Homophobia: What Jesus NEVER said and Biological Proof

[BobObob]

I have done considerable research on this topic because I have SSA (samesex attractions). I guess you could, by definition, label me as “homosexual”, although I don’t define myself by my orientation.

I’m not sure where you got these “proofs”, BluntJoey (if that information was in the links you provided, they didn’t work for me) but these are correlations, rather than proofs of direct biological causes.

While I think that biological factors may play an indirect role in determining one’s sexual orientation, I believe the cause of any sexual orientation is psychological. I think that biological factors can influence, rather than cause, one’s sexual orientation. I certainly do not think that one’s orientation is a conscious choice. It was not for me.

You may want to check out the theory “exotic becomes erotic” by Dr. Daryl Bem, a psychology professor at Cornell University. It can be found at dbem.ws/Exotic%20Becomes%20Erotic.pdf

“Homophobia” tends to be a word that is too loosely used. While I definitely think that homophobia, in a certain sense, definitely exists, it is way too often used as a scapegoat that people who live in the gay lifestyle use to blame various problems on. It often is used to justify homosexual conduct.

I do think that homophobia exists in the sense that if I reveal to some of my friends, who are Catholic, that I have SSA, they would probably tend to back away from me. Many Christians feel too uneasy to be close to someone with SSA. Although some may do this with good intentions (erroneously thinking that being close to someone with SSA will exacerbate their SSA), many may have a certain level of uneasiness, or “homophobia”.

People with SSA need healthy, affectionate, and chaste friendships with others of the same sex. Homophobia can prevent this from happening.

Dr. Steven Donaldson and Dr. Del Thornton once either said or wrote, “Many people believe that being physically affectionate with men who struggle with same-sex attraction will exacerbate their symptoms. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

 

[JordanAdorno]

Thank you to those of you who have been kind.

 

[po18guy]

How.Dare.You.

Being gay IS PROVEN TO NOT BE A PEDOPHILIA, as I posted. I would never wish a child any harm. How is a relationship between two consenting adults wrong? I have siblings and would never wish them harm if they were to slander me, do me the WORST of harm. LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF PEDOPHILES ARE HOMOSEXUAL, AND ENJOY SEX WITH ADULT MEN. Most pedophiles have no preference between the genders in fact, and are far more likely to be heterosexual.
Look it up - All of you. Christ and Paul are VERY different people. No credible psychological association treats homosexuality as a mental illness. ABSOLUTELY none.
Get your facts straight before you dare ever implement such a terrible thing. I really hope you read this and re-think your position. I would worry for YOUR children. Being gay is natural and ANY OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS were gay, well - God help them.
The National Psychiatric Association and Foster Care Association nhave confirmed gay people raise just as healthy kids as everyone else. We are tax-paying, law-abiding individuals who do not deserve to be treated equally.

Back at ya’: How dare you attempt to justify behavior that is 100% against the natural law? Why do those with SSA (same sex attraction), if “biologically” so created, also possess the ability to reproduce heterosexually? Illogical. You attempt to justify only behavior which provides physical pleasure, rather than that which is in the DNA for furtherance of the species. Since persons with SSA normally do not reproduce biologically, it requires that the pool of eligible SSA people must somehow be manufactured or created, since there is no natural source for future generations.

You have also fallen prey to the fashionable trend to stress that Jesus said nothing (in scripture) specifically relating to homosexuality. He told the adulteress to go and “sin no more”. Now, do you suppose that He would , for some reason, authorize homosexual behavior which is just as sinful? Have you read Genesis 19:1-29? It’s an eye-opener.

Again, you have made the error of taking a single part of Christ’s Church - scripture - and then separating it from the other two-thirds of the Church, which are Sacred Tradition and the teaching authority of the Church. Taken together as they are intended, the teaching stands against ALL forms of immoral behavior, and always has.

Let’s see what Jesus really did say:

“Deny yourself” - deny your own desires and selfish interests. This includes any and all proclivity to sin and act in disobedience of God.

“Take up your cross daily” - your cross is everything that burdens you. And you are certainly burdened if you have SSA. You are also burdened if you are disposed to commit any of a wide variety of sins. No one is picking on SSA folks here - it’s just that they have this recent tendency to be “in your face” about it.

“Follow me” - this is IF you want to follow Him. If you choose not to follow Him, why are you complaining?

So, all who post here call those with SSA to a life of chastity, as they are defiling not only themselves when they commit sexual sin, but their partners. Note that this applies to both homosexuals and heterosexuals.

 

[fellicia]

The newest stance of the APA is that homeosexuality MAY be along the Nature argument but it also May be along the Nurture arguement, or it May be a bit of both. As there have been no replications of the findings of some studies the APA can not take an exact stance.

Don’t believe something just because one finding suggests this may be true. I have conducted many studys that contradict others although this does not make either invalid but nor does it validate either finding either.

The Catholic teachings also do not contradict the fact on whether homeosexuality is Natural or not, it only says that the act of sodomy is bad, this is in gay or straight usage of the act. Just because it is natural for us to kill another does not make it right, or it may feel natural to lie or sin but it does not make it right.

fellicia x x x

 

[Kevin42]

Gay men have similar brains to those of straight women and gay women to those of straight men [48]
The average size of the INAH-3 in the brains of gay men is approximately the same size as INAH 3 in women, which is significantly smaller, and the cells more densely packed [women use their bra(name removed by moderator)ower more efficiently], than in heterosexual men’s brains.[5]
The suprachiasmatic nucleus was found by Swaab and Hopffman to be larger in gay men than in non-gay men,[49] the suprachiasmatic nucleus is also known to be larger in men than in women.[50]
**The anterior commissure is larger in women than men and was reported to be larger in gay men than in non-gay men,[51] but a subsequent study found no such difference.[52]
Gay men report, on an average, slightly longer and thicker penises than non-gay men.[53]
Gay men’s brains respond differently to fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.[54] **
The functioning of the inner ear and the central auditory system in lesbians and bisexual women are more like the functional properties found in men than in non-gay women (the researchers argued this finding was consistent with the prenatal hormonal theory of sexual orientation).[55]
The startle response (eyeblink following a loud sound) is similarly masculinized in lesbians and bisexual women.[56]
Three regions of the brain (medial prefrontal cortex, left hippocampus, and right amygdala) are more active in gay men than non-gay men when exposed to sexually arousing material.[57]
Gay and non-gay people emit different armpit odors.[58]
Gay men are more likely to have a counter-clockwise hair whorl pattern.[59]
Gay and non-gay people’s brains respond differently to two human sex pheromones (AND, found in male armpit secretions, and EST, found in female urine).[60][61][62]
Finger length ratios between the index and ring fingers may be different between non-gay and lesbian women.[55][63][64][65][66][67]
Gay men and lesbians are significantly more likely to be left-handed or ambidextrous than are non-gay men and women;[68][69][70] Simon LeVay argues that because “[h]and preference is observable before birth[71]… [t]he observation of increased non-right-handness in gay people is therefore consistent with the idea that sexual orientation is influenced by prenatal processes,” perhaps heredity.

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. And I’m only going to elaborate on the gay issue ONCE because those who don’t want to listen just won’t: 96 percent of Americans have pre-marital sex, according to the Orlando Sentinel, and yet in the SAME LINE in Corinthians that condemns Christianity, fornication too is condoned. I am gay, and I’m also a very compassionate individual who does his best to better the world and his family. I WOULD NEVER wish my any of my family harm, even the people who have mistreated and slandered me. And if God is loving, neither will he for loving “abstractly.”

Additional Biological PROOF homosexuality is natural:

utexas.edu/courses/bio301…/Gay/Text.html

The American Psychiatric Association hasn’t considered homosexuality a mental illness SINCE 1971. Every single homophobic person here needs to actual READ the aabove, and thus get themselves in-check. It is ridiculous! Instead of fucising on this, reading the beatitudes of Jesus Christ!
guardian.co.uk/science/20…nce.psychology

Because I am attracted to the same-sex, I have studied what may cause same-sex attraction in depth, and I can say (according to what I know and have read) that none of the statements that I bolded really hold any significant value among the scientific community at the moment. The one that I did not bold I have never heard of, but I still doubt it.

The only things that I have seen recently that seemed like it may hold promise for learning what influences cause same-sex attraction were two studies that surveyed homosexual and heterosexual men. What the results of these studies suggested was that there may be something on the X-chromosome that a man receives his mother that causes him to be more prone to being homosexually oriented. These results are far from being well proven though.

 

[lilred5]

Hi there BluntJoey, I don’t know if you’re still reading these or not but here I go.
I am a youth (like you were talking about earlier) so I decided this perspective might as well be added.
I have homosexual friends whom I love soooo much! Two of my closest friends are homosexuals.
It is not being homosexual that the Church condemms. It is homogenital acts (acting on that/same sex acts). Sex before marriage, adultery, and contraception are condemned just as much of homosexuality.
According to your earlier post 96% of people have sex before marriage. You also need to note that not all 96% are christians or catholic christians therefore their point of view on this sort of thing may be different. For those who are, they need to strive to abstain from sex.
Being homosexual is not a bad thing. We are called to love those in our lives but we are not called to agree with them on everything.

As for homosexuality being genetic, I don’t think scientists will ever really agree on it. Personally, I think it’s both nature and nurture. After all, if you are left handed but only write with your right hand you become ambidextrous. Nature gives you left handedness but nurture gives you right handedness.

 

[Crumpy]

Arguing that being gay is natural has nothing to do with anything. We, as Catholics (Christians, to be more general) are to live spiritual lives, not lives of the flesh. Just because everyone is out there living life in the flesh, doesn’t justify that kind of behavior, whether homosexual or heterosexual.

I don’t think that medicine is in a state to explain homosexual tendencies. It may be genetic, but hasn’t been shown so, yet. It’s more probably biologically-based, but I would’t call that “natural.” That’s like calling cancer “natural.”

Homosexuality is known around the world, in all climates and cultures, and just about forever, back into history. Yes, it’s a serious problem wherever it is found.

Like other diseases, scientists may discover a treatment (“cure”) for homosexuality before they understand its causes.

I pray for a cure for homosexuality every time I think about the matter.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

Again, we do not hate homosexuals!!! If you believe the Bible is true then how do you reconcile with the verses that say homosexual behavior is wrong. The last part of your post perplexes me.

Yet they are called diseased…

How do people reconcile the passages in the OT that clearly sanction incest and polygamy-some of which are in the very same books that condemn homosexuality? We explain that those were socio-cultural mores of that time and we do not accept them today. We understand that the most important thing in an emerging community is to create more members, so we look the other way when we read about polygamy and incest being used to achieve that end. We also look the other way when we read about the approval of slavery in the Bible, because again, that was part of the culture at the time. Most of us also look the other way when we read sections in the Bible that clearly contradict what we know about the world from science today. We know that what was often described as demonic possession then would be likely diagnosed as epilepsy today. We know that when someone gets an illness, it is not because they have offended God, it’s because they came in contact with a germ. We know that shunning lepers off into caves isn’t the best way to help them-we have drugs that can cure it now.

 

[Christopher68]

I believe that gay people are born this way and that this is not an attraction that they simply choose. So if God made them that way, why would He then ask them to repress and deny who they are? As a Catholic, this is a question I have struggled with, and I have yet to hear an answer that to me is reasoned and logical.

 

[Brendan]

I believe that gay people are born this way and that this is not an attraction that they simply choose. So if God made them that way, why would He then ask them to repress and deny who they are? As a Catholic, this is a question I have struggled with, and I have yet to hear an answer that to me is reasoned and logical.

Chris,

Most biologists will point towards genetic factors in alcoholics that contribute to that contition.

Would it be your premise that, since God created them with a disposition to be addicted to alcohol, then would should provide them with all the whiskey they desire? How about those with addictions to gambling, that too has been shown to have genetic predispositions.

Or, is would the Christian to help them overcome their particular Cross?

Remember what Christ said “Pick up your Cross and Follow me”. Homosexual tendencies, like other ‘natural’ predispositions, are Crosses to be born, and Christ provides the Grace to do so.

We all have our Crosses, faults and certain predispositions towards certain types of sin. Just because we have those, even if rooted in natural causes, does not mean that they are not sinful and that we should not look to God for Grace to overcome them.

A homosexual person, like an alcoholic or compulsive gambler, does not choose their condition. But they DO choose their actions. The alcoholic has a choice to be sober, and Christ will provide the Grace to do so. The gambler has a choice to roll the dice or walk away from the table.

The homosexual certainly does not need to ‘deny’ themselves, but neither are they slaves to their passions. They choose their actions. They can choose to live a chaste life in the same way the alcoholic chooses to live a sober one.

And by doing so, they do what Christ said, they take up their crosses and follow Him.

 

[Orogeny]

I believe that gay people are born this way and that this is not an attraction that they simply choose. So if God made them that way, why would He then ask them to repress and deny who they are? As a Catholic, this is a question I have struggled with, and I have yet to hear an answer that to me is reasoned and logical.

I am a heterosexual male who is attracted to women. I am married, but I still find other women attractive. Since God made me heterosexual, why would He ask me to repress my urges to have sex with women other than my wife?

Peace

Tim

 

[mkingdomlvr]

I am a heterosexual male who is attracted to women. I am married, but I still find other women attractive. Since God made me heterosexual, why would He ask me to repress my urges to have sex with women other than my wife?

Peace

Tim

At least the Church allows you to have sex with someone you are attracted to…gay people can never, ever, ever have sex with anyone they desire.

It’s funny how most of the folks who think living a lifetime of celibacy can be compared to a wandering eye are usually heterosexual and married…

 

[Christopher68]

I am a heterosexual male who is attracted to women. I am married, but I still find other women attractive. Since God made me heterosexual, why would He ask me to repress my urges to have sex with women other than my wife?

Peace

Tim

I am a married heterosexual male as well. Yes, even though we find other women attractive, we only have sex with our wives. However, the Church is asking gay people to ‘never’ have sex. To me, there is a huge difference here.

 

[Orogeny]

At least the Church allows you to have sex with someone you are attracted to…gay people can never, ever, ever have sex with anyone they desire.

The attraction to other women is still there. I chose to control my urges as I am expected to. Why shouldn’t a homosexual be required to do the same?

It’s funny how most of the folks who think living a lifetime of celibacy can be compared to a wandering eye are usually heterosexual and married…

Funny how homosexual advocates don’t want to hear about abstinance.

Peace

Tim

 

[Orogeny]

I am a married heterosexual male as well. Yes, even though we find other women attractive, we only have sex with our wives. However, the Church is asking gay people to ‘never’ have sex. To me, there is a huge difference here.

Why? What if I decided I wasn’t attracted to my wife to the point where sex with her became a revulsion? Should I then be able to find another woman?

Peace

Tim

 

[Kevin42]

I believe that gay people are born this way and that this is not an attraction that they simply choose. So if God made them that way, why would He then ask them to repress and deny who they are? As a Catholic, this is a question I have struggled with, and I have yet to hear an answer that to me is reasoned and logical.

People are born as sinners. Why then does God ask us not to sin?

 

[Magnus467]

Yet they are called diseased…

How do people reconcile the passages in the OT that clearly sanction incest and polygamy-some of which are in the very same books that condemn homosexuality? We explain that those were socio-cultural mores of that time and we do not accept them today. We understand that the most important thing in an emerging community is to create more members, so we look the other way when we read about polygamy and incest being used to achieve that end. We also look the other way when we read about the approval of slavery in the Bible, because again, that was part of the culture at the time. Most of us also look the other way when we read sections in the Bible that clearly contradict what we know about the world from science today. We know that what was often described as demonic possession then would be likely diagnosed as epilepsy today. We know that when someone gets an illness, it is not because they have offended God, it’s because they came in contact with a germ. We know that shunning lepers off into caves isn’t the best way to help them-we have drugs that can cure it now.

I was referring to mainly the NT verses. So it is ok to kill people now? to steal, cheat, adulterate?

Do you really think the people of the ancient world had the drugs to cure all diseases? The best treatment would be to isolate them. it is sad that people looked down upon them.

You say the Bible is outdated yet you try to impose today’s standards on it? this makes little sense to me.

 

[Christopher68]

Chris,

Most biologists will point towards genetic factors in alcoholics that contribute to that contition.

Would it be your premise that, since God created them with a disposition to be addicted to alcohol, then would should provide them with all the whiskey they desire? How about those with addictions to gambling, that too has been shown to have genetic predispositions.

Or, is would the Christian to help them overcome their particular Cross?

Remember what Christ said “Pick up your Cross and Follow me”. Homosexual tendencies, like other ‘natural’ predispositions, are Crosses to be born, and Christ provides the Grace to do so.

We all have our Crosses, faults and certain predispositions towards certain types of sin. Just because we have those, even if rooted in natural causes, does not mean that they are not sinful and that we should not look to God for Grace to overcome them.

A homosexual person, like an alcoholic or compulsive gambler, does not choose their condition. But they DO choose their actions. The alcoholic has a choice to be sober, and Christ will provide the Grace to do so. The gambler has a choice to roll the dice or walk away from the table.

The homosexual certainly does not need to ‘deny’ themselves, but neither are they slaves to their passions. They choose their actions. They can choose to live a chaste life in the same way the alcoholic chooses to live a sober one.

And by doing so, they do what Christ said, they take up their crosses and follow Him.

Brendan,

Thank you for your response.

While people may have been born with tendencies toward alcoholism and compulsive gambling, these actions are generally considered ‘diseases’. While homosexual behavior may be considered sinful or immoral by some, it is not a ‘disease’.

I suppose I look at it this way - with so much violence and hate in the world today, if two homosexuals find happiness with each other - is that really something worthy of me being outraged by? My answer is no.

 

[Christopher68]

Why? What if I decided I wasn’t attracted to my wife to the point where sex with her became a revulsion? Should I then be able to find another woman?

Peace

Tim

I would respectfully suggest that this would be a personal issue for you and your wife to address.

 

[Don_Schneider]

Dear Joey,

First off, I object to the “politically correct” term “homophobia.” How many people fear homosexuals? My impression of them is that they tend to have higher than average intelligence quotients and significantly lower than average crime rates, especially in regard to the type of violent, blue collar crime that so many people today fear. Because one doesn’t approve of homosexual conduct does not imply that one fears homosexuals.

As many others here have stated, even if it is true that many people have a genetic disposition to be attracted to same sex romantic and sexual partners (and I do believe that is the case), that does not mean that such people have a license to act on such inclinations within a context of a religion which books of *divine revelation *condemns as sinful. We all have crosses to bear and must make the best of our lives that we can.

I, for one, was actually disappointed that the last pope either suggested or ordered (I’m not sure which) that men with a self-acknowledged homosexual orientation be denied entrance into our seminaries. I thought that was unjustly discriminatory in light of the fact that priests must remain celibate; therefore, the matter of sexual orientation would seem irrelevant. Any priest that subsequently breaks such a vow should be removed from the priesthood, regardless of the direction in which he sinned.