Posted on 05/19/2009 12:58:22 PM PDT by End Times Sentinel
Is there anything behaviors that are inate in people (i.e. instinct)? For some reason you seem to think that repeating your “behavior is a choice” line it somehow makes it true. Are you saying that there are gays who are born attracted to their own sex, but they could resist (behavior)? If so, this is a more reasonable choice. If you are saying that all gays choose to be attracted to their own sex, then you are using a low powered processor.
No, your idea “truth” simply differs from mine.
Typo: *idea OF truth*
Truth is, by definition, not subjective. Logically speaking, one side or the other is wrong (or both).
In religious/spiritual matters, all we have is theories, beliefs and faith.
What you accept as “truth” simply differs from what I accept as “truth.”
I view homosexuality as a physical or emotional attraction to members of your own sex. Causes? Most likely congenital, whether genetic or some environmental cause prior to birth, combined with a choice to follow one path in life rather than another.
I have known many people in homosexual relationships who have described sexuality as a spectrum, where they don't believe anyone is 100% gay or 100% straight. In contrast, most straight people strike me as straight, although I'll admit that some who are not pegged over straight may for social reasons describe themselves as 100% straight and live a 100% straight life in their actions.
I see the above as truth. Which lifestyle choice is better becomes a value judgement. In terms of marital fidelity, I believe that absolute fidelity is better for the marriage, better for the children, and better for society than an open marriage or discrete (or indiscrete) affair. The evidence for that value judgement strikes me as clear, but it's not worth debating if you disagree. I also believe that the Bible takes a clear position on marital fidelity, and that the Creator of the universe has the authority to give a commandment like "no adultery" even to those who don't like or understand the reasoning or are instinctively inclined or have preferences otherwise.
As for homosexuality, statistically there seem to be some rather dramatic health differences betwen those in faithful, heterosexual marriages and those in homosexual relationships, and that was true even before AIDS. Again, I believe that the Creator of the universe has the authority to give a command against homosexual conduct, even to those who don't like or understand the reasoning or are instinctively inclined or have preferences otherwise.
The world is made up of black and white. I'll admit that I may be wrong on which is which, but there is an absolute truth to be found.
Compassion and support? I see at least as much compassion and support in helping to meet your own father's social and emotional needs by giving him attention as there is in cheering for a new lifestyle that meets those needs without the bother of chatting with Dad, whose stories you've already heard dozens of times.
Condemnation? If God has asked that we follow a path in life, and assuming the father believes in or used to believe in the Bible, isn't it more compassionate to help him find a way to meet his needs that is consistent with God's word than to say "whatever feels good" and let him lose his relationship with God or feel guilty about living a life that seems inconsistent with much of what is in the Bible?
Much better. Truth exists. We clearly disagree on what the truth is, but (and this would be a great tagline for a show) "the truth is out there". It's a question of finding that truth.
Homosexuality is a behavior, it is a learned behavior, it is an addictive behavior.
It amazes me that there is not more discussion of imprinting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_psychology
Again, what you accept as “truth,” as “black and white,” simply differ from what I accept as the same.
We can take this offline if you wish to discuss my spiritual views in more depth, but for the purposes of this thread, again, I will leave it at that.
Desires are inate. There are survival desires, i.e. the need to eat, drink, sleep. But no one dies from not having sex. No one dies from not stealing, lying, murdering.
Sorry, there is no excuse for giving in to a desire to do something that is wrong in the eyes of God. And same gender sex is wrong.
If you want to do something that is wrong simply because you have the desire to do it, don't expect everyone to say "Well, he couldn't help it."
Catholicism is obviously your idea of truth. It is not mine. In matters of religion/spirituality, one person’s idea of “truth” is not necessarily another person’s. My beliefs simply do not match yours.
“Yeah but they got almost double the odds of getting lucky in a bar /sarc”
Better than double. Men are sluts.
But both cannot be true.
Right. It all comes down to belief, faith and individual preference — that which you accept as your “truth.” My concept of the term “religious truth” itself probably differs from most here, I imagine.
On that most here would probably agree.
True :)
So, you acknowledge that they may be born with the inate desire (i.e. born gay)? Of course, they don't have to act on it. Then again, plenty of people (gay or not) have issues with controlling their desires (pre-marital sex, adultery, etc.). I personally find the idea of being homosexual revolting, but I really don't care what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their own home.
Only in the same way that some are born with the "inate" desire to commit adultery, or to rape, or to be pedophiles, or to be thieves, or to be drug addicts or alcoholics, or. . .well, you get the idea.
Then again, plenty of people (gay or not) have issues with controlling their desires (pre-marital sex, adultery, etc.).
Absolutely.
I personally find the idea of being homosexual revolting, but I really don't care what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their own home.
If they keep it to themselves and don't demand I celebrate it, accept it, support it, or make it legal, then I agree. When they bring it out and try to show it off, demanding that I accept it as okay, that's when it becomes an issue.
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