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 | "There is no scientific data that substantiates a genetic or biologic basis for same-sex attraction. Anybody can change." Richard Cohen, at the year 2000 PFOX, (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays) convention. |
| "Homosexuality & heterosexuality are likely to be the result of an interaction of several different factors, including genetics, hormonal & environmental factors. Psychological & social influences alone cannot cause homosexuality." PFLAG Oakland - East Bay. 1 |
| "To date, all information and studies involving genetics have proven homosexuality to be environmental, not genetic." PFOX web site. 2 |
| "Research suggests that the homosexual orientation is in place very early in the life cycle, possibly even before birth. It is found in about ten percent of the population, a figure which is surprisingly constant across cultures, irrespective of the different moral values and standards of a particular culture." Statement on Homosexuality, American Psychological Association, 1994-JUL. |
Background:
There are two fundamental concepts about the nature and cause(s) of sexual orientation. Many people base their beliefs on homosexuality on the religious teaching that they have received:
| Many Christians from fundamentalist, other evangelical, mainline, Roman Catholic, and some other denominations believe that heterosexuality is the only normal, natural and non-disordered sexual behavior. Homosexuality is defined as a same-sex sexual activity. They believe that homosexuality is ultimately a choice that young people make, although they are often heavily influenced to make this choice by bad parenting and/or sexual molestation during childhood. Being a choice, it can be changed at any time with some effort. |
| Many liberal Christians, progressive Christians, secularists, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, human sexuality researchers, mental health professionals, etc. believe that there are three normal, natural and non-disordered sexual orientations: heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality. Homosexuality is defined as an sexual attraction to members of the same sex. They believe that homosexual orientation is fixed early in life, perhaps before birth and perhaps at conception. Being an orientation, it is rarely if ever changeable. |
Based on these beliefs, individuals have come to at least six different understandings of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, equal rights for sexual minorities, etc.
Links to essays on the cause(s) of homosexuality:
| Definitions of homosexuality
and sexual orientation; who cares about causes?... | ||||||||||||
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Speculations into the cause(s) of homosexuality and other sexual
orientations | ||||||||||||
| Public opinion polls | ||||||||||||
| Studies into -- and indicators of -- the
cause(s) of sexual orientation:
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| Beliefs of conservative Protestants |
Related essay:
| Is homosexuality permanent? is it a choice that can be changed, or a fixed orientation? |
References:
- "Why is my child Gay?" Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) at: http://www.dynapolis.com/PFLAG/whygay.html
- "How PFOX can help," Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays, at: http://www.pfox.org/help.html
- Athenadorus, "Homosexuality: Its Genetic Basis & Evolutionary Benefit," at: http://www.danaanpress.com/
- Matt Ridley, "Nature via nurture: Genes, experience, and what makes us human," HarperCollins, (2003). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store This book discusses the effects of genes and the environment on human behavior and traits. It touches on homosexuality in a few locations.
- "Sylvia," "The biological basis of homosexuality," 1997-DEC, at: http://www.geocities.com/
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Site navigation: Home > "Hot" topics > Homosexuality > Basic data > here |
Copyright © 1997 to 2008 by Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2008-AUG-16
Author: B.A. Robinson
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