Is Homosexuality genetic?

[Chrissay]

This is one that really does have me stumped.
It sure seems clear from both the Jewish and Christian scriptures that God has a big problem with the practice of homosexuality. Even the Seven Noahide Laws (for Gentiles) proscribe it.
I know two different people who have multiple homosexuals in their respective families. For example, one has a gay uncle, cousin, and brother. The other has a gay uncle and cousin, and there was a great uncle.
This has seemed to argue for a definite genetic component, but it COULD be a predisposition of nurture style in these families I guess.

If it is genetic, do you think alcoholism is a good analogy? I’m sorry if someone already wrote that; I didn’t read all the foregoing replies…
People are genetically predisposed to alcoholism but do not have to drink.

I realize that having sex is far more basic to a person’s life than drinking.

I have to admit that the whole issue has me boondoggled.

 

[Lisa_N]

Chrissay:

This is one that really does have me stumped.
It sure seems clear from both the Jewish and Christian scriptures that God has a big problem with the practice of homosexuality. Even the Seven Noahide Laws (for Gentiles) proscribe it.
I know two different people who have multiple homosexuals in their respective families. For example, one has a gay uncle, cousin, and brother. The other has a gay uncle and cousin, and there was a great uncle.
This has seemed to argue for a definite genetic component, but it COULD be a predisposition of nurture style in these families I guess.

If it is genetic, do you think alcoholism is a good analogy? I’m sorry if someone already wrote that; I didn’t read all the foregoing replies…
People are genetically predisposed to alcoholism but do not have to drink.

I realize that having sex is far more basic to a person’s life than drinking.

I have to admit that the whole issue has me boondoggled.

Chrissay I’ve long drawn the same analogy between something like alcoholism and homosexuality. Whether it’s genetic or “runs in families” because of the environment isn’t clear. IOW my dad was alcoholic and there were other alcoholics in his family including uncles, cousins, and I believe also his brother. But say someone with my dad’s genetic makeup had been born into a family where there was no drinking. Would he have ever become alcoholic if not exposed to other drinkers or if drinking was something that was prohibited by his religion? I just don’t think such behaviors are compelling.

I do know of one homosexual man whose uncle is also homosexual. Does that mean he inherited it or if his greatly admired uncle influenced him to some degree? I think that heterosexuality is a very strong normality but if someone is confused, a strong influence might send him one way or the other.

Regardless though of any genetic component, we are still talking about a behavior that can be chosen or rejected. Because of my family history I was always quite careful to avoid drinking or people whose idea of entertainment was going to a bar. I felt better to avoid the situation than try to get out once you are hooked

Lisa N

 

[DVIN_CKS]

Werner…have you been reading too many false emails that have been sent around like this one:

Who’s to choose where “the” line is drawn?

Dear President Bush,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said, “in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man a woman.” I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination… End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in
   Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev15: 19-24. The problem is how do tell? I have tried asking, but most women take
   offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.
   Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police
   to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
   abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination?
7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I
   have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading
   glasses.
   Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the
   hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig
   makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two
    different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing
    garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester
    blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole
    town together to stone them? Lev. 24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy
considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can
help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal
and unchanging.​

I have not yet been able to send a reply back to the person who sent this to me. I know this was meant as a joke…but I really think a lot of people are just so ignorant about what the Bible really teaches that when things like this are sent around they actually believe it. Sad!

 

[catsrus]

You’re correct that it’s sad that someone would actually believe what that e-mail purports but until I can stop laughing and pick myself up from the floor, I’ll have a difficult time worrying about it.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Riley259]

Werner:

OK, i read that Leviticus chapter again and my whole bacon cheeseburger and shrimp salad stuck in my throat when i realized i wore linen trousers and a cotton shirt, but at least i had forgotten to shave that morning, so my visit at the hairdresser yesterday might not be a mortal sin!
So many abominations in one single moment, shudder!

Werner

Please read the book, Homosexuality and the Bible, by Richard Gagnon for a thorough and contexual explanation of Leviticus and other passages dealing with homosexuality in the Bible.

 

[BonnieBj]

The Church teaches that it is not a sin to be a homosexual (this from an interview with a seminarian on EWTN), but it is a sin to act on it.

So whether or not it is genetic doesn’t really matter. And lots of things that are bad are genetic but we don’t necessarily act on them either.

 

[Tlaloc]

BonnieBj:

And lots of things that are bad are genetic but we don’t necessarily act on them either.

But we also don’t tend to discriminate against them.

The genetic argument is mainly invoked to undermine the assertions that homosexuality is somehow unnatural or perverse.

 

[goofyjim]

It doesn’t matter what causes it. The behavior will always be a sin. Why do we keep going in circles on this question?

 

[Kevin_Walker]

Tlaloc:

But we also don’t tend to discriminate against them.

The genetic argument is mainly invoked to undermine the assertions that homosexuality is somehow unnatural or perverse.

Thats a lie. The genetic argument of homosexuality is to induce the false notion that homosexuals are a persecuted minority therefore entitled to civil rights status under the law.

Homosexuals are not an ethnic group, race, religion, or the third sex and should be granted no special consideration for their irrational and perverse behaviour.

 

[Tlaloc]

Kevin Walker:

Thats a lie. The genetic argument of homosexuality is to induce the false notion that homosexuals are a persecuted minority therefore entitled to civil rights status under the law.

True, the fact that there is a genetic component does indeed help put homosexuality on the same level as ethnicity. Of course it isn’t really needed as we do classify some behaviors as protected (religion for instance).

Homosexuals are not an ethnic group, race, religion, or the third sex and should be granted no special consideration for their irrational and perverse behaviour.

No just equal consideration.

 

[Kevin_Walker]

Tlaloc:

True, the fact that there is a genetic component does indeed help put homosexuality on the same level as ethnicity. Of course it isn’t really needed as we do classify some behaviors as protected (religion for instance).

The Twin Studies proved there was no genetic component to homosexuality.

No just equal consideration.

Not based on homosexuality.

 

[Tlaloc]

Kevin Walker:

The Twin Studies proved there was no genetic component to homosexuality.

Actually they supported the opposite conclusion. I’m beginning to supsect you have some sort of pathological lying condition. Is up down? Is black white?

Not based on homosexuality.

Correct, not based on homosexuality but on humanity. That’s what all equality is based on. Special status is provided to those most likely to have trouble maintaining that equality. Homosexuality certainly falls in that catagory due to the rampant prejudice against it. I thank you for being such an obvious example of the way people defy all logic and reason in order to rabidly attack their fellow human beings.

 

[Kevin_Walker]

Tlaloc:

Actually they supported the opposite conclusion.

You need to re-read yet again post #26

I’m beginning to supsect you have some sort of pathological lying condition. Is up down? Is black white?

You’re projecting. I was about the ask the same of you.

Correct, not based on homosexuality but on humanity.

Yes, based on humanity. That is why I am against shooting all homosexuals for their spreading AIDS throughout the world and treating heterosexual children & teens like sex commodities.

 

[Tlaloc]

Kevin Walker:

You need to re-read yet again post #26

Did you edit it to be right or something? I really don’t need to keep reading how you don’t understand the data, that’s completely clear.

You’re projecting. I was about the ask the same of you.

I know you are but what am I?

Yes, based on humanity. That is why I am against shooting all homosexuals for their spreading AIDS throughout the world and treating heterosexual children & teens like sex commodities.

Yeah it sounds like you’ve been guzzling the milk of human kindness.

 

[Kevin_Walker]

Tlaloc:

Did you edit it to be right or something? I really don’t need to keep reading how you don’t understand the data, that’s completely clear.

Did-you-read-post#26-or-not? I want you to meditate over it.

I know you are but what am I?

You are a homosexual advocate with a child killing pagan Aztec diety for a post name.

Yeah it sounds like you’ve been guzzling the milk of human kindness.

For someone who constantly minimalizes the homosexual sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church , maybe you should guzzle from an entire vat.

 

[kencando]

Tlaloc:

Not really. Mostly they hinge on the idea that you can’t legislate morality and that consensual relations between adults are their own business, and that the law doesn’t permit sexism.

All of our laws legislate morality. Thou shalt not kill, not steal, not bear false witness. Laws are societal issues determined to be good by those in charge of the society. There are laws like abortion that in truth are not good for society but they still legislate morality no matter how disordered the law may be.

 

[littleitaly]

Chrissay:

This is one that really does have me stumped.
It sure seems clear from both the Jewish and Christian scriptures that God has a big problem with the practice of homosexuality. Even the Seven Noahide Laws (for Gentiles) proscribe it.
I know two different people who have multiple homosexuals in their respective families. For example, one has a gay uncle, cousin, and brother. The other has a gay uncle and cousin, and there was a great uncle.
This has seemed to argue for a definite genetic component, but it COULD be a predisposition of nurture style in these families I guess.

If it is genetic, do you think alcoholism is a good analogy? I’m sorry if someone already wrote that; I didn’t read all the foregoing replies…
People are genetically predisposed to alcoholism but do not have to drink.

I realize that having sex is far more basic to a person’s life than drinking.

I have to admit that the whole issue has me boondoggled.

Hello Chrissay, Do not let the word genetic deceive you. Look at life in this matter. If the idea of eating a hamburger with your hands was part of your teaching because you saw others in the family doing it, you would most likely do it yourself. Correct? If you grew up using a knife and fork to eat it, again because others in your family did so as well, you too would have most likely done the same. This is not genetic; it is a mental game that Satan plays on the souls that he knows are weak. If a child grows up in the atmosphere of homosexuality, the odds of that child becoming one him/herself is high. Even if they do not remain one, they are still at risk of acting it out one or more times in their life out of curiosity of being around that type of behavior. The thoughts have been implanted in their minds. This is where it starts. Even in the new testament it is said many times over that Satans best tool is that of lust. Look around and see. Just do not fall into his trap. Lisa N said it right. Peace to you and God bless