This, while technically correct, misses a central point: the accidentals we acquire depend on our nature – not entirely, but partially. Nature and environment both play a role in determining our likes and dislikes. If we deny that, then we would be making the claim that all human beings are essentially the same, which would make Heaven (and Earth) awfully bland.
This is true. BUT having looked into this a great deal, I can tell you that it is quite rare for Jesus to make same-sex attraction just go away. Indeed, it may be as rare as seeing a left-handed person become right handed, and it’s certainly as rare as seeing someone with a psychological disorder suddenly be healed. When these things hardly ever happen, it’s not clear why we should pray for them, especially since having different temptations is in no way central to living a holy life.
There was a heck of a lot of judgment in the ancient world, when it came to male/male intercourse. That’s no medieval invention. Same-sex romances were common, even encouraged and indulged, but actual sex was often described as unnatural. Judgments were particularly hard on the “passive” partner in intercourse.
I would suggest that if WHO we are is derived from the accidents of nature and merely from the environment, then WHO we are isn’t at all who we are but something else, entirely. That is not to say the only options are…HarryStotle:
This, while technically correct, misses a central point: the accidentals we acquire depend on our nature – not entirely, but partially. Nature and environment both play a role in determining our likes and dislikes. If we deny that, then we would be making the claim that all human beings are essentially the same, which would make Heaven (and Earth) awfully bland.
You’re missing the point. I’m not saying that accidents determine our nature. I’m saying that accidents are things that could provide evidence of our underlying nature – or rather, our distinctive personality. Thus, if you find that someone has the accident of being a professional dancer, you might also find that the person intrinsically has God-given gifting in kinesthetic intelligence and movement. (It could have been inhibited by accidents, in other alternate histories, of course). Similarly, if a person loves singing songs joyfully while doing dishes, we might find that the person intrinsically has a passion for enjoying life (which I take to be a good thing).
No, but God prefers that WE have different preferences.I am pretty certain God – who created ALL colours, ALL vegetables and ALL flavours – doesn’t have a particular preference, and I am pretty certain he is not something “awfully bland.”
I think same-sex attraction (at least insofar as it is a desire for sex) is an unfortunate accident, in technical terms. It almost certainly arises out of intrinsically good characteristics of personality, however, combined with unfortunate environmental realities.
I think that the judgement experienced by the “passive” partner in homosexual sex was more social than religious. After all, why would a man want to occupy a subordinate role usually reserved for women? And women in the ancient world usually were subordinate to men. So, occupying such a role would undoubtedly damage a man’s honor and his place in the men’s club. But I know from my experience living in the Middle East that there is virtually no judgement attached to being in the “dominant” or “active” role.Thorolfr:
There was a heck of a lot of judgment in the ancient world, when it came to male/male intercourse. That’s no medieval invention. Same-sex romances were common, even encouraged and indulged, but actual sex was often described as unnatural. Judgments were particularly hard on the “passive” partner in intercourse.