Discussion Is Reading Yaoi a Sin?

[Drmke]

I don't think religion and manga should be mixed, it is like mixing art and religion

Art and religion are mixed all the time. In fact, some of the most beautiful art ever created was inspired by religious beliefs. Does that make them right? No. But clearly someone's religious beliefs will effect what manga they are willing to read, if not then I can't imagine that really believe the things they do.

But on the topic question, no I don't think reading yaoi is a sin. But also know that I don't consider "sin" to exist at all so take that into account when considering my opinion.

 

[saladesu]

I never really thought about this before, and I personally (nothing to do with my religion) dislike Yaoi/Yuri.

As a protestant Christian, I can say that homosexuality is, according to the Christian doctrine, disallowed. We wouldn't shun a homosexual, but that's for another discussion. Anyway, by reading yaoi and enjoying it, essentially the reader is condoning it and hence homosexuality. It's like having homosexual thoughts (if you actually enjoy it). I would think that this is where the "sin" comes in. I wouldn't put it on the same level of sin as say murder, but I suppose on the level of lust and coveting. But a sin is still a sin, I suppose

For that matter, pre-maritial sex is not allowed according to the Christian doctrine. If it is depicted in a manga and is read, is that sin too? I don't think so. Unless the person reading it actually gets off on reading it and approves of it.

I would love to hear a theologian-to-be like Arrogance's thoughts on this issue

 

[Josef]

Art and religion are mixed all the time. In fact, some of the most beautiful art ever created was inspired by religious beliefs. Does that make them right? No. But clearly someone's religious beliefs will effect what manga they are willing to read, if not then I can't imagine that really believe the things they do.

But on the topic question, no I don't think reading yaoi is a sin. But also know that I don't consider "sin" to exist at all so take that into account when considering my opinion.

I know it is mixed but I don't like it to be that way, I did not say they are not mixed, I said that they should not be the case. It comes down to that manga is art and well many religious things can also appear. but then again that is reflecting reality I suppose.

But when it comes down to is it or not, it depends on the persons opinion and if religion is in question it depends if that persona actually is religious or not.

 

[Roflkopt3r]

Art and religion are mixed all the time. In fact, some of the most beautiful art ever created was inspired by religious beliefs. Does that make them right? No. But clearly someone's religious beliefs will effect what manga they are willing to read, if not then I can't imagine that really believe the things they do.

Usually that kind of mixing art and religion was the other way. It was artistic interpretation of religious contents, which often could be considered art, too. After all, what's the difference between old and new testamony and literature? It is literature, so it can be seen as art and inspired many artists.

Well, however, for Yaoi and religion it's different. Some religions would certainly consider reading (and especially creating) Yaoi manga as a sin. The relationship is different here, religion is rating arts and lifestyles in this case.

And I do not think that it is possible to seperate religion from that by saying "Religion is fine, but it should keep out of peoples' preferences and not mix with art". Simply because it's typical for religion to tell people what to do, what to like and dislike. It's pretty much the core of the revealed religions.
"God is everything and he is like this and that, always do X and sometimes do Y, but never do Z to be liked by him. And if you like β or γ you will end in hell.". It's the ultimate form of prying into everyone's affairs in every matter. It cannot be seperated from arts and preferences.

 

[benelori]

I don't think it is a sin...there was a good post before, that said that it causes no harm to other people...it's a personal choice and taste...as a guy I'm probably more close to liking yuri than yaoi, but I don't see why would it be a sin...

 

[Josef]

I don't think it is a sin...there was a good post before, that said that it causes no harm to other people...it's a personal choice and taste...as a guy I'm probably more close to liking yuri than yaoi, but I don't see why would it be a sin...

I agree, there was a post that said if Yaoi is a sin so is Yuri, but I would rephrase that, both appeal to different audiences but who reads them is all up to a free choice. I believe if yaoi and yuri are being discussed form a religious point of view, then ****** should also be discussed and even ecchi and ecchi is something we see all the time in manga from different genre.

 

[Roflkopt3r]

I don't think it is a sin...there was a good post before, that said that it causes no harm to other people...it's a personal choice and taste...as a guy I'm probably more close to liking yuri than yaoi, but I don't see why would it be a sin...

Well, you are rating this with common sense. But that's the problem here: The definition of "sin" is unrelated to common sense. If a religious script or a religious community says "To us/our religion homosexuality is a sin", then it's not possible to argue and say "no it's not".

What you probably mean is that you don't think that Yaoi/Yuri/Homosexuality was morally corrupt, and thus shouldn't be considered a sin.
For that part, I fully agree.

 

[Shion Elpihas Levi]

not at all. Think of it as an artistic expression *mellow face*

 

[Dlanor_A.Knox]

I don't think it is a sin, a more important question is why should it be a sin?
God created us as how we are right?

 

[Asclepius]

I have no religious attachments, so i really can't associate it with sin.
I understand that there are people that don't like it as I don't like yuri, but i wouldn't try to forbid yuri.

 

[sakura_fai]

Like others said, depends on your definition of "sin". It does not harm others, but in my religion, lying is considered a "sin", but sometimes lies protect rather than hurt. If you read yaoi for lust, then I guess it could be considered? a "sin", but ....perverted thoughts are part of mankind, boy and girls alike. (Why else would they invent Playboy/Playgirl magazines and ****** or ecchi?)
Overall, I don't consider it a sin, if yaoi is a sin so is Playboy magazine and the other perverted material out there. It might not be morally right to most,(seeing nude ladies and males, even if it's just a drawing, without permission is kinda..) but people are accepting it now, so no biggie.
Being gay isn't a sin, but since yaoi is basically porn, you have to ask yourself if you consider porn a "sin" as well.

Had to post this despite not being a fan of it myself - THAT, I would say, is... well, not a 'sin' in the traditional sense but I would say it isn't right for the reason you mentioned: OOC. The mangaka had an idea for something and people steal and corrupt it; it's pretty darn disrespectful.

I agree, yes, the internet is freedom of expression, so it's not forbidden, but when fans turn a manga into a yuri/yaoi fest, it gets annoying. (especially when you search the manga/anime name and all you get is a bunch of fangirls obsessing about BxB pairing) the number of yaoi pairings overwhelms the het pairings. If a character is straight, they're straight; they're gay, they're gay; if the manga is yaoi, fine, but if it's just a regular shounen manga...:/, no need to change it. Some mangakas themselves feel uncomfortable when their work turns into a yaoi/yuri fest.

 

[OtakuModeEngage]

To read literature without an open mind, and to censer free thought, believes, morals, and creativity should be a sin.

 

[Bloody Queen]

Well, time for me to post my opinion. Sorry for my poor English, by the way XD

Is reading Yaoi a sin? It depends on what "sin": A blasphemy, or the sin in the view of society?

I've talked a lot about this topic with my mother (who's a very devout Christian), and she said that most people mistake it as a form of sin.

First, it is true that in the Holy Bible, it was okay to keep a slave, and women were lower in status while men were higher, but, see the past tenses? That's because those rules apply in the Past Promise, where every evil person was killed and sent to Heaven. Now, we live in the New Promise; where Jesus has suffered what humans suffered and has been cruxified.

I myself haven't read the Bible thoroughly. But if homosexuality is viewed as a sin in God's eyes, then I'd rather be an atheist instead.

Humans sinned so easily; for example, eloping or per-martial sex is a sin. But, actually, just thinking about sex (or knowing how it works) is already a sin.

As for Yaoi or any other homosexuality is viewed by humans, it depends on how they are raised and educated. During the 18th-19th century, the hunt for homosexual men is on its high, the church wanted to eliminate every one of them because homosexual is a blasphemy - while it's clear in the Bible that Jesus said that anyone who hurt someone else in God's name has made a grave sin, because of God, those people had hurt and killed many. Honestly, I almost leaped out of my seat and choked a sex specialist during SE in my class because he said something vulgar about homosexual, but I didn't because he added, "Don't tease or hurt them; they're still human and hurting them is the same as hurting any other human." (Yeah. Be glad you said that. If you didn't, you would have been in a hospital by now for a broken neck, old man.) But, alas, we can't force some people to change their view. (That's why I write a fan-fiction dedicated to stop abuses of homosexual couples.)

Homophobes, in my opinion, are the same as racists; they won't accept some people because of their nature. Homophobes won't accept homosexual (homosexuality is mostly from their genes) people, and racist won't accept some races because they're black or so (skin color is destined by the genes, for black people, at least). And they're the same as sexists, just a tiny bit different.

Sorry for any misinformation, I can't argue since I haven't read the Bible yet. I was just so mad about a certain homophobic person and I need to let it out.

 

[Confused97]

Is reading yaoi a sin?

I don't think so. This is the 21st Century people. Elementary kids already learn Sex Ed. By junior high kids will know about porn. Not to mention what they do in high school *shudder*.

I mean, there's nothing bad about yaoi. It's just another genre for mostly girls. We enjoy it, like how guys enjoy seeing lesbian comics and stuffs like that. Also, it proves that we are not disgusted or affected by society, and we are brave enough to find out about it. Sometimes I think that reading these thing also relates us to some problems of the outside world. For example: Sexism and LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered). If there are more yaoi fans, then there are more possibilities for people who are crushed by society and beliefs to be loved and protected, since yaoi/yuri fans absolutely support gays/lesbians. Am I right?

I don't think it's a sin, well, not for yaoi readers, I guess. This is a rather complicated topic to talk about, but enjoyable nonetheless. But maybe for others, it is a sin. Especially people who are more down-to-earth, more traditional and religious.

Answering the question: NO.
Gonna go to sleep~

 

[windy van]

I myself haven't read the Bible thoroughly. But if homosexuality is viewed as a sin in God's eyes, then I'd rather be an atheist instead.

Humans sinned so easily; for example, eloping or per-martial sex is a sin. But, actually, just thinking about sex (or knowing how it works) is already a sin.

Hey, it have nothing to do with being atheist or what.. Oh my, what a declaration you did..

Well, for me it's just about preference.. You choose what you read and you know what is it..
Personally, i think you shouldn't relate it to religion.. If you too strict on it then everything you did should be considered as sin..
Even lying can be considered as sin, just admit how much you sin in your life?
Geez.. people who judged others easily is so narrow minded..
It's sin if you change your sexual orientation, doing it hence knowing it was sin just because of reading manga..
For me just reading Yaoi is not a sin, others can say it is sin, it will not change the fact that i still reading it..

 

[Kinlyu]

Easy, if you don't believe, it's not a sin, because then sin doesn't exit! *A*

If you do believe, I think you have to figure it out for yourself. What is a sin? For yourself, that is. It is harmful to you or anyone around you for you to like yaoi/yuri/****** etc... ? If some of your friends think it's gross or terrible, fine. It's their opinion. That doesn't mean you cannot like it, and if they are your friends they will have to understand that you liking it doesn't make you a different/bad person.

 

[Sakura Saluja]

Well it depends on the person, I think everyone has different likings <33 personally I don't think it's a sin, it's as natural as yuri >< (cuz some ppl see yuri as normal but when it comes to yaoi they start saying it is awful and a sin to like it -.-')

 

[reina renji]

reading yaoi is sinful, the question is not how big the sin of reading yaoi but how does it affect myself and does it glorify God as what 1 corinthians 10:31 said "so wether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of god" and clearly reading yaoi does not glorify him.

reading yaoi is considered as lust therefore it is undeniably a sin. on romans 14:23 said that everything that does not come from faith is a sin.

if we excuse ourselves that even though it has some sexual images it has good message it means that you are allowing yaoi rather than God's words to define your value.

as for homosexuality it is also is sin read 1 Corinthians 6:9
"Or do you not know that the unrighteousness will not inherit the kingdom of god?,Do not be deceived, neither the sexual immoral, nor idolters,nor adulterers nor men who practice homosexuality."

I myself was a yaoi addict, I was so addicted that steal's my time for other things and myself because I read it all day there wasn't a day that I won't read yaoi but someone told me this and regretted all my actions. I myself does not think that homosexuality is a sin but god words said that it is a sin because it is denying your identity others come up with an excuse that it is not their choice to be a guy or a girl yes it is not yours, because your body belongs to god and your gender is also god's choice.

 

[Akisume]

If it is, than I care even less! Reading something you enjoy shouldn't be considered a sin.

 

[SnowyOwl765]

Like it? Hate it? Meh? In my opinion, it doesnt really matter. No one is hurt by it, so it should be all good. Yaoi, yuri, it makes no difference. I personally, do read some yaoi, and I may ship one or two pairings, but is that necessarily wrong? No, well it shouldnt be, in my opinion.