In the natural world, most creatures are ruled by the powers of nature. Their lives are determined by natural forces and are dependent on them. But intelligent creatures, homo sapiens or modern humans for example, are able to control and even transform nature. They appeared on planet Earth some 300,000 years ago. After mastering fire and developing agriculture, they have built cities and transformed their habitat and, in the process, they have transformed themselves.

In general, animals are governed by mating seasons which ensure the survival of the species but modern humans do not need sex to reproduce. They have developed in vitro fertilisation and eugenics. Sex is perceived more as an expression of love and a source of pleasure. Backward peoples still consider sex as a mere reproduction instrument much needed for survival and which guarantees supremacy of males who think it is their right to fornicate and rape. Culturally advanced peoples have a different perception.

Backward peoples practise genital mutilation to prevent women from enjoying sex; LGBT people are persecuted, punished and murdered because their behaviour does not assist procreation and the precious semen is wasted. Nonreproductive sex is considered a sin by these backward peoples. I remember how scared my male Catholic friends were to confess masturbation and wet dreams. They were admonished for these horrible sins which meant a one-way ticket to hell. I also remember what my female HSC students (Hindu, Muslim and Christian) once told me: “Since the front door must not be used, we use the back door.”

Although Pope Francis has called the story of Adam and Eve a fable for children; although Pope Francis sees no sin in the love between Adam and Steve, religious bigots continue to curse free love and harass people who think and behave differently as far as sex is concerned.

Although the Holy Koran is clear about gender equality, some religious leaders still preach the inferiority of women. This is what the Holy Koran says: (my translation)

1. “Ena pou dimande ki bizen fer kan enn fam gagn so reg. Dir ki sa li enn boubou, enn endispozision. Kan enn madam gagn so reg, pa sey penetre li (li gagn dimal). Kan so reg fini, lerla zot kapav viv enn lavi konzigal normal. Bondie kontan bann ki repanti kan zot finn fer erer e ki viv enn lavi prop. To fam li to partner dan devlopman e ansam zot kapav fer enn zoli travay dan respe Bondie. Koumsa to sir to pou beni. Proklam bon nouvel ar tou bann krwayan. (2:222)

2. Bondie ti reponn zot lapriyer: ‘Mo pa ignor travay nenport kisannla, ki li zom, ki li fam. Zom ek fam egal. (3:195)

3. O limanite, vener to Bondie ki ti kre twa ar enn senp atom e ar sa mem atom la li ti fer to partner... (4:1)

4. Bann krwayan, zom kouma fam, zot konplemanter. Zot devlop seki bon e zot konbat lemal. Zot fer lapriyer e zot donn sarite. Zot obeir Bondie ek So mesaze... Bondie donn bann vre krwayan zom ek fam enn plas dan Paradi. (9:72)

India, the caste-ridden country, the land of growing fascism and persecution of ethnic minorities, has a great message of love for the whole world – indeed life is a contradiction, the main message of The Bhagavad-Gita. In true Indian culture, sex is not a sin and homosexuality is neither a sin nor a crime. Read the Kama Sutra and visit the Khajurao Temples and you’ll understand. Find out also about Hijras.

This is what Wikipedia has to say: “Since the late 20th century, some hijra activists and non-government organizations havelobbied for official recognition of the hijra as a kind of ‘third sex’ or ‘third gender’, as neither man nor woman.Hijras have successfully gained this recognition in Bangladesh and are eligible for priority in education. In India, the Supreme Court in April 2014 recognized hijras, transgender people, eunuchs, and intersex people as a ‘third gender’ in law. Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh have all legally accepted the existence of a third gender, with India and Nepal including an option for them on passports and certain official documents.”

But in the trilingual paradise of semi-linguals and maha-Tartuffes, don’t be shocked if you find rampant prejudices and intolerance.