Homosexuality
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:59 am
This discussion was taking up a lot of space in the "Random Thoughts" thread (starting here) so I am taking the suggestion given there to spin it out into a new thread in the Off-Topic/Whatever section.
That discussion was quite civil and I'd like to think it will remain so here! Please no name-calling, homophobia, religion-bashing, etc.
Ok, so I have a few questions for anyone who has explained they "disapprove" of homosexuality:
1) Is this disapproval strictly grounded in (Christian) religious teachings?
If so, I really don't see sound Biblical reasoning for "disapproving" of homosexuality. The New Testament's writings on the subject are responding to what Paul sees as social problems of sexuality grounded in sensuality and lust, and the Old Testament's references groups it in with other non-kosher behavior such as mixing threads. The fact that several major mainline denominations perform gay marriages and ordain gay ministers seems to suggest that any interpretation of these passages as proof of the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality itself is far from ironclad, and perhaps more reflective of church tradition than of sound theology.
2. How do you reconcile your disapproval of homosexuality as a "choice" with scientific evidence that supports the biological/genetic existence of homosexuality?
I'm referring here to both the widespread prevalence of same-sex mating in nature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_an ... l_behavior) and the ongoing genetic work which is pointing more and more towards hereditary markers of homosexuality (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_an ... ge_studies). If the answer is "science can be wrong" or "the science isn't good enough" can you explain how much or what kind of scientific proof it would take for you to change your mind?
3. What is meant by "disapproval" anyway?
Is your disapproval of homosexuality sort of like " I disapprove of that shirt" or more like "I disapprove of arson"? Is it somewhere in between ("I disapprove of you burning that shirt")? Is it disapproving of something that you see as harmful to others like theft, or is it disapproval of a personal behavior like biting one's nails?
The concern I have with "disapproval" comes from how people draw on these beliefs to act in such a way as to publicly discriminate. Voting against legislation that would extend rights to gay couples, firing/dismissing people from jobs for being gay, refusing permits for gay bars, violence, etc. - these are often how people voice their "disapproval". A vote is not as visceral as a beating, obviously, but they seem to be grounded in the same "disapproval" mindset, often justified through an interpretation of the Bible/biology that is anything but authoritative. "Disapproval" may not be the same as "hate" but, culturally and politically, they often function in the same way...
That discussion was quite civil and I'd like to think it will remain so here! Please no name-calling, homophobia, religion-bashing, etc.
Ok, so I have a few questions for anyone who has explained they "disapprove" of homosexuality:
1) Is this disapproval strictly grounded in (Christian) religious teachings?
If so, I really don't see sound Biblical reasoning for "disapproving" of homosexuality. The New Testament's writings on the subject are responding to what Paul sees as social problems of sexuality grounded in sensuality and lust, and the Old Testament's references groups it in with other non-kosher behavior such as mixing threads. The fact that several major mainline denominations perform gay marriages and ordain gay ministers seems to suggest that any interpretation of these passages as proof of the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality itself is far from ironclad, and perhaps more reflective of church tradition than of sound theology.
2. How do you reconcile your disapproval of homosexuality as a "choice" with scientific evidence that supports the biological/genetic existence of homosexuality?
I'm referring here to both the widespread prevalence of same-sex mating in nature (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_an ... l_behavior) and the ongoing genetic work which is pointing more and more towards hereditary markers of homosexuality (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_an ... ge_studies). If the answer is "science can be wrong" or "the science isn't good enough" can you explain how much or what kind of scientific proof it would take for you to change your mind?
3. What is meant by "disapproval" anyway?
Is your disapproval of homosexuality sort of like " I disapprove of that shirt" or more like "I disapprove of arson"? Is it somewhere in between ("I disapprove of you burning that shirt")? Is it disapproving of something that you see as harmful to others like theft, or is it disapproval of a personal behavior like biting one's nails?
The concern I have with "disapproval" comes from how people draw on these beliefs to act in such a way as to publicly discriminate. Voting against legislation that would extend rights to gay couples, firing/dismissing people from jobs for being gay, refusing permits for gay bars, violence, etc. - these are often how people voice their "disapproval". A vote is not as visceral as a beating, obviously, but they seem to be grounded in the same "disapproval" mindset, often justified through an interpretation of the Bible/biology that is anything but authoritative. "Disapproval" may not be the same as "hate" but, culturally and politically, they often function in the same way...