Is homosexuality a choice?

[Katzpur]

You're going to hell, too, Jezebel! But I mean that in the nicest way possible.

I was going to Hell anyway, Phil, just by being a Mormon. I might as well clinch the deal.

 

[fallingblood]

I heard an interesting theory on this recently. This was during a discussion with a couple of friends, and one threw out this idea. Basically, what he was saying is that sexual orientation isn't as simple as being born gay or straight, or choosing. That is comes down to a variety of factors, not just simply nature vs nurture.

In other words, people are born neither gay or straight, but most likely leaning one way. During the early stages of life, certain things push individuals one way or the other. The way he explained it was more complicated, but that was the gist. I think it is worth suggesting.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

I've already stated that I don't believe either heterosexuality or homosexuality is a choice, so I just remind you of that before continuing. When I read your screen name I had to wonder what you feel you have to be proud of. I was born heterosexual, female, blue-eyed, blond, with a medium build. It would never even occur to me to be proud of something I had no control over. Maybe you could explain to me why you are proud to be homosexual and whatever else beyond your control you are proud of. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

I mean that I'm totally happy with being gay, and I see it as a statement to a society that sees my orientation as something to be ashamed of. I won't let them put me into that mentality, and that's why I'm proud. Btw, this is Senedjem katzpur

 

[Katzpur]

I heard an interesting theory on this recently. This was during a discussion with a couple of friends, and one threw out this idea. Basically, what he was saying is that sexual orientation isn't as simple as being born gay or straight, or choosing. That is comes down to a variety of factors, not just simply nature vs nurture.

In other words, people are born neither gay or straight, but most likely leaning one way. During the early stages of life, certain things push individuals one way or the other. The way he explained it was more complicated, but that was the gist. I think it is worth suggesting.

I'm sure you're probably right. All I know is that I have never in my life heard a straight person explain what went into his or her reason to be straight. This is something I often ask them. They generally shut up right away.

 

[fallingblood]

Are the foods and music we like or dislike a matter of choice?

Actually, to a point, I would say yes. Part of it is the choice to try something multiple times until you acquire a taste for it. I don't think sexuality would be like that though. But I know for music, I made a partial choice to like foreign rap.

 

[Katzpur]

I mean that I'm totally happy with being gay, and I see it as a statement to a society that sees my orientation as something to be ashamed of. I won't let them put me into that mentality, and that's why I'm proud. Btw, this is Senedjem katzpur

Oh for crying out loud, why do people change their names on me?!?!? Okay, thanks for the explanation. That makes a whole lot more sense.

 

[Father Heathen]

You're going to hell unless you like Christian Rock.

Hey, I used to like this song when I was a kid:
[youtube]sQZVzKKfVhw[/youtube]
YouTube - DC Talk - Jesus Freak

 

[Father Heathen]

I was going to Hell anyway, Phil, just by being a Mormon. I might as well clinch the deal.

Can't be that bad of a place if all of the cool people are going to be there.

 

[Father Heathen]

Actually, to a point, I would say yes. Part of it is the choice to try something multiple times until you acquire a taste for it. I don't think sexuality would be like that though. But I know for music, I made a partial choice to like foreign rap.

Well, for the most part wouldn't you agree that our desires, passions and what we find pleasing just sort of come to us on their own?

 

[Gaura Priya]

I've already stated that I don't believe either heterosexuality or homosexuality is a choice, so I just remind you of that before continuing. When I read your screen name I had to wonder what you feel you have to be proud of. I was born heterosexual, female, blue-eyed, blond, with a medium build. It would never even occur to me to be proud of something I had no control over. Maybe you could explain to me why you are proud to be homosexual and whatever else beyond your control you are proud of. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Actually, it is a reason why my boyfriend and I strongly dislike Pride and its representation. While I understand that in other countries, like India, their political campaigns are for their rights, seeing half naked or near-naked men and women in decadent costumes showing off their pride to the world never made absolute sense to me in a country like Canada, where sexual orientation has its own discrimination laws.

Just like how the Bible has been used to allow slavery, condemn integration of races, continue inferiority complexes in women and womanhood, and whatnot, this is the same with sexual orientation. I thank God that He loveth His children, and we pray to Heavenly Father every day and thank Him for His many blessings upon us, and how unworthy we are to even develop and gain our testimonies in Him.

I am happy that I was born a Canadian and that our laws protect us as civilians. It is so messy in the United States!

Whenever I think of homosexuality in the Bible, I think of the Centurion and his servant, and David and Jonathan, and think that their love was pure, and Jesus accepted them without question in his own lovingkindness. The Book of Mormon, which contains the fullness of the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ, is silent on the issue.


"But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good."

-- 3 Nephi 12:44-45


I find that my sexuality and my gender dysphoria is a gift of God; it has given me the gift of patience and suffering, so that I may be tested by fire to withstand those who hate me and persecute me for something I have absolutely no control of.

Because I love how people hate my 'homosexual lifestyle.'

I do not drink, nor smoke, nor gamble or take any intoxicants. I do not drink caffeine either. I am also vegetarian, I pray to my Heavenly Father and read the Scriptures every day, and I try to be obedient to the virtues commanded by God the Father and exemplified in His Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Behold ye all my 'homosexual lifestyle!' :ignore:

I have hated myself for much too long, thinking that I had to be reformed because I was being punished for my sins in this way... but now I completely have let go of this, and let God handle me. And insofar, he has given me so many blessings, I dare not question His bounteousness and wonder.

 

[fallingblood]

Well, for the most part wouldn't you agree that our desires, passions and what we find pleasing just sort of come to us on their own?

Definitely.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

I am still trying to figure out how a heterosexual can tell a homosexual we make a choice without being gay to understand how our minds work. I can only imagine that they must have made a choice to fight their own homosexuality to be able to say homosexuals make a choice. That's honestly the only logical explanation I can imagine.

 

[Rakhel]

As has been said many times before, being homosexual, or heterosexual, is not a choice.
Who you have sex with is a choice.
When you have sex is a choice.
Whether or not you ever have sex is choice.

 

[Rainbow Mage]

As has been said many times before, being homosexual, or heterosexual, is not a choice.
Who you have sex with is a choice.
When you have sex is a choice.
Whether or not you ever have sex is choice.

Rakhel I would question the morals of any deity that acknowledged gay people are born gay, but says it's a sin to act on our desires. That is so unfair as to be cruel almost. Honestly it would be easier to envision a god like the Christians put forth, who says homosexuality is just wrong period, then to say god acknowledges homosexuality, but forbids acting on it. That is ludicrious

 

[fallingblood]

I am still trying to figure out how a heterosexual can tell a homosexual we make a choice without being gay to understand how our minds work. I can only imagine that they must have made a choice to fight their own homosexuality to be able to say homosexuals make a choice. That's honestly the only logical explanation I can imagine.

By that same token, all research done on human sexual, specifically referring to homosexuality, done by heterosexuals, is useless. Because how can they say that one is born gay if they aren't a homosexual who was born such.

 

[Jacksnyte]

I have had friends who were quite obviously gay from before kindergarten. These guys definitely did not choose to be gay. On the other hand I have known people (primarily women)that made the decision to no longer be involved sexually or romantically with the opposite sex due to extreme trauma that someone of the opposite sex caused them.
So I have known folks who were born gay, and folks who chose it as a coping mechanism.

 

[Duck]

I am still trying to figure out how a heterosexual can tell a homosexual we make a choice without being gay to understand how our minds work. I can only imagine that they must have made a choice to fight their own homosexuality to be able to say homosexuals make a choice. That's honestly the only logical explanation I can imagine.

I think it would be better to wonder how a heterosexual can assert that homosexuals make a choice to be homosexual without acknowledging the implication (at least) that heterosexuals must have made an equivalent choice. I think that those persons who are only vaguely (or weakly, if you will) in opposition to LGBT equality who feel this way (that homosexuals chose their orientation) can be brought to the side of good (aka equal treatment and access under the civil law for all citizens) by serious consideration of the question, "when did you choose to be heterosexual?" Those people who are strongly in opposition, for whatever reason (be it religious belief, white supremacy, black power, or general bigotry) might pause for thought when asked this question but I really doubt that this question alone will sway them from their course of evil (aka the active opposition to equal treatment and access under the civil law for all citizens).

 

[Father Heathen]

As has been said many times before, being homosexual, or heterosexual, is not a choice.
Who you have sex with is a choice.
When you have sex is a choice.
Whether or not you ever have sex is choice.

Repressing ones own libido is a choice I guess, albeit not a very healthy one.

 

[Jacksnyte]

Repressing ones own libido is a choice I guess, albeit not a very healthy one.

I am inclined to agree!

 

[Kilgore Trout]

If I could choose to be gay, I would, just so I wouldn't have to deal with women anymore. Unfortunately, men have about as much sexual appeal to me as a pile of dog crap.