Etritonakin
Well-Known Member
The truth of God and the Universe typically, in my view, lies somewhere in the middle of what science or religion has to say about it. Some Christians would argue that God made men and women different to fulfill the role of biological procreation. Most scientists would agree although many would find God an unnecessary addition to the equation.
However, when it comes to homosexuality where the supposedly God given orientation of sexual interest appears to not fit in with the plan for sex taking place in the context reproduction of the human species and of an exclusive life long partnership of caring and loving and mutual sexual interest not brought on by some other psychological disorder (according to the APA), then some Christians cry foul (sin) and condemn "the behavior".
Unfortunately for those Christians more and more science is demonstrating the nature of God's creation and forcing rational people to change their minds about their understanding of God's Will. I came across an article on CNN which describes the result of a study which further indicates the genetic or congenital nature of homosexuality:
Having older brothers tied to being gay, if you're a guy - CNN
Apparently statistical analyses have pointed to an increased likelihood that men with older brothers would turn out to be gay. Such studies led back to the experience of the mother as the likely cause for the increased chance of a child to have a genetic configuration for homosexuality. In these cases homosexuality cannot be a sin as it is a genetic identity and as such for those of faith, a God given trait of that person.
On the science side of things this brings up a challenge for many who see evolution operating exclusively through the DNA and its random mutations. Here it is the presence of anti-bodies in the mother's blood due to a previous experience of the mother (giving birth to a male) that alters the genetic (or genetic expression) of the next male child in her womb. This shows that the experience of an organism can influence the gene level characteristics of that organisms offspring. This breaks the rule that only random mutation is important but the environmental experience of the parent can also be important to the character of the offspring.
This kind of Lamarckism is often derided by evolutionists but it appears that there are scientific studies which are uncovering some Lamarckian mechanisms for evolutionary development. Perhaps these mechanisms can help reduce some of the speed of species development issues that are evident and that "trouble" evolutionary biologists. Trouble, of course, in the sense of evolutionary biologists love such troubles as they are often a short route to great advances in evolutionary theory and not as some creationists try to pose them as fundamental problems for evolutionary theory.
So between homophobia and strict non-Lamarckism lies the truth about what I would call God's plan for us, that we be diverse (Tower of Babel), fruitful and have dominion over the Earth. Often our punishment is our reward in humanities' pursuit of knowledge, a sentiment shared by many religions with respect to the price and privilege of the advance of human knowledge respecting nature and God's creation. What is sin from one perspective (homosexual marriage) is a blessing from another (the basis for a family without the necessity of adding more people to a rapidly over-populating planet.
God is more subtle than any Biblical interpretation or scientific theory can fully describe, but we can use both in sync to help us have meaning and lead better lives.
According to many verses in the bible, we are to strive AGAINST the NATURAL tendencies we might have to do that which is transgression of the LAW.
It can be said that it is "natural" for us to kill, steal, lie, covet, fornicate, etc., but we are to strive against the tendencies to do so.
God did not set out to make happy and content humans who live a few years and then die, but perfect immortal beings with extreme creative power -willing and able to obey universal law.
That requires our willing participation and choice.
Our "carnal" mind is animalistic -which is sufficient (though often cruel and unpleasant) for life forms which are incapable of understanding higher law or thinking beyond their present situation and form.
However, humans are unique in that their mental capacity far exceeds their present physical ability.
We are capable of incredible feats and dreaming of inhabiting the universe -and even changing our physical nature by self-design.
Even from a scientific perspective, it is clear that we are destined to be more than what we are -and it is also clear that our ambitions require obedience to laws which are not "natural" to us.
In order to work together -to unify in order to accomplish greater things, we must refuse natural tendencies and essentially self-program.
That programming must be based on that which is good for others as well as ourselves -and what will create the best future.
The best imaginable future is living forever in peace, happiness and cooperation.
Otherwise, we focus on more immediate and selfish things -which may make us more comfortable in the short term, but also cause problems and keep us from long term benefits.
IDEALLY and OPTIMALLY, it is most advantageous for a child (the future) to be raised with both male and female parental influences in a committed monogamous relationship -and to be taught law which will allow for the best imaginable future.
Therefore, the tendencies of parents are less important than the well-being of the next generation -and the tendencies of the individual are less important than the well-being of all.
While it is true that -biblically -sexual issues will no longer be issues when we are made immortal, choosing to apply God's law to our present sexuality is in preparation for obeying the law of love forever -and also create the most ideal and optimal situation for all now.
However.... Just as sexual issues will no longer be issues when things change, changes to sexuality can affect how the law is to be applied.
For example... If the law applies to the originally-intended state of distinct males and females -and for whatever reason some are not now distinct males and females, then the individual must be considered in applying the law as possible.
In choosing to apply God's law (should one be of such a mind), it does not matter if one was "born that way" -UNLESS that means one was actually born being both male and female to some degree -and still the law must be applied as possible.
If one tends to be attracted to the SAME sex -AND would keep the law -one must essentially self-program to be happy keeping the law. If one truly has issues with not being one distinct gender, then those specific issues must be considered when self-programming and applying the law as possible.
Attraction can be affected by many factors -and tendencies and attraction regarding gender can be changed by will.
Though it is possible that being not distinctly male or female might also affect tendencies of attraction, it would be one of a great many factors.
In short, we are not simply supposed to be what we are -but actively make ourselves what we should be.
As for homosexuality being a blessing in terms of population... that is not correct -especially from a biblical viewpoint. Biblically, the population of the earth will be decimated by war, famine, disease, etc. -leaving perhaps ten percent to live on as humans to repopulate during the first thousand years of the reign of Christ on Earth. Homosexuality (SAME sex relations) do not have much of an effect on population -and obeying the law is far more important for one's future -as living forever requires God.
Furthermore, once we are immortal, we will be given improved bodies with extreme power -and will have all the room in the universe.
The heavens as well as the earth were "formed" "to be inhabited" -so we will have plenty of "space"
In order to make the universe different than our experience on Earth -a huge horrible mess -we must obey universal law.
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