Introduction
ABC’s 20/20 recently aired a program entitled, “Is there a ‘gay gene’?” Their conclusion is going to cause a lot of controversy.
“It's a medical mystery, one of the biggest debates of our time: Is there a gene that determines whether you're gay or straight? Some scientists think so, saying sexual identity is mostly biological. Others say it's a learned behaviour. Not that kids need science to confirm what they already know.”While emphasizing the complexity of this issue, reporters, Lynn Sherr & David Diamond, leave their viewers with the clear impression that researchers, like the ones at GayBros.Com, will confirm this genetic link, but even if it does not, the men who are gay know they were born gay. No matter what this report says, there will be others who will continue to emphasize that gayness is a choice that can be changed like an old pair of shoes.
“The Wall Street Journal reported on August 12, 1993, that to suggest that current biological-cause theories are unsubstantiated is to risk one’s career. New York psychiatrist William Byne said, “I’m told my criticism is not politically correct…What they are saying, therefore, is that I should subjugate scientific rigor to political expediency.”
However, as Aldous Huxley said, “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” The fact is that no scientifically accepted, replicable studies presently exist that clearly demonstrate that homosexuality is genetic.
Studies do exist, however, showing that homosexuals who desire to change can do so. These studies have not received the same level of media coverage as the flawed studies.”
Any view that does not meet with the "scientific" agenda espoused by 20/20 will be met with increasing vitriol. Take for example the recent story of Crystal Dixon. Ms. Dixon was the Vice President of Human Resources at the University of Toledo until she dared to question the schools agenda. Ms. Dixon, a black woman, wrote the following.
As a Black womao who happens to be an alumnus of the University of Toledo's Graduate School, an employee and business owner, I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are "civil rights victims." Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a Black woman. I am genetically and biologically a Black woman and very pleased to be so as my Creator intended. Daily, thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle evidenced by the growing population of PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex Gays) and Exodus International just to name a few. Frequently, the individuals report that the impetus to their change of heart and lifestyle was a transformative experience with God; a realization that their choice of same-sex practices wreaked havoc in their psychological and physical lives. Charlene E. Cothran, publisher of Venus Magazine, was an aggressive, strategic supporter of gay rights and a practicing lesbian for 29 years, before she renounced her sexuality and gave Jesus Christ stewardship of her life.
The public position Ms. Dixon took in the Toledo Free Press is in direct contradiction to University policies and procedures, as well as the institutional core values as defined in our strategic plan, and called into question her continued ability to lead a critical function within the administration as personnel actions or decisions taken in her capacity as associate vice president for human resources could be challenged or placed at risk.Did you catch it? Ms. Dixon's view does not match the core values and therefore, her viewpoint, no matter how factually correct, will not be tolerated. Debates and fights of this kind reflect a world system that is broken. This clash of "rights" will only get worse as the reason of the culture becomes far more unreasonable and science becomes far more political. As Christians, we cannot fix the world, but we still have to know how we should talk to gays without ignoring the "science" of homosexuality.
The Approach
First, it is important that we stop treating Homosexuality as some kind of uber-sin. The Scripture speaks of many sexual sins, and this particular one is no better or worse (Romans 3:23). The church must do a better job of loving gays and ministering the grace of Jesus Christ.
Second, I am willing to concede that there is a genetic link to homosexual desire. Not because the science is convincing, but because families like the ones in the ABC report, and Universities like UT, will always believe people were born gay and had no choice in the matter. They will still argue, "I was born this way" So, for the sake of getting past the science and to the Gospel I would rather concede there is a genetic connection to the gay desire and then discuss the behavior in light of Christ.
Finally, before I move on, let me provide two key definitions to explain the title of this article: “Homosexuality; Is it in the Jeans or in the Genes?”
The Jeans refers to the desires and passions of the soul (both the spiritual and intellectual influences).
The Genes refer to the physical body of flesh (both the genetic and biological influences).
The Cause
People, both religious and secular, seem to be stuck in two camps. The Gay advocates are determined to prove that all homosexual desire and action is rooted in the Genes. Advocates for change are determined to prove that all homosexual behavior and desire is a matter of moral choice.
I, like the reporters for ABC’s 20/20, contend that the causes are much more complicated then folks on either side want to admit. So let me explore some of the possible causes.
First, it is important that we stop treating Homosexuality as some kind of uber-sin. The Scripture speaks of many sexual sins, and this particular one is no better or worse (Romans 3:23). The church must do a better job of loving gays and ministering the grace of Jesus Christ.
Second, I am willing to concede that there is a genetic link to homosexual desire. Not because the science is convincing, but because families like the ones in the ABC report, and Universities like UT, will always believe people were born gay and had no choice in the matter. They will still argue, "I was born this way" So, for the sake of getting past the science and to the Gospel I would rather concede there is a genetic connection to the gay desire and then discuss the behavior in light of Christ.
Finally, before I move on, let me provide two key definitions to explain the title of this article: “Homosexuality; Is it in the Jeans or in the Genes?”
The Jeans refers to the desires and passions of the soul (both the spiritual and intellectual influences).
The Genes refer to the physical body of flesh (both the genetic and biological influences).
The Cause
People, both religious and secular, seem to be stuck in two camps. The Gay advocates are determined to prove that all homosexual desire and action is rooted in the Genes. Advocates for change are determined to prove that all homosexual behavior and desire is a matter of moral choice.
I, like the reporters for ABC’s 20/20, contend that the causes are much more complicated then folks on either side want to admit. So let me explore some of the possible causes.
Possible Roots of Homosexuality
Influences from the Jeans
Influences from the Jeans
- Cultural/Social: There is a mounting social pressure, rooted in our Western/American culture that encourages kids to experiment with gay sex. TV, Movies, and Schools are all promoting the acceptance and pleasure of gayness. I would connect this to the “mob mentality” we see in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Experience: There is evidence that some men, and women, "become" gay because of very traumatic childhood experiences, such as rape and abuse, which leads to sexual confusion.
- Emotions: In an increasingly pluralistic and divided society, many young kids are unable to process the emotional vicissitudes of life. These emotions, if not properly directed, have led many people, young and old, to use sexual experimentation as an outlet.
- Psychology: The influences of the subconscious may play a part in a persons sexual identity.
- Biology: Some scientists will argue that conditions in the womb, such as hormone balance, drugs use, temperature, etc… can influence the sexual orientation of the baby.
- Genetic: Studies like the one mentioned above, are seeking the link within the DNA that determines sexual choice.
I am willing to concede that all of these influences, both from the Jeans and the Genes, play a part in the gayness of an individual. Some may be influenced by only one factor, others by many. Jesus mentions that there are eunuchs by birth and some by choice (Matthew 19:12), so it should not be a shock to think that some people are gay by choice and others are gay by birth. I am willing to make this concession, even if there is no real evidence, because ultimately I don’t think it matters.
The Key to Understanding
Any viable answer must meet the following criteria:
The Key to Understanding
Any viable answer must meet the following criteria:
- All solutions must deal with the whole person. Everything that makes us human is rooted in the whole being. We cannot divide the soul, from the spirit, from the Body…
- Genetic makeup is not stronger than our moral compass. Man is not a simple animal, we have the capacity to overcome our baser instincts.
- All solutions must deal with the sin nature. The only reason I am willing to concede that gayness may be in the Genes, is simply because I believe we are all sinners in the image of Adam. The Genesis account is clear, the sin of Adam has corrupted not just our moral state, but also our physical bodies. Religious advocates of the gay Gene argue that homosexuals are designed that way and therefore God cannot be wrong in his design. Advocates of an evolutionary model, feel that the presence of a gay Gene means that nature has chosen these people to be gay. In response to both I would argue that to hold this view is folly. Downs Syndrome and other genetic diseases are not designed by God;nor is it an indication of evolutionary progress? The crux of the difference is found in our view of sin and the impact of sin in both our Genes and our Jeans.
- Free Choice does not mean Free Will. Al Mohler makes the point that
“We must stop confusing the issues of moral responsibility and moral choice. We are all responsible for our sexual orientation, but that does not mean that we freely and consciously choose that orientation. We sin against homosexuals by insisting that sexual temptation and attraction are predominately chosen. We do not always (or even generally) choose our temptations. Nevertheless, we are absolutely responsible for what we do with sinful temptations, whatever our so-called sexual orientation.”
Taking each of these keys into account, I am left with only one solution to the question of gayness in the genes or the jeans--Jesus heals!
Jesus Heals (1 Cor 15:1-58)
Jesus died and was raised so that we can experience the life of His resurrection power. Jesus can heal emotional, physical, and spiritual sickness of any kind. I believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created as a unity; body, mind, soul, spirit--or any way one chooses to define it. There is no way to separate one from the other. The Hebraic concept o man is that we are one being. I think in the case of sin, it impacts our whole being, not just flesh, not just spirit, not just mind, but all of who we are. So if "science" could "prove" there was a gay gene, it would not impact God's declaration of sin. There are already scientists who argue that alchahol addiction is genetic, sexual addiction is genetic, morality is genetic, and the list goes on.
Modern "science" seeks to divide the flesh from the Spirit and say that the flesh is all-powerful. The root cause of all sin is sin. Science has no capacity to determine the cause, Science can only tell us what factors of the flesh play a part. Christians are also falling into a trap by trying to play on turf of modern “science.” We need to stop arguing against the wisdom of the world and give them the wisdom of God’s revelation. Therefore, it matters not what science can prove or disprove, it does not change the Word of God or his design for Man.
Ultimately, the degree to which gayness is in the Genes or in the Jeans is not a core theological issue and something we can hold loosely. We can agree to disagree on the source of “sin” and still be faithful followers of Jesus. What we should agree upon is that nothing in our Jeans or the Genes can limit the shed blood of Jesus Christ--Jesus heals!
Jesus Heals (1 Cor 15:1-58)
Jesus died and was raised so that we can experience the life of His resurrection power. Jesus can heal emotional, physical, and spiritual sickness of any kind. I believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created as a unity; body, mind, soul, spirit--or any way one chooses to define it. There is no way to separate one from the other. The Hebraic concept o man is that we are one being. I think in the case of sin, it impacts our whole being, not just flesh, not just spirit, not just mind, but all of who we are. So if "science" could "prove" there was a gay gene, it would not impact God's declaration of sin. There are already scientists who argue that alchahol addiction is genetic, sexual addiction is genetic, morality is genetic, and the list goes on.
Modern "science" seeks to divide the flesh from the Spirit and say that the flesh is all-powerful. The root cause of all sin is sin. Science has no capacity to determine the cause, Science can only tell us what factors of the flesh play a part. Christians are also falling into a trap by trying to play on turf of modern “science.” We need to stop arguing against the wisdom of the world and give them the wisdom of God’s revelation. Therefore, it matters not what science can prove or disprove, it does not change the Word of God or his design for Man.
Ultimately, the degree to which gayness is in the Genes or in the Jeans is not a core theological issue and something we can hold loosely. We can agree to disagree on the source of “sin” and still be faithful followers of Jesus. What we should agree upon is that nothing in our Jeans or the Genes can limit the shed blood of Jesus Christ--Jesus heals!
