Well I disagree with that.. That's a double standard on the grounds that genetics have a play in someone's choice. Then technically it isn't a choice, it's how the person is wired. Now you could argue that a homosexual has formed a sin habit, just like any other habit, but habits can be broken. Nonetheless, it still boils down to choice. And for the record, I've had many sin habits, but I've chosen to break them all..
"If homosexuality is not chosen, but actually is a biologically-determined characteristic over which we have no choice, then laws should not treat gays and straights differently, since homosexuality would be equivalent to one's race, over which we have no control." -Rich Deem
Laws already treat people differently because of race. That is true all over the world, including here in the US. Is Rich talking about God's law, or human laws? There are all kind of mess ups in the genetic code. Defects, mental illness, etc. Many of which we've yet to discover. Even if HS were determined to be genetic, is doesn't mean that their actions should be approved or considered normal. In fact the opposite case could be made. Even though alcohlism is considered to have genetic links, we don't allow alcoholics less penalty when they drink and drive. They still made a choice. In fact we don't 'accept' a person's genetic disposition to alcholism. We condemn it, and try to change it. We consider such things a defect. So homosexuality can be a genetic defect, and the behaviors resulting from it can still be condemnable. Why? EVERYONE is tempted in some way or another. It will happen to EVERYONE. So, since this could be considerd 'normal,' should we just simply state that giving in to our natural desires is hunky doory? Of course not. It is 'natural' for us to want things. In fact sometimes we want things that don't belong to us. So, based on Rich's logic, shouldn't we be allowed to steal if it is natural to desire things? Of course not. Rich wouldn't agree with that. We all know that we are not to give in to every desire that we have. That is what makes us human. Obviously we are talking specifically about sexual desire here. You will not find an active homosexual who didn't deal with these desires as a young person. They knew they had these desires. I'd say their conscience also condemned them as well. But, like so many of us, they didn't resist. They fed them. The desire grew. Then they start feeding that desire. Then they start feeding their own need to justify the fact that they violated their own conscience. It's no different with the adulterer. The adulterer started with a tiny seed of desire. He fed it, instead of holding it captive. He didn't just 'choose' to be an adulterer. You could probably track his sin back to something many would consider, 'harmless.' But the reason he committed adultery is because he felt 'justified,' in his own mind. And you are going to have a hard time finding an active homosexual who feels differently.
Is Homosexuality genetic? We simply don't know. However, would someone in their right mind choose to be that way? Did you choose to be Heterosexual? I didn't. There was never a time in my life where I chose what sex to be attracted to. I have suspicions that in some cases people are born with the disposition to homosexuality. I also believe that
most cases are due to childhood trauma, (mental and physical) which manifest itself in confused sexuality. Either way, that person is dealing with issues that transcend simple choice. There is no doubt that homosexuality is abnormal. That is a fact. It is not normal, no matter how much our culture wants to normalize it. It is a defect. And I don't mean that to sound cruel. But it is either a genetic defect, or a behavioral defect. If it is a defect, then it should be treated as such. But that is not what the gay community wants. They want it to be labeled normal. If we were able to address it as a defect, then perhaps we could better treat people earlier in life and actually see better results. Who knows. No question, as this discussion shows, it's a complex issue to which we are still searching for answers.
Gman,
You've broken ALL your sin habits? That's a bold statement.
Like I said, I am looking for an community of actual Christians who behave like Christians according to Christ.
Dear Lord, save us from your followers.
-“The Bible treated allegorically becomes putty in the hands of the exegete.” John Walvoord
"I'm not saying scientists don't overstate their results. They do. And it's understandable, too...If you spend years working toward a certain goal and make no progress, of course you are going to spin your results in a positive light." Ivellious
