The Question of Orientation
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, November 15, 2006
- Viewed 329
- (19) comments so far
From The Denver Post 11/12/2006
by By Kevin Simpson and Eric Gorski
Prominent evangelical Ted Haggard’s murky admissions of sin following allegations of an affair with a male prostitute have reignited a volatile argument over the roots of homosexuality - a debate where religion, politics and science collide.
Haggard, who has said he isn’t gay, was fired this month from New Life Church in Colorado Springs and now faces what church officials call a “restoration process” that will include a clinical exploration of his sexuality.
Details of that process remain vague. But evangelical leaders who will shepherd Haggard through his ordeal do so amid questions about how evangelicals balance emerging research and their religious beliefs.
Scientific evidence, though far from conclusive, points toward biological underpinnings of sexual attraction. Many evangelical Christians believe that people can exercise choice over how they deal with same-sex attractions - and some in the movement have begun to acknowledge at least some genetic role.
Although the nature versus nurture debate - biology versus psycho-social factors - has simmered for years, most recent research has pointed toward sexual orientation being hard-wired into humans, at least to some degree, said Anthony Bogaert, a psychology professor at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, who studies sexual orientation development.
That finding holds for men more than women, who may be more “flexible” in developing sexual orientation, he added.
“The pendulum is probably pushed at least a little toward the biological end of things,” Bogaert said. “Certainly some argue that psycho-social processes play a role. But for guys, it looks as if it’s determined very early in life, and that determination is probably influenced strongly by biology.”
Americans have gradually changed their thinking on the origins of sexual orientation over the past 30 years.
In a 1977 Gallup poll, only 13 percent thought people were “born with” homosexuality, while 56 percent attributed it to “upbringing or environment.”
Those numbers shifted in opposite directions until this year, for the first time, the “born with” responses surpassed “upbringing” 42 percent to 37 percent.
Eleven percent think it’s a little of both - a figure that hasn’t changed much over the decades.
Alan Chambers, president of Orlando-based Exodus International, which advocates “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ,” describes more accepting attitudes in his movement toward the role genetics may play.
Exodus’ stance is that homosexuality is “multicausal,” Chambers said. One side of the debate is guilty of saying it’s only genetics, and the other side is guilty of saying homosexuality can “go away” with prayer and reading the Bible, he said. Chambers said biological and developmental factors play a role.
“Whatever the root cause, people make a choice,” Chambers said. “Not about their feelings, but about what they do with those feelings based on convictions and not on science.”
Debating change
Steve Smith, a 43-year-old Denver massage therapist, said he first experienced same-sex attractions shortly after puberty, acted on them in college and - owing to his fundamentalist Christian background - felt overwhelmed by guilt.
Soon afterward, Smith enrolled in an Exodus International program with other young adult men who lived in a nondescript house near San Antonio.
People who feel same-sex attractions lacked healthy relationships as children, Smith said he was told, so living together like a family for a year would create nonsexual bonds and “delete” their homosexual thoughts.
Although the program “offered a lot of camaraderie and connection,” he said he came to reject its premise.
Ultimately, Smith said he found clarity about his identity lying alone in bed at night.
“You know who you really are in those quiet moments,” Smith said. “I knew then that nothing had changed in me fundamentally except my behavior.”
Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family also has championed the belief that gays can change. The ministry has staged one-day “Love Won Out” conferences nationwide, often accompanied by protest and publicity.
Ministry officials declined interview requests for this story.
Joseph Nicolosi, president of the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), coined the phrase “reparative therapy,” a controversial treatment that claims to help people change their sexual orientation.
NARTH holds that biological, psychological and social factors shape sexual identity at an early age for most people - but it places greater emphasis on family, peer and social influences. The group doesn’t see homosexuality as “normal and a part of human design” or unchangeable.
Robert Spitzer, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, conducted a study often cited by NARTH as evidence that gays and lesbians can change. But he bristles at how reparative therapy proponents gloss over his further determination that in the general population, such change is rare.
“The Christian right never mentions that conclusion,” he said. “I find their whole agenda obnoxious. They want to humiliate gays and deprive them of civil rights.”
“Therapy" draws fire
Major professional groups decades ago rejected the concept of homosexuality as a “mental disorder” - that change dates back to 1973 - and have more recently published their opposition to reparative therapy.
The American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics all have issued statements recognizing concern for the harm such treatment can cause patients.
Jack Drescher, a New York psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who holds “counter-conferences” to the “Love Won Out” gatherings, disagrees with the notion that there’s no harm in trying to change sexual orientation.
He echoes many researchers who say there are no solid, peer-reviewed studies showing reparative therapy works and no accepted standards of practice.
“They’re not invited to give lectures in medical schools, they’re just marketing these ideas to the public,” Drescher said. “They like to create in the public’s mind the false impression that there’s a controversy you need to know about.”
Not that there isn’t lively discussion exploring the origins of sexual orientation.
For example, Cornell University psychology professor Daryl Bem’s “Exotic Becomes Erotic” hypothesis melds nature and nurture. He embraces research showing a genetic element at work but submits that genes simply code for “temperament” that can lead a child to be either gender- conforming - as in boys acting like boys - or nonconforming.
For the nonconforming boy who identifies more closely with girls, other boys become the “exotic.” And as that boy moves into adolescence, the exotic becomes erotic - and the object of sexual desire.
Reparative therapy proponents have cited Bem’s work to support their own - something Bem challenges as a politically driven agenda.
“I don’t think my theory, even though there’s room for experiences, gives any strategy for changing a gay child to a straight child,” he said.
At the same time, he notes that politics tinges all sides of the scientific debate. “People start with attitudes,” he said, “and then figure which theory they like.”
Open to change
Warren Throckmorton, psychology professor at Grove City College in western Pennsylvania, disagrees with some of the tenets of reparative therapy. But while he firmly asserts that he’s not a reparative therapist, he doesn’t discount those who claim to have been transformed.
“For people of the evangelical persuasion, they believe that the core of their being is about their relationship with God,” Throckmorton said. “If they’re truly being who they are, for them that means bringing their sexual feelings into alignment with their religious beliefs.”
And that, he added, could be the next step for Haggard.
“It appears he’s struggled with his feelings secretively,” Throckmorton said. “And now he has the opportunity, if he can be completely candid with some counselor or adviser, to sort out how he wants to live and what boundaries to place in his life.”
But some in the gay community worry about repercussions of the Haggard scandal.
“I am concerned he will go through this restoration process and come out the other end a confirmed heterosexual and become a poster child for the illegitimate process of reparative therapy,” said Michael Brewer, public policy director for the Gay Lesbian ######## Transgender Community Center of Colorado.
From its Denver offices, the Christian ministry Where Grace Abounds offers support groups, counseling and other resources for people struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction.
Director Mary Heathman, poring over Haggard’s two-page apology read at New Life Church last week, was struck by one thing in particular. Haggard wrote about seeking assistance “in a variety of ways” to his struggles, with none working. Then he admitted that when he stopped communicating about it, the “darkness” increased.
“That’s the key point right there,” she said. “Transparency for any problem is the beginning of the solution. As (Alcoholics Anonymous) says, we are only as sick as our secrets.”
We've discussed the issue of homosexuality here at MMI before; and there are alot of different opinions that have been expressed. In light of the Ted Haggard situation, the Denver Post had a really interesting and pretty balanced story on the topic of sexual orientation. Take a read, and see what you think...
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Josh R on Wed, November 15, 2006
I think that there may be some genetic and environmental factors that contribute to our sexual temptations. This is not an excuse however. I think most men for example are wired to desire women (plural, not singular). My disposition to lust, is not an license to have sex outside of my marriage.. My fleshly desires are part of my fallen nature, and God has called me to a new life.
I don’t think that an individual’s sexuality is a on-off, yes or no, black or white issue. I think that there is likely a sliding scale in which alternative lifestyle appeal or repel us. There are some people who could go either way, and influences like pornography, social norms, and abusive relationships can entice them to drop their inhibitions and test out the “other side”
All Christians need to be disciplined to deal with their own temptations through Spirit inspired self control. I don’t think it is healthy to go and suggest that somebody is defective in some way because they are tempted in a different way that we are. I think our fixation on classifying Sinners into degrees of depravity is likely one of Satan’s schemes.
Daniel on Wed, November 15, 2006
Good article Todd, thanks for pointing it out. I particularly appreciated the point that at this stage of the game, both sides (and even the middle!) are thoroughly politicized. It can make the whole conversation quite ugly. Hopefully it will be an opportunity to practice grace for the Church…
Cheers,
-Daniel-
anonymous on Wed, November 15, 2006
The Haggard scandal has nothing to do with homosexuality. It has to do with sexual addiction. Heterosexual addicts may find themselves doing what they call ‘insane’ acts that place them in dangerous situations. An addict seeks a greater fix. That great fix progresses to more bizarre behavior. To bring homosexuality into the Haggard scandal is poor work. It scandalizes the homosexual community and makes all homosexual behavior linked to prostitution, leather night in the Village, and such. Not debating sinfulness of homosexuality just lets not use caricatures to make our arguments. It also fails to deal with sexual addiction and how progressive and destructive it can be.
bondservant on Wed, November 15, 2006
<Steve Smith, a 43-year-old Denver massage therapist, said he first experienced same-sex attractions shortly after puberty, acted on them in college>
James 1:13-16Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Jam 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jam 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jam 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren ...............There is no special category of sin that gets a pass from God. I don’t hate homosexuals because I hold to God’s standard, any more than I hate a single man who wants to commit fornication with a woman when I say that that is wrong.. And I don’t say this arrogantly. I have struggled, and stumbled greatly with sexual sin, mostly in my mind, but that is not excused either. God is longsuffering with us while we are in disobedience, but we should not take his longsuffering as a sign of approval. We are to hold forth the word of life, which gives forgiveness to any repentant sinner, whether a manly man who is overly impressed with himself, and worships his own strength, or a homosexual who is struggling with lust towards another man. The issue is not homosexuality, it is God’s word, and forgiveness is offered to the repentant, not to those who excuse themselves and accuse others, or attempt to just excuse everyone so that they can be included in the blanket “grace”. Titus chapter 2 says that grace teaches us to deny ungodly lust. We are not growing in grace if we are not at least moving in the direction of overcoming our sins, rather than excusing them. I feel for Steve Smith, I hurt for him. He is struggling, and his sin is winning, but I cannot help him, or anyone else who is battling their own desires if I change God’s word for them. The TRUTH sets you free, if you continue in it. John 8:31-32
Daniel on Wed, November 15, 2006
I think anonymous’ comments are right on. As I’ve mentionned earlier, the Haggard thing shouldn’t be brought into all questions ‘homosexual’. Bondservant, it sounds like you’re still trying to convince your readers that homosexual sex is sin. 99% of the people on this site already agree with you, so you’re preaching to the choir. As for the 1% who disagree with you, a couple paragraphs won’t be enough to convince them.
For further reading, google “divine command theory”.
Cheers,
-Daniel-
nora on Wed, November 15, 2006
I agree with Daniel and Anonymous. Haggard’s orientation is really secondary to his adulterous acts and sexual addiction. I think those who do not agree that homosexual sex is a sin would agree that what Haggard did is a sin (ie, sex with a prostitute). To mix the two issues together really just muddies the water, IMO.
Leonard on Wed, November 15, 2006
Ted Haggard cannot be separated from the subject of homosexuality anymore that Tiger Woods from golf. His actions linked him to it, his admission of a life long struggle with it linked him to it and his outspokenness linked him to it. The contradiction of the struggle, actions and the voice only serves to muddy the waters. But this subject is dealing with orientation, not Ted Haggard.
The real question I read is; “Are people born gay?” Do we struggle to answer that question? I do not struggle with THE answer to the question but I do struggle with HOW to answer the question. Here are a couple reasons:
The political side of the issue: For me to give a simple answer in this day and age I will be categorized politically. This will close most doors. If I answer yes, I close the door to many evangelicals for conversation and education. If I answer not I am labeled a bigot and compared to evil people in history. How I answer this is essential to keep doors open.
People matter to God: There is no person who does not matter to God. It is difficult to answer a question whose answer initially and possibly for long term will cause harm.
Finally let me say that I should struggle with how to answer the question; Are people born gay? It is in the struggle that I gain understanding and compassion for people that Jesus died for. It is in the struggle I am stretched and my convictions are deepened. It is in the struggle I find dependence upon the Holy Spirit to take his truth and not let my words mess it up. MY 2Cents
bondservant on Wed, November 15, 2006
To clarify my previous statement, the answer is yes, in this sense. People are born with all kinds of proclivities towards sin. I had very similar feelings as Steve Smith had in adolescence, but I had them towards girls. The issue is not which sin I follow, it is -do I follow sin?- do I let the lust that draws me concieve sin within me, and do I live out that sin, or do I go to God, and with grace OVERCOME it. Yes, people are born lustful, selfish, greedy, unforgiving, demanding, fearful, easily addicted, idolatrous, and gay. Being born that way does not excuse it. The fact that it is very hard to beat, even with God’s help, does not excuse it. His power is greater than any sin, and I MUST find it. By grace, I must overcome the lust that draws ME, no matter what it is, no matter if i picked it up along the way, or whether I was born with it.
DanielR (a different Daniel) on Wed, November 15, 2006
The Episcopal Church is facing a split over this issue (at least partly about this issue). Several other churches/denominations are struggling with this issue. Much of the church as a whole is conflicted to some degree over this issue.
As an example of just how much the church is conflicted in this area; Catholic Bishops just issued guidelines for pastoral care of homosexuals. The Bishops said the guidelines are intended to make homosexuals welcome in the Catholic church but the guidelines emphasize the church’s position that homosexuality is “disordered” and call on gays and lesbians to be celibate.
The guidelines include encouragement to priests to baptize the children of gay parents. Why would you NOT baptize a child of gay parents? Something about the son not being punished for the sins of the father?
Many will argue that science or biological issues are irrelevant, sin is sin, but it affects the gay community’s contention that “they are born the way God made them”.
The Bible pretty clearly addresses it as sin, but for many the question is the type and severity of the sin. Is it a mortal sin like suicide, is it “to’ebah” sin like touching the skin of a dead pig, or is it some severity in between?
Any way you look at it, this issue is causing a great deal of conflict in the church and among Christians.
Brian La Croix on Wed, November 15, 2006
I’m not sure I agree that people are born gay (in a genetic sense).
However, I think that some people may be predisposed to homosexuality just as others are predisposed to alcoholism or kleptomani or whatever. To me, these are manifestations not of biology, but of our innate sin nature.
I’m still thinking through this, and so I ask for patience as I think out loud.
One of the thoughts flowing through my brain is that I’m not sure that people choose what attracts them - meaning that those who struggle with homosexual attractions don’t necessarily “decide” to feel that way. Some are attracted to porn, others find it disgusting. Some are attracted to alcohol, others find it horrible.
But whatever the cause [and if there turns out to be a scientifically verifiable finding that the vast majority of biologists can accept (I remember one study that examined the brains of dead gay men, and found that one side of their brain was bigger than the other - the problem was that the guy’s study included all of 7 (yes, seven) brains, and he was attempting to extrapolate his findings universally…) I will concede the point], God can work in the individual to not act on those attractions.
Brian
Daniel on Wed, November 15, 2006
The outcome of the nature vs. nurture question doesn’t necessarily change the outcome of the sin question (which most people here are already agreed on). However as far as the nature/nurture question is concerned, I think it’s important to talk about the role of experience here. My own views have shifted closer to the nature side from hearing testimonies of gay and lesbian people and wrestling with how to account for their experiences. It’s possible to discount all of their experiences in favor of one’s pre-judged views on the subject, but I don’t think that’s intellectually honest (I’m not accusing anyone here of this mind you—rather this is primarily an indictment of my past self).
I also think that opposing nature and nurture may not be the best way forward (it’s a false dichotomy). My understanding is that the science has ruled against a strictly genetic explanation (I’m thinking here of the identical twin studies that have been done and where only about 60% of identical twins share their twin’s homosexuality), though this doesn’t mean there aren’t genetic factors. I will be important to keep an open ear on this topic, even if we don’t ultimately change our views about the sinfulness of the act itself.
My two cents.
-Daniel-
bondservant on Wed, November 15, 2006
Daniel said <But whatever the cause ..............God can work in the individual to not act on those attractions. > That was pretty much what I was trying to say in my previous statement. And I would add, that with time, my sinful urges have lessened as I learn to focus on God. I can bring them to the surface if I want to, I can be drawn away by my lust as James says, because my flesh is not yet redeemed, but it is my job to go to God and learn self-control for whatever sinful desires my flesh has. and when I fail, I have to repent and receive mercy, not excuses.
Keith on Mon, November 20, 2006
This is a “balanced” article? It seems pretty slanted toward homosexuality being genetic to me.
What amazes me is that when therapy helps the pro-genetics group starts shouting how it only means the person was bi and now he’s or she’s made a different choice.
I will agree with one thing, I doubt its as simple as one day deciding… hmmm I think I’ll be gay! That is often what the folks hear when we say - choice.
That’s not what I think we mean. I think we mean to say, “you can choose OTHER than this lifestyle.” But it doesn’t mean repress your feelings, nor does it mean be different than you are. It means making small, incremental changes - RENEWING your mind daily.
It seems to me that nobody has a complete handle on this issue yet. No doubt some of it is caused by molestation and bad relationships with the significant parental figure. But for others it may be an issue of bondage to wickeness, soul-ties and more as they followed their sexual depraved choices deeper and deeper ending up there.
The fact that the person cited in the article doesn’t feel like therapy helped may be attributed to a number of things. It may be a lack of commitment on his part. A love of sin. Or that particular therapy wasn’t the best for what was ailing him.
What we cannot do is simply argue for something the Bible clearly shows as not normative. Nor does it support such a relationship as being healthy. In fact, the only scriptures attributed to it in the old and new testatments are pretty well described as sin. Yes, I know all the “cultural arguments” but that doesn’t take care of sentence number one and two in this paragraph. There isn’t a single “pro gay relationship” passage in the Bible. Now isn’t that funny considering how “pro gay” the Romans and Greeks were?
Look if you are gay, and reading this. It is not my intention to hurt you by what I’m saying here. Rather, my hope and prayer is that you will not allow “rational lies” to cause you to rationalize your sin. I would say this for any sin, not just homosexuality. Learn the truth, which may not be in one particular therapy group alone. Get to the root and find a way to be healed, the get busy helping others…. no matter what your particular sin choice is.
K.
Acts on Tue, November 21, 2006
For Me i’d the issue is not really the Haggard issue but to expose the attitude of the church towards sin , If Jesus was confronted with the same situation during His earthly ministry would He exalt the issue of homosexuality or every type of sin ? , One day took a adulterous woman who was in the very act but His immidiate reaction was to deal with the sin of judging and rationalising sin .
God is agaist Homosexuality and the church must not be apologetic about it but we mustn’t cast an ignorant mindset that these issues are gross in our societies .
Human beings must be on spree against every form of ungodliness and not raise our eyebrows only when we hear about homosexuals , the sin of adultery is as ugly and harmful as the sin of homosexuality or unforgiveness .........Sin is Sin .
Church , let’s uphold the man of God Haggard and make sure that we don’t contribute to His down fall like the Church did to the likes of His excellency Jimmy Swaggart .Every statement that we make about this Man of God must have a redempitive purpose behind it . To Help the solidier of the cross .
Brother Haggard we are praying for you , this is not the end of your world and the divine purpose of your existance .
Phil DiLernia on Tue, November 28, 2006
I for one would like to see and evaluate the supposed “scientific” research. The ONLY research I have ever heard of - and had the chance to review - was one study that showed a portion of the homosexual’s brain had a different chemical makeup than the heterosexual’s brain.
The only problem with that was when they tested 1,000’s of young kids NOT ONE of them had the homosexual’s chemical makeup in that particular area of the brain. Could it be that when God “hardens the hearts of those He decides to harden” or “gives them over to their shameful lusts” that He does so by changing the physical makeup AFTER the behavior because of His foreknowledge of non-repentence?
Scientific theory isn’t scientific - by definition - if it cannot be repeated to prove the hypothesis. The theory expressed above is not provable since it wans’t repeatable.
Can ANYONE point us to the scientific study (not someone’s verbal summary of it) but the actual study which will reveal the methods, the sampling, etc etc?
I’m shocked that anyone (other than those who desire to promote a homosexual agenda) would accept these statements without verification.
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