Homosexuality is NOT my favorite subject. Honestly, it’s something I would shove under the rug and ignore if I could. But that’s not possible, so here's what I think.
For starters, I think that what two people do sexually in the privacy of their own home is between them and God, and is no one else’s business. I do not believe that the government or any law enforcement agency has any business interfering with what happens there. I do not believe that any sexual activity between two consenting adults (meaning: no children, no animals and no unwilling adults) should be made illegal. Simply put, I don’t believe the government should have any position on homosexuality at all. It is not a government matter.
If only it were that easy.
Unfortunately, people on both sides of the issue are pressing the government to take a position. Our courts are making decisions right now that will affect us all someday. So the government is getting involved. And if the government is going to take a position, then I’m going to voice my opinion on which position it should take.
I do not believe that homosexuality is genetic. Scientists have been trying to find a “gay gene” for years, and they can’t do it. There is simply no proof, or even any credible indication, that anyone is “born gay.” Just a few years ago, I believed it had to be genetic because I couldn’t understand why anyone would intentionally put themselves through the pain that inevitably comes with being publicly (or secretly) homosexual. Back then, however, my own opinions were shaped almost exclusively by the liberal (and thus heavily pro-homosexual) national media. But if you want the other side of this particular argument, you have to go looking for it. Since I’ve done that, I have found good explanations for why people make this choice, and I’ve changed my thinking.
I believe that some people involuntarily become drawn to homosexual activity as a result of the events of their life, particularly the events of early childhood. For example, if a child is raised around people who are openly homosexual, he learns that this is normal behavior and is much more likely to experiment with such behavior himself. This (along with constant glorification of homosexuality in TV, movies and pop culture in general) would explain why this lifestyle is becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s society.
Studies have also found a pattern between homosexuality and people who were sexually abused as children. I can’t cite the actual studies or the details, so I won’t go so far as to say that there’s a definite link there. But I do think it’s reasonable to suspect this could be the case. I think people in these two categories deserve our sympathy and our support.
But I also think that a third distinct group actively chooses homosexual activity, simply because that’s what “turns them on.” Different people get sexually aroused by different behaviors and activities, some more degenerative than others. For homosexuals in this category, I don’t view them as being any different than someone who gets off on pornography, bondage, incest or even pedophilia. They may say that they can't control how they feel, but they're misleading themselves as well as everyone else.
They are perfectly capable of leading normal heterosexual lives, but they choose a different path. This path is nothing more than a lustful desire, a weakness and a conscious choice to give in to something that they know isn’t quite right. They know that it’s harmful to them, but they do it anyway because they just don’t have the willpower (or the inclination) to overcome the desire. They do it because in today’s world, people do whatever makes them “feel good.”
Once again (if you haven’t read the previous post) none of this means that I hate homosexuals. In many cases, I have a lot of sympathy for them. But I simply don’t believe that they were just “born that way. ” It is not an inherited trait like race, height or hair color. Thus, I don’t believe that as a group, they are entitled to some of the “rights” that they are seeking.
This is running long again, and I want to break it up into readable pieces. Next up: gay rights, gay marriage, etc.
1 comment:
Greg,
Did you read my blog entry on the subject? Just wondering if this was coincidence or not. I won't get into a back and forth on whether homosexuality is genetic or choice. I don't think there is anything definitive on either side of the argument so really it comes down to which evidence you’re inclined to believe, but on this topic that’s not really what’s important to me.
I’m glad to see you’re not for the criminalization of homosexual behavior. It’s a very reasonable stance you’re taking (maybe I think that because, at least politically, it’s very close to my own stance) and this is very different from a lot of people on the right. So here’s my question. If you don’t think their behavior should be criminal, why should they be DENIED the same rights as heterosexuals?
In case you haven’t read my blog on the subject and for your readers here, I’ll provide the meat of my opinion on the subject. Just as you don’t think the government should be involved in what goes on in the privacy of two adults’ bedroom, I don’t think the government should be involved in sanctioning marriage. I think this too should be something between the person and God. The government should get out of the marriage business completely and let people take the issue up with their church. That’s where marriage was created anyway and that’s where it should stay.
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