This is just an idle thought. And maybe a too modern way of thinking at things, but someone might have some facts to either debunk or confirm my idle thought.
So - 500 years ago, being a homosexual was probably a lot more castigating than it is now. A famaily with a young man or woman growing up and showing … ahhh … unhealthy tendencies might take an easy sollution: Send the kid to become a monk or a nun.
Nothing official of course. The kid heard the Voice of God and got his/her calling to take the vows. But also a convenient way to fix that thing that could become an embarrassment.
I’m not in any way suggesting that Convents where a place for gay frollicking by any gender. It’s more my suspicion that it might be an easy way out, that some might take.
The very disciplined lifestyle of at least some of the orders might have been viewed as the ideal remedy for a tendency to “sin” in that way. The strict supervision of the members would also tend to decrease the opportunity to behave in ways deemed unacceptable. If nothing else, it put the problem child out of sight and out of mind.
Darlings Historically being a monk was all to do with survival. It was a business move and had a great deal to do with securing food and a roof over your head – not so much monastic discipline or getting access to others for sexual gratification. There is no point in worrying about access to a Bit of “Nooky” if you have not eaten for a week!
Depending upon culture and country there have been very different attitudes about Monks and Nuns. Historically in some countries Young Buddhist Monks were rented out by their temple for Older men to enjoy. The Nuns tended to be old maids who had passed child bearing age! How about Hindu Monks who were there to show hoew to have sex and to gain pleasure! They gave and even give very practical leassons!
Monasteries and their inhabitants tend to reflect more of the society they exist in and less of the religious beliefs that they are supposed to espouse. As for families packing off a Queer son or daughter to the Local Monastery to stop them behaving badly – that is a very modern view of Homosexuality that is not consistent with the history of the Catholic Church. My Brother in law ( An Ex Priest ) has quite a few laughs at this view and because he has studied canon law and the history of the Catholic Church from within has pointed out many a time that Antagonism to Homosexuals is actually quite a recent phenomenon in the Catholic Church. Other Christian Religious schools do not share his antagonism.
There is even the question of the marriage of St’s Barnabas and Barrabas two roman centurions – and followers of one Jesus of Nazareth. They were very much in love and got married – to each other. The ceremony was lovely… and the Best man for both of them – he was called Jesus, son of Joseph the carpenter. He wore a lovely hat with matching gloves!
The Catholic church used to offer the solemnisation of a relationship between two men in love – but it was stopped after a particular Pope had a go at re writing the Bible – and that got rid of a rather popular and Very Pink Cardinal!
Just be careful that you don’t place your current view above reality and re write history to fit your present world view.
Have a look at a few of these links – the fundamentalist hair will curl!