The "Gay Gene": Does it Matter?

[Joe_5859]

Up front, I would like to say that the purpose of this thread is NOT to discuss the evidence (or lack thereof) of the “gay gene”. I certainly am not qualified to speak on that aspect as I haven’t done the research.

What I *would *like to discuss is whether or not it even matters if there is a “gay gene”.

It seems that, nowadays, a lot of attention is focused on this which, to me, seems misplaced. People on both sides seem to argue as though the morality of homosexual activity hinges on whether or not same-sex attraction (SSA) is “built in”.

The way I see it, it really doesn’t matter. At most, the existence of a “gay gene” might reduce an individual’s culpability for sinful behavior, but it wouldn’t make it right.

You might also say that some people are more hard-wired to be quick-tempered. This does not mean, therefore, that they are free to act on such a thing. Yes, it means they have to make a greater effort than those who do not share their propensity for hot-headedness. They have a greater cross to bear in this respect. But we all have our cross to bear in one area or another. We all struggle with something.

It is the same for those with SSA (regardless of whether or not it is genetic). They have a great cross to bear. But, that doesn’t make it impossible. With God, all things are possible.

One final thing, in case it isn’t sufficiently clear. I am not advocating treating those with SSA in a hostile way. Of course we treat them with charity and compassion, as we treat everyone, for all of us are sinners.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Sounds about right to me.

 

[rwoehmke]

I think you have the matter in correct perspective.

 

[mschrank]

No, like you said- if I come from a hot tempered family and you annoy me, it doesn’t give me the right to bash you over the head.

Same thing with the ‘animals do it’ argument or argument from nature. I saw a documentary where an elephant gored a baby rhino to death for fun. Does that mean I can beat up old ladies for sport?

 

[monicatholic]

CCC
2357

Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358

The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

Church says “probably” to gay gene, “no” to homosexual activity, “yes” to loving them without indicating approval of the sinful activity.

that last part-- that “yes” applies to all people and any visible sin.

 

[Newbie2]

It matters, as I see it, only in that it would be easier, in theory, for a person with such a gene to be ensnared into homosexual acts…similar to one who is an alcoholic who hasn’t had that first drink yet. The temptation to ("homosexually) sin would be greater for such a person than one that was heterosexually oriented.

But, plenty of heterosexuals are involved in sexual sin as well! But that’s for another discussion.

 

[rpp]

Same thing with the ‘animals do it’ argument or argument from nature. I saw a documentary where an elephant gored a baby rhino to death for fun. Does that mean I can beat up old ladies for sport?

Nope you got it mixed up. The elephant killed a baby animal, not an elderly one. Therefore, the animal kingdom example means you can kill someone else’s baby. In people, we call that abortion.

Seriously, the “gay gene” does not really matter. There is a gene that causes schizophrenia, a very serious mental disease. It has recently been suggested that there may be a genetic component to autism. For some time people have been searching for genetic causes for bipolar disorder and heart disease and diabetes

Genetics do not matter. What matters is what do with the cards they have been dealt. Are they humble enough to submit to God and allow Christ to help bear their burden as He promised? Or will they be arrogant and insist on doing things their way?

 

[Joe_5859]

I am glad that everyone here seems to be in agreement with me.

Perhaps one of the main reasons the “gay gene” gets so much attention is because people speak of changing someone’s homosexual tendency? Many Christians will insist that those with SSA can be rehabilitated, while others will cite the “gay gene” and say that SSA cannot be changed because it’s in their genes.

But, even if it couldn’t be changed, it doesn’t make it acceptable. Thus, it is really irrelevant from an objective moral standpoint.

Of course, subjectively, it might be relevant as it might make the Church’s teaching more difficult for an individual to live out. But, of course, just because something’s difficult doesn’t mean we don’t do it!

 

[Newbie2]

True, but there are circumstances that reduce the culpability of an action/actions. The argument, and I don’t really buy it, is that a genetic predisposition towards homosexual sin might fall into this catagory.

 

[rpp]

True, but there are circumstances that reduce the culpability of an action/actions. The argument, and I don’t really buy it, is that a genetic predisposition towards homosexual sin might fall into this catagory.

I have not heard anyone suggest that the most common forms of SSA reduce and prevent someone from using their free will. We are not talking about mental retardation here, nor uncontrollable impulses like what a schizophrenic experiencing a vivid hallucination or someone suffering from OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).

What that means is that whatever the root cause of homosexuality, the commission of homosexual acts is always a choice, even if the attraction, in some circumstances, is not.

And the sin is in the act, not the attraction (unless the attraction is a conscious choice).

 

[CapIV]

CCC

Church says “probably” to gay gene, “no” to homosexual activity, “yes” to loving them without indicating approval of the sinful activity.

that last part-- that “yes” applies to all people and any visible sin.

this is basically how I feel…

Similarly, many believe that some can be born with increased tendency to be violent, or even be born more likely to be pedophiles. But simply “I am born this way” doesn’t justify any action as right or permissible.

 

[monicatholic]

But simply “I am born this way” doesn’t justify any action as right or permissible.

in fact, i think the opposite is true. i was born with a predisposition toward alcoholism. (alcoholism has already been cited on this thread, but for me it’s not hypothetical. it’s fact.)

knowing my predisposition and admitting the destruction caused by my drinking, not only does “i was born this way” NOT give me permission to drink, it, thrusts upon me a greater responsiblity to achieve sobriety.

 

[Joe_5859]

What that means is that whatever the root cause of homosexuality, the commission of homosexual acts is always a choice, even if the attraction, in some circumstances, is not.

And the sin is in the act, not the attraction (unless the attraction is a conscious choice).

That’s an excellent way to put it. Thank you for that!

 

[CapIV]

knowing my predisposition and admitting the destruction caused by my drinking, not only does “i was born this way” NOT give me permission to drink, it, thrusts upon me a greater responsiblity to achieve sobriety.

yes, actually this was what I was trying to say. I must have been unclear.

 

[Newbie2]

I have not heard anyone suggest that the most common forms of SSA reduce and prevent someone from using their free will. We are not talking about mental retardation here, nor uncontrollable impulses like what a schizophrenic experiencing a vivid hallucination or someone suffering from OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder).

What that means is that whatever the root cause of homosexuality, the commission of homosexual acts is always a choice, even if the attraction, in some circumstances, is not.

And the sin is in the act, not the attraction (unless the attraction is a conscious choice).

Yes, agreed. My point is that someone with a predisposition to sin is more susceptable to such sin, especially if they are ignorant of the fact that such an action/actions are sinful.

I would suggest that sexual urges are sometimes seen as “uncontrollable urges”, whether or not that is simply and excuse for sinful behavior or has even a modicum of truth (which I do not believe to be the case).

 

[monicatholic]

yes, actually this was what I was trying to say. I must have been unclear.

not unclear at all. i was just practicing my favorite sport-- repetetive redundant reiteration.

 

[Vanny]

As a Protestant Evangelical, I was always taught that being gay was probably the result of one’s upbringing- i.e.distant father, smothering mother, perhaps being sexually abused when young.
but I know a family,some good friends, who have two sons.
The older one is now in college, the younger in high school.
The older one has just come out as gay and announced he has a boyfriend. The younger one is anything but gay- he’s very girl crazy, loves sports and cars, ect. I always thought the older one was a bit effeminate, but not overly so and he is very artistic, ect.(But I didn’t suspect he was gay) he is
not into girls, sports, ect. Now I’m wondering how this happened… Same mother, same father, supposedly same upbringing- two very different boys(not practicing Christians, BTW) I do believe that whether genetic or not- the Bible teaches against acting on these urges, as above posters pointed out.
Several years ago I saw a Christian Pychologist on TV who had that opinion that gayness was neither genetic nor totally upbringing- but had to do with the mothers womb environment hormonally- in other words, maybe gay men the mother’s womb environment had too many female hormones, in lesbians the mothers womb environment had too many male hormones, ect.

 

[Joe_5859]

Several years ago I saw a Christian Pychologist on TV who had that opinion that gayness was neither genetic nor totally upbringing- but had to do with the mothers womb environment hormonally- in other words, maybe gay men the mother’s womb environment had too many female hormones, in lesbians the mothers womb environment had too many male hormones, ect.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut, Vanny! That’s an interesting theory I’d not heard before. It’s definitely possible that the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It could be that both genetics AND environment together that lead to SSA. Or it could be some third option like the one you mentioned above.

But, whatever the cause, we don’t act on it, like you said.

 

[buffalo]

No it wouldn’t matter. We are called to overcome sin.

 

[Michael_Forrest]

Church says “probably” to gay gene,

I don’t believe this is true. The reference to “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” does not specify whether those tendencies arose from environmental or genetic factors, much less a “gay gene.”

Furthermore, the latest genetic evidence I have read does not support the idea of a “gay gene.”

It appears likely to me that there may, in some cases, be genetic elements that play into the equation*,* but not a “gay gene” per se.

lifesite.net/ldn/2007/aug/07080805.html

fathersforlife.org/gay_issues/gay_gene.htm

Regardless, I agree that the issue does not alter the fact that homosexual acts are gravely disordered.

There appears to be evidence that men born with a double “y” chromosome have a propensity to violent behavior. Yet, we would never condone such behavior as a result.

It may certainly play into the equation in terms of helping people to be more compassionate (obviously, much moreso if the individual is actually striving to resist their disordered inclinations rather than attempting to rationalize and/or defend them as “good”).

Addictions, psychological issues etc. may certainly lessen a person’s moral culpability. And there is no room for pharisaical attitudes…pride/arrogance will get one into deep trouble as quickly as anything.

My greatest concern is with those who try to paint homosexuality as “good” or “natural” because of the so-called “gay gene.”

It confuses people and may lower the barriers that help keep people from falling into homosexual behavior. That is not charity.