One of the more controversial topics of our time is homosexuality and the right of homosexual people. Whether they should be allowed to marry to whether it is morally right are two questions which politicians, pastors and most of modern society tip-toe around as if it is a new concept. One would expect that it was a new concept as well, taking into consideration the bigotry and abuse the homosexual community endures. This, however, is anything but true. Homosexuality has been extremely prevalent in many of the cultures of the past. Cultures such as Ancient Greece, Imperial China, Europe during the Renaissance and England in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In some cases, homosexuality was accepted as a natural phenomenon. Homosexuality has not evolved, rather it has changed, and in some societies (for the most part Christian), it has changed for the worst.
The Ancient Greeks had a positive and accepting view on homosexuality, which is shown in tangible evidence as well as can be inferred by the nature of their mythology.
Parthenon from west
English: Locator map depicting the ancient Greek w...
Zeus (Crop)The Greeks had a very different view on sexuality, rather than having a male and female part, they felt that it was more of a passive and active parts, which is an explanation for their passive attitude towards homosexuality. The Greeks also "assumed that at one time or another almost everyone would respond to both heterosexual and homosexual stimuli (Downing p136). The passive and active roles are clearly shown by the types of homosexual relationships in which the Ancient Greek partook. The relationship was almost always a young boy and an older man. In fact, young boys would often go to gymnasiums to show off to older men in hopes of being selected by a noble. The decadency of homosexual relationships can also be clearly shown...