Is Homosexuality a Choice?

Question

Well here's something that it's definitely not: Genetic.

That being said, what causes a person to become a homosexual? What cultural influence cause this divergent behavior? Even if a person says he never "chose" to be gay, does that necesarrily mean he/she was born that way? For instance do crazy people choose to be crazy?

What makes people so sure homosexuality is natural? What does science have to say about the subject?

Do people have a reason for thinking people are born a certain sexuality or is that just what they believe without any evidence?

Answer 1

Dolphins, Apes, and a plethora of other animals have exhibited homosexual behavior in nature.

Answer 2

As a gay man, I can think of no single point in my life when I made a choice about it. I just am, (literally), what I am, and perfectly happy with it.

As a result, I have been both loving and loyal, helped other people actively, worked hard and supported myself and any partner who needed it.

Of course, the so-called Christians, with all their verbal violence, would tell you that it is perversion, as one respondent has suggested.

However, as a gay man, I don't feel the need to hide behind scripture and I can think for myself, thank you very much.
The people who falsely use scripture do not actually find the truth, even though they seek it.

In Biblical times, almost ANY sexual activity would have had consequences, either from pregnancy or from sexually transmitted infections and disease FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO CURE. In a pre-medical society, even kissing could be a hazardous undertaking.

Anyone who "cares" about people, as no doubt St.Paul did, would be the first to issue dire warnings about promiscuous behaviour and the dangers involved in any sort of sexual activity, just as they do today.

The BIG difference has been that of medical enlightenment, for we have now reached the situation where almost any form of sexual activity can take place quite safely, using whatever protection is appropriate; thus rendering much of what St.Paul said to the moral dustbin.

It is this failure to adapt which is probably at the heart of so many failing churches and religious institutions, and possibly the reason why people in the UK have moved away from religion in their droves.

We hear much about "finding a gay gene" or investigating "hormonal imbalances" pre-birth, but for what purpose.....Cure? Eradication of gayness? Some sort of holocaust against the unborn child?

It's just an extension of religious and societal violence, which serves the purpose of a scape-goat, where everyone "has a go" at some innocent victim, and then feel that they've done something wonderful and worthy for the benefit of mankind.

It would be a pity if the fate of Jesus should be sealed by the act of two men kissing each other.

What a waste!

Answer 3

People are tempted by different things. Some are tempted by homosexual desires.

What causes these desires? I'm not sure. I have found that it seems a large number of homosexuals have suffered from a tramatic, a non-normal, or a perverted relationship, especially early in life. (Abusive parents, divorce, broken relationships, etc.) This leads me to believe that homosexual desires are tied to a need to feel accepted. Rather than a genetic issue, in many cases it may be a social or a mental health issue. The desire to be accepted and loved is natural, but some try to fulfill that need in unnatural ways.

As for animals showing this tendancy, many times if this is observed, it is one of two things. Either the animals are in an un-natural environment where the male/female numbers are not in balance (captivity, zoo, etc.), or the observers are looking for what they want to see.

The Bible says that homosexual behavior is "against nature" (Romans 1:24-27). Those who practice homosexual behavior shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. (1 Cor. 6:9-10) 1 Cor. 6:11 says "such WERE some of you..." Showing it is possible to change.

Yes, some may be tempted by this, but that does not mean they have to give in to that temptation! That is called self-control.

Some may be tempted to murder, but they control that desire. Just because something is a temptation, that does not make it natural, or right! We must choose to do the right things.

Just because someone is tempted to be homosexual, that does not make him homosexual, just like someone tempted to kill is not a murderer if he controls that desire. Homosexuality, likewise, is a choice!

Answer 4

This is a good question. I've always thought that homosexuals were at some point deceived into believing that they were born this way. I don't think they had a choice in being deceived so I'm not sure my conclusion is that it's choice but that it is a lifestyle led in error. Most of these people will readily admit broken homes, substance abuse in their families and quite a lot will tell you stories of same sex molestation. I think it's very very sad, I've never met a gay that was truly happy. Their argument is that they wouldn't chose to live in a world full of people like me. I don't hate them, (nor do I think God hates them) but I think this lifestyle is that of fornication. As well I think that couples who are hetero and shack up together are living a lifestyle of fornication. I think a lot of life choices are made on experience, and we're pretty dull minded by and large and prone to mistakes.

Answer 5

It is not genetic in the sense that there is one or a few genes that define it, but there may be some genetic influence. The evidence is persuasive that it is not a choice. There is some evidence that younger siblings have more of a tendency toward homosexuality than older ones. Aside from (possibly) birth order, no environmental factors have yet been identified which contribute to it.

Answer 6

Science has overwhelmingly shown that it is a multi-trait linked genetic predisposition.

That is -- there is an overwhelming drive towards one or the other. However, there is some small amount nurture to it as well. However, in order to avoid the miniscule amount of nurture needed to realize the predisposition, you'd effectively have to raise the individual in a totally asexual environment. Even exposure to the opposite gender in a sexual manner could bring about feelings of revulsion that would indicate the predisposition and actualize it instead.

The interplay between the genetics and nurture is not "you'll be straight unless you're raised gay" but "if you're exposed to sex at all and have this genetic predisposition, it is highly likely that you will manifest your sexuality in a homosexual manner."

It's not curable, not treatable, nor is it purely psychological.

As little as nurture plays a role in it, it might as well be entirely genetic.

Answer 7

To me, it's simple. If homosexuality were genetic, there'd be no procreation possible after a certain period of time because men and men nor women and women couples can produce babies. A person has to choose to seperate themselves from the ordination of sexuality that God laid out when He created Man and Woman and put them together. To step outside the bonds of what God ordained is a choice, not something forced upon them.

Answer 8

You're right, its been proven to not be genetic.

However, why would anyone choose to be gay? Because they want to be persecuted for the rest of their lives? Because they don't want to be able to marry the person they love? Because they want to be beaten up by strangers? Or maybe so they can be told repeatedly they are going to hell?

Saying genetics is not a cause just means that it is not DNA. That does not mean that there is not some other biological reason. My opinion is, this world is overpopulated anyway, not like we need more people reproducing.

Answer 9

I don't think culture has that great of an influence on sexual preference.

How many tales have we heard about someone trying to be "hetero" and had these "gay" feelings? That says an awful lot.

And it's not like gay is a fad or trendy like Pet Rocks and Mood Rings

Answer 10

I think it is alot like alcoholism. You may be more predisposed to become that more than others, but no one made you take a sip. You chose it because it fulfilled your sinful desires. It disgusts me, to see it, to be forced to be around people like that. But it is no worse of a sin in God's eyes than me cussing about what I just saw the two gay guys do. I cannot judge it, but I dislike it and wish that I wasn't ever around it, but there are those who hate profanity. I am not judging you for being gay.... we have the right to be different.... And we all sin.

Answer 11

First of all you must understand the bible and its terms. The word of God says that we are born IN SIN AND SHAPEN IN INIQUITY.That being said yes they may been born that way.But yes it is a coice to live that way and continue in that sin.Yes the Word of God speaks against that lifestyle but God doesn't hate them He hates the sin. For instance because we are born in sin we struggle with different types of sins. Each person struggles with things differently.Homosexuality is no greater than any other sin in context.But most choose that sin because its their down fall.They can have hope and a future if they would repent........God bless....