Wednesday, June 05, 2013

The Global Divide on Homosexuality - Greater Acceptance in More Secular and Affluent Countries


A new Pew Research Center study has found that acceptance of gays and homosexuality correlates with a country's affluence and level of secularism.  Stated differently, the more educated and progressive a country, the more accepting the country is of gays and homosexuality.  That said, it is telling that the United States falls behind a number of European and South American counties and even Mexico and, yes, the Philippines.    The driving force behind America's relative backwardness vis-a-vis other developed and developing counties?   The Christofascists and their embrace of bigotry and ignorance.   Here are highlights from Pew study:

As the United States and other countries grapple with the issue of same-sex marriage, a new Pew Research Center survey finds huge variance by region on the broader question of whether homosexuality should be accepted or rejected by society.

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.

The survey also finds that acceptance of homosexuality is particularly widespread in countries where religion is less central in people’s lives. These are also among the richest countries in the world. In contrast, in poorer countries with high levels of religiosity, few believe homosexuality should be accepted by society.

Age is also a factor in several countries, with younger respondents offering far more tolerant views than older ones. And while gender differences are not prevalent, in those countries where they are, women are consistently more accepting of homosexuality than men.

The view that homosexuality should be accepted by society is prevalent in most of the European Union countries surveyed. About three-quarters or more in Spain (88%), Germany (87%), the Czech Republic (80%), France (77%), Britain (76%), and Italy (74%) share this view, as do more than half in Greece (53%). Poland is the only EU country surveyed where views are mixed; 42% say homosexuality should be accepted by society and 46% believe it should be rejected.

Canadians, who already expressed tolerant views in 2007, are now even more likely to say homosexuality should be accepted by society; 80% say this, compared with 70% six years ago.

Opinions about homosexuality are also positive in parts of Latin America. In Argentina, the first country in the region to legalize gay marriage in 2010, about three-quarters (74%) say homosexuality should be accepted, as do clear majorities in Chile (68%), Mexico (61%) and Brazil (60%);  . . . . .

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.

There's more that is worth a read.  The bottom line message is that as has been the case for hundred of years - if not millennia - religion is the prime force behind hate, bigotry and prejudice.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I am really surprised that you seem to have an assumption before that USA would be more gay friendly than the Philippines.

"it is telling that the United States falls behind a number of European and South American counties and even Mexico and, yes, the Philippines."

Culturally, the Philippines is a very tolerant country. It was Spain and USA that brought the ideas that men are superior to women and that gay is bad.

ABOUT THE ANCIENT GENDER CULTURE OF PHILIPPINES: Pre hispanic Philippines allowed women to divorce their husbands, own properties, fight in wars and even rule as chiefs. Leaders of religion (sahamanism) were also women or transexuals (locally known as katalonan). Ancient myths and legends talked about women in power, protecting theior kingdoms or even saving their own prince. There are stories of Gods changing their gender in prehispanic Philippines. Even in parts were Islam is prevalent (Southern Philippines) women and gays, enjoyed strong economic and political influence in the past.

This all changed when Spain came and introduced Catholicism. USA perpetuated the discriminatory culture through its militarism and introduction of prostestantism.

But deep down to our roots, to our soul, our Filipino psyche shines through even with all the foreign influence.

In fact, in Global Gender Index, it was shown that Philippines ranked 1st in Asia and 8th in the world in terms of equality between men and women. USA didn't make it to top 20.

HOWEVER, the grip of religion is still very strong. The issue of having a law for same sex marriage is very similar to issue of legalizing divorce. Both will never happen anytime soon, which is frustrating and sad.