Even if one is genetically predisposed, the Holy Spirit has the power to radically alter all flesh. God can change our very root from evil to good. Whether souls have sufficient faith in that power is at issue. Voluntariness and involuntariness are contingent upon the degree of faith. With enough faith, Jesus tells us we may move mountains and plant trees in water, figuratively and literally. He is referring, of course, to God’s power over all things. God did the miracles, because Jesus had no doubt.

God bless,

Tom

Ewan – As I said above the evidence is inconclusive at this stage and you’ll find non-Christian genetisicts arguing both views. Steve has already pointed out what he percieved to be individuals choosing to be gay. I would also argue that there are certain sectors of South African society that are increasingly more open to homosexuals and so more people are finding it easier to choose the lifestyle. I would also like to remind you that even if homosexual orientation is proved to be genetic we might note that their are many areas of our lives, both genetically recieved and not, that need to be broken down and submit to the counter-culture which is the kingdom of God. This has to inevitably bring out massive struggles in the lives of those who would follow the way of the kingdom.

Thanks for the comment. I don’t think I implied anything on that either way, and I don’t think anything I said would depend on one or the other view being true. My gay friends with whom I have discussed such things appeared to have made a choice, but they form too small a sample to draw any conclusions, and I know nothing about what predisposing genetic factors may have influenced them. One was in love with her gay (male) school teacher, and when she discovered he was gay decided that she would be too. Another met some gay friends and decided that he would be gay, and dropped his girlfriend. Within a year or two he shacked up with an older bloke, and lived with him for many years until he died.

These two seem to me to have made a choice, but I really don’t know enough to be dogmatic about it either way, and nothing of what I said in my original post depended on either view being true.

It still surprises and upsets me when someone states they believe being gay is a lifestyle choice, something someone can “come out of”. I don’t see how anyone who has actually known a gay person, especially a gay Christian, and witnessed the struggle they face daily in Church and the world can say anyone would be insane enough to *choose* to be gay. Gay people who attempt to change their orientation / choose a straight lifestyle can destroy their own lives / relationships and those of others too.

There is more and more scientific evidence that “being gay” has a biological basis – there is no credible evidence that “a lack of a father figure etc” can lead to someone being gay – therein lies the crock.

I’m not sure what it is you wholeheartedly disagree with. Care to explain?