Christians...is sexual attraction a choice?

[Trailblazer]

There doesn't need to be a gay gene to understand that its not a choice.

Like I just said, who one is attracted to is not a choice, but what one does with that attraction is a choice.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

When it comes to homosexuality, there seems to be two primary points of view: You are either born this way, or you choose it. I am convinced that it is not a choice and that almost anyone can be convinced its not a choice in very short order. Are there any Christians here who still think its a choice?

There are a few. The history kind of went like this by generation-oldest first (not to scale)

1. Homosexuality-sin akin to murder and rape (say the boy scout issue in the 90s here in the States) Leviticus 20:13 (and be arrested Why Sodomy Laws Matter)
2. Homosexuality-sin akin to a disease spreader (lbw) AIDS epidemic Gay-related_immune_deficiency
3. Homosexuality-sin akin to mental disorder (1970s In 1973, APA Removed Homosexuality From List of Mental Illnesses)
4. Homosexuality-sin akin to "a fade" (80s)
5. Homosexuality-sin akin to being a lifestyle (todayish)
6. Homosexuality-sin akin to sexual orientation (homo attraction=lust and hetero=love)
7. Homosexuality-love the sinner, hate the sin

Choice still falls in there for majority of christians, I'm guessing. The flavor of it, though, depends.

 

[Deeje]

Just as I said. Very predictable. How long will you hang onto this? Just curious from an academic point. This sort of thing intrigues me.

And how long will you continue to on about it...time to put it down now.....seriously...

 

[Dan From Smithville]

And how long will you continue to on about it...time to put it down now.....seriously...

Good grief. You two inspired an entire thread.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

You posted this in General Religious Debates forum so I assume anyone can answer even ifftye are not a Christians .
Imo, who someone is attracted to is not a choice but what someone does with that attraction is a choice.
How is this really any different from a heterosexual choosing to have sex. Sex is sex.

That is my take on it too.

 

[Deeje]

Good grief. You two inspired an entire thread.

can't help yourself....

 

[Dan From Smithville]

can't help yourself....

Wow! You are one of the most predictable people I have ever met.

 

[Wildswanderer]

Why would anyone have to program or discipline themselves to be homosexual, engage in homosexual sex or enter into a same sex relationship? Why would anyone put themselves in a life situation that could get them fired, beaten half to death, or even beaten to death, shunned by family or friends? And the answer “I can’t speak for others” is not the answer. It’s a cop out I’ve heard too many times.

Most sin works this way: in increments. First, a person does something that they know is wrong, but tell themselves it's just a little wrong. If they keep doing it long enough, they have to go farther to get the same thrill. I'm convinced that plenty of people that are born with no inclination towards the same sex at all get there by playing with porn and such until they start to be attracted to what was before unthinkable.

 

[Jainarayan]

Most sin works this way: in increments. First, a person does something that they know is wrong, but tell themselves it's just a little wrong. If they keep doing it long enough, they have to go farther to get the same thrill. I'm convinced that plenty of people that are born with no inclination towards the same sex at all get there by playing with porn and such until they start to be attracted to what was before unthinkable.

You’re convinced? Based on what? Oh right... being the biggest load of male bovine digestive waste ever.

 

[Wildswanderer]

You’re convinced? Based on what? Oh right... being the biggest load of male bovine digestive waste ever.

And you are convinced that homosexuality is inborn by what? There's no evidence whatsoever that's the case.

 

[Jainarayan]

And you are convinced that homosexuality is inborn by what? There's no evidence whatsoever that's the case.

Yes, I’m convinced. I’m living proof. I didn’t and don’t make a choice to be attracted to men. When I was a boy I liked boys, I liked men before I ever saw porn. Explain that. Your theory just got shot all to hell. What experience do you have?

 

[Muffled]

When it comes to homosexuality, there seems to be two primary points of view: You are either born this way, or you choose it. I am convinced that it is not a choice and that almost anyone can be convinced its not a choice in very short order. Are there any Christians here who still think its a choice?

I believe it is a choice.

 

[Muffled]

Those who oppose homosexuality cannot admit that it is not a choice.

I do not believe that. I believe one can view homosexuality as a sin even if there was no choice in sexual attraction. Suppose I am a married man and find another girl sexually attractive. To bed her would be adultery. We all are given physical attributes and some of them difficult to cope with. We don't have to allow the negative things to define us.

 

[Muffled]

I'm 100% certain that is not the case for all Christians. I was a Christian and I was convinced it was not a choice when I was a Christian and I'm heterosexual. In fact, everyone I knew agreed with me and 99% were not homosexuals themselves. It could be the case for some, but statistically, its certainly not the reason so many have a hard line opinion regarding sexual orientation. Not sure how you could come to that conclusion, it directly contradicts my own experience.

I believe it is better to learn to cope with who you are rather than wish you were something else. I can understand a woman in a mans body having an orientation towards men but the person has to deal with current reality not the reality of a past life.

 

[Moonjuice]

I believe it is a choice.

How old where you when you found both men and women sexually attractive, and then made that choice to only be attracted one sex? What was it that cured your bisexuality?

 

[Wildswanderer]

Yes, I’m convinced. I’m living proof. I didn’t and don’t make a choice to be attracted to men. When I was a boy I liked boys, I liked men before I ever saw porn. Explain that. Your theory just got shot all to hell. What experience do you have?

Well I have a relative who thought he was gay, but now he doesn't seem to think that way.
And again being attracted to someone isn't proof of anything.
Did you have a good father?

 

[Wildswanderer]

How old where you when you found both men and women sexually attractive, and then made that choice to only be attracted one sex? What was it that cured your bisexuality?

How is it a choice for me to not chase women other than my wife but it's not a choice to act on " gay" feelings?
If I went by feelings, I would have committed adultery hundreds of times. Or at least attempted to.

 

[Jainarayan]

Well I have a relative who thought he was gay, but now he doesn't seem to think that way.
And again being attracted to someone isn't proof of anything.
Did you have a good father?

Your relative is just suppressing his feelings, because he’s “supposed to”. He’s saying what people want to hear. I did too. Being attracted to someone isn’t proof of anything? Who told you that?

And yes... I had a good father. That’s bunk about the absent/distant father and domineering mother being the cause of homosexuality.

 

[Wildswanderer]

Your relative is just suppressing his feelings, because he’s “supposed to”. He’s saying what people want to hear. I did too. Being attracted to someone isn’t proof of anything? Who told you that?

And yes... I had a good father. That’s bunk about the absent/distant father and domineering mother being the cause of homosexuality.

Only I've seen it more than once.
What is being attracted to someone proof of?
If I'm attracted to someone 30 years old when I'm ten does that mean that would be a healthy relationship?
We exist in a culture that says hormones are never wrong, which is nonsense.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Well I have a relative who thought he was gay, but now he doesn't seem to think that way.
And again being attracted to someone isn't proof of anything.
Did you have a good father?

Some people are confused, experimenting, etc. That doesn't mean they changed their orientation. Bisexual attraction seems more common than is thought.