| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | '''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). | + | '''Sexual orientation''' refers to a person's preferred mode of sexual activity, fantasy or desire. The overwhelming majority of people are [[heterosexual]] (i.e. preferring the opposite sex), but around 1 to 2 percent are [[homosexual]] (i.e. preferring to the same sex as themselves). Some people are also [[bisexual]] or [[asexual]]. |
| | | | |
| − | 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 should not be criticized. 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. | | 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. | + | There is no scientific consensus on when sexual orientation is fixed, or whether it is fixed at all. All attempts to find a "gay gene" have failed. |
| − | *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 | + | |
| | + | Many people generally disagree with the premises of these homosexuality 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"). | | *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,
| + | Some Bible passages suggest that 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? | | *"Did you not read that He made them at the beginning of creation, male and female, did He not? |