Question for Christians: Do you believe that homosexual persons choose to be homosexual?

Question

Do you think that Gays and Lesbians choose to be attracted to members of the same sex as they are?

Tall people do not choose to be tall.
Brown haired people do not choose to have brown hair.

But people do choose to commit crimes.
People choose to use drugs.
People choose to be selfish.
People choose to be greedy and seek riches.

I guess my point is that if we are considering whether or not homosexuality is truly a sin, then we must consider whether or not it is an actual 'lifestyle choice".

My church, the Anglican/Episcopal Church is in the process of deciding whether or not to perform same sex marriages and ordain openly gay persons. It is a matter that has caused great division and disharmony in the church.

I myself am not of one mind on the subject. I am not certain that homosexuality is a sin. It may or may not be. If it is, its only one sin among many far worse sins that people commit all the time.

Any thoughts or insights of Christians here would be of great value.

Answer 1

It has been reported in Medical Journals that there is no gay gene and that homosexuality is likely a choice brought about by your surroundings........people you hang with, etc.

so...yes
I believe they make that choice and they can choose to change of they so desire

Answer 2

Well, I think it's been proven through scientific study that homosexuality is genetic rather than a choice. One does not choose who they are attracted to. However, one DOES choose to engage in sexual activity, whether it be heterosexual or homosexual. Now aside from my personal beliefs, which are irrelevant, the Bible does make a pretty clear statement that homosexual activity is an abomination, but then so too is heterosexual contact outside of marriage. What gets me it that modern evangelical Christianity focuses plenty on homosexuals but tends to be a lot lighter on offenses involving heterosexual "sinfulness" such as fornication and adultry. And what about all the other sins. I think they focus on homosexualism because, let's face it, it's tittalating and taboo - therefore it's interesting. Plus, chances are no one in the church is gay - or at least out - so it's easy to take shots at it - make it the scapegoat. Whereas if you criticize fornication or adultry ... or for that matter cheating on your taxes, then you're likely to have some of your congregation engaged in those very same activities and it wouldn't do to be criticizing your own members now would it? Yes, it is a clear double standard, but organized religion is all about douole standards now, isn't it?

Answer 3

God does not create a person with homosexual desires. The Bible tells us that a person becomes a homosexual because of sin (Romans 1:24-27), and ultimately because of their own choice. A person may be born with a greater susceptibility to homosexuality, just as people are born with a tendency to violence and other sins. That does not excuse the person choosing to sin by giving into their sinful desires. If a person is born with a greater susceptibility to anger / rage, does that make it right for then to give into those desires? Of course not! The same is true for homosexuality.

Answer 4

I think the most appropriate people to ask would be gays themselves. They're the one's who know what its like to be gay, not straight people.

The answer btw from what I've been told is NO, its not a choice. If it were, then I could choose to be gay...and I'm afraid that's just not an option for me.

Besides, there's homosexuality in hundreds of species of animals...they didn't choose to sin.

I find the idea that Leviticus was a bit of a prude is far more likely than a straight man deciding "Hey, I think I'll be attracted to, fall in love, and want to have sex with dudes now!"

Answer 5

I am certain you are aware the Bible treats homosexuality like any other scandelous sin. It's a choice and not a genetic trait.

Let us say for a moment that there is a homosexual gene. Then why are there still gay people? How are they reproducing and passing down this gene to their children, when the last time I check two men, or two women can't have children?

Answer 6

Homosexual people do not choose their sexual orientation, therefore the orientation itself cannot be a sin. However, homosexual *activity* is a sin, but no worse than other sins. Homosexuals are called to abstain from genital sexual activity.

However, I do not think that civil unions between people of the same sex is wrong -- one can enter a civil union to gain insurance benefits and have no genital sexual activity with one's partner. Besides, civil unions are civil (bestowed by the state): they are not religious ceremonies.

Answer 7

you have to read all of this to understand....

I haven't actually seen biological evidence to suggest it's strictly a hormonal disorder. so I can't say they choose their feelings. I know that homosexuality, the lifestyle, is definitely a choice. you choose to believe contrary to God, to condone, and to practice sin.

homoseuxlaity is listed as a sin in both Testaments. see the references.

lifestyles are always choices. whether or not you choose to feel what you feel, you choose to do what you do unless you have a mental illness or are demon possessed.

homosexuality is wrong not just because it goes against God's design for families, but because it promotes other sins. Jesus said that someone who follows all the commands but one (continually) might as well have broken all of them. homosexuals tend to pick and choose what to follow in the Bible, and also tend to have different beliefs on what is a sin and what is not. it also promotes the idea that the Bible is corrupt, which is wrong.

Hate is really the absense of agape love. agape love seeks the highest good for a person, even unto coming to the Lord, despite personal preferences about that person. not liking homosexuality is not homophobia. God wants us to agape love homosexuals, everyone really.

sins are on a level field for God. if one commandment isn't that important to you, then you don't value God's word, and He doesn't like that. beastiality, homosexuality, fornication, stealing, lying.... practicing any or all sins is immoral.

Answer 8

I honestly don't know whether or not gay people choose to be that way.

But I think your analogies are off-base. Being tall, or having brown hair, are physical attributes. Homosexual acts do not involve physical attributes. They involve behavior.

Being tall cannot be controlled -- but one's behavior can be.

Again, I'm not saying I think gays choose to be gay. I honestly don't know.

I'm just saying you need to come up with better analogies than that.

As far as sin, homosexual orientation is morally neutral -- but homosexual BEHAVIOR is sinful. We have to separate the orientation with the act.

After all, some people have an orientation toward having sex with kids -- but nobody ever justifies pedophilia by saying "well, they can't help it because they're born that way."

.

Answer 9

No, I do not believe that they choose to be homosexual any more than I choose to be heterosexual. The only 'choice' is whether or not to act on those attractions, be they hetero or homosexual.

As a heterosexual, I choose to be celibate, because I believe it's the right thing to do.

However, I DO believe that churches have the right to refuse to marry same sex couples if it goes against their teachings.

As for civil unions, I could care less.

Answer 10

Yes, I believe that homosexuals make the choice to be in gay relationships. I do not believe that God made them that way or he would not have said that homosexuality is a sin.
I was born episcopalian, but have denounced it because I do not see that denomination following God but following religion. I would pray really hard for God to show you his heart on this issue.

Answer 11

It is a sin.

Many times the bible says it is. Whenever Jesus talked about marriage, he almost always said "A man and a woman."

For some, it may be easier to become homosexual, but that doesn't mean it should be accepted. Churches really should accept homosexuals who are willing to make gradual changes to heterosexuality.

This is about a christian man who struggled with homosexuality - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/april/36.57.html