Homosexuality and Gay Marriage

Eckankar texts acknowledge that the religion “considers such matters as abortion, divorce, or sexual orientation to be individual decisions, and as an organization takes no stance.”¹  In his book Youth Ask a Modern Prophet, Sri Harold Klemp writes in response to a question about the effects of homosexuality: “Whatever one does in his personal affairs is a matter solely between Divine Spirit and himself. The Living ECK Master wants to direct Soul to Its true home in the Ocean of Love and Mercy. He has no interest in social issues or reform, only in the preservation of the individual throughout eternity.”²  Later, he writes, “The marriage bond can only be sacred if it is sacred to the two individuals who have agreed to this union… A true marriage has commitment by each person…Love is blind and probably always will be.” ³ In a tour of the ECK Temple, John responded to a question regarding whether ECK clergy would perform gay marriages by saying, “Because gay marriage is not legal, we can’t do that.” In the same tour, John told me the reason why the Fellowship Hall is not rented out to other groups. He said, “The Boy Scouts used to rent it out but since the Boy Scouts were outwardly anti-gay and ECK is about free choice, we didn’t want them to use it anymore.” While Eckankar may not take an explicit position on politicized issues of homosexuality and gay marriage, their actions and rhetoric on the topics speak to a subtle and nuanced acceptance of so-called ‘alternative’ lifestyles many other religions reject.

Love is blind and probably always will be.