A complex dilemma for Christians re: the biological basis for homosexuality. (See details for exact questions)

Question

8-10% of male sheep (rams) are gay (mount only males), & scientists are trying to make them straight. (LINK BELOW)

FINDINGS: The hypothalmus in the brain is consistently smaller in gay rams. Giving young rams hormones often succeeds in making them straight.

While the "treatment" often works, it doesn't always.

CHRISTIAN DILEMMAS:
1. Gay men also have smaller hypothalmuses, indicating a biological basis for mammalian homosexuality.

2. Human prenatal test will be developed to show if baby boys might be gay. Parents who don't want to raise gay children may abort their fetuses.

3. Ram treatment sometimes fails; the goal is only to produce more sheep. If given to humans, the hormones must be given to children. There may be physical or behavioral side effects, & many will still grow up gay.

QUESTIONS:
Do Christians support such research?
Does biology contribute to gayness?
Are gay people part of God's plan?
Are such abortions justified?
Should scientists experiment on at-risk children?

Here's the link to one news story:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/17141.html

Search Google News for "Gay Rams" for similar additional stories on this study.

Answer 1

The growth of scientific knowledge often demands parallel developments in moral thinking.

Prenatal testing is a fraught issue even generally speaking: older pregnant women face the dilemma of whether to test for Down's syndrome, and other biologically determined conditions every day.

I would hope that by the time the technology to prenatally determine sexual preference comes on line it will be seen in the same way as ultrasound for sex determination is usually seen today: people are either curious or not, but are happy with either outcome. Unfortunately, experience shows that the technology can be abused to suit the prejudices and preferences of parents.

ANSWERS:

I don't know, but I suspect some are pretty nervous some for good reasons and some for bad.
Yes, definitely, the science is unequivocal there is at least a contribution.
I don't believe in God, but I do believe that diversity in humanity, including in sexual preference, is consistent with the laws that govern evolution by natural selection.
No, never.
I don't think this would get to first base with a human ethics committee, and they potentially face enormous lawsuits which are unlikely to be prevented by parental consent.

Answer 2

Do Christians support such research? i would have to study more about it to answer this question but i can say that i have seen children who i figured would turn out to be gay and once they got older i saw that i was right.

Does biology contribute to gayness? i do believe that there may be something in the brain that may cause people to be gay.

Are gay people part of God's plan? i have often heard that it is not a sin to be gay but a sin to participate in homosexual activity. i'm not sure if i agree with it or not yet. i haven't studied enough yet to be sure.

Are such abortions justified? no. i also don't believe abortion is the right thing to do 99% of the time.

Should scientists experiment on at-risk children? i would see this type of experimentation a form of abuse so i would have to say no.

Answer 3

>>Do Christians support such research?<<

I do.

>>Does biology contribute to gayness?<<

Yes.

>>Are gay people part of God's plan?<<

Certainly, the same way anyone else with a neurohormonal disorder is part of God's plan. It is not God's ordained will that anyone have diseases and disorders; it is part of our fallen nature.

>>Are such abortions justified?<<

No.

>>Should scientists experiment on at-risk children?<<

If using the same guidelines they use for experimenting on children at risk for other disorders, I don't see why not.

Answer 4

there are just way too many people pretending to speak for god I think gays are wrong its just what I think and were I of a mind to I could find science or religion to back up how I feel but I think Ill wait on God it is not my place to condem or redeem only to treat others with the same love and respect that I want for myself . just lighten up people you worry too much about too many things you arent in control of .

Answer 5

Maybe the rams are not gay, just stupid.
They are trying to change a behaviour.
The right drugs can do many things.

Kind of an outrageous presumption you have there.

Get A Grip.

Answer 6

I'll ask any one of the dozens of ex-homosexuals I know and get back to you on that.

You may find talking to them a 'complex dilemma' - but I assure you - there are several that I personally know from ministry - and thousands who have turned their backs on your so-called "biological bases".

Answer 7

STUPID!!!
In Muslim, guys is a wrong behaviour, and many muslim have success being treatment to be straight man (the treatmen from child is more recomended). All True Muslim will go againt Gay/Male-Male status.

Answer 8

www.gaytostraight.org
Having a small hypothalmus may be the RESULT of being gay, and not the CAUSE.

Answer 9

I don't care about animals.
We're not animals, we're human.
We know better than to do that; animals live on instinct alone, not on a moral basis.

Answer 10

75% of priests are gay and still don't believe in gayness.