Should we go back to viewing homosexuality as a mental disorder?

[rlg94086]

Also, whoever said anything about putting homosexuals in strait jackets? Just because homosexuality might be a mental illness doesn’t mean that homosexuals have to be institutionalized. No, instead it could be treated with medication and therapy like depression or anxiety.

This is exactly what I was thinking when I read the “insanity” post. Who is saying that people with SSA are insane? We don’t consider someone with bipolar disorder or OCD “insane.”

Anyway, to answer the original question…I don’t know. It would be more of a political move than anything else, because many in the psychological/psychiatric community would not consider homosexuality as something to be treated.

It will be interesting to see what happens if we ever do find the primary cause of same sex attraction. What treatments will be developed to reverse the effects? How will those treatments be viewed?

 

[St_Aloysius]

It will be interesting to see what happens if we ever do find the primary cause of same sex attraction. What treatments will be developed to reverse the effects? How will those treatments be viewed?

This is becoming an increasingly disturbing thread.

No, of course homosexuality is not a “mental illness.” It is an ingrained disposition. Freud suggested conditions in the womb, as well as parental relationships, contributed to the phenomenon. Modern science suggests a genetic factor, as well–and like it or not, yes, this can be demonstrated as true in some organisms. Humans are unlikely exceptional, then.

Whomever suggested those evil birth control pills (grrr!) are responsible for the increased number of people in modern day society attesting to having experienced SSA… wow. That’s… a new one. The simple fact of the matter is, our society today is generally more understanding about these matters and so the social stigma attached to being a homosexual has decreased. Hence, more people feel free to embrace their true sexuality as a legitimate part of their identity, whereas before societal and religious norms asked the repression and denial of these feelings–hardly a healthy alternative.

 

[po18guy]

Should the mental health officials and the general population go back to viewing homosexuality as a mental disorder? Yes or no? Please vote in my poll.

I view it as a cross to bear. Celibacy is how they deny themselves. Their attraction to the same sex is the cross they have to bear. Pray that they now follow Christ. Amen!

 

[rlg94086]

This is becoming an increasingly disturbing thread.

No, of course homosexuality is not a “mental illness.” It is an ingrained disposition. Freud suggested conditions in the womb, as well as parental relationships, contributed to the phenomenon. Modern science suggests a genetic factor, as well–and like it or not, yes, this can be demonstrated as true in some organisms. Humans are unlikely exceptional, then.

Whomever suggested those evil birth control pills (grrr!) are responsible for the increased number of people in modern day society attesting to having experienced SSA… wow. That’s… a new one. The simple fact of the matter is, our society today is generally more understanding about these matters and so the social stigma attached to being a homosexual has decreased. Hence, more people feel free to embrace*** their true sexuality as a legitimate part of their identity***, whereas before societal and religious norms asked the repression and denial of these feelings–hardly a healthy alternative.

Your post makes a huge assumption that homosexual desires are a “legitimate part” of someone’s identity and that it is their “true sexuality.” That is disturbing.

What is a bi-sexual’s “true sexuality?” What is the “true sexuality” of someone who experiments during their teen years and lives heterosexually the rest of their life?

Anyway, I did not say anything about birth control pills, nor did I make a judgment for or against the potential treatments that will come if science finds the “cause” of homosexuality.

 

[Pong]

Your post makes a huge assumption that homosexual desires are a “legitimate part” of someone’s identity and that it is their “true sexuality.” That is disturbing.

If one truly is a homoesexual, then that is a part of their identity. What is so difficult about that?

What is a bi-sexual’s “true sexuality?” What is the “true sexuality” of someone who experiments during their teen years and lives heterosexually the rest of their life?

A bisexual’s true sexuality is an attraction to both sexes. Someone who experiments with either homo or heterosexuality but ultimately discerns one or the other has a sexual identity of whatever the end result is.

 

[rlg94086]

If one truly is a homoesexual, then that is a part of their identity. What is so difficult about that?

A bisexual’s true sexuality is an attraction to both sexes. Someone who experiments with either homo or heterosexuality but ultimately discerns one or the other has a sexual identity of whatever the end result is.

Nothing difficult about the terms, but that is what I was getting at - a “true” homosexual. Perhaps “legitimate identity” wasn’t the correct wording, but here is what I meant:

“Homosexual” is an identity similar to “Methodist” or “American.” These are mutable identifiers, as opposed to “male,” “caucasian,” “brown eyes” which are fixed (without medical intervention, that is). And, because I know pathia will immediately swoop in with her exception, I would concede that one could add “intersexed” as a fixed identifier. Basically, think biology. If someone dies, and they do an autopsy, you can’t “identify” the subject as a homosexual, any more than you could identify their nationality or religion.

The only reason I make that distinction is that we are talking about whether homosexuality should be recategorized as a mental disorder. I don’t think it should - I believe we need more research on its genesis before that is done. However, I don’t think people should be defined by their disordered sexual desires.

 

[Maxply]

It simply is a complex personality disorder.

Read jeffrey Satinover’s excellent 'Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth."

If you believe the pro-gay people represent state-of-the-art thinking on homosexuality, that this crowd of loud and monied propagandists are actually presenting SCIENCE, then you will be wrong.

You owe it to yourself to do more than listen to one side of an argument. Read Satinover, and you’ll find how power politics “defined deviancy down.”

 

[Ridgerunner]

I watched EWTN Live today, the guest was Fr. Tom Euteneuer, HLI, talking about pro-life issues. One interesting thing that he said was that the reason there is more homosexuality lately is pollution from birth control pills getting into the water supply. The hormones are not broken down in a woman’s body, but excreted in the urine, which then goes into the sewer system and eventually makes its way back into the water supply.

I am no expert on this at all, and I couldn’t say he’s wrong. But I tend to question this theory. Woman produce testosterone as well, though at lower levels than men, and I have read that womens’ sexual urges are often directly related to their testosterone levels at any point in time. I have also read that male-to-female “transgendered” people’s sexual urges are lowest right after female hormone injection.

I recall reading that male homosexuals tend to be relatively indiscriminate and engage in sexual activity at a higher rate than heterosexuals if availability is there. I don’t know that hormone levels have much to do with any of it. Rather, it seems to be more related to a “disengagement” of sex from the complementarity of heterosexual relationships in the case of male homosexuals, and a profound rejection of males in the case of female homosexuals.

I would say, though, that such is the power of the homosexual influence groups that there is no possibility at all that it will be again viewed as a mental disorder except by private individuals who do not accept political correctness as their own thinking.

 

[Kolbe300]

Hence, more people feel free to embrace their true sexuality as a legitimate part of their identity, whereas before societal and religious norms asked the repression and denial of these feelings–hardly a healthy alternative.

I could not agree with you more, St_Aloysius.

Your post makes a huge assumption that homosexual desires are a “legitimate part” of someone’s identity and that it is their “true sexuality.” That is disturbing.

Hi rlg. I’m trying to figure out what you found disturbing there. I think that a legitimate part of every human being’s identity is their sexuality. Do you not feel that your sexuality is a legitimate part of your identity? Certainly no person should be entirely defined by their sexuality, yet a person’s sexuality is a piece of the puzzle that makes that person. Do you think that someone who has always had a homosexual orientation is lacking a legitimate sexuality? Does a sexuality cease to be “true” because the Church declares it disordered? And if so, what do you believe is a homosexually oriented person’s true sexuality?

What is a bi-sexual’s “true sexuality?” What is the “true sexuality” of someone who experiments during their teen years and lives heterosexually the rest of their life?

How would you define your sexuality? Would you say that you are truly heterosexual?

The only reason I make that distinction is that we are talking about whether homosexuality should be recategorized as a mental disorder. I don’t think it should - I believe we need more research on its genesis before that is done. However, I don’t think people should be defined by their disordered sexual desires.

I agree that homosexuality shouldn’t be considered a mental disorder and that research on its genesis needs to be done. I also agree that people shouldn’t be entirely defined by their sexual desires (disordered or not). That being said, a person’s sexuality IS a part of who they are. If I can’t identify my sexuality honestly simply because it’s viewed as disordered, how should I identify it? Personally, I believe my sexuality is as legitimate and true as any heterosexual’s. I hope that makes sense.

Have a great day!

Peace

 

[Maxply]

read Jeffrey Satinover:

Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth.

 

[JimG]

It simply is a complex personality disorder.

Read jeffrey Satinover’s excellent 'Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth."

Satinover is mentioned in this First Things article.

 

[hasikelee]

I would say yes at first, but then I think about the way issues such as depression and anxiety carry stigmas due to being mental illnesses.

Consider that both depression and anxiety can have physiological, biological, environmental and developmental causes even though they are called mental illnesses. And in some cases, these two issues can piggyback with alcoholism, personality disorders, eating disorders, etc.

With the ongoing research of homosexuality still trending towards it being an issue of hormones, development in the womb or the environment, labeling it as a mental illness might impede the journey of assisting those with homosexuality attraction or of finding out more about it.

 

[rlg94086]

Hi rlg. I’m trying to figure out what you found disturbing there. I think that a legitimate part of every human being’s identity is their sexuality. Do you not feel that your sexuality is a legitimate part of your identity? Certainly no person should be entirely defined by their sexuality, yet a person’s sexuality is a piece of the puzzle that makes that person. Do you think that someone who has always had a homosexual orientation is lacking a legitimate sexuality? Does a sexuality cease to be “true” because the Church declares it disordered? And if so, what do you believe is a homosexually oriented person’s true sexuality?

Please see my clarification in post #26

To answer the bolded question above is “yes.” I believe everyone’s true sexuality is heterosexual - homosexuality and bisexuality are descriptions of disordered desires. Now, for the intersexed, I accept that you can’t very easily talk about “opposite” or “same” sex - that’s why the Church takes the default position of calling for celibacy (chastity…but in this case, that means celibacy).

 

[JimG]

I can’t help but post another interesting link from First Things:
Surgical Sex.

 

[Kolbe300]

To answer the bolded question above is “yes.” I believe everyone’s true sexuality is heterosexual - homosexuality and bisexuality are descriptions of disordered desires. Now, for the intersexed, I accept that you can’t very easily talk about “opposite” or “same” sex - that’s why the Church takes the default position of calling for celibacy (chastity…but in this case, that means celibacy).

Thank you for the clarification. I understand what you are saying now (though I will respectfully disagree with you). I think it is really difficult (impossible) for those who have never experienced life-long same sex attraction to understand it. I’m sure you could understand my frustration in having someone tell me what they think my true sexuality is. The one thing we can all agree on is this: the really smart people in this world have no idea what exactly causes homosexuality. Until they do, all I can do is know my own human experience. Who knows, maybe the smart people will side with you one day. I doubt it’ll happen, but ya never know.

Peace!

 

[rlg94086]

Thank you for the clarification. I understand what you are saying now (though I will respectfully disagree with you). I think it is really difficult (impossible) for those who have never experienced life-long same sex attraction to understand it. I’m sure you could understand my frustration in having someone tell me what they think my true sexuality is. The one thing we can all agree on is this: the really smart people in this world have no idea what exactly causes homosexuality. Until they do, all I can do is know my own human experience. Who knows, maybe the smart people will side with you one day. I doubt it’ll happen, but ya never know.

Peace!

What do you mean? I am the smart people.

As has been pointed out, be careful what you wish for. If they ever do find “what actually causes homosexuality,” I predict two things will happen:

1. 
   *]Cures/corrective measures will be sought, and many parents, including the “liberal, pro-gay” ones, will seek said cures/corrections.
   *]If it is determinable in vitro, parents, especially pro-choice liberals, will abort their children, just as they do kids with Down’s Syndrome.
   The cause doen’t change the fact that it is a disordered desire any more than the causes of blindness and deafness change the fact blindness and deafness are not the normal state of eyes and ears.
   
   It doesn’t mean you have to force yourself to desire the opposite sex. However, it does mean that you are called to chastity, as we are all, and chastity in the case of someone with strong homosexual desires means celibacy.

 

[Fitswimmer]

What do you mean? I am the smart people.

As has been pointed out, be careful what you wish for. If they ever do find “what actually causes homosexuality,” I predict two things will happen:

1. 
   *]Cures/corrective measures will be sought, and many parents, including the “liberal, pro-gay” ones, will seek said cures/corrections.
   *]If it is determinable in vitro, parents, especially pro-choice liberals, will abort their children, just as they do kids with Down’s Syndrome.
   The cause doen’t change the fact that it is a disordered desire any more than the causes of blindness and deafness change the fact blindness and deafness are not the normal state of eyes and ears.
   
   It doesn’t mean you have to force yourself to desire the opposite sex. However, it does mean that you are called to chastity, as we are all, and chastity in the case of someone with strong homosexual desires means celibacy.

1. 
   I agree-and I think we would see a similar situation as to what is experienced in the deaf community over cochlear implants. There would be those who feel that there is no need to “fix” something which God has ordained, and those who feel that not “fixing” it is condemning someone to a difficult life.
   
   The sad thing to me is not only are those of us with SSA dealt a heavy cross in terms of living a chaste life for much longer than most, we also have the cross of the “well meaning” who wish to label us and consider us sinful, insane or disordered in our very existence-whether or not we actually commit the sin.

 

[Bella3502]

It’s not, so “going back” would just be stupid.

 

[rlg94086]

The sad thing to me is not only are those of us with SSA dealt a heavy cross in terms of living a chaste life for much longer than most, we also have the cross of the “well meaning” who wish to label us and consider us sinful, insane or disordered in our very existence-whether or not we actually commit the sin.

Well said, Fitswimmer. I am always heartened by Catholics like yourself who “get it” and are doing their best to live a chaste life. It seems apparent that many Catholics don’t realize that no one’s desire for sexual sin (fornication, masturbation, adultery, sodomy) is any different than SSA. Depending on how we entertain those thoughts/desires, we are all capable of venial or mortal sin, even without committing the physical acts.

None of these sins are easy struggles, IMHO. SSA may be more difficult - it is hard for either of us to know, since we can’t force ourselves to fit in each other’s shoes. However, I would think that something as fundamental as which gender a person desires would be more difficult. Regardless, the individual who has a strong desire for the same sex, is not sinful by their very existence.

Keep fighting the good fight.

 

[pathia]

What do you mean? I am the smart people.

As has been pointed out, be careful what you wish for. If they ever do find “what actually causes homosexuality,” I predict two things will happen:

1. 
   *]Cures/corrective measures will be sought, and many parents, including the “liberal, pro-gay” ones, will seek said cures/corrections.
   *]If it is determinable in vitro, parents, especially pro-choice liberals, will abort their children, just as they do kids with Down’s Syndrome.
   The cause doen’t change the fact that it is a disordered desire any more than the causes of blindness and deafness change the fact blindness and deafness are not the normal state of eyes and ears.

1. 
   You also missed this.
   
   3.) Gay/Lesbian parents who use sperm/surrogate wombs, may seek in vitro treatment to MAKE the child gay.
   
   I don’t know what happened to it, but I recall a case where a deaf couple wanted to intentionally make their child deaf too in the womb.