Genetic Basis for Sexual Orientation? (cont'd)

I am unclear how homosexuality could be genetic. If there were a "gay gene," it would reproduce itself less frequently than the general population, and would therefore become an ever-increasingly small percentage of the gene pool.

For what it’s worth here are my responses to the points in question:

1: I am of the opinion that a person has control over how he responds to his environment and has more control over his body’s chemistry and emotional urges than willing to admit. Whatever environment we are placed in gives us unique opportunities to serve God.

2: I think the spirit of the law should prevail over the letter of the law. From this perspective I don’t see the purpose of the Bible to be a legal textbook of do’s and don’t’s to hit people over the head with. For me, the evil of homosexuality lies in it’s selfishness which is in direct conflict with love. Nevertheless, I don’t see where I have the insight to judge the hearts of anyone, God knows I have my own selfish issues to deal with, consequently, I leave all judgment to God’s Grace.

1. I don’t see homosexuals as freaks. I don’t see any difference between people in pursuit of selfish sexual gratification, regardless of their sexual preference, and those who abuse drugs, or alcohol. I agree Christianity should oppose all such behavior.

2. Human’s selfish nature is what it is and has been since that point when Adam and Eve decided they could determine right and wrong for themselves and their unquestioned trust in God was broken. Some foolishly see science as an instrument to proclaim man’s glory, I see it as a tool to proclaim God’s.

What about the larger societal issues and historical influence on civilization? I am surprised that classic Greek culture (as well as others) has not come up in these conversations. I am not an expert, but I believe that, for all their great learning, homosexuality was not only common, but was given some kind of special sanction despite its recognized destructive effects both on the boys growing up there and on the society at large. I also understand that contemporary homosexuals draw from that era, especially the mythology, rites, secret sculptures and practices that went with it as a source for their own cultural lifestyle. This would seem to go well beyond genetic predispositions. New Testament writers, living in the midst of it, have much to say that we should heed. After all, they were there.

Environmental factors that are out of the control of persons is a topic that would be subsumed under the general topic of "the problem of evil".

However, any child growing in any human society sees males and females in the role of husband and wife, and should see sexuality as the domain of heterosexual relationships. So when anyone attempts to be homosexual, they KNOW that they are going AGAINST what is considered the norm within the human and animal world (genes, predisposition, inclination, experience etc. notwithstanding).

Drunkenness and adultery are degrees of excess within the same characteristic, whereas homosexuality is a qualititively different (deviant) activity within normal sexuality.

In an "ideal" heterosexual relationship, the act of sex is supposed to bring both man and woman, emotionally and physically together with eye contact playing a significant and meaningful role. However, with anal sex, the eyes are averted, there is a lack of emotional contact and the focus is on the physical pleasure. There is a quality of mutual exploitation even between "consenting" homosexuals, similar to a one night stand between a drunken heterosexual couple. There is no focus on what is best for the other person and instead a selfish desire is fulfilled.

Freedom of the individual is paramount in western societies. This freedom is enjoyed but the responsibilities toward the same society that grants these freedoms are not taken seriously. A society thrives only if its longevity is assured, and its senior members are looked after by the active population, which necessitates a constant replenishment of the population. Homosexuality threatens the institution of heterosexual marriage that guarantees procreation and population replenishment by emphasizing the selfish pleasure aspects of sex to the detriment of procreation. It undermines the long-term marriage commitment necessary for providing the ideal environment for the growing children by promoting adulterous behaviour and divorce. It also promotes a dependence on the state for child rearing and a diminished role for the family.

A father "figure" and a mother "figure" is what is wanted by society, not necessarily a "married" couple. Common law couples are immoral but not "anti-societal".