[–] farmer- 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
i upped this post, but i am wondering why this is in the "atheism" subverse? I'm christian and I don't believe homosexuality is a choice. In fact id be more inclined to believe that sexuality exists on a spectrum where most people have bisexual tendencies. by posting this in atheism, are you implying that this is an anti-religious statement (because i don't see why it should be here otherwise) or are you just sharing it in the atheism subv because you just want to share an off topic idea?
Not trying to start a flame war, just genuinely curious. please refrain from aggressive responses ^_^
[–] fruitViking [S] 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
It's because the vast majority of opposition to gay marriage is religious, and certainly all of the organizations trying to "preserve traditional marriage" are religious. (Unless you know of any secular ones? I've sure never heard of one.)
[–] lastdeadmouse 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
So... I've known these identical twins for a while, one gay, one straight. I now know what to think, thanks to you :)
[–] AgriGrunt 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
I am confused. Identical twins do not suggest that being gay is not inherent to the individual. It strongly suggests that there is no genetic predisposition, but it does not suggest homosexuality is not inherent. A child in the womb does not receive the same amount of nutrients, hormones, or epigenetic encoding. The majority of people that study homosexuality believe that epigenetic factors have a key role in the processes. There still is no choice by the individual. However, the pictures stance still stands.
[–] lastdeadmouse ago
I'm not saying that it isn't in someway inherent, but it is pretty solid evidence against it being genetic (though doesn't exclusive rule out a genetic predisposition).
[–] toobaditworks 3 points -1 points 2 points (+2|-3) ago (edited ago)
Note: I'm not religious nor am I a republican or a democrat.
Gay people might have been born gay but you do have a choice of what you do in your life. Straight people can choose to be gay if they want to. Gay people can choose to be straight. Just as a man can choose to not wear a dress and instead wear mens clothing. That is what choice means. If you're making the issue that gay people can't make choices for themselves then you're saying that gay people don't have that capability like the rest of us. And I'm sorry but that isn't true. Everyone has a choice. You do choose what you do in life. You're not born with a certain destiny. You make your own destiny. What you do however is up to you. It is your choice.
I for one don't give a damn if gay people get married but I think government shouldn't have anything to do with it. Why do you need a permission slip from the government to love someone and be with them forever?
If it's about tax breaks that married people get then that's another issue. I think tax breaks should also be stopped. Taxes in general should be stopped. Taxes should be for things you buy. Not taxes on your net income. And nobody should get tax breaks.
If it's about taking away things from religious people for revenge because a religious person hurt you in the past you should be the bigger person and not resort to such tactics.
Thanks for reading.
[–] IdeologyIsHuman 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
**I for one don't give a damn if gay people get married but I think government shouldn't have anything to do with it. Why do you need a permission slip from the government to love someone and be with them forever? **
You're fine to advocate that position, but to be consistent you would either need to fight to revoke the role of government in ALL marriages, or simply extend that involvement into gay marriages. An all or nothing approach.
[–] tossingmelons 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I think you're missing the point.
It's meaningless to say that people can choose to do all sorts of things. That's not what is being discussed. Straight people can choose to make actions that we label as "gay", but that doesn't make them actually gay. It isn't what they actually want to do, on a fundamental level of desire. And vice versa, of course. We're talking about fundamental desires.
So they're saying you cannot choose what your fundamental desires are.
[–] fruitViking [S] 2 points 3 points 5 points (+5|-2) ago
I think that Dan Savage gave the best response to this. Dr. Ben Carson claimed that being gay is a choice and that "prison proves it". Savage replied with
Dear Dr. Carson,
If being gay is a choice, prove it. Choose it. Choose to be gay yourself. Show America how that's done, Ben, show us how a man can choose to be gay. Suck my dick. Name the time and the place and I'll bring my dick and a camera crew and you can suck me off and win the argument.
Very sincerely yours,
Dan Savage
So far, Dr. Carson has not responded.
[–] Sunnybrooke 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
I'm pretty sure that a 'certain percentage' of gays are born that way. However with that being said, I would have to follow that I strongly believe another 'certain percentage' have experienced childhood sexual/abuse. They truly do seem to be acting out unresolved issues. This is openly encouraged by the current narrative of popular culture indicating that being gay is an acceptable way to deal with repressed abuse.
[–] CaptOblivious 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Say WHAT? I'm going to have to call for a citation on that, and from something more credible than some sjw's blog.
[–] fruitViking [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Just because you "strongly believe" something, that doesn't make it true.
[–] Sunnybrooke 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Exactly! That's why I said 'I strongly believe' and not 'this is an absolute fact'.