..."But sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular are increasingly becoming concerns of the modern Arab state. Politicians, the police, government officials and much of the press are making homosexuality an “issue”: a way to display nationalist bona fides in the face of an encroaching Western sensibility; to reject a creeping globalization that brings with it what is perceived as the worst of the international market culture; to flash religious credentials and placate growing Islamist power. In recent years, there have been arrests, crackdowns and episodes of torture."...

*sigh*

Y'see. The thing is... it's not even about religion. Not really. That's just an excuse. It's about cruelty. It's about bullying. It's about one group of human beings abusing their power over small groups or individuals. These things are always, but always inherently wrong. It's all part and parcel of that nasty primeval part of human nature which we all should be striving to overcome in the drive towards greater civilisation. Now you might think those who profess to follow a religion - any religion -would more clearly recognise that as what "evil" is. It's notable that instead of that - they actually pander to it, indeed, often encourage it, even sanction it.

That tells me a lot.