory that homosexuals can be "cured" is typical of theories on homosexuality from the first half of the 20th century, but is in conflict with the overwhelming modern [[Homosexuality and psychology|scientific consensus]] on homosexuality, and the experiences of most gay and lesbian people.
The Universal House of Justice responded to this issue by noting that these statistics ignore the many people who are cured but do not go public, even with their close friends. Rather, the consensus was formed by the people who were not cured and continue to suffer from the illness.
===Basis from sacred texts===
In a passage of the [[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]], Baha'u'llah writes "we shrink, for very shame, from treating the subject of boys." This wording suggests that it is child-molesting or [[pederasty]] that is being condemned. In other verses, [[sodomy]] is clearly forbidden.
[[Shoghi Effendi]] later made more direct statements on homosexuality, and most of the references to it come from him, and the [[Universal House of Justice]].
''See [http://bahai-library.com/?file=hakim_notes_aqdas_homosexuality this thread]''
== Letters from National Spiritual Assemblies ==
=== From the United Kingdom, 1996 ===
The NSA distributed a statement [http://bahai-library.org/nsa/homosexuality.uk.html] prepared for a London UK education group about the teaching about homosexuality within the school system. The Assembly stated that
:"...the statement does not claim to be exhaustive, but it can be used with wisdom as part of a response to questions."
Some excerpts from their statement are:
*"...the sexual impulse is a God-given one... The appropriate circumstance for this is within marriage, the legally, socially, and spiritually sanctioned union of two adults of the opposite sex. Other expressions are neither valid nor to be encouraged."
*"This is "taught by the world's great religions, and is part of the basis of a stable and civilized society."
*"The moral and sexual education of children cannot be taken separately, and must be based upon heterosexuality, fidelity, and the family unit."
*"...the sexual practice of homosexuality is no more an acceptable activity than is heterosexual activity outside marriage."
*"We also abhor the introduction of loaded words such as 'homophobia' and 'heterosexism' to try to convey the idea that rejection of homosexuality is as prejudiced and discriminatory as racism, sexism, and other biases and intolerances..."
==Letters from Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice==
[http://bahai-library.com/?file=uhj_homosexual_practices This letter] from the [[Universal House of Justice]] in 1995 specifically addressed the issue of homosexuality in detail.
The following are quotes from [[Shoghi Effendi]] and the [[Universal House of Justice]] on homosexuality. These comments are considered authoritative to Bahá'ís, and are not presented in any particular order.
"Bahá'í law restricts permissible sexual intercourse to that between a man and the woman to whom he is married."
::(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, 14 March 1973)
"...according to the Bahá'í Teachings no sexual act can be considered lawful unless performed between lawfully married persons. Outside of marital life there can be no lawful or healthy use of the sex impulse."
::(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; cited in Lights of Guidance, pp. 364 #1220)
"...it is clear from the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled or overcome. This may require a hard struggle, but so also can be the struggle of a heterosexual person to control his or her desires."
::(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 12 January 1973; Lights of Guidance, p. 366, #1222)
"No matter how devoted and fine the love may be between people of the same sex, to let it find expression in sexual acts is wrong. To say that it is ideal is no excuse. Immorality of every sort is really forbidden by Bahá'u'lláh, and homosexual relationships He looks upon as such, besides being against nature."
::(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
"Briefly stated, the Bahá'í conception of sex is based on the belief that chastity should be strictly practiced by both sexes, not only because it is in itself highly commendable ethically, but also due to its being the only way to a happy and successful marital life. Sex relationships of any form, outside marriage, are not permissible therefore, and whoso violates this rule will not only be responsible to God, but will incur the necessary punishment from society."
::(On behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, 5 September 1938)
"They (homosexuals) should be treated just like any other people seeking admittance to the Faith, and be accepted on the same basis. Our teachings, as outlined in “The Advent of Divine Justice” on the subject of living a chaste life, should be emphasized to them just as to every other applicant, but certainly no ruling whatsoever should be laid down in this matter. The Bahá'ís have certainly not yet reached that stage of moral perfection where they are in a position to too harshly scrutinize the private lives of other souls, and each individual should be accepted on the basis of his faith, and sincere willingness to try to live up to the Divine standards"
::(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly, 11 April 1948)
"Bahá'u'lláh has spoken very strongly against this shameful sexual aberration, as He has against adultery and immoral conduct in general."
::(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 25 October 1949)
"Amongst the many other evils afflicting society in this spiritual low water mark in history is the question of immorality, and over-emphasis of sex. Homosexuality, according to the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, is spiritually condemned. This does not mean that people so afflicted must not be helped and advised and sympathized with."
::(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, 21 May 1954; Lights of Guidance, p. 365, #1221)
"Homosexuality is forbidden in the Bahá'í Faith by Bahá'u'lláh; so, for that matter, is immorality and adultery. If one is going to start imposing heavy sanctions on people who are the victims of this abnormality, however repulsive it may be to others, then it is only fair to impose equally heavy sanctions on any Bahá'ís who step beyond the moral limits defined by Bahá'u'lláh. Obviously at the present time this would create an impossible and ridiculous situation."
::(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly, 20 August 1955; Lights of Guidance, pp. 368-369, #1230)
"While recognizing the divine origin and force of the sex impulse in man, religion teaches that it must be controlled, and Bahá'u'lláh's law confines its expression to the marriage relationship. The unmarried homosexual is therefore in the same position as anyone else who does not marry. The Law of God requires them to practice chastity."
::(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 9 January 1977)
"As for the responsibility of Assemblies and of individual Bahá’ís, certainly all are called upon to be understanding, supportive and helpful to any individual who carries the burden of homosexuality."
::(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 22 March 1987)
"In studying these principles, it should be noted that in most areas of human behaviour there are acts which are clearly contrary to the law of God and others which are clearly approved or permissible; between these there is often a grey area where it is not immediately apparent what should be done. It has been a human tendency to wish to eliminate these grey areas so that every aspect of life is clearly prescribed."
::(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual, 5 June 1988)
"However, the doors are open for all of humanity to enter the Cause of God, irrespective of their present circumstance; this invitation applies to homosexuals as well as to any others who are engaged in practices contrary to the Bahá’í teachings.
"One could have concluded that homosexuals could well establish stable relationships with one another for mutual support, similar to the marital relationship of a heterosexual couple who cannot have children. This, indeed, is the conclusion that some churches and governments have come to. But Bahá’u’lláh, having divine knowledge of human nature, shows that such a relationship is not a permissible or beneficial solution to a homosexual’s condition. If a homosexual cannot so overcome his or her condition to the extent of being able to have a heterosexual marriage, he or she must remain single, and abstain from sexual relations. These are the same requirements as for a heterosexual person who does not marry.
"This law is no reason for Bahá’ís to consider homosexuals as outcasts. If they are not Bahá’ís there is also no reason to expect them to obey the Bahá’í law in this respect any more than we would expect a non-Bahá’í to abstain from drinking alcohol. (16 March 1992)
::(Letters of The Universal House of Justice, 5 June 1993, Homosexuality, p. 11)
== External Links ==
*http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bah.htm - A [[non-Bahá’í]] article about the Bahá’í stance on homosexuality.
[[Category:Bahá'í teachings]]
[[Category:LGBT issues and religion]]
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