...Do you have any recollection or memory of your own self before you were born? Do you remember shifting through a menu similar to that of McDonald’s and selecting the color of your hair? What about the color of your skin, or maybe your height? Of course you don’t. However, if you were given the opportunity to completely change the person you’ve worked hard to mold into what you currently call you, would you take it? Again, you most likely wouldn’t. Your physical body, your thoughts, imagination, personality--all make up the whole you. You didn’t choose to be you, you just are. Sadly, throughout the course of history, we, as a collective society, have scrutinized those who were considered “different” simply because we were scared. No matter what the textbooks or historians say, discrimination is the direct result of fear and ignorance. It is a superficial, false hate. How would one define this false hate? Well, if we were to go with the literal definition, according to Webster’s dictionary, hate is the feeling or animosity toward someone[1]. Another widely accepted description of hatred is that it’s very similar to love, often blinding, and making people prone to believe things that are definitely not true. Oftentimes, many of us fall victim to this, and feelings of animosity and prejudice begin to stir in our minds; sometimes these feelings are reflected in our actions. What’s more, the sad part is that same prejudice and feelings of hatred have no backbone—they can’t be supported...
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...then others, why people are more violent then others or why some people choose to be homosexual. Those types of social characteristics are determined strictly by your surroundings. Our society, environment, education and parental/neighborhood behavior are part of what makes us who we are. Genes can determine how you look but can’t determine how you act. Homosexuality is a hot topic of debate among us in today’s world. From same-sex marriage to Gays and Lesbians adopting children with their partners; there is a lot of ethical questions to be answered when it comes to those topics. When trying to answer these questions we need to get to the root of the issue, is homosexuality a choice or is it something you are born into? Nature or Nurture? Some popular arguments that I will be critiquing in this paper in support of gay marriage are as follows: 1. Homosexuality is a result of genetic and biological factors. 2. Homosexuality is god-given. Homosexuality is a result of genetic and biological factors that result in a child being gay. Children are born gay and have no choice but to live with it, its not a choice to be made, its something you are born into and stuck with. Being gay is part of your genes, why would someone choose to be gay if so many people were opposed to it and...
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..." The Gay Option" Draft 1 "Would conservative allies support us if we could help it (Fairyington50)? Quoted by Stephanie Fairyington, author of article "The Gay Option", enlightens ones of life, living in a world where acceptance of homosexuality is bias. Stephanie Fairyington, is cofounder and editor of The Slant and a freelance journalist in New York. Her article appeared in the Winter 2010 of Dissent as "Choice as Strategy: Homosexuality and Politics of Pity"(Fairyington56). The significance of this article speaks for a large number of individuals in the LGBT community by acknowledging homosexuality is not a genetic defect. It promotes acceptance of LGBT and encourages neutrality from heterosexuals. In the beginning of this article Fairyington...
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...Bible Tells Me So: A Reflection on Homosexuality in Our Society On the morning of July 2, 1990, Julio Rivera was walking to school in Queens, New York when 3 men lured him into an alley where they beat and stabbed him, killing Mr. Rivera. Mr. Rivera was attacked that morning because he was gay. We watched a film in our Critical Thinking class that was eye opening to understanding and coming to accept homosexuals so that we don’t have any more cases like Mr. Rivera. Homosexuality is not morally wrong and is not a sin, our society needs to change its way of thinking to be aware of our misconception of this so we can allow tolerance and acceptance to take precedence over violence and hate. The video takes the stance of homosexuality not being a choice. Scientific evidence suggests that “gayness” is very much genetic. An example is given of a family that has many boys, the male fetus is foreign to the mother’s body and antibodies develop to combat the fetus. As more boys are conceived, the mother’s body because more efficient at producing antibodies which then feminize the boy, increasing his chances of being gay. The mother’s hormone levels also can play a key factor in her child’s sexuality. The Church seems to prosecute homosexuals for their “lifestyle choice” and advise parents of homosexual children to not accept this and encourage their child to change who they are. However, the evidence that shows homosexuality may not be a choice disputes the Church’s teaching. ...
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...People's perspective on homosexuality has dramatically changed in recent years. Before homosexuality was accepted, a heterosexual relationship was the only acceptable sexual relationship between two lovers. Many homosexual people have not truly accepted their sexual orientation; they do not disclose their sexual orientation because they were terrified to admit that they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT). They were terrified to disclose their sexuality because society has viewed homosexuality as a sin. Nonetheless, gays and lesbians are beginning to accept their faith of being LGBT because society has begun to accept them as normal human beings. Presently, researchers are working on the genetics of sexual orientation that has been identified as portions of the...
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...news media and therapeutic experts have bought into the deception that a few individuals are naturally born gay and can't help it. Nothing could have been further from reality. Homosexuality has been practiced for a large number of years. Basically, homosexuality is characterized as sexual relations between like sexes (i.e., two guys or two females). Numerous people today think that gayness is a part of who a human truly is from the moment of creation. The "genetic and unchangeable" theory has been effectively promoted by gay activists and the mainstream media. Is homosexuality truly an inborn and typical variation of human nature? For a few individuals yes, and for others no. According to Jeffrey Satinover, MD, Founder and former Director of the Sterling Institute for Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Medicine “There is not any evidence that indicates that homosexuality is 'genetic', and none of the research itself claims there is. Only the press and, sadly, certain...
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...Introduction Homosexuality is defined or characterized as attraction towards the same gender either male or female. It came from the Greek language, where “homo” means the same or similar, hence referring to the attraction between two beings of the same sex. Homosexuality is also referred as a clinical term. Most male homosexuals generally prefer to be called "gay men" and most homosexual women generally prefer to be called "lesbians." Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, alongside bisexual and heterosexual. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality is an example of normal and positive variation in human sexual orientation. Currently the most common adjectives in use are lesbian for women and gay for men, though gay can refer to either men or women. The American Psychology Association defines sexual orientation in the following way: “Sexual orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction toward others”. There are three broad categories within the family of sexual orientations which are defined as: heterosexuality, homosexuality (gay orientation) and bisexuality. The origins of homosexuality has been surfacing now and then in our time and we will look at how the future will hold for them(homosexuals). Literature Review Nowadays, homosexuality is an uncomfortable and even forbidding topic for many, but in the ancient...
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...countries, lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are arguing against many of the negative depictions of homosexuality fostered by the Judeo-Christian tradition and, more recently, the field of psychology. The emergence of nineteenth century medicine and psychoanalysis challenged many traditional religious perspectives, but in certain respects it also sought to ’’validate" the long held view that homosexual women and men reflect the most base forms of human existence. A large number of social ills and perverse behaviors were, and often are, linked to homosexuality. As a consequence, homosexuals have encountered a myriad of severe labels from "psychopathological" to "criminal” as well as attempts by psychiatrists to administer lobotomies and electro-shock therapy as a means to cure their malady. Studies show that religion also plays a major role along with gender and gender-role attitudes. People who are part of conservative religions tend to hold more hostile attitudes toward gay and lesbian individuals, however culture moderates the relationship between religiosity and attitudes. In developed nations, personal religiosity is a strong predictor. Adamcyzk and Pitt (2009) explored the effect of cultural orientation and religiosity on beliefs about homosexuality and found that countries with a survivalist orientation (i.e., cultures holding onto traditions and norms) tended to believe that homosexuality was not justifiable, whereas self-expressive countries (i.e., cultures more open to change...
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...Conversion therapy, otherwise known as psychological abuse, is the practice of actively attempting to change one’s sexuality and/or gender identity. This practice is based on the outdated idea that homosexuality is a mental illness/sin, and something that can be fixed. So far, nine states in America have banned the practice of conversion therapy for children under 18, however, that leaves 41 states that allow the torture of LGBT children. These states should follow their predecessors and enact legislation that bans this harmful practice for minors. Homosexuality is not a mental disorder. The American Psychology Association(APA) has clearly stated their position on homsexuality. The organization claims that “Research has found no inherent association between any of these sexual orientations and psychopathology. Both heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality”. They go on to explain that despite the...
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...Historical and Scientific Perspective on Homosexuality Homosexuality is a topic that has been mentioned throughout history and scientific research. In certain societies throughout history, homosexuality was a practiced concept and it was embraced whole-heartedly. In other societies, it was highly frowned upon and laws were created just for anyone who was homosexual. That does not mean that researchers have not found reasons behind why one person is homosexual and another is not. One such time frame that did not have any problems with homosexuality was the period of ancient Greece. It was quite common within that society for older gentlemen to enter into relationships with younger males. There was even artwork that depicted acts of sexual activities being conducting between older men and younger boys. It is true that historians do not know everything that happened in ancient Greece involving homosexuality. All we do know is that there is enough proof to show that it was an accepted act in that time frame. Further down the line of history, Romans and the Christian Church began to see homosexuality in a negative light. Romans describe them as “highly feminine gay men who dressed flamboyantly, had showy hair styles and mannerisms, and cruised certain neighborhoods, searching for partners” (Rathus, Nevid, Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Fifteenth century Florence was another such time frame that had an issue with homosexuals. An organization known as the Office of the Night was created...
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...Conversion Therapy and its effects on Homosexuality For years, Homosexuality has been a subject of debate for times immemorial. Some believe that sexual orientation is a choice and can be changed. Others believe that sexual orientation is something you are born with and can surface during early childhood. As the debates continues whether it is a choice to be a homosexual or not efforts to covert someone from homosexuality to heterosexuality continues. The first sight of aid was the popular term conversion or reparative therapy; this was the treatment of choice when homosexuality was thought to be an illness. The four principles of conversion or reparative therapy were: (1) the therapist’s disclosing of his own views; (2) encouragement of the client’s open inquiry; (3) resolving past trauma; and (4) education regarding associated...
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...HOMOSEXUALITY AND CHRISTIANITY 3 Working Outline I. The term homosexuality is frequently use to describe both orientation and behavior. (Main idea). A. People often use the terms sexual identity and sexual orientation interchangeably. 1. Sexual identity relates to individual expression of feelings. whether heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual involved in the metabolic processes of the brain and body. a. Heterosexual feelings involve an emotional and/or a physical attraction to the opposite sex. b. Homosexual feelings involve an emotional and/or a physical attraction to the same sex. c. Bisexual feelings involve an emotional and/or a physical attraction to same and opposite sex. 2. Sexual orientation describes the direction and focus of sexual and emotional attractions experienced by a person. a. Sexual direction and focus b. Emotional attraction and focus B. Many myths surrounding homosexuality exist and they need to be corrected. Here are five essential myths (First subordinate idea). 1. Perhaps the most destructive is the beliefs that homosexuals are child molesters. a. A homosexual can molest a child. b. A heterosexual can molest a chld. 2. The belief that homosexuals are promiscuous and incapable of long-term committed monogamous relationships. c. This is a general statement that shows no knowledge of this particular population...
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...Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality Alton Masters Psy/265 – Psychology of Human Sexuality June 7, 2013 Professor Belden This paper is all about the historical and scientific perspectives on homosexuality. In this essay we will be discussing the historical, biological, and psychological perspectives on homosexuality. We will also go over the impact that these perspectives may have had on the way homosexuals perceive themselves. Also included will be an analysis of the experiences of coming out and adjusting as a gay individual. Lastly we will talk about how these historical, biological, and psychological perspectives have impacted mine own sexual orientation and how they have shaped the way I view homosexuality. Historical Perspectives on Homosexuality Homosexuality, be it gay or lesbian, has existed throughout history. There have been many different attitudes towards homosexuality including tolerance in some societies, open encouragement in others, but in most societies this behavior has been condemned. While homosexuality has mostly been condemned, this was not always the case. A couple of examples are the ancient Greece and Rome. In Greece is was common for established males to form sexual relationships with adolescent males at about eh age of the adolescents growing their first beard. “Romans described highly feminine gay men who dressed flamboyantly, had showy hair styles and mannerisms, and cruised certain neighborhoods, searching for partners...
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...What Does Jesus Say About Homosexuality? Marjorie E. Kummrow Copyright © 2015 by Rev. Marjorie Kummrow, Sweet Manna Ministries. All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this publication may be replicated, redistributed, or given away in any form without the prior written consent of the author/publisher or the terms relayed to you herein, except in the case of brief quotations. Rev. Marjorie Kummrow, Sweet Manna Ministries Glendale, AZ 85308, USA Table of Contents Introduction Page 4 In The Beginning Page 7 The Fulfillment Page 11 The Law of First Mention Page 15 Paul The Disciple of Jesus Page 17 Remez Page 25 Just As In The Days of Noah Page 29 God Ordained Marriage...
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...I recently listened to a series of insightful lectures on the American Civil War given by Dr. Gary Gallagher, a professor of History at the University of Virginia. Early on, Dr. Gallagher analyzed the failure of America’s political leadership to find a compromise on slavery in the days and years leading up to secession and the catastrophic and bloody war. There was the careful attempt to admit to the Union, in tandem, one slave state and one Free State to insure the balance of power in the Senate. Henry Clay of Kentucky, the “great compromiser” helped to work out the division of Western territory so that this balance was to be preserved “in perpetuity.” Slavery, however, was not a political battle that could ultimately be negotiated; it was rather a moral battle that did not lend itself to compromise. It pitted a new consciousness against a dying definition. Slavery could not be partially moral or moral under some circumstances. It was either moral or immoral. There was no middle ground. In the slavery debate, those who shared the new consciousness were quite clear. Human beings cannot be held in bondage. This new consciousness challenged those definitions, which suggested that some people did not qualify as human beings; that some people were primitive, childlike, created to be subservient, and were, therefore, fit for nothing other than manual labor. Within that definition, slavery was deemed to be morally acceptable and those who held this position actually believed that...
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