Homosexuality has existed for centuries. In ancient Rome, homosexuality was not only practiced but believed to be a stage of adolescent development. It was thought that young boys went through a period of homosexual feelings that would ultimately dissipate in one’s early 20’s. Homosexuality and its practice is nothing new. It’s been around for a long time.
In my experience, averting or finagling around one’s own personal beliefs proves to be nothing but an act of cowardice. It is my unabashed opinion that homosexuality is both immoral and downright impractical. It seems to me that any clear-thinking person would not desire to live a homosexual lifestyle nor wish that anyone else would. The countless accusations from the left that Christians are against homosexuality due to obscure passages in the book of Leviticus are ludicrous. In all honesty, I have no idea where those passages are in the Bible and I certainly do not base my conviction against homosexuality on them and neither does any other Christian who takes the issue of homosexuality seriously. Chiefly, I oppose homosexuality as a way of living due to the medical reasons that I will attempt to outline briefly whilst also touching on the debate of the potential genetic nature of homosexuality. After these somatic concerns, one will find my objections to homosexuality being grounded in my Judeo-Christian beliefs. But they come from New Testament passages and still primarily rely on the negative physical repercussions of homosexual relations.
A medical critique of homosexuality is not difficult to mount. According to the GLMA (Gay/Lesbian Medical Association):
“Many men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of HIV infection…sexually transmitted…hepatitis…depression and anxiety…sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)…prostate, testicular, or colon cancer…tobacco [use]…[and] human papilloma virus (HVP).” (Winn, 2012)
Lesians are at increased risk for many of the factors above as well as breast cancer and gynecological (GYN) cancers. (Poteat, 2012) Thus, according to the LGBT community itself, participating in homosexual acts make one more likely to contract very serious diseases—especially sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Outside of the LGBT community, many studies have shown an enormous, disproportionately high occurrence of diseases and disorders in homosexuals when compared to heterosexuals. One particularly saddening case is in the incidence of depression and suicide amongst the homosexual community. Referring to a report by Robert Schmidt, Dr. Willaim Lane Craig recorded that:
“…40% of homosexual men have a history of major depression. That compares with only 3% for men in general. Similarly 37% of female homosexuals have a history of depression. This leads in turn to heightened suicide rates. Homosexuals are three times as likely to contemplate suicide as the general population. In fact homosexual men have an attempted suicide rate six times that of heterosexual men, and homosexual women attempt suicide twice as often as heterosexual women. Nor are depression and suicide the only problems. Studies show that homosexuals are much more likely to be pedophiles than heterosexual men.” (Craig, n.d.)
The customary response to some of these statistics is that homosexuals live in a culture where their lifestyle is considered taboo and they are judged by others and consequently are more prone to self-harming actions. This seems to be misguided thinking because if discrimination or intolerance lead to an increase in depression, then one would expect to find the African American community in the United States (which is sadly still discriminated against to some degree) to have higher depression rates. When one studies the data, one actually finds the complete opposite. (Riolo et al., 2005)
Echoing back to the GLMA warnings, Schmidt also recorded that
“75% of homosexual men carry one or more sexually transmitted diseases, wholly apart from AIDS…[including] non-viral infections like gonorrhea, syphilis, bacterial infections, and parasites. Also…viral infections like herpes and hepatitis B (which afflicts 65% of homosexual men), both of which are incurable, as well as hepatitis A and anal warts, which afflict 40% of homosexual men.” (Craig, n.d.)
In addition, “AIDS…now infects 30% of homosexual men.” These statistics mean in practice that 3 in 4 gay men carry some sort of STD, a little over 3 in 5 gay men carry hepatitis B, and 1 in 3 gay men have contracted AIDS. That is staggeringly high.
Life expectancy for homosexuals is significantly lower compared to heterosexuals due to the high incidence of disease and especially the prevalence and rapid transferral of STDs. In fact:
“…the life expectancy for a homosexual male is about 45 years of age. That compares to a life expectancy of around 70 for men in general. If you include those who die of AIDS…the life expectancy drops to 39 years of age.” (Craig, n.d.)
The only remaining question to ask is why STDs travel so quickly through homosexual populations. The answer lies in the extremely high number of partners homosexuals have on average in their lifetimes. Schmidt documented that
“75% of homosexual men have more than 100 sexual partners during their lifetime. More than half of these partners are strangers. Only 8% of homosexual men and 7% of homosexual women ever have relationships lasting more than three years.” (Craig, n.d.)
This promiscuity was described as almost “compulsory” by Dr. Craig since it was so unusually high. Some reports have suggested as much as 15% of homosexuals have had more than 1000 partners in their lifetime. (Van de Ven, 1997) Such high intercourse rates could explain why homosexuality sees with it a higher occurance of STDs.
What of homosexuality being the result of a person’s genetic makeup? To say that homosexuality is not a choice but 100% the result of a person’s genetic background I find to be a completely unreasonable idea. There is a longstanding distinction to be made in science between genetic effects and epigenetic effects—commonly referred to as “nature vs. nurture”—and it has been shown for many decades that a person’s characteristics are determined by genetic makeup but also just as much by the environment that affects that genetic makeup. Thus, on its face, I do not see how homosexuality could be the result purely of a person’s genetic makeup. (Could one even point to a personality trait that is 100% the result of a person’s genetic makeup? I do not think such a case could be demonstrated.) The idea of epigenetic causes (environmental factors that affect genes) seems much more plausible to me. Very recently, it has been shown that homosexuality could the be the result of epigenetic factors that increase androgen (male sex hormone, such as testosterone) signaling in babies while they are still in his or her mother’s womb. (Rice et al., 2012) Personally, if there is a strong genetic basis to homosexuality, I think it will bear similarity to the genetic basis for alcoholism. That is to say that it might be shown in the future that certain genetic factors make a person prone or more likely to posses homosexual inclinations—but never that homosexuality is 100% bred into a person (in the same way that alcoholism is not 100% bred into a person).
Further, if any homosexual has ever abandoned their homosexual practices and become heterosexual then it is unarguable that homosexuality is not a forced genetic condition. Many such individuals do exist, such as Richard Waller who wrote in 2002 that “I am living proof that homosexuals can and do change. I was as deep in the lifestyle as anyone. I spent nine years with my piano teacher and even thought about getting "married." I was 100% gay, now I am 100% recovered…” (Weller, 2002) Based on statements such as this, a 100% genetic basis for homosexuality is hardly defensible.
In sum, the compelling medical reasons to oppose homosexuality bring me to the first point with which I wished to tie homosexuality: a practical approach to life. As long as one ascribes to a kind of morality that decries self-degradation, one would be bound to oppose homosexuality for his or her self as well as for anyone else. It truly is a destructive way to live. An appropriate analogy is the comparison between homosexuality and smoking. If someone desires to smoke, then that is their choice—but it is a choice with which I would disagree because of the obvious negative health effects caused by smoking. If someone is a homosexual, then that is also their choice—but it is a choice with I would disagree because of homosexuality’s obvious negative health impacts.
Going back to the second point with which I wished to connect homosexuality: there is a positive Biblical case to be made that practicing a homosexual lifestyle is reprehensible. Firstly, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states that “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Combine this command with what has already been said about the impact homosexuality will have on one’s health and already a compelling Biblical case is made against the homosexual lifestyle.
Further, earlier in the same chapter, Paul writes that
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Some have argued that the words “men who have sex with men” originates from Greek words that do not necessarily refer to homosexual acts. In my research, this does not appear to be the case as the Greek translated as “men who have sex with men” is the Greek word “arsenokoites” which means “a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity; a sodomite, pederast.” (Biblios, 2013) In addition, the criticism has been levied that perhaps Paul was only referring to men taking advantage of little boys. This is also a tenuous position. Dr. Craig wrote concerning Romans 1:24-28 that
“Some have said that Paul is only condemning the pagan practice of men’s sexually exploiting young boys. But such an interpretation is obviously wrong, since Paul says in verses 24 and 27 that these homosexual acts by men were committed “with one another” and in verse 26 he speaks of lesbian homosexual acts as well.” (Craig, n.d.)
Thus, there seems to be incontrovertible evidence that the Bible is against homosexuality and consequently so to should Christians be against it.
Dr. Craig also points out that in Paul’s time, unlike ours, there was no concept of “orientation” and thus, to Paul, the only sin was participating in homosexual intercourse—not necessarily in “being homosexual” (meaning, to be oriented to homosexuality as opposed to heterosexuality). (Craig, n.d.) That being said, I am sure Jesus would say that in the same way it is wrong for a man to lust after a woman in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28), so too would it be wrong for a man to lust after a man (or a woman after a woman) in his (her) heart. Thus, if someone is struggling with homosexual thoughts and is actively fighting against them, then that is not sin—only committing homosexual acts is sinful.
In closing I will make one last, crucial point. Homosexuality is no worse than any other sexual sin. This was a comment made by a pastor I once heard and the point he makes is extremely pertinent. Homosexuality is just as sinful as fornication and adultery. Thus, it is wrong for Christians to demonize it as a worse sin than other sexual sins. Stemming directly from that, it is also wrong for Christians to treat homosexuals as worse people than others. I have several homosexual friends and I do not let their life choices impact what I am commanded by God to do—love them. Is it important to guard against falling into the same lifestyle? Absolutely—one must always be on guard against all types of sin. This is not to say, “Let your guard down, it will all be fine.” This is simply to say, homosexuality is no worse of a sin than any other sexual sin and thus should not be made out to be worse than other sexual sins. Christians should strive to help their homosexual friends choose against their current lifestyle and pursue what God intended for mankind from the beginning—sexual intercourse in marriage only between a Christian man and a Christian woman.
Robert A. Rowlett
References
Biblios. 2013. “733. Arsenokoites.” http://biblesuite.com/greek/733.htm.
Craig, William Lane. “A Christian Perspective on Homosexuality.” http://www.reasonablefaith.org/a-
christian-perspective-on-homosexuality#_ednref4.
Poteat, Tonia. 2012. “Ten Things Lesbians Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Provider.” May.
http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=691.
Rice, William R., Urban Friberg, and Sergey Gavrilets. 2012. “Homosexuality as a Consequence of
Epigenetically Canalized Sexual Development.” The University of Chicago Press (December).
doi:10.1086/668167. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/668167.
Riolo, Stephanie A., Tuan Anh Nguyen, John F. Greden, and Cheryl A. King. 2005. “Prevalence of
Depression by Race/Ethnicity: Findings From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
III.” American Journal of Public Health (June). doi:10.2105/AJPH.2004.047225.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1449298/#__sec4title.
Van de Ven, Paul, June Crawford, and Susan Kippax. 1997. “A Comparative Demographic and Sexual
Profile of Older Homosexually Active Men.” Journal of Sex Research 34 (4).
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224499709551903#.UcqQh5Uvrd4.
Weller, Richard. 2002. “CONFESSION FROM A FORMER HOMOSEXUAL.” March 28.
http://www.newswithviews.com/psychology/psychology2.htm.
Winn, Robert J. 2012. “Ten Things Gay Men Should Discuss with Their Healthcare Provider.” May.
http://glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=690.