for non-Christians: homosexuality?

Question

what is your belief system (agnostic, wiccan, etc)?
where do you stand on homosexuality... choice or genetic?

thankyou in advance for your responses

for the record, i am a Christian who is curious what you think :)

12 answers so far, thankyou, please continue :)

Answer 1

absolutely genetic, I am not a religious nut but a spiritual fruit.

Answer 2

I'm a Christian, so forgive me for answering even though the question was not directed at me, but as a student of biological psychology, I couldn't resist. I just wanted to point out that the only possible answers are not "choice" and "genetics". It's tough to make the argument for a gene that "causes" homosexuality. BUT, the environment, especially the prenatal environment can play a role in sexual preference. For example, in rats, if the mother was exposed to high levels of stress during a particular time in during gestation, it causes in utero androgens to peak at the wrong time, the male rat pups (although they are male physiologically) will adopt female behaviors (will assume female urination posture and mating posture). Now to answer the second part of your question, I think that for a select few, it is possible that sexual preference is a lifestyle choice (perhaps more for bisexual than homosexual individuals). For the rest (vast majority), I think that it is a complex interaction between genes and certain environmental factors. The only choice they have is how they choose to behave given that they are aroused by members of the same sex.

Answer 3

As an atheist, I feel as though homosexuality is most certainly genetically linked. We must make it accountable that there are other species around the world that turn to homosexuality. Certain species of toads are known to change sex when a population is unbalanced by an overabundance of male or females. (i.e. change sex when 90% of the population is male) Furthermore, during times of overpopulation, some species turn to homosexuality to curb the overextended populous. Examples of these can be found in field mice or the ever so popular gay penguins that recently broke up (actually happened if you don't believe me). So, through a scientific standpoint, homosexuality is a normal genetic process that occurs when a species is overpopulating.

Answer 4

Even if somewhere in the future a genetic link for gays could be proven, it wouldn’t suddenly make the behavior right, or acceptable to God. Look at alcoholism or tendencies toward anger. While these have been promoted as having a genetic linkage, there are few, if any, in our society who would accept such behaviors just because they are linked genetically. God’s Word still makes no provision for any type of sexual activity except that found within heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman.

Answer 5

The religion that I gravitate towards the most is Buddhism. My stand on homosexuality is that it may be a choice for some, and it may have an underlying genetic cause. Either way, I see no reason why homosexuals should be discriminated against or ridiculed if they are living within the laws of their respective country. I hold the same attitude for heterosexuals.

The sayings of the Buddha, as recorded in the Pali canon, do not clearly and explicitly address homosexual acts, but they do comment on sexual misconduct. (Interestingly, Jesus does not address homosexuality either, but does comment on sexual misconduct.) Buddhism neither condones nor condemns homosexuality.

Buddhism provides three bases to use when making an ethical judgment:

we should consider the consequences of our actions, their effects on ourselves and others

we should consider how we would feel if others did the same thing to us

we should consider whether the behaviour is instrumental to our goal of Nirvana.

Using these criteria, Buddhist commentators have usually construed sexual misconduct to include rape, sexual harassment, molestation of children, and unfaithfulness to one's spouse. Clearly, these manifestations of sexual misconduct can apply equally to homosexual and heterosexual behaviour. The third precept is not a blanket prohibition, nor a simplistic depiction of some behaviours as wrong and other behaviours as
right.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism) was asked about this in a 1997 interview and did not offer a strong answer either way. He said that sexual desires in themselves are natural, perhaps including homosexual desires, but that one should not try to increase those desires or indulge them without self-control. In 1993 he commented:

"nature arranged male and female organs 'in such a manner that is very suitable... Same-sex organs cannot manage well."

But he stopped short of condemning homosexual relationships altogether, saying if two people agree to enter a relationship that is not sexually abusive, "then I don't know. It's difficult to say."

Answer 6

I don't believe in any gods or religions, and though I don't think that homosexuality is a choice, I'm not sure I think it's purely genetic, either. I don't know how or why someone would develop their specific sexuality, and to be honest, I don't care- what happens in their bedroom is none of my business anyway.

Answer 7

I'm Jewish, but I do not agree with my religion. I say it's a choice and I have no problem with gay marriage. I also do not see how gay marriage could somehow harm heterosexual couples in any way.

According to my religion, being gay is a sin, but it's acceptable to be a lesbian. (The lesbian comment is a strange consequence of sexism in the Bible.) However, being gay is called an abomination, as is not keeping kosher. (Kosher is not eating restricted foods, such as shrimp, ham, or cheeseburgers.) However, nobody in our society has a moral objection against eating cheeseburgers, so I don't see how homosexuality could be treated differently.

If homosexuality were genetic, how do you explain instances in which one twin is gay and the other straight?

Answer 8

Agnostic:

I think it's a combination of genetics and reinforcement. Hormone balance certainly plays a role, but I think the larger role is played by reinforcement of certain stimuli when a person is young and developing their sexuality. Still, not really a choice.

And no, I find nothing wrong with homosexuality.

Answer 9

Atheist

I personally dont care on wether its genetic OR choice, i think its a mixture of both. However, i believe every person has the right to lead their life how they intend, not dictated by one faith group or some crack pot 'morality' group.
However, due to the fact thats some animals can be homosexual, i believe it may have a basis in genetics

Answer 10

I've got sort of a religious mishmash thing right now but weather homosexuality is choice or genetic, we're all just human beings

Answer 11

I'm an ex-Christian. I'm now a Buddhist. Sorta. That's what I classify myself as.
Anyway.
I'm bi. And.. I didn't choose to be this way.. so.. just not choice. I'm not sure what it is (genetics, environment, etc.) but it's definitely not always a choice. Some people may choose it as a fad, but that's not how it always is.