ARE PEOPLE BORN HOMOSEXUAL?
By Michael Thomas

We are plagued with a society that is slowly endorsing homosexuality. It seems as though some entertainer, athlete, politician, or social figure "comes out the closet" every week. We have reached the point where a person jeopardizes his career if he publicly condemns homosexuality. He is accused of being narrow-minded, self-centered, and homophobic.

The most popular argument made for the justification of homosexuality is that people are born gay. Many homosexuals claim they did not choose to be gay, and would change if they could, but they are physically and mentally incapable of doing so. Lie, lie, lie. That is a lie! What scientific proof is there that some babies are born homosexual and others heterosexual? What gene is present, or even absent, that determines some humans to be gay and others straight?

In his book, Overcoming Homosexuality, Dr. Robert Kronemeyer says, "From my 25 years experience as a clinical psychologist, I firmly believe that homosexuality is a learned response to early painful experiences and that it can be unlearned."

Even homosexuals who are honest about their behavior have admitted they were not born gay. John Dececco, editor of The Journal Of Homosexuality, says homosexuality is a "behavior, not a condition" and that "the idea that people are born into one type of sexual behavior is entirely foolish." ["A Biological Theory For Sexual Preference," USA Today, (March 1, 1989), p. 40]

Bill Flatt, Ed. D. , says, "Conditioning is the predominant cause of homosexuality: conditioning by parents, siblings, by dating and other experiences. Genetics alone is never the cause. Genetic studies of homosexual and heterosexual groups cannot accurately distinguish between the two groups." [Counseling Homosexuals, (Jonesboro: National Christian Press, 1985) p. 65]

Even if these medical professionals and reliable sources did not consider homosexuality a learned behavior, God, the only one truly qualified to comment on human behavior, says it is!

When a man burns with desire for another man, or when a woman lusts for another woman, it is because they have each left the natural use of their desires (Rom. 1:26, 27). They have a "debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness" (vs. 28, 29). It is unnatural to be gay because there is nothing in life that teaches such activity. If humans, animals, or plants attempt to live in a male to male or female to female arrangement, each species would cease to exist. The natural order calls for a male to female relationship.

This is why homosexuality more offensive than other forms of sexual immorality (i.e., adultery among heterosexuals). All forms of sexual immorality are condemned by God and should be gross to us (1 Cor. 6:18).

However, homosexuality is more offensive because it violates human nature. There will be heterosexuals as well as homosexuals in hell for their immorality, but homosexuality is especially perverse because it is a product of unnatural desires and rebellion.

I do not question those who claim their homosexual desires are overpowering and that it feels natural for them to be gay. This happens to any sinner who abuses their desires. After lusting for a particular sin for so long, it becomes second-nature for them to always want that sin and to practice it without realizing it (2 Pet. 2:14). It would seem unnatural to not lust in that manner.

However, we are not excused for developing improper desires, nor should we expect people to make exceptions for us. If the homosexual is justified because he thinks he was born with those desires, then who is responsible for anything they do? What about the child molester who believes he was born with those desires? Is he justified in lusting after little children? Is the only thing wrong with his behavior the victimization of innocent people? Would it be right for him to fulfill those desires if he did not harm anyone?

The fact is, it is perverted and gross for a man to want children. It is unnatural. He was not born with those desires. He trained himself to think that way. The same is true for the homosexual. He has become that way through an improper use of the desires, whether intentional or not.

The solution is to take on the spirit of holiness and to cleanse the heart of all wickedness. The Christians at Corinth had some who were once homosexual, but they repented of such evil to please God (1 Cor. 6:9, 10). If they were born with those desires, how could they contain them in coming to God? Because what is learned can be unlearned, whether good or evil.