An honest question for Atheists (part 2)?

Question

Okay, most of you clearly stated that you believe homosexuals are born that way. But there is no proof of this. There is also no proof of a higher being, yet you do not believe. Why one and not the other?

By the way, and like I said before, I think Atheists are totally cool and have their stuff together more than anyone else. I am in no way trying to argue or convert, or force beliefs, or anything like that. What I'm doing is just trying to have an intelligent discussion/debate with other intelligent people. I'm interested in why you'd believe one that that's not proved, but disbelieve in the other. I'm not strictly talking about the biblical/Christian god either. I'm talking about ANY higher power, and also human souls, also unprovable. I'm interested in the logic behind those brilliant minds.

Blessed Be.

Read above. This question is for Atheists. That's those who don't have a belief in a god or higher power. This question is not for those who believe in Satan.

I have to go to bed now. Will choose a best answer tomorrow. I'm glad you all are understanding the question here, well, most of you are. Good night.

Answer 1

Personal experience. You didn't ask about proof, you asked about our belief.

There are thousands of 'higher beings'. 'God' is not unique. It's very common for humans to invent deities to explain mysteries and control people.

Answer 2

well first, i know several homosexuals. all very intelligent. And they all ask, why would someone choose to be hated, belittled, descriminated, abused, beaten, etc.? Why would they choose to hide something from their parents, their friends and their employers? If they had a choice it's pretty obvious that no one would choose the difficulties of being homosexual in America. Second, there is some evidence. Most species of animals have the same occurance (5-10%) of homosexuality. Why would the human species be different?

Several studies have pointed to genetic and hormonal influences. One Columbia study, also noted on 60 minutes, concluded that the more male siblings one has, has a significant influence on the youngest male being gay. This is because the mothers body cannot produce enough testosterone while in the womb for the 4th and 5th male child.

The reality is, science may not have found a "gay gene" but it's on its way. Science finds the explanations for things if given the time. It told us that the earth was round even though the church disagreed. It told us the Earth wasn't at the center of the universe, and the church fought it. Science has shown us that man has evolved and the earth is billions of years old. Yet the church fights those facts now... Put your faith in Science it doesn't claim to have all the answers, but it will get back to you!

Answer 3

As for homosexuality, I would argue that scientists don't even know what causes the common cold or auto-immune diseases. Plus, it's not a choice to be schizophrenic among many other psychological disorders. And I have no control over who I'm attracted to.

As for Christianity, it's not so much about proof. Good, deeply honest people I respect and admire are burning in Hell for not worshiping God according to dogma. I love these people so I would not abandon them for my own pleasure. I also study social psychology a great deal and it explains how man does not control what he learns. Sure I can choose to read a book, but I can't choose what I take from it. It all depends on how I grew up, what I was exposed to, was I sheltered or given more access to knowledge, genetics, etc.. Most importantly, I do not want to worship a judgmental God if being judgmental is something I despise and wish to be free of.

Answer 4

There are strong indications that there is no God, and even stronger indications that homosexuals do not choose their orientation:

A. Homosexual orientations occur in spite of great ostracization. This is not a choice that people would normally make. Add to this repeated failed attempts by many to "be cured." This suggests that there is a strong internal pressure to remain homosexual.

B. The hippocampus of homosexual men is smaller than that of heterosexual men. There have been some that suggested that this change is the result of homosexual activity. However, there is no indication that this change occurs among men who engage in homosexual activity in places like prison, where such activity is based more on a lack of female companionship. Therefore, it appears that the smaller hippocampus occurs before homosexual activity, not after.

C. Higher likelihood of identical twins being gay than fraternal twins being gay, even if raised apart.

D. Self-report of men identifying themselves as gay as soon as they became sexually aware.

E. The self-report of heterosexuals that they have no recollection of choosing to be straight. (This is largely true, but some bisexual people actually make this choice.)

F. The presence (even common occurrence) of homosexuality among largely monogamous animals. While such behavior has no

While none of these are definitive proof, they provide a great deal of circumstantial and experiential evidence that sexuality is not a choice experience, but instead a discovery experience.

The best analogy appears to be left-handedness. When a child is born, it is impossible to know whether it will be right or left handed. The child discovers this when it is time to start using a dominant hand. The same seems to be true for sexual orientation. It is impossible to know until it is time to start showing a particular preference. At that time the growing child begins to experience urges toward one gender or the other. Most children are drawn toward members of the opposite sex, but a significant minority are drawn toward members of the same sex.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 5

It's logical to assume that the human gene pool will have variety. Some will be born tall, some muscular, some shy, some aggressive, some intelligent, some dumb, most heterosexual and some homosexual.

Why is this so hard to comprehend for people like you? It's a simple statical variable that some people will be homosexual. The best estimate is that it is 12%.

Answer 6

I'd have to be certain it weren't a result of chemically induced delusions, a mental problem, or some type of sound equipment. After being certain of these factors, if the voice happened persistently every time I attempted to contact it, it responded accordingly, and it did not respond at any other time, then I MIGHT be convinced that it were some type of disembodied entity. Of course, if I had a mental illness I probably wouldn't know I had it, and would therefore be convinced that the voice is genuine.

Answer 7

I know of one account by Matt Ridley about a genetic basis for homosexuality. I tend to attribute most individual human tendencies to genetics. I think there is a bell curve for every trait you can imagine (quantitative traits is the genetics term), including sexual behaviors, drives, etc. This follows from lots of sound examples of traits and genetics, and is a completely different sort of realm than believing in a deity. We don't have a whole bunch of examples of systems that can be extended to the god question - we only have our universe to look at.

Answer 8

you cant really compare my belief in homosexuals being born that way and my belief that there is no god. i do not believe ALL homosexuals are born that way and i dont need proof if they are or they arent because thats not as important as if there is a god or not. if there really was a god i would truly be very happy and admit i was wrong! but rather or not a homosexual is born gay or not is not something that effects me. god would be something that effects me. very good debate, i like how you worded this.

Answer 9

Why wouldn't they be "born that way"? As a straight women...I REALLY could not make myself be any other way... And I imagine that gays are probably much the same way. That's just a really personal thing and something that would not be easy to make yourself go the other way.

Gods on the other hand...too "magical" and fantasy-like in my opinion...


Edit: I seriously hope the person above me is kidding... As an atheist, born into an atheist family, we have NEVER prayed. I was not "prayed" for as a child...and I came through perfectly straight, sane, normal, etc...

Answer 10

You know you're runing your study by coddling up to them and stroking them. You're inviting poistive comments.

And you're wrong, by the way. There IS some proof that homosexuals are born that way. Scientists have found receptors that determine how attraction works and it's different in them than in heteros. That is enough to warrant a valid THEORY on "predestination" of SOME, not all, homosexuality.

And I'm not going to tell you my religious status. I decline to state.