Fundamentalists, is homosexuality determined by genetics or is it a personal choice?

Question

This is really just a poll, I already have my own thoughts and am curious about yours. I'm not going to criticize any honest answers, I would appreciate it if you are respectful about it. I know how many agnostics and atheists feel, but would like to hear from Christians, especially fundamentalists, rather than relying on some stereotype.

http://www.physorg.com/news84720662.html

This is just an article from December concerning possible biological traits that may be linked to sexual orientation. I'm not disagreeing with anyone that has posted answers (a few of you have said that homosexual desires are not a sin, only acting upon them is.) The reason I thought this was interesting was because they have found that sexuality can have a genetic foundation in fruit flies.

I do believe that, for some, homosexuality is a biological factor, but there are certainly others who have experimented with or chosen (unconciously or not) to live that sort of lifestyle.

Answer 1

former pentecostal minister here, now gay Buddhist, i knew at a very young age i liked Tarzan more than Jane the "christian$" destroy so much culture, so sad!

Answer 2

I am not sure about what you want to hear, but the truth is. it is a choice. God' said it is a sin to do such a thing. he would not say this unless it was a choice. I also have a story that I had copied a few years ago, from a Web page. that was wrote by a homosexual. who clams that it is a choice, but he heard it was inherited. so for years he believed he would be like that for life. but he did not like the idea of being a homosexual, he was ashamed of himself, is the way he explained it. I know you may not believe me. but I did copy the story and have it on a CD. it is a very long story about his life.

I am new too; Yahoo's question & answers so I do not know if they will let someone paste a large story in here. also if you do not believe what I have told you, that is up to you. but remember God would not say, it is a sin, if it was not a choice they could make. maybe I could email it to you as an attachment. if Yahoo will permit this.

Answer 3

I'm not a "fundamentalist Christian" because I'm a Roman Catholic ... but here's my take on this, which also is in line with Catholicism's take on it.

It's not up to religion to determine what causes a person's homosexual orientation. That's for the behavioral scientists to decide.

But regardless of the cause of a homosexual orientation ("nature" or "nurture"), the end result is the same -- the Church does not consider a homosexual ORIENTATION to be sinful, but it does consider homosexual ACTS to be sinful.

The Church regards homosexuality -- whether it's genetic, environmental, or a choice -- to be inherently disordered. This doesn't mean the person is disordered -- it just means that he/she has a disorder. If you can follow the difference.

The Church teaches us that people with a homosexual orientation should be treated with dignity and respect.

It also teaches us that homosexual acts are morally illicit, and that those with the inclination to perform such acts should resist the temptation to do so through perserverance and prayer.

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Answer 4

It's both. I've known small children who definitely display the characteristics of the opposite gender and have grown up to be homosexual.

By the same token, I've known many people who simply prefer same sex relationships or dabble with both.

By and large, those who seem to be 'born' gay are overwhelmingly male, whereas overwhelmingly, lesbians tend to be so by choice, often due to bad relationships with men.

Bisexuals are obviously by choice.

The bottom line is, being homosexual or having homosexual desires is not a sin according to the Bible. Performing a homosexual act, however, is.

It is important to remember to separate the sin from the person and in the end everyone will be judged by the balance of their deeds.

Answer 5

It is never a personal choice and this is important to understand. You choose your hairstyle, music, clothes and friends, but NOT this. It is said that it is genetically coded, others claim that it is just the creation of the sick human mind, but I think it is unimportant. The main thing is that people should understand each other and take care of each other. Thousands have problems accepting this fact worldwide and people should help them instead of excommunicating them. But it is not a chosen thing and not a disgusting and horrible thing. Some people are gay, some not, why make people always a huge problem about this? Tolerance is the part of our humanity. Use it... please.

Answer 6

There is no such gene that determines a person's sexual preferences.

It is simply a choice made by the individual. No one can be 'born gay'. In the Bible it refers to those who were commiting such actions as sinners because they gave in to the lust of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV): "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

Homosexual acts, like any other type of sin, is a sin. Plan and simple.

Answer 7

i think its a little of both, why chose something your not inclined to do so, i mean why choose it if theres no need to, you dont feel any attraction or whatever towards it, i really dont know, well for me, i think homosexuality is an misinterpretation of what you feel towards others of the same sex, if that be the case, its a twisted attraction i guess, or (im not judging or anything okay, just saying it as i think it is) a perversion, strengthened by continual practice into believing that its realy you, i mean it becomes your nature, there will always be effeminate men or masculine females i guess, now that souond stereotyping but im using it statistically okay, but not all turned gay or something, so i think its both, hehe, im not expressing myself clearly am i?

Answer 8

If one truly believes that God created man in his own image, yet he made man to lie with another man, then the God that you believe is not the God of the bible, or the God that lays claim to have created the world. Purely choice, nothing scientific nor some extended collection of genetic data is needed. it is better to NOT believe in GOD, rather than to believe and yet to redefine who he is to fit one's own personal standards, that is like drawing a God on a piece of paper, and then placing him on the wall of your hame and saying " This is who I believe in" The ones who are on the outside altogether are better than those who are lukewarm, because they are not acessible and are harder to convince. If you want to know GOD, then do as the bible say, its not easy.

Being "gay" is purely a choice, but we still love them anyway.

Answer 9

I believe that homosexuality is both genetics and medical.
I also believe that homosexuality is a choice. I think that in to days world the later is more prevalent

Answer 10

Well..I believe we were created by God in his image....he calls homosexuality an abomination ! That being the case ...as a Christian I believe it is a choice that people make either out of ignorance , frustration or disobedience to the ways of God .

Answer 11

i dont know about christians, but jews believe that it doesnt matter whether it is genetics or not.
we are put on this world to face tests in order to grow spiritually. these tests are specifically designed for us. suppose homosexuality is entirely genetic (it isnt completely- the gene is only a predisposition) all that means to a jew is that homosexuality is HIS specific task to overcome. and, we, as jews, hate sin, NOT THE SINNER! it is crucial to understand that all people go through tests, and all people fail all least some of the time.....noone is perfect, we just have to strive to be better every day