On "Being Born That Way"
So, the other day, I was in an online discussion about a girl who was expelled from a Christian school because her parents were lesbians. The conversation inevitably turned to whether it's OK to be gay and how Christians are so "bigoted" towards them. Someone mentioned some kind of research showing that homosexuals have physiological differences from heterosexuals, leading many to believe that most are "born gay". I was about to offer the classic Christian gay block, "You're not born gay, it's a choice" when I stopped and thought about the first part. How do I know that people aren't born gay? In fact, I submit that it should not surprise Christians in the least to discover that many people are born with a predisposition to homosexuality. This thinking fits in perfectly with our view of humanity. After all, aren't all people born with a predisposition to sin? I may not have the urge to be gay, but I do have the urge to be hateful and sefish. Most men that I've talked to struggle with sexual purity, almost as if we were born unfaithful.
The comment "We're just born that way" either implies or leads into "Why should I be something that I'm not?" This line of reasoning tends to detract attention from the central issue that Christians should focus on, but rather should provide us with a perfect opportunity to describe what Paul says in Galatians 5:16-17--
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Basically, God usually demands the opposite what is in you nature to want to do. We are incapable of doing good. We are dead in our sin. Praise be to the grace of God that He has seen fit to choose some to be given His Spirit so that He can work through us a fighting chance at pleasing God. This issue really comes down to this: Yes, we were all born with desires in our very flesh to behave in certain ways. God has laid down in Scripture what behavior He expects from us. It is the exact opposite direction from where our desires pull us. Only through the power of the Cross and the Holy Spirit can we hope to defeat these desires (smart theologians call this "mortification"). Claiming that you were "born that way" is just a statement saying "I am pleased with my current state", which Christians claim, with Scripture's backing, to be dead in your sin, far from God.
Rather than fighting the claim of "gay from birth", let's (as Christians) do two things:
- Remember that we were all sinners from birth and that we still struggle daily with the remnants of that nature. We will be this way until we are glorified in heaven.
- Attack the real issue of their lack of realization of their current state with Christ. Tell them that Christ loves them and wants them to claim Him as their Lord and Savior right now. The Spirit with work within them later to convict them of their sin, just as He convicts us of ours on a daily basis (see my first point just above).
PS--Thanks to everyone for sending in their Friends episode names and for proving that my life is way funnier than any sitcom. Keep sending them in, there are a bunch more from when you last checked...Love you all.
posted by Dan "The Man" @ 9:34 AM
10 Comments:
Well written, Dan. It's true--we're all born sinners, and the struggle to become like Christ is life-long, and impossible without His grace. Those with homosexual temptations may be born that way, but can still triumph and live a holy life with Christ.
Communicating these things to an interested gay person is a very, very difficult thing to do. So many are not as "open minded" as they claim to be, and do not want to hear.
Alright, you can't just go posting all these thoughtful, insightful things on your blog and then not post anything for a million years...what are you, working or something?
I wonder what makes you think that gay people are wrong for being gay.Do you think that gay people choose the road frought with hardship, such as identity crisis,bigotry, and much more on purpose?Do you think that we don't love God.It bothers me that people who speak out against homosexuals and homosexuality almost always use Bible verses to condon their venomous, hateful remarks and actions.Where you born straight Dan?Where you every attracted or lust for someone of the same sex?Remember you said that we were all born sinners it's in our nature and that God usually demands the opposite of what is in our nature to do.So if that's true do you have to fight against being straight? For every verse from scripture you quote you can almost always find one that challenges it.Everyone's intrepretation of the Bible is different.The important thing ,I believe, is constantly praying and asking the Lord to guide you.In the end God knows what's in your heart and what your intentions are.And on that note I'll end it hear by saying how about directing all the time and wonderful writing skills to speaking out against the abuse and neglect of children, the spread of STDs,the homeless.How about getting out in the community and helping those in need rather than setting behind a computer screen writing articles about something you have no idea about.How many gay friends do you have of know?Have you taken the time to get to know them I mean really just listen to them without passing judgement. Who are you to judge other people? And when your done reading this try to answer the questions I've asked you unbiasly.
lolovelyI don't think that when we are talking about the gay and lesbian community we should use the Bible. This is a big no, no, and as said before we were all born into sin. The one thing in the Bible that can be use dto defend the gay community is that thou shall not pass judgement,so if you are what you say you are a soiritual person, where is this comminmg from. I do beleive that men and woman of gay community a predisposed to some gene while in the womb, that made them gay. I loook at it as different I am not a lesbian women however, I do know that me being heterosexual is looked at to them as unusual, not normal. And my question could be to you what is the norm, what does being normal really mean. I just don't think someone would pick a life of such hard ache, who would want that. But again it is something intheir nature that no one not of the gay community can understand. And quite I honestly I don't think we ever will
What can I say...
Men Are Just Born This Way
You most certainly should use the Bible anytime you are trying to make a point. The Bible is very clear and NOT contradictory. It clearly says that a man should not lay with another man. The word man there, of course, is translated "mankind" from the original hebrew. We as Christians, do not condemn homosexuals, because it is not our right or our place, but we can state that it is wrong and use the Bible as evidence. You can't say you believe in God, but you don't believe certain parts of the Bible. It's all one package. The Bible is the only book to go into depth about God, his love for us, and how to be saved by grace. You can't just pick the parts that sound good to you. We are born with a sinful nature, but God created us. God is perfect and wouldn't create anybody or anything imperfect. We are born with the nature, b/c that's the world. The world is not God's way... if it was, He wouldn't have to have sent his Son to die for us. He knows we're not perfect, but we are to strive to be more Christ-like everyday. In Christ ~ God Bless.
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6519
I dont agree with this article. Many of you say that, okay, people are born gay and then you have teh nerve to refer to the bible. In the word, being gay is an abomination, so why would God makes us "be born gay" and then go back onhis word. He is not a man that goes back onhis word and he is not one to contradict himself. So if youre going to make referebce to the word--lets do it right please!! People are not born gay, that is a decision that they choose to live with and or make as their lives go on!
If you have a concern about what I said, please feel free to email me at wnwilliams@sjc.edu
I dont agree with this article. Many of you say that, okay, people are born gay and then you have teh nerve to refer to the bible. In the word, being gay is an abomination, so why would God makes us "be born gay" and then go back onhis word. He is not a man that goes back onhis word and he is not one to contradict himself. So if youre going to make referebce to the word--lets do it right please!! People are not born gay, that is a decision that they choose to live with and or make as their lives go on!
If you have a concern about what I said, please feel free to email me at wnwilliams@sjc.edu
I do not believe that people are born gay; nor do I believe that God has created people to live this sort of life-style. In the book of Genesis when God created the heavens and the earth He also created a man and a woman (Adam and Eve.) Therefore if God approved of gay marriages or relationships he would have created two men or two women. If He did how will reproduction take place? God wants us to reproduce. It is impossible for two people of the same sex repoduce a chld of their own flesh and blood? Leviticus 18:22 "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Leviticus 20:13 "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them has done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." God has nothing to do with people becoming homosexuals. However, this is a work of Satan. Demonic spirits do exist and there are spirits for every kind of sin. Therefore homosexuality is a demonic spirit. There are spirits of lust, fear, confusion, depression,etc. Any one who does not accept Jesus as Savior will inherit whatever demonic spirit Satan assigns to them. If you have any comments feel free to email me at: brittany.lndr@gmail.com
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