Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 6/27/2008

Question
I have a quick question. While reflecting on the christian religion, I began to think of it's many inconsistencies..and i guess..hate to say it..bigotry. Anyway,somehow the issue of homosexuality and religion popped into my mind. I, all of a sudden had all of these questions. Okay, if homosexuality is inherently evil because it says this in leviticus and deutoronomy..then why would God make animals gay..there are over a 1500 species of animals that engage in homosexual behavior..500 of them have been documented...here is the book that i found this information in...Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity.(author Bruce Bagemihl). My question, if homosexuality is so abominable and that God absolutely detests it, but yet He made everythng in the world, then why are these behaviors displayed in animals. I know people can say, well animals dont have free will and they are below people..They are absolutely right..because animals dont have a choice in their behavior... this therefore must mean that God created them this way. But God made man in his image, and He isnt gay but yet He makes Gay things? Help me out with this please.
2nd question: what is considered "natural" in regards to relationships and sex. I know the majority believe its heterosexual..but yet i have a hard time understanding this because how can we say what is natural or abnormal when sex in nature is ambiguous? I cant think of anything more natural than animals. Furthermore, some animals are hermaprohidic, others are able to change their sex, and some happen to be gay or bisexual..who is to say whats natual? I dont mean to spout off, but it angers me when christians show their ignorance through professing to know "whats right and whats good for everybody." In regards to this topic, i just feel that a heterosexual sexual relationship, is a "social norm" not that of God's. But i am interested in what you have to say. thanks for reading
Theo

Answer
Theo,

Hope you don't mind, but another volunteer on the "Critics of Catholicism" placed your question in the "Question Pool" (an option we have to place questions we cannot, or choose not to answer into for others to answer if they so choose) and I thought I would briefly give you my thoughts on the issues you bring up.

In your line of reasoning, it is my understanding what you are saying that any behavior that is done by animals, or in the realm of nature, should be evidence for it's validity within humanity. IE; if there is cases of homosexual behavior by some animals, then their behavior (because they are created by God) should validate the same behavior by humans. Is this correct?

If so, then consider this. By that same reasoning, we humans should be allowed to kill and eat our own kind (cannibalism), kill or abandon our unwanted children, forego the democratic process in favor of the strongest among us to be our ruler, ect... All of which not only takes place with in the animal kingdom, but are very common (unlike the uncommon cases of homosexual behavior), and all of which we as humans hold as immoral and barbaric.

With all due respect Theo, I hope by this brief example you can see how that your reasoning is flawed.

Respectfully,

Elder Greg Madden