Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 2/15/2007

Question
My husband and I are Youth Leaders at Southern Baptist Church, and one of our youth recently asked us this...

"Hey, I have a totally random question that I really hope you can answer.  It's been bothering me for
the last few days and I want to know.
So, I've talked to some homosexual people, and what I understand is that they don't "choose" to
be gay/lesbian, but rather, it comes natural to them, like a man loves a woman.  I believe it
because every single one of them said that.  What I'm trying to understand is...Why would God put
"opposite attraction" into a persons heart and then be totally against what they're doing?  Are
people who have an attraction to the same sex supposed to live alone for their whole lives in
order to please God?  I'd really like to know your stance  because the thought totally blows my mind.  Thanks for everything. God bless."

We were just wondering how other people would answer this. Thanks~

Answer
Hi Robyn,
      Saying people are born orientated to homosexuality is the current justification for being homosexual.  It is the politically correct response to those who question those who practice this sin.
The thinking is that it is okay to be homosexual because God made me that way.   Sounds good, but it is not a justification for being homosexual.

   First, how do we know that a person is born to be homosexual?   Is there a scientific experiment shows this....the answer is no.   This idea comes from psychologists who come to their conclusions based on the people they talk to.    So, actually you are just left to accept the homosexuals word on it.   They know that their actions are wrong and go against God and nature.  So, to justify their sin they come up with this explanation that they think takes away their responsibility for their sin.  Some naive people believe them and conclude the cannot help it....God made them this way so they are not responsible for their sinful behavior.    It is interesting that the person you said asked the question said that all the homosexuals said the same thing.   That is to be expected isn't it?   However, it is a statistical fact that most homosexuals are recruited into the ranks of the gays.  They are seduced by a homosexuals and then chose to be one themselves.
 
   There are several reasons some people "chose" to become homosexuals.    One it makes them special and they stand out in a crowd.   It is like teens or adults wearing clothes that are different or hair styles or body piercing.  It makes them different and that get attention.  People talk about them and they like the attention they get. Homosexuality is the same thing.   

    Another reason is it shocks people.  It is often just way to get back at their parents, peers, school teachers, etc.  Again it is a choice, not something they are born with.

    A good example of this behavior is seen in the children of well known people who come out and proudly announce they are gay.   The children of most people in the public eye are unknown.  The do not get their names in the national news and no one knows anything about the majority of them.  But Ms. Cheney and Ms. Gingrich for example are known by everyone.   Why?  These daughters say they are gay.  Ms. Cheney is once again in the news because she is having a baby.  Both these daughters have brought much heartache and embarrassment to their parents.  They also make a lot of money doing it in speaking engagements and books.  Can you see what has happened?   Why did they "come out" and make a national issue of their homosexual life style?  It was a way to become famous.   
    Some people also like the forbidden and psychologically are unstable for many reasons.   They may come from a broken home, have parents who do not show them love, were abused, do not do well in school or are not comfortable with the opposite sex. (which can come from a number of reasons)     They are seeking love and someone who cares for them.  The are drawn to others like themselves and they "share" their emotional needs with each other. The fact is there are many people who suffer these same problems yet they do not become homosexuals.   It is a choice they make in seeking love in the wrong places.   The homosexual lifestyle is extremely destructive.  The media and gays try to make it look normal, but interviews with homosexuals who received Christ as their Savior, reveal the ugly truth.

   Think about this....even if it were true that people are born to be homosexuals....it still is a choice.   They chose to follow that sinful lifestyle.    Think about this...are people born to be sexually promiscuous?  All humans are born with sexual desires.   But is it not a choice to be promiscuous and to make God given sex a sin? Certainly it is a choice.   

   We who know and love God and His word should stand up and denounce sin...in all its ugly manifestations.  Our young people need to hear the truth.   God says that homosexuality is a gross sin.... "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination." (Leviticus 18:22)  (See Lev. 20:13, Romans 1:18-28)   All men are born with a carnal nature that has a bent to sin.   But we have God's word that explains to us what is sinful and it not.   We are God's creation and He in His grace and mercy desires the best for us.  He warns us of sinful behavior of all kinds.   Whether promiscuous sexual practices or homosexual activity both are sin and God plainly says that sin is destructive in our lives.  

   Pastors, youth leaders, and parents need to teach our children the truth and warn them about the "wiles" of the Devil who seeks to justify and condone sin.   This includes promiscuous and homosexual behavior.  We need to teach them what true love is and a godly marriage.   

   I hope this help you explain this to your youth group.  Young people are smart...they can see through these things.  I thank God you care for them and their spiritual welfare enough to seek God's answers.  I pray that you will be a strong and godly example to these young people and that God will use you in their lives.
Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org