The Truth Is Not Subjective
August 29, 2005
The Family Research Council, a conservative Christian think tank in Washington, D.C., argues in its book Getting It Straight that finding people are born gay “would advance the idea that sexual orientation is an innate characteristic, like race; that homosexuals, like African-Americans, should be legally protected against ‘discrimination;’ and that disapproval of homosexuality should be as socially stigmatized as racism. However, it is not true.” — The Boston Globe, “What Makes People Gay?”
Got that? Even if it is scientifically proven that it’s true that people are born gay, it’s not true. Because the Family Research Council says so.
But then later, The FRC’s Peter Sprigg lets loose this mind-bending observation:
Even as he insists that no one is born gay, Peter Sprigg, the point person on homosexuality for the Family Research Council, says, “I don’t think that people choose their sexual attraction.”
Ok. So, people aren’t born gay. But they don’t choose their sexual attraction. But if they are gay, they should be celibate forever. Or only date people to whom they aren’t attracted.
The story’s coming apart at the seams. How much longer can religious conservatives keep up the charade of condemning gay behavior while claiming that gay people can’t choose their orientation? When they were honest and open about their hatred of gay people, at least their argument was consistent. Now that they’re covering their homophobia with a patina of acceptance and understanding, they just look like the biggest hypocrites in the world.
Unfortunately it’s only obvious that they’re full of crap to people who know better. Everyone else just eats it up.
Boy am I getting sick of certain Christians sticking their heads in the sand and refusing to address the REAL FUCKING WORLD. And I say that as someone who was a born again Christian for 9 years. These days I’ve seen the light and am one of those irritating agnostics, but I have a lot of respect for people who genuinely have a faith. That being said, however, you can’t just deny reality because it doesn’t jibe with your idea of God’s plan. Some Christians just can’t fathom that God might MAKE someone gay.
I don’t see why it’s such a stretch, I mean, he clearly makes some people douchebags…
Judge not, motherfuckers.
Hi there.
Now, I didn’t read the book so I am going to have to address Commonwombat’s comment and give my view rather than discussing the original post.
I am a born-again Christian who believes that the sin of homosexuality is no worse than that of gossip or adultery, which in the church, is more prevalant than tithing.
However, I don’t believe that homosexuality is placed on people by God. I believe that homosexuality is a temptation that certain people struggle with that others don’t. This could be due to childhood events or just the culture we are in.
Many (most) Christians are scared of homosexuality because it is outwardly different than other sins and because of the “Gay Pride” movement being so public.
Personally, I think if Jesus was still walking around down here, he wouldn’t be hanging out with the Family Research Council. He’d be out on the street caring for the addicts and the diseased and would shed tears for those blinded, both gay and religious.
I’m sorry if I offended anyone by posting this. I just wanted to let you guys know that even Christians are sick of the judging that is occurring. In the Bible, the apostle Paul is clear that Christians are not to judge the behaviour of those outside the church, just the Christians inside.
Christians are supposed to love homosexuals as much as they love themselves.
See, Sheldon is my kind of Christian.
During my time in the faith, I met many wonderful and loving people who genuinely cared for everyone they met. I also met some total assbags.
When I see the family values mafia or the defense of marriage guys spouting off, I always try to remind myself that they are not indicitive of the church as a whole. Just like the Taliban makes Muslims look bad, so do these guys make things harder for the decent people of the Christian faith.
Sheldon, I’m not going to debate whether homosexuality is a sin, or whether it’s genetics or circumstance… You believe what you do, and I believe what I do.
I’m just going to thank you for taking Christ’s example seriously when he refused to stone the adulteress to death. He never said what she was doing wasn’t wrong, he just decided not to kick her in the teeth for it either. He showed her love despite what he felt about her actions. To me, as someone who no longer walks in faith, that example is still a very good one.
Jesus freaks don’t like homos? Who knew?
Actually Dab, Jesus Freaks love homosexuals because a Jesus freak loves who Jesus loves. It’s religious freaks who have loads of head knowledge that can spout scripture yet not know what it means that don’t love other people.
You see, Jesus reserved his anger for those he called hypocrits, not the sinners.
This is why I like to be called a “follower of Jesus” rather than a “Christian.”
I am the same as commomwombat. Born-again for a couple of years then agnostic. Best decision I ever made and I will never go back. I don’t have to keep asking myself “did God make him gay?” , “should he have the same rights?” Now its like “Your gay? hey im straight, let’s be friends.” The tension is gone. The “weight” that was lifted off of me when I became a christian was big, but it was Nothing compared to the “weight” that came off me when I got out of it.
Interesting Justin.
I’d be interested to hear what weight you felt as a Christian. sheldonkotyk AT gmail.com
I’ve always felt that when I feel weight as a Christian, I am doing something wrong.
I don’t want to use up Matt’s bandwidth so email me if you want. I’m totally interested in hearing your story.
Gays are just people who were potty trained a little too early and a litte too harshly and want to get back at thier parents. I am sick of people tring to make it seem like there are people who are created gay. That is like someone having a beard and saying that they have a beard because they were born that way…they werent born that way THEY GREW IT! I want to puke now.
Sorry sheldon but I’ve been in one to many debates on religion. Nothing I can say will make you convert, and nothing you can say will make me convert. It has to come from within.
Interesting debate. I’m not going to get into born gay versus choosing gay.
It infuriates me just as much as it must you to hear such blatant hypocrisy as the FRC has a history of committing. So I’m with you there.
But I do agree with Sheldon. The people at the Family Research Council don’t speak for me (as a born-again Christian), or for what I believe to be true faith in Jesus Christ.
As offended as you get when people pigeon-hole homosexuals, it is equally offensive to hear Christians put down on the same blanket statements.
May God have pity upon your soul when you’re brought to the Thrown of Judgment for your homosexuality.
I wonder if Beth Ann also digs up corpses to yell at them for being gay.