Changes

*[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Timothy%201:8-11;&version=49; I Timothy 1:8-11 (NASB)] - "But we know that the [[Mosaic Law|Law]] is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and [[sin|sinners]], for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed [[God]], with which I have been entrusted."

*[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Timothy%201:8-11;&version=49; I Timothy 1:8-11 (NASB)] - "But we know that the [[Mosaic Law|Law]] is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and [[sin|sinners]], for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed [[God]], with which I have been entrusted."

In addition, there are numerous other references that also condemn the lifestyle, such as 1 Kings 22:46 (NASB): "The remnant of the sodomites who remained in the days of his father Asa, he expelled from the land." [[Liberal]]s even hide additional disparaging references in the [[Bible]] to "homosexuals", by mistranslating the [[Greek]] and [[Hebrew]] slang for the term as "dogs" in [[Deuteronomy 18-25 (Translated)#23:18|Deuteronomy 23:18]], [[Epistle to the Philippians (Translated)#3:2|Philippians 3:2]], [[Psalms 21-30 (Translated)#22:20|Psalms 22:20]], and [[Revelation 16-22#22:15|Revelation 22:15]].<ref>The Greek term for "dogs" as pets is completely different: κυνάριον (kunarion) [https://biblehub.com/greek/strongs_2952.htm].</ref>

In addition, numerous other references also condemn the lifestyle, such as 1 Kings 22:46 (NASB): "The remnant of the sodomites who remained in the days of his father Asa, he expelled from the land." [[Liberal]]s even hide additional disparaging references in the [[Bible]] to "homosexuals", by mistranslating the [[Greek]] and [[Hebrew]] slang for the term as "dogs" in [[Deuteronomy 18-25 (Translated)#23:18|Deuteronomy 23:18]], [[Epistle to the Philippians (Translated)#3:2|Philippians 3:2]], [[Psalms 21-30 (Translated)#22:20|Psalms 22:20]], and [[Revelation 16-22#22:15|Revelation 22:15]].<ref>The Greek term for "dogs" as pets is completely different: κυνάριον (kunarion) [https://biblehub.com/greek/strongs_2952.htm].</ref>

__TOC__

__TOC__

''For more information please see'': [[Religious Upbringing and Culture Affects Rates of Homosexuality]]

''For more information please see'': [[Religious Upbringing and Culture Affects Rates of Homosexuality]]

Dr. Neil Whitehead is a research scientist and [[biochemistry|biochemist]] from [[New Zealand]] and his wife Briar Whitehead is a writer.<ref>[https://www.mygenes.co.nz/about_us.html About Us: My Genes Made Me Do It website ]</ref> Dr. Whitehead coauthored a book with with his wife entitled ''My Genes Made Me Do it - a scientific look at sexual orientation'' which argues that there is no [[gene]]tic determinism in regards to homosexuality (homosexuals are "not born that way") and that there is abundant documentation that individuals are able to leave homosexuality and become heterosexuals.<ref>http://www.mygenes.co.nz/download.htm</ref>  

Dr. Neil Whitehead is a research scientist and [[biochemistry|biochemist]] from [[New Zealand]] and his wife Briar Whitehead is a writer.<ref>[https://www.mygenes.co.nz/about_us.html About Us: My Genes Made Me Do It website ]</ref> Dr. Whitehead coauthored a book with his wife entitled ''My Genes Made Me Do it - a scientific look at sexual orientation'' which argues that there is no [[gene]]tic determinism in regards to homosexuality (homosexuals are "not born that way") and that there is abundant documentation that individuals can leave homosexuality and become heterosexuals.<ref>http://www.mygenes.co.nz/download.htm</ref>  

[[File:70810564 64d3a67932.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Homosexuality appears to be rare in [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jews]].]]

[[File:70810564 64d3a67932.jpg|right|170px|thumb|Homosexuality appears to be rare in [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jews]].]]

Dr. Whitehead and Briar Whitehead declared:

Dr. Whitehead and Briar Whitehead declared:

With the end of Prohibition, the onset of the [[Great Depression|Depression]] and the coming of World War II, LGBTQ culture and community began to fall out of favor. As Chauncey writes, a backlash began in the 1930s, as “part of a wider Depression-era condemnation of the cultural experimentation of the 20's, which many blamed for the economic collapse.”

With the end of Prohibition, the onset of the [[Great Depression|Depression]] and the coming of World War II, LGBTQ culture and community began to fall out of favor. As Chauncey writes, a backlash began in the 1930s, as “part of a wider Depression-era condemnation of the cultural experimentation of the 20's, which many blamed for the economic collapse.”

The sale of liquor was legal again, but newly enforced laws and regulations prohibited restaurants and bars from hiring gay employees or even serving gay patrons. In the mid- to late ‘30s, Heap points out, a wave of sensationalized sex crimes “provoked hysteria about sex criminals, who were often—in the mind of the public and in the mind of authorities—equated with gay men.”  

The sale of liquor was legal again, but newly enforced laws and regulations prohibited restaurants and bars from hiring gay employees or even serving gay patrons. In the mid- to late- ‘30s, Heap points out, a wave of sensationalized sex crimes “provoked hysteria about sex criminals, who were often—in the mind of the public and in the mind of authorities—equated with gay men.”  

This not only discouraged gay men from participating in public life, but also “made homosexuality seem more dangerous to the average American.”

This not only discouraged gay men from participating in public life, but also “made homosexuality seem more dangerous to the average American.”

''For more information please see'': [[Failure of Experiments to Show Genetic Determinism For Homosexuality]]

''For more information please see'': [[Failure of Experiments to Show Genetic Determinism For Homosexuality]]

Dr. Dean Hamer is a researcher often cited to show that there is empirical data supporting the notion of genetic [[determinism]] in regards to homosexuality. News organizations like [[National Public Radio]] and [[Newsweek]] have done news stories regarding his work.<ref>[https://www.the-scientist.com/critic-at-large/going-beyond-the-lab-37247 Going Beyond the Lab], ''The Scientist''</ref> In respect to the press trumpeting various findings genetics-of-behavior research uncritically the science journal ''Science'' stated the following in 1994: "Time and time again, scientists have claimed that particular genes or [[chromosome|chromosomal]] regions are associated with behavioral traits, only to withdraw their findings when they were not replicated. 'Unfortunately,' says Yale's [Dr. Joel] Gelernter, 'it's hard to come up with many' findings linking specific genes to complex human behaviors that have been replicated. ...All were announced with great fanfare; all were greeted unskeptically in the popular press; all are now in disrepute.'"<ref>''Science'', 264:1687 (1994)</ref>

Dr. Dean Hamer is a researcher often cited to show that there is empirical data supporting the notion of genetic [[determinism]] in regard to homosexuality. News organizations like [[National Public Radio]] and [[Newsweek]] have done news stories regarding his work.<ref>[https://www.the-scientist.com/critic-at-large/going-beyond-the-lab-37247 Going Beyond the Lab], ''The Scientist''</ref> In respect to the press trumpeting various findings genetics-of-behavior research uncritically the science journal ''Science'' stated the following in 1994: "Time and time again, scientists have claimed that particular genes or [[chromosome|chromosomal]] regions are associated with behavioral traits, only to withdraw their findings when they were not replicated. 'Unfortunately,' says Yale's [Dr. Joel] Gelernter, 'it's hard to come up with many' findings linking specific genes to complex human behaviors that have been replicated. ...All were announced with great fanfare; all were greeted unskeptically in the popular press; all are now in disrepute.'"<ref>''Science'', 264:1687 (1994)</ref>

=== Gender and homosexuality ===

=== Gender and homosexuality ===

Also, in 2012 ABC News reported concerning actress Cynthia Nixon: "Cynthia Nixon stands by her statement that she is gay by choice, despite the backlash she’s received from members of the gay community."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/01/cynthia-nixon-gay-by-choice/ Cynthia Nixon: Gay by Choice?]</ref> In addition, given that the [[Homosexuality and health|homosexual population has significantly higher rates of many diseases and the homosexual population also has significantly lower rates of various measures of mental health]], it can be strongly argued that engaging in homosexual acts is a bad choice for individuals.   

Also, in 2012 ABC News reported concerning actress Cynthia Nixon: "Cynthia Nixon stands by her statement that she is gay by choice, despite the backlash she’s received from members of the gay community."<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/01/cynthia-nixon-gay-by-choice/ Cynthia Nixon: Gay by Choice?]</ref> In addition, given that the [[Homosexuality and health|homosexual population has significantly higher rates of many diseases and the homosexual population also has significantly lower rates of various measures of mental health]], it can be strongly argued that engaging in homosexual acts is a bad choice for individuals.   

Another other factor that makes engaging in homosexual acts a bad choice for individuals is the significantly higher rates of [[Homosexual Couples and Domestic Violence|domestic violence in homosexual couples]].  In addition, according to experts [[Homosexuality and Murders|homosexual murders are relatively or quite common and often homosexual murders are very brutal]].  Also, the [[Homosexuality and Illegal Drug Use|homosexual population has a greater propensity to engage in illegal drug use]].

Another factor that makes engaging in homosexual acts a bad choice for individuals is the significantly higher rates of [[Homosexual Couples and Domestic Violence|domestic violence in homosexual couples]].  In addition, according to experts [[Homosexuality and Murders|homosexual murders are relatively or quite common and often homosexual murders are very brutal]].  Also, the [[Homosexuality and Illegal Drug Use|homosexual population has a greater propensity to engage in illegal drug use]].

A 2003 poll done by Ellison Research of [[Phoenix]], [[Arizona]] stated that 82% of all [[United States|American]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] ministers agreed with the statement “homosexuality is a choice people make".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181025095012/http://www.greymatterresearch.com/index_files/Homosexuality.htm Opinions about homosexuality - Grey Matter Consulting]</ref>

A 2003 poll done by Ellison Research of [[Phoenix]], [[Arizona]] stated that 82% of all [[United States|American]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] ministers agreed with the statement “homosexuality is a choice people make".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181025095012/http://www.greymatterresearch.com/index_files/Homosexuality.htm Opinions about homosexuality - Grey Matter Consulting]</ref>

===Immutability===

===Immutability===

Immutability is the inability of a thing to be changed. For example, it is impossible to change a dog into a cat. Likewise, it is impossible to change one's [[race]], although with makeup or plastic surgery has made it possible to alter one's racial appearance.  The immutability of membership in a group is an important consideration in determining the level of scrutiny given to a law against that group under the [[Equal Protection Clause]].

Immutability is the inability of a thing to be changed. For example, it is impossible to change a dog into a cat. Likewise, it is impossible to change one's [[race]], although makeup or plastic surgery has made it possible to alter one's racial appearance.  The immutability of membership in a group is an important consideration in determining the level of scrutiny given to a law against that group under the [[Equal Protection Clause]].

There has been much debate over whether homosexuality is immutable despite the existence of [[ex-homosexuals]]. Often the argument is made that it's either genetically determined (and thus immutable), or that it is entirely a matter of choice.  Given this dichotomy, the premise that "I didn't choose to be gay" yields the conclusion that it must be genetically determined. However, the search for a "[[gay gene]]" has proved elusive. Many others, including most scientists, have a much less 'black and white' view.  They propose that it is determined by a complex interaction of many factors, some of which could be genetic, but probably also include psychological, environmental and cognitive factors, and is shaped at a very early age.

There has been much debate over whether homosexuality is immutable despite the existence of [[ex-homosexuals]]. Often the argument is made that it's either genetically determined (and thus immutable), or that it is entirely a matter of choice.  Given this dichotomy, the premise that "I didn't choose to be gay" yields the conclusion that it must be genetically determined. However, the search for a "[[gay gene]]" has proved elusive. Many others, including most scientists, have a much less 'black and white' view.  They propose that it is determined by a complex interaction of many factors, some of which could be genetic, but probably also include psychological, environmental and cognitive factors, and is shaped at a very early age.