Difference between revisions of "Sexual orientation theory"
(rv Prof. Herek.) |
(definitions -neutral, I hope, and a qualification - there ARE people who are gay and Christian/Jewish/religious.) |
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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). |
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. | ||
| − | 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"). | ||
Revision as of 18:54, July 12, 2007
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).
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.
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.
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 with an "inherent" hatred of blacks would still be considered a racist (and in violation of the rule, "Love your neighbor as yourself").
The normal, God-given orientation for human beings is heterosexuality. Jesus taught,
- "Did you not read that He made them at the beginning of creation, male and female, did He not?
- "And it said, because of this a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife and they become both one flesh.
- "From then on they are not two, except one body. What God has thus united, a human being does not separate." (Matt. 19:4-6)