Do you think that homosexuality is a choice?

sacerdote said:

Good morning. Yes we've been down much of this road before. Thank you for the compliment. I believe you have a nice, non-abrasive way of posting. The old yelling at someone style of preaching along with continuous condemnation is hopefully fading in preaching but is unfortunately alive and well with some posters on the forum.

Talking with someone, trying to reason with them, and discussing things as one might with one's respected family member goes a long way toward maintaining respect and decorum.

We are all God's kids.

Click to expand...

I think people get upset at each other because they feel the stakes are high in these discussions. The issues matter a lot to people. And there are not many venues where people who hold very different beliefs can discuss those different beliefs directly with each other. This kind of forum gives us all a rare opportunity to interact with people who think differently from us.

Ohioprof said:

Changing one's sexual orientation is not the same as changing one's behavior. A gay person can choose to marry someone of the opposite sex, but that does not mean that his or her sexual orientation has changed. It may have, but it may not have.

There are characteristics that we are born with that we simply cannot change. And when it comes to sexual orientation, there is no good reason to want to change. Our sexual orientation, no matter what it is, is a blessing from God.

Click to expand...

There is a reason that one MUST change and knowing Jesus Christ as Saviour begins that desire to change. When we come to Christ in full surrender of our sins, we then begin a life of sanctification, and our desires change. We learn through the Scriptures and with good teaching by others who know Jesus, that we need to surrender all to Him--our minds and bodies.

If one has had the mindset of a homosexual, then Jesus begins the process of breaking that. One's desire is naturally going to be to please God and to become more and more like Christ, and God's desire for us is to mold us into the image of His Son. Our job is to be pliable clay in the hands of the Potter.

This is the truth and is true in the life of every believer in Jesus Christ.

I haven't read this whole thread, so I'm just addressing the primary question here...

Is homosexuality a choice? No, attraction is not a choice.

It is something that is built up over life experiences. They say that sons often marry their mothers. I don't know how many people believe that, and it's definitely not always true, but I think there is a lot of truth to that. People see things in their eventual life partners that they respected in their parents. It's familiar, and comfortable. The same statement is often made about daughters and their fathers.

I think attraction can root from seeing something in a person or people that reminds a person of that comfort.

Once the identification with that is built, it's a subconscious association with other people purely on looks etc.

So no, attraction is not a "choice".

Ohioprof said:

I don't think this is true. Much in life is a choice, and much is not. It all depends on what we're talking about. I think that what people do is usually a choice, but again not always. Who people are is often not a choice. I did not choose to be a woman, but that's who I am. I did not choose to be gay, but that's who I am. I am happy being a woman, and I am happy being gay. But I did not choose to be either one.

Click to expand...

You are quite right by saying we do not have the choice of being male or female, but the other I disagree. I know that God did not choose for you to be gay nor is He happy that you are.

Deuteronomy 23:17


17 “There shall be no ritual harlot of the daughters of Israel, or a perverted one of the sons of Israel.

24 And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

1 Kings 15:12
12 And he banished the per$-verted persons from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

1 Kings 22:46



46 And the rest of the perverted persons, who remained in the days of his father Asa, he banished from the land.

sunlover1 said:

Not at all, I understood her post immediately.
It's biblical.

9 Whosoever is borna of God doth not commit sin;
for his seed remaineth in him:
and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest,
and the children of the devil:
whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God,
neither he that loveth not his brother.


John 8
Ye are of your father the devil,
and the lusts of your father ye will do.
He was a murderer from the beginning,
and abode not in the truth,
because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie,
he speaketh of his owna:
for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth,
ye believe me not.
a of his own: or, from his own will or disposition

Click to expand...

If you take a look at the context of John 8 in the verses you and and two other members quoted, context and scholarly elaboration helps us understand better than standing on single verses for meaning. Jesus is speaking to Pharisees that are both trying to support their position that they are sons of God (having descended from Abraham) while at the same time deny the divinity of Jesus and the Origination of His teachings. So without making this a long exposition, this denying of the truth of Jesus Christ bonded the unbelievers with the devil making him their chosen father, i.e., you deny Christ, you choose the devil. This does not however state that all people that have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord are children of the devil. Nor does it say the devil is our "Genesis" based father in any way. God is our father. Please read further.

1 John 3:8 states, "He that committed sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." This looks very clear but the following commentary by Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Bible Commentary defines it further by saying:

Commentary: "He that committed sin is of the devil - in contrast to "he that doeth righteousness" (1 John 3:7). He is a son of the devil (1 John 3:10; John 8:44). John does not say, 'born of the devil,' as he does "born of God;" for 'the devil neither creates nor begets; but whoever imitates the devil becomes his child by imitation, not by proper birth' (Augustine, 'Tract.,' iv. 10). From the devil there is not generation, but corruption (Bengel).

With regard to 1 John 3:10 which states, "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." Matthew Henry's commentary states the following.

Commentary: [In this the children of God are manifest] Here is a fearful text. Who is a child of the Devil! He that commits sin. Who is a child of God? He that works righteousness. By this text we shall stand or fall before God, whatever our particular creed may say to the contrary. Please notice that it does not say we are born of the devil. The devil cannot beget, begot, or give birth. Only God can do that.

Commentary (Adam Clarkes): [Neither he that loveth not his brother.] No man is of God who is not ready on all emergencies to do any act of kindness for the comfort, relief, and support of any human being. For, as God made of one blood all the nations of men to dwell upon the face of the whole earth, so all are of one family; and consequently all are brethren, and should love as brethren.

In summary the above scripture makes at a minimum, the following points.

• By denying Christ we chose the devil. But it does not say we are "born of the devil" or that the devil is our rightful father. God is every human's father.
• Sinning binds us to the devil but Jesus' saving grace releases us from that bond if we accept him.
• We are to help our fellow man regardless of their state of grace.
• We are one family, of one nation.
• We can not be born of the devil but can ally with him through sin and nonacceptance of Jesus Christ.
• We, every single one of us, originate from one father, almighty God.

From other scripture but pertinent to this discussion:

After becoming Christians, we can move away from God our Father, and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit by sinning. But admission of sin, asking forgiveness, and repentance releases us.

That is all right and good. I make one minor exception.

We are one family, of one nation.

Click to expand...

We are all one people as humans, created by God to become His children by choice. Those who do not accipt Christ are not included as part of His forever family.

It is membership in His spiritual family that is what is important.

Floatingaxe said:

That is all right and good. I make one minor exception.


We are all one people as humans, created by God to become His children by choice. Those who do not accipt Christ are not included as part of His forever family.

It is membership in His spiritual family that is what is important.

Click to expand...

Floatingaxe said:

That is all right and good. I make one minor exception.


We are all one people as humans, created by God to become His children by choice. Those who do not accipt Christ are not included as part of His forever family.

It is membership in His spiritual family that is what is important.

Click to expand...

sacerdote said:

It looks like I am being lectured for quoting we are all God's kids and supporting it with the Holy Bible.

I am perplexed by the last part of the statement quoted above that those who do not know Jesus are not His adopted sons and daughters but are children of another. I won't go into the trinity right now and our relationship with each of the aspects. The statement that is distressing is the "Children of Another.," remark. Who exactly is Another and who exactly are this "Another's children?"

Click to expand...

She accuses lots of us of having Satan for a father, or being in league with him somehow.

Obviously we know better. It's a good thing God doesn't need FA or anyone else to tell Him who His children are.

Homosexuality is a carnal desire that manifests itself by the life experience of each person that practises it.
We are all taught the difference between right and wrong but temptation can prove to much for some.
We all know that thou shalt not steal or thou shalt not commit adultery and Homosexuality comes within this catagory.
I believe that any person is capable of turning away from sin and there are many examples of ex gays turning away from their sin.
I believe that abortion is wrong but some people do not,the same applies to Homosexuality.Those people who practise homosexuality need to recognise that it is an unnatural act and in the long run can harm all those who practice it and those who are indirectly affected by
it.
Homosexuals like any other sinner can receive forgiveness from God if they ask for it and mean it in their heart and try to sin no more.
But I do recognise that the Homosexual lifestyle is very difficult to give up just as smoking or drinking or taking drugs.
It may mean turning their back on their lifestyle and friends but Jesus Christ will be the best friend that one can ever have and He wants to have a close relationship with all His Children.

Homosexuality is absolutely positively NOT a choice!! Take it from me.

Ubik said:

Homosexuality is absolutely positively NOT a choice!! Take it from me.

Click to expand...

Why should you be considered an authority on the sin of homosexuality?

All are sinners, and those without Christ have the whole array of sins to choose from. Homosexuality is a sin set apart from many, delving into the perverse where many people dare not even THINK of approaching.

God doesn't set people up for a fall by creating them in such a way as they cannot help from sinning...it is a choice. Once accepting Christ's salvation, there is a change that takes place in the mind.

That is what we are exhorted about in the word of God: Renew your mind...

Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Floatingaxe, you know nothing about me and what I've been through in my life. I definately did not choose to be gay. I'm also a Christian and realize Jesus as the savior.

There is no way I can be straight, trust me I KNOW. 3 straight years of trying to turn myself into something I am not because society has not yet learned to accept people who are different than the majority. I was depressed for so long trying to "change" myself. I know of people who have killed themselves because of depression developed from being told their whole life that they are an abomination and that they have to change and no matter how hard they try, they know deep down that they can't! Now, I know God doesn't want me or anyone for that matter to be depressed or suicidal so I'm gonna stick with who I am.

Ubik said:

Floatingaxe, you know nothing about me and what I've been through in my life. I definately did not choose to be gay. I'm also a Christian and realize Jesus as the savior.

There is no way I can be straight, trust me I KNOW. 3 straight years of trying to turn myself into something I am not because society has not yet learned to accept people who are different than the majority. I was depressed for so long trying to "change" myself. I know of people who have killed themselves because of depression developed from being told their whole life that they are an abomination and that they have to change and no matter how hard they try, they know deep down that they can't! Now, I know God doesn't want me or anyone for that matter to be depressed or suicidal so I'm gonna stick with who I am.

Click to expand...

God knows you, loves you, and blesses you just as he made you, bro.

Trust that he will keep you faithfully...he has done so for many of us here.

Do not listen to the "abominators." (those who throw around terms like "abomination" and "child of the devil.") They just need scapegoats - and we happen to be the convenient target of choice.

lincolngreen50 said:

Homosexuality is a carnal desire that manifests itself by the life experience of each person that practises it.
We are all taught the difference between right and wrong but temptation can prove to much for some.
We all know that thou shalt not steal or thou shalt not commit adultery and Homosexuality comes within this catagory.
I believe that any person is capable of turning away from sin and there are many examples of ex gays turning away from their sin.
I believe that abortion is wrong but some people do not,the same applies to Homosexuality.Those people who practise homosexuality need to recognise that it is an unnatural act and in the long run can harm all those who practice it and those who are indirectly affected by
it.
Homosexuals like any other sinner can receive forgiveness from God if they ask for it and mean it in their heart and try to sin no more.
But I do recognise that the Homosexual lifestyle is very difficult to give up just as smoking or drinking or taking drugs.
It may mean turning their back on their lifestyle and friends but Jesus Christ will be the best friend that one can ever have and He wants to have a close relationship with all His Children.

Click to expand...

Having a homosexual orientation is NOT a choice any more than people choose to be straight.

And for the record, it has been PROVEN to have a biological basis in various species.

There is no 'homosexual lifestyle' either. I'm sick of people using this cliche as if every person who is gay is some drug using, self hating, promiscuous, lust driven, God hating person. It simply is not true!

It is the equivalent of me watching Girl's Gone Wild and stereotyping every straight woman as living a 'heterosexual lifestyle' that involves binge drinking, drug use, promiscuity, sex, and inappropriate contentography.

People like lincolngreen50 and others on this thread that use this 'lifestyle' cliche need to get a clue. I'm a walking example to how untrue your propaganda is.

ChaliceThunder, jay3090: I thank God people like you exist.

Ubik said:

ChaliceThunder, jay3090: I thank God people like you exist.

Click to expand...

Believe it or not we do exist! God bless you Ubik. I'm sure you've been through the same trials and conflicts I've had in life. I completely understand what you've been through.

Ubik said:

Floatingaxe, you know nothing about me and what I've been through in my life. I definately did not choose to be gay. I'm also a Christian and realize Jesus as the savior.

There is no way I can be straight, trust me I KNOW. 3 straight years of trying to turn myself into something I am not because society has not yet learned to accept people who are different than the majority. I was depressed for so long trying to "change" myself. I know of people who have killed themselves because of depression developed from being told their whole life that they are an abomination and that they have to change and no matter how hard they try, they know deep down that they can't! Now, I know God doesn't want me or anyone for that matter to be depressed or suicidal so I'm gonna stick with who I am.

Click to expand...

God didn't create you to sin in that way. It is a choice. Now, you need to know that we cannot change ourselves! We are promised by God that He does the changng. We have to allow Him control.

When we allow Jesus to take all our sins upon Him on the cross, He actually takes them! He walks with us daily and gives us the strength to lay down our burdens, and addictions and all things that seem out of our control.

Jesus does it all. We can't do anything in our own strength! Jesus does it for you to reveal His power and glory!

2 Corinthians 12:10
That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

jay3090 said:

Having a homosexual orientation is NOT a choice any more than people choose to be straight.

And for the record, it has been PROVEN to have a biological basis in various species.

Click to expand...

Species of what?