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The Global Divide on Homosexuality
Greater Acceptance in More Secular and Affluent Countries
Some unsurprising information - most Muslim-majority nations show significant majorities stating that homosexuality should not be accepted. What is surprising though - is significant numbers in non-Muslim countries such as S. Korea, China, El Salvadore and in Africa: Ghana, Uganda and Kenya, both Christian majority are over 90% unwilling to accept homosexuality.
On the other hand, the trend in developed and more secular countries is towards greater tolerance of homosexuality, including among immigrant populations.
The report also notes a strong relationship between religiousity and anti-homosexual attitudes that correlates with both Islam, Christianity and even Judaism, with secular Jews in Israel being far more tolerant than religious Jews:
Acceptance of homosexuality has risen significantly among those with high levels of religious commitment (from 16% in 2007 to 30% today) as well as those with medium levels of religious commitment (from 21% in 2007 to 37% today). However, those who express a low level of religious commitment continue to be more accepting (57%) than those with a high religious commitment (30%). Four years ago, 47% of those with low religious commitment said homosexuality should be accepted, compared with 16% among those who express a high commitment.
Whether Muslim Americans were born in the U.S. or immigrated here seems to make little difference in views toward homosexuality. Currently, 41% of the native born say homosexuality should be accepted, about the same as the 38% of foreign born who say this. In both cases, the numbers are up since 2007 (30% among the native born, 26% among the foreign born).
Given the recent tragedy in Orlando, which is driving a new furvor of anti-muslimism and a sudden new finding of "pro-gay sentiment" amongst formerly gay-hating demographics - it might be a good idea to look at actual trends within the US, and what really goes on around the world - including gay-hating non-Muslim countries that seem to get a free pass.
Greater Acceptance in More Secular and Affluent Countries
Some unsurprising information - most Muslim-majority nations show significant majorities stating that homosexuality should not be accepted. What is surprising though - is significant numbers in non-Muslim countries such as S. Korea, China, El Salvadore and in Africa: Ghana, Uganda and Kenya, both Christian majority are over 90% unwilling to accept homosexuality.
"The survey of publics in 39 countries finds broad acceptance of homosexuality in North America, the European Union, and much of Latin America, but equally widespread rejection in predominantly Muslim nations and in Africa, as well as in parts of Asia and in Russia. Opinion about the acceptability of homosexuality is divided in Israel, Poland and Bolivia."
On the other hand, the trend in developed and more secular countries is towards greater tolerance of homosexuality, including among immigrant populations.
The report also notes a strong relationship between religiousity and anti-homosexual attitudes that correlates with both Islam, Christianity and even Judaism, with secular Jews in Israel being far more tolerant than religious Jews:
"There is a strong relationship between a country’s religiosity and opinions about homosexuality.2 There is far less acceptance of homosexuality in countries where religion is central to people’s lives – measured by whether they consider religion to be very important, whether they believe it is necessary to believe in God in order to be moral, and whether they pray at least once a day."
Another interesting point is that this increased tolerance is also reflected in immigrant populations to secular countries: Section 5: Political Opinions and Social Values, specifically Muslims. The overall national trend is towards greater acceptance, and though the trend is still lower than the rest of America, it is still trending towards greater acceptance.
Acceptance of homosexuality has risen significantly among those with high levels of religious commitment (from 16% in 2007 to 30% today) as well as those with medium levels of religious commitment (from 21% in 2007 to 37% today). However, those who express a low level of religious commitment continue to be more accepting (57%) than those with a high religious commitment (30%). Four years ago, 47% of those with low religious commitment said homosexuality should be accepted, compared with 16% among those who express a high commitment.
Whether Muslim Americans were born in the U.S. or immigrated here seems to make little difference in views toward homosexuality. Currently, 41% of the native born say homosexuality should be accepted, about the same as the 38% of foreign born who say this. In both cases, the numbers are up since 2007 (30% among the native born, 26% among the foreign born).
Given the recent tragedy in Orlando, which is driving a new furvor of anti-muslimism and a sudden new finding of "pro-gay sentiment" amongst formerly gay-hating demographics - it might be a good idea to look at actual trends within the US, and what really goes on around the world - including gay-hating non-Muslim countries that seem to get a free pass.
