Re: [asa] science and homosexuality

>
> A couple of years ago I did a little web-surfing to see how his work
> specifically had been interpreted by various advocacy groups.

This is the aspect that I had in mind in questioning the evidence on
causes. The issue is so politicized (not to mention difficulties such as
the problem of accurate reporting of sexual behavior/inclination and the
ethical constraints on experimenting with humans to rigorously test the
effects of particular factors) that I am hesitant about trusting any claim.
However, on a priori biological considerations, it is unlikely that a
complex set of human behaviors is entirely unaffected by various
environmental and genetic factors. Certain people are thus likely to be
predisposed to act in particular ways due to factors that are in large part
outside their control, though environmental factors (including various
pollutants and drugs as well as treatment by others) may be controllable by
other people. This applies to several issues, not just sexuality. This
certainly reinforces the Biblical injunction to deal gently with people,
remembering our own vulnerability to falling. (This does not rule out the
possibility that, e.g., a blunt confrontation may be needed to get someone's
attention, but it has to be done in a way that keeps their welfare and my
own failing in view). However, it does not address the question of whether
something is right or wrong. On the other hand, choices on the part of the
individual can reinforce or work against those external factors. We are
neither independent of nor total prisoners of our circumstances.

As a whole, the church (and the culture generally) has not done a good job
of responding to sexual sin in general, not just the specific issue of
homosexuality. This makes it unlikely that people will be inclined to seek
help when they feel a problem is developing; instead, it's when the problem
becomes obvious to others that the issue comes out, and then often in a
hostile manner.

Harvest Ministries is one organization I know of that seeks to deal with
sexual sin generally and sensitively, rather than singling out homosexuality
(though it is also possible for a ministry to focus on homosexuality and do
a good job if it treats it as an issue, among many needing addressed, that
they are particularly targeting rather than an issue that is particularly
reprehensible).

> --
> Dr. David Campbell
> 425 Scientific Collections
> University of Alabama
> "I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"

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Received on Wed Jun 14 12:59:52 2006