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| − | '''Sexual orientation''' refers to a person's preferred mode of sexual activity, fantasy or desire. The overwhelming majority of people are [[heterosexual]], but around 1 to 2 percent are [[homosexual]]. | + | '''Sexual orientation''' refers to a person's preferred mode of sexual activity, fantasy or desire. The overwhelming majority of people are [[heterosexual]] (i.e. attracted to the opposite sex), but around 1 to 2 percent are [[homosexual]] (i.e. attracted to the same sex as themselves). |
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| | Advocates of homosexuality frequently argue that sexual orientation is fixed at birth, i.e. one is "born that way". This forms the basis of an argument that homosexuality is not a matter of choice, and thus cannot be considered a sin. One may as well criticize a person for having blond hair, or dark brown skin. | | Advocates of homosexuality frequently argue that sexual orientation is fixed at birth, i.e. one is "born that way". This forms the basis of an argument that homosexuality is not a matter of choice, and thus cannot be considered a sin. One may as well criticize a person for having blond hair, or dark brown skin. |
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| | Some homosexuality advocates make a weaker claim, i.e., that sexual orientation is caused by a number of factors but does not become unchangeable until early childhood. Likewise, this forms the basis of the argument that no one can be held morally responsible for being homosexual. | | Some homosexuality advocates make a weaker claim, i.e., that sexual orientation is caused by a number of factors but does not become unchangeable until early childhood. Likewise, this forms the basis of the argument that no one can be held morally responsible for being homosexual. |
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| − | Christians, Jews and other religious people generally disagree with the premises of both of these arguments. | + | Many Christians, Jews and other religious people generally disagree with the premises of both of these arguments. |
| | *A person "born" with a strong craving for alcoholic drinks would still be held responsible if he got drunk and injured someone in a car accident | | *A person "born" with a strong craving for alcoholic drinks would still be held responsible if he got drunk and injured someone in a car accident |
| | *A person with an "inherent" hatred of blacks would still be considered a racist (and in violation of the rule, "Love your neighbor as yourself"). | | *A person with an "inherent" hatred of blacks would still be considered a racist (and in violation of the rule, "Love your neighbor as yourself"). |