Is Homosexuality Biological?

I was going to use a poll for this but I think I would rather read responses than numbers. The recent events concerning the SBC pastor got me to thinking about this question:

Is homosexuality biological in nature?

I will give several "sample" answers. Feel free to chose one or to give your own.

Sample Answers (Note that the answers all assume homosexuality to be a sin) :

1. No. It is a choice people make plain and simple.

2. No. It is a choice people make. However there maybe psychological and sociological factors that influence that choice.

3. Maybe. The action of homosexuality is a willful choice. However there maybe be biological, psychological, and sociological factors that influence their choices. This is the result of the fall.

4. Yes, it is biological (to a great degree). However this does not mean that God approves of the behavior. They are "born that way" because of the fall. It is, in effect, a birth defect.

My view?

I tend to favor view number two. Clearly certain psychological and sociological factors in our lives can influence (not cause) the things we do. That does not excuse sinful behavior, however, since we have a moral will and are accountable for our actions. I have seen no evidence to support the idea that there is any biological factors. However if such evidence would arise, and I doubt it will, I would agree with position three. However at this time I am in agreement with position two.

So what is your answer?

PLEASE don't just reply to my answer. I ask you to answer the question for yourself then, if you wish, reply to my answer. Keep in mind all of the above positions agree that homosexuality is a sin.

In Christ,
Martin.

 

Reading the answers thus far I see that most are not answering the question I asked.

First let me remind people that only numbers three and four have biological elements.

Secondly the question here is NOT "is homosexuality a sin". I thought I cleared that up in my post but clearly some missed that point. So let me state it again: This question and the sample answers assume that homosexuality is a sin. No question about that.

The question being asked is about influences in people's lives. Let me be a bit more direct:

Do you believe that there maybe be sociological, psychological, and/or biological influences that may lead a person to be tempted with homosexuality? If they give in or not is a choice. The question is about influences. Not the nature of the behavior. Are there external or internal influences at play?

Hope this helps.
Martin.

 

==Btw I find it hard to believe that someone can say there are no influences in regards to any behavior (positive or negative).

Martin.

 

Sin Nature yes. Genetics no.

Joseph Botwinick </font>[/QUOTE]==Are you saying that the "sin nature" does not affect genetics? What about various birth defects, etc? Are they not the results of sin? It seems to me that the "curse of sin" and "the sin nature" certainly do affect genetics. Now how that relates to the issue of homosexuality, if it does, I don't know.

Martin.

 

==I agree with the latter part. However on the biology part I can't agree or disagree. Why not?

1. I am just not that well versed in biology (I admit my ignorance) so I can't say.

2. Just because something is "biological" does not mean it is "right" or "moral". Something can be biological and still be sinful. How? The fall. The fall affected man's desires (etc). Thus there are birth defects and all sorts of problems. Mankind's natural desires (etc) have been polluted by sin. Therefore something cannot be declared "moral" just because it is "natural". Right and wrong do not come from biology rather right and wrong come from the Word of God and an pure conscience.

3. Paul seems to indicate in Romans 1 that homosexuality is not only a sin but it is also a form of judgment. This relates back to what I just said in point 2.

In Christ,
Martin.

 

==I agree but can we limit its affects to the spiritual only? What about birth defects? Clearly these are the result of sin also?

Martin.

 

==I agree that homosexuality is a product of the sin nature, as are birth defects. My question was is homosexuality a birth defect? I am not saying it is...just asking. See my original post.

Martin.

 

==It is a judgment in the fact that God hands them over to their sinful desires. Notice what Paul says in Romans:

"For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error."

They wanted to live in sin and reject God. They wanted to be homosexuals, and idolaters. Therefore God gave them over to it (see Prv 1:20ff as another example). It is a jugdment in that God turns people over to it when they reject Him.

Martin.