[unspun]

"In 15 years, I have spoken with hundreds of homosexual men. I have never met one who said he had a loving, respectful relationship with his father."

Posting this excellent synopsis and fatherly psychiatrist's advise, regarding the causes and cure of homosexuality.

[unspun]

Ping your list, if you like.

[KJC1]

I'll get flamed, and I don't care, but gays don't decide to be gay.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

This is an interesting theory. I have known a fair number of gay people over the years, and concur with the author that gay people do not just decide to be gay -- something makes them be that way (whether it is genetics or some psychological factor). However, I have to pick at a couple of Dobson's assertions:

For example, since identical twins share the same chromosomal pattern, or DNA, the genetic contributions are exactly the same within each of the pairs. Therefore, if one twin is "born" homosexual, then the other should inevitably have that characteristic too.

This is not correct. Recent research in animal cloning has shown that genes must be *expressed*. Look at identical human twins as adults, and you will see that the vast majority are not truly identical. For instance, they are often of different heights, so their identical genes met with different circumstances in their upbringing and were therefore expressed differently. If you look at the cats that were cloned at A&M, you will see that their markings are quite different. Again, this is a matter of the same gene being expressed in different ways. If there is a genetic component to being gay, it is not beyond reasonable possibility that the same "gay" gene is being expressed in different ways in identical twins. (Also, it is possible that having an occasional homosexual in the population is actually beneficial to society as a whole, in some way that we do not yet understand -- something like the appendix, which has yet to be fully understood.)

Furthermore, if homosexuality were specifically inherited, it would tend to be eliminated from the human gene pool because those who have it tend not to reproduce. Any characteristic that is not passed along to the next generation eventually dies with the individual who carries it.

Again, I believe this statement is in error. Recessive genes can be passed along in the population for quite some time (though I don't know if they can be passed along forever). Also, if the same gene caused both male homosexuality and lesbianism, it could easily be passed along the female line, since frankly, women do not need to feel desire in order to become pregnant, and for most of human history, women have felt a great deal of societal pressure to get married (in order to keep a roof over their head, if nothing else).

I am not convinced that homosexuality is genetic, and I'd like to see more (nonjudgmental) research into Dobson's idea that it is caused by other factors. But I believe his statements about heredity are in error. I will, of course, bow to someone who has more knowledge in this than I do.

[Zeroisanumber]

I've been more or less convinced for a while now that the ex-gay movement is a pipe dream, and the recent case of Ted Haggard has re-enforced that conclusion. If the kid's gay, he's pretty much going to be gay no matter what Dr. Dobson has to say about the subject.

At 13, the kid has a good long while before he has to worry too much about what his sexual orientation is. Myself, I suspect that he's just going through a phase. Despite what Dr. Dobson writes, not every shy kid who prefers reading to football is doomed to homosexuality.

[Candor7]

These kids often recognize very early in life that they are "different" from other boys.>>>>>>>>>>>>

Any bets that this boy was raised by a single Mom, or a Mom who is femino Nazi domineering?

The culture of fathers and men we used to have and its relegation to secondary importance is one reason homosexuals can be created out of prepubescent boys.Humans are essentially Tabula Rasa, and the programming of sexual orientation depends a lot on social input.

[snarks_when_bored]

Homosexual-type behavior often starts well before the maturity required to form the intent to be homosexual. There was a boy in my elementary school who behaved like a girl in all essential respects; of course, he was always being made fun of—kids can be merciless—but he never changed his behavior. He didn't choose to act that way...he just was that way. If he had chosen it, the incessant hazing he endured for years would almost certainly have made him un-choose it; he never did, to my knowledge. I don't know what became of him in later life, but I always remember him when somebody says that being homosexual is a choice.

As for the argument that one can be a homosexual but it's a choice to act on it or not to act on it, why ought homosexuals to deny themselves what heterosexuals need not? Those who counsel celibacy for this or that person or type of person are rarely celibate themselves; perhaps they'd best attend to their own lives and families and leave others alone to work out for themselves what's best for them.

But to be clear: I neither condone nor excuse the public behavior of gays when that behavior endangers the public health. The notion that each individual should be free to do whatever he wishes any time he wishes with whomever he wishes, and that this is some kind of constitutional right in America, is nonsense. The common good and health of the public trumps individual behavior when that behavior is reckless and disregardful of the well-being of others.

So ends this morning's rant...

[MoralSense]

b

[Elle Bee]

let's think about this with a depth beyond Oprah and BaBa

If all red headed men could not reproduce (as same sex sex does not produce offspring) how many generations would have to pass before there were no red headed men

it's not brain surgery

.

[JoshGray]

That whole "weak/absent father" rigamarole.

By that logic, the ghettos and projects should be teeming with queens.

It just makes more sense to me that the poor relationship between fathers and homosexual-to-be sons is an effect, not a cause.

[freemike]

Regardless of whether one is born gay or not, do we need special rights for gays??? Are people who have sex with animals born that way?? Is every trait a person is born with something to be glorified, or uplifted?? Just the fact that one is born with a particular trait, is that in itself make it normal? Acceptable??

[WashingtonSource]

It's good that Christian leaders finally understand enough about the origins of homosexuality to be able to give out advice that will hopefully be early enough to save this boy from a life of degradation and shame.