[HarleyD]

The Bible condemns homosexual sex acts, but it does not condemn the experience of being tempted by same-sex attractions.

This is a Catholic explanation and it is wrong. Please consider the following scripture:

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted [sic: to sin], when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

There is no such thing as temptations that does not give forth to sin. If people are "tempted" with same sex attraction, they must flee from it before it gives forth to lust and sin. People don't just live with temptation. Lead us not into temptation.

Please consider the following excerpt from Ligonier:

For example, some people today tout homosexuality as an “orientation” equal in virtue to heterosexuality. They appeal to the “love” shared between two persons of the same gender, and on that basis, contend that equality and public acceptance must be guaranteed. To some, these sexual passions are so strong as to appear innate. Moreover, we are told that homosexual desires are private, harmless to others, and beyond the censure of society.

But if that is true, what are we to think of a passage like Romans 1:26–27? The Bible defines homosexual desires as “contrary to nature,” not an equal alternative orientation. Homosexuality is a “dishonorable passion” that “consumes” men and women, leading to shameless behavior. The strong emotional pull of lust and the affections shared between persons in a homosexual relationship — whatever those affections may be called — cannot properly be called “love.” After all, love “does not rejoice at wrongdoing” (1 Cor. 13:6), and homosexuality is wrongdoing. Moreover, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah over what today would be called “private” decisions indicates that lust is a serious social problem.

And herein is the ultimate problem with lust: Those overcome with lust “receive in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Rom. 1:27) and will face the Lord as “an avenger in all these things” (1 Thess. 4:6). God keeps “the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority” (2 Peter 2:9–10). Lust blinds men to the fact that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a holy God.

Ligonier-Lust and Chastity

[HarleyD]

BTW-Except for this one sentence I thought your article was excellent.

[James R. Aist]

Did Satan’s temptations of Jesus lead to sin? You seem to be saying that temptation can lead to sin, which is what I was saying. BTW, I didn’t get my understanding of this point from the RCC; I got it from the Bible. That said, I’m glad you liked the article.