| The population in general, and among religions in particular, there are
frequent references to the "homosexual lifestyle,"
condemning it as being immoral.
On the other hand, I haven't heard people
refer to the "heterosexual lifestyle." Is it supposed to be
"righteous" by contrast?
|
Is
the husband who has an affair with another man's wife more holy than the
celibate gay man? Is he even more holy than the gay man who has an
affair with another man? Is the promiscuous heterosexual man more holy than
the promiscuous homosexual man? And are heterosexual fantasies more righteous than
homosexual fantasies? |
 I can guess what people
mean by "homosexual lifestyle." I'm assuming it is a euphemism
for same-gender sexual relationships. But what a travesty to call sex a
"lifestyle"! I find it all the more distressing that sincere
Christians who have given up same-gender sex refer to having left
"the homosexual lifestyle." They, of all people, ought to know
that sex is not the same as a "lifestyle."
| Human
sexuality researchers who have studied sexual orientation have concluded
that all three orientations (heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual) are
not chosen; they are unchangeable, natural, and normal. At least for male
gays, a homosexual orientation
has
been proven to have a very strong genetic component. |
Admittedly, I know more homosexual
persons who are faithful spouses to their heterosexual partners or who are
living celibate lives than homosexual persons who engage in same-gender
sex. But in either case, I know that homosexual persons, or "gay
people," if you will, have all sorts of "lifestyles." Some
are wealthy, some are poor, and many are somewhere in-between. And their
lifestyle reflects it. They may live in expensive homes with swimming
pools, or they may live in modest bachelor apartments. They may drive
luxury vehicles or depend on public transportation. They work as doctors,
teachers, pastors, musicians, computer consultants, nurses,
administrators, waiters, hair stylists, business persons, or as any number
of professions or blue-collar workers. To the rest of the world, they are
indistinguishable from the average heterosexual or "straight"
person.
| Homosexuality
& heterosexuality are likely to be the result of an interaction of
several different factors, including genetics, hormonal &
environmental factors. Psychological & social influences alone cannot
cause homosexuality." |
So
why do we talk about a "homosexual lifestyle"?
 Although there is likely an
infinitesimally small percentage of persons who made a choice some time in
their lives that they preferred gay sex over straight sex, the vast
majority of homosexuals did not choose their sexual orientation any more
than heterosexuals chose their sexual orientation. They were simply
alarmed to find that when their peers became more interested in the
opposite sex, they didn't. More alarming still, they found themselves
heart-stoppingly interested in one of their own gender!
I know of no one who was thus
miraculously changed -- different people took different paths. Some
concluded that, since God did not answer their heart-wrenching prayers,
their understanding of Scripture must be wrong, and it must be OK to be
gay and to engage in same-gender sex. Others made more difficult choices.
And, again, there were choices to be made
by those who did not feel free to engage in same-gender sex: Should they
remain celibate the rest of their lives, or should they attempt to marry
and be faithful spouses and fathers or mothers to their children.
| Research
suggests that the homosexual orientation is in place very early in the
life cycle, possibly even before birth. It is found in about ten percent
of the population, a figure which is surprisingly constant across
cultures, irrespective of the different moral values and standards of a
particular culture."
Statement on Homosexuality, American Psychological Association, 1994-JUL. |
|
