Could preaching against homosexuality have negative effects on teenagers?

Answer 1

Hi there,

I think your question is an important one and if it is for an academic assignment I have prepared this which will give you top marks!.

I disagree with the general opinion so far and because I believe that we are all entitled to agree and disagree with what we believe no matter who it is going to offend. If we stop having the right to free speech then we are committing suicide anyway and become yes people to everything hat we are fed.

I am very much for gay rights and have had gay boyfriends and do support the gay community in their efforts to fight for equality. I do not believe that people should be out-casted or treated differently because of their sexuality. So anyone thinking that I am anti-gay for having an opinion is very wrong because I am not.

What my argument is, is that we live in a world where debate and argument has been around since the ancient Greek and Roman times and it is an important and necessary part of human life. The importance of debate is that it allows humans to develop and shape their worlds and if we all agreed upon everything, then we would all become dumb and mentally inactive people. The only reason why this issue in particular is so emotive, is because it is an emotional subject for many.

We are a lot closer to living in a civilized world than ever and yet, we must remember that human beings are a subject of great fascination in this society. We all have individual beliefs that have been shaped by our own pasts and societal values. Some are religious and condemning and others are not. Some are ignorant and biased and quick to judge and condemn those who are researched.

All of these factors are what are going to create divisions and where unity is only going to be possible unless we are all forced into one brain tank and told that we must believe what we are being told or be judged or out-casted. Every issue in this world is not going to be agreed upon and this includes sexuality but it is not the only topic that people cannot agree upon.

Priests are also viewed as hypocrites and cultists and so their opinions on sexuality do not represent a world view nor is the population one particular religion or school of thought. We cannot therefore accuse the church of prejudice that is far more wide-spread and extends to communities and individuals within them.

I think preaching against anything is healthy because it promotes natural inquiry we are born with and meant to utilize. Without argument is to be without mind and opinion and that is the ideal state a certain kind of utopian world that I hope we never come to live in in our life time. The benefits of preaching against this particular issue are many and because morality should always be a choice otherwise it becomes a religion and why it is important that not everyone agrees upon homosexuality.

Teenagers do not commit suicide purely because of these divided opinions. There is far too much acceptance of being gay around today than ever in history and most teenage boys and girls experiment anyway. If being informed allows for a child to commit suicide then the gay community are also equally just as responsible for this when there is going to be strong opposition.

I am of the opinion that teenagers are impressionable and this fact allows them the ability to challenge and reason and form opinions. If they were only ever informed that it is alright to be gay then all teenagers would have to agree. But, not all kids are going to and because they are all individual and shaped by other external influences that have created their beliefs. You would have to anhilate all religion, catholic schools and colleges, the parents who believe it is not okay to be gay, children raised in families who believe this too.

Either this or to control the masses all together?. So, I think the question should be "To what extent could preaching for homosexuality impact upon society?". If we all agreed that men should never have sex with women, then perhaps all women should be terminated before they are born and then men would remain childless and become extinct. What if we agree that gay men could only live with other gay men and straight men with straight women in separate spheres? - do you see where my argument could lead to?.

Morality is the biggest issue alive and because it changes the entire foundation of economics and sociology and why if we all agreed upon one course of action, we would all be subject to the consequences of it. Debate is therefore healthy and natural if we are civilized and integrated human beings.



The importance

Answer 2

Preaching against any group of people has a negative effect on our youth regardless if that group is homosexual, of color, religion, etc.

More emphasis should be practicing acceptance, not the PC word of tolerance. They should be taught to accept everyone as equals.

Answer 3

Without a doubt. First off it can make them ashamed for feeling like they "sinful" people & second it can cause alot of teens to be harrassed when being a teenager is hard enough. I'll never ever forget my neighbors son who committed suicide. They had no clue anything was wrong & then they found a note that said Dad, I'm sorry I disappointed you. So I think parents too should talk with their kids & tell them that no matter what they love them. I do that everyday.

Answer 4

Definitely - saying that it is a sin, and that the perpetrator of such a sin is going to hell... well, if I believed that I would definitly be contemplating suicide because I know for a fact that sexual orientation isn't something you can change. It's almost like preaching the belief that if you aren't perfect you are going to hell. All of us would be doomed. The whole idea is illogical.

Answer 5

Yes but things are getting better. Recently, a minister was arrested at his pulpit for preaching against homosexuality.

Answer 6

Yes, it causes a lot of teenaged gays and lesbians to kill themselves. In their hearts they know that they can't change and that they were born gay. It would be too hard to live a life of celibacy and they can't stand the idea of giving their families shame. It's really sad, but it has led to many deaths. Gay teens have the highest suicide rate in the country (or at least that's what I've heard before).

Answer 7

Yes -- Preaching against homosexuality, often causes gay teenagers to commit suicide. Many gay and lesbian teens say they feel rejected at home and church.

Answer 8

I very well think it might. When a clergyperson (a person in authority) speaks against something, young people in his or her congregation listen -- and they internalize it. And that internalization might not come out as avoidance behavior or religious zeal but outright bigotry and hate against people who are different from them -- especially in the workplace. It might also drive closeted gay and bi teens out of the church -- or worse.

Answer 9

Yes, just look at how many individuals are on Yahoo answers trying to hide their GBLT status, or feeling depressed, or looking for a way to not be GBLT.

I long for the day that we will be able to accept people for who they are and without judgment. My fear it will never come in my lifetime "sigh"

Answer 10

Yes. It could -- and probably will -- lead to them being called all sorts of dirty and filthy names by the so-called "tolerant" homosexual community.

For instance, warning people against the medical dangers of homosexual conduct could lead one to be called a "*****," a "whore," and to be wished to be hit by a bus. And worse.

I know this because I've experienced all of this, and more, from gays.

So, yes, preaching against homosexuality -- and trying to warn its participants of the real medical risks they are taking -- puts one at great risk for intolerant and overall nasty treatment.

And this treatment comes from gays, the champions of tolerance that they claim to be. Ironic.

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