ETHIX CHAPTER 8 Homosexuality

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (*31 pts.) 3 words = 1 point this time!

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to lusts. Even their exchanged sexual relations for ones. 27 In the way the also abandoned relations with women and were inflamed with for one another. Men committed acts with other men, and received themselves the due penalty for their. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the of God, so gave them over to a mind, so that they do what not to be done.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTION #1 (P. 123) List as many ways as possible for each: 1. How do people justify homosexual behavior? 2. How would you respond to each justification?

THE BIBLICAL CASE To fully understand why Scripture condemns homosexual acts, it is first necessary to understand God’s original blueprint for human sexuality. 1.Genesis 1 and 2—God reveals that males and females were created in his image and likeness. 2. It was not good for man to be alone, so woman was created to fill Adam’s relational need. 3.God’s original design for sexual relationships was for a man and woman to be together in the lifetime commitment of love and marriage.

PURPOSES OF SEX? Who remembers the three purposes of sex? 1.To provide pleasure (recreation) 2.To bring unity 3.To create new life (reproduction) Which ones are impossible based on homosexual behavior? Procreative and unitive dimensions of human sexuality as established by God. Multiple passages in Scripture refer to it as unnatural. Homosexuality violates God’s natural design for human sexuality.

SODOM AND GOMORRAH What is wrong with arguing that the situation in Sodom and Gomorrah is about being inhospitable, not homosexual? 1. That argument would be taken out of context. a.Yadha used in Genesis refers to sexual acts 10 of the 12 times. b.These men were not just wanting to “get acquainted” with the visitors in a hospitable manner but a sexual one. They turned away the daughters. c.Scripture refers to the sins of Sodom as sexual.

THE MOSAIC LAW What is wrong with people saying the Levitical laws no longer apply today? 1.They are missing the fact that there are two types of laws in the Old Testament: ceremonial laws and moral laws. a.Moral laws (such as homosexuality) still apply today and always will. b.The moral prohibitions against homosexuality are clearly repeated throughout the New Testament as well.

THE NEW TESTAMENT What is wrong with saying that homosexuality is wrong for those who are not naturally homosexual? 1.Evidence is lacking to support the view that homosexuality has a purely genetic cause. (Even if such a cause existed, there is no reason to believe that Paul knew about it and refers to it here.) 2.It is highly unlikely that when Paul says they “exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural” he was referring to heterosexuals committing homosexual acts.

SO… The biblical testimony against homosexuality can only be neutralized by either radically misinterpreting the Scriptures or denying the authority of the Bible.

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (*31 pts.) 3 words = 1 point this time!

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to lusts. Even their exchanged sexual relations for ones. 27 In the way the also abandoned relations with women and were inflamed with for one another. Men committed acts with other men, and received themselves the due penalty for their. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the of God, so gave them over to a mind, so that they do what not to be done.

MEMORY VERSE Romans : - 26 Because of this, gave them over to lusts. Even their exchanged sexual for ones. 27 In the way the also relations with and were inflamed with for one. Men committed acts with men, and received themselves the for their. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not it worthwhile to retain the of God, so gave them to a mind, so that do what not to be.

WHY DOESN’T JESUS ADDRESS HOMOSEXUALITY?  We don’t take everything in the Bible literally; we take it at face value just like we would a sports page (score is literal vs. “Giants annihilate the Braves,” which is not)  The fact that people say Jesus didn’t speak on homosexuality brings up several points: 1.First…it’s interesting that people would be interested in what Jesus had to say. Does this mean He has credibility? 2.In Leviticus, we should take it literally…how else can we take it? 3.If he never brought it up, so what? He’s pro wife-beating, rape, and other un- mentioned sins? NO! Can’t come to any conclusion based on his silence. If he had, would it change people’s minds? Usually not, so not a valid argument to bring up. 4.Jesus claimed to be God, the same God who gave the OT chapters. He said the entire law was valid in Matthew 5 (including OT condemnation of homosexuality). Jesus made very specific arguments about marriage in Matthew 19—two sexes made for each other (one flesh).

BUT I WAS BORN THIS WAY According to recent evidence, what factors play a role in the development of sexual preference? 1.Disordered family relationships 2.Early sexual experiences 3.Abuse 4.Failed father-son relationships

BUT I WAS BORN THIS WAY  The attraction becomes a sin when it is acted upon, either through lust or sexual activity (acts on it physically or mentally).  It is important to note that the Bible doesn’t seem to condemn homosexual attraction. Because of our sinful human nature, we all are inclined to sin. However, that does not make it acceptable to continue sinning.

THE SCIENTIFIC CASE THE TWIN STUDY What is it?  About 50% of identical twins were both gay. Therefore, they concluded that genetics account for the high percentage of homosexuality among identical twins. How could we respond?  Other recent studies have shown radically different results.  Why aren’t 100% equally homosexual?

THE SCIENTIFIC CASE THE BRAIN STUDY What is it?  In a study performed on 41 cadavers, some of the neurons in homosexual men were smaller than those found in heterosexual men. Therefore, it is argued that this size variation accounts for sexual orientation. How could we respond?  His findings were distorted and overstated in the media.  No scientist has ever demonstrated a link between the area of the hypothalamus under discussion and a cause for sexual orientation.  The sexuality of the subjects was questionable.  Corroborating studies to support LeVay’s finders are lacking.

THE SCIENTIFIC CASE THE GENETIC STUDY What is it?  In an examination of 76 men recruited from an AIDS treatment program who me the criterion of having a gay brother, Hamer’s team found a strong pattern of homosexuality in maternal relatives over and above paternal relatives. This suggested that homosexual orientation might be inherited through the X chromosome of women. How could we respond?  Just because a majority of the homosexual men have shared genetic variations does not mean this variation is the cause of their homosexual orientation. What about the minority who were homosexual but did not have the genetic variations?  These findings have not been replicated by other research teams.  Sexual preference is not solely physical—it’s at least partially developmental.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE… Even if science could show that homosexual feelings were natural, it would still not justify the homosexual behavior.

EXTRA-BIBLICAL ARGUMENTS THE DANGER OF HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICE  Homosexual behavior is dangerous in any context. It cannot be made safe. Some health concerns linked to homosexual behavior: 1.Higher rate of drug and alcohol abuse among homosexuals. 2.Certain mental disorders occur at a much higher rate. 3.Male homosexuals have a 75% lifetime STD incidence rate. 4.Physical trauma to the body is a common problem because of the nature of certain homosexual acts.

HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT NATURAL That which occurs in nature…  Male animals are not attracted to each other but simply want stimulation.  If we accept this type of reasoning then we also have to justify cannibalism and murder (seen in the animal kingdom as well).  Since humans are part of nature, human conduct would be natural; therefore, everything would have to be considered natural by this definition (rainforests being depleted, babies drowning, incest, even homosexuals being based for their beliefs). A natural sexual desire is one that fits the original pattern or purpose of sexuality.

NO SOCIETY CAN SURVIVE BY HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICE  No one was ever born of a homosexual union.  Heterosexual relationships are absolutely necessary for the preservation of the human race, and without them, humans would be extinct within one generation.  Homosexuality is a threat to the continuance of the human race.

LETTER TO A FRIEND Using what they have learned in class and your own knowledge, you are to write a letter “back” to a friend as if you just found out he/she is considering changing lifestyles to that of a homosexual. You are to type and double space in an easy-to-read, 12-pt. font. The assignment should be approximately one page in length. (due next Fri.) DO NOT LOSE RUBRIC OR YOU WILL LOSE A POINT!

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (*31 pts.) 3 words = 1 point this time!

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to lusts. Even their exchanged sexual relations for ones. 27 In the way the also abandoned relations with women and were inflamed with for one another. Men committed acts with other men, and received themselves the due penalty for their. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the of God, so gave them over to a mind, so that they do what not to be done.

MEMORY VERSE Romans : - 26 Because of this, gave them over to lusts. Even their exchanged sexual for ones. 27 In the way the also relations with and were inflamed with for one. Men committed acts with men, and received themselves the for their. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not it worthwhile to retain the of God, so gave them to a mind, so that do what not to be.

RESPONDING TO OBJECTIONS Be able to respond to these for your reading quiz! 1.People should have the freedom to express themselves sexually without constraints. Response: Does this apply to the adult man who desires to have sex with young boys, incest, etc? (Other examples apply as well.) 2.Homosexual acts are fine as long as no one gets hurt. Response: Someone always gets hurt, even if it is solely the perpetrator. Homosexual men are four times as likely to be alcoholics as heterosexual men and six times as likely to commit suicide. Even if no one did “get hurt,” it is still wrong. Some people are hurt even by doing the right thing, aren’t they?

RESPONDING TO OBJECTIONS CONT’D 3. But homosexuals have made such wonderful contributions to society. Response: What does this have to do with the morality of their sex lives? They did these great things as human beings, not because of their sexual preferences. (No relation between Elton John as great musician and as homosexual.) 4.You may think homosexuality is wrong, but you have no right to force your views on others. Response: Every law forces someone’s view on another, so should no laws exist? (Ex. Our law is forced on rapists, thieves, etc.). “You may think homosexuality is acceptable, but what right do you have to force your view on me?” This is a self-refuting statement.

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?  We as Christians must not compromise the clear biblical teaching that homosexuality is immoral; but, not to be forgotten is that, in our relationships with people, we need to stand first on the biblical truth that all people, despite their sinful behavior, are made in God’s image, and therefore worthy of grace, love, and compassion.  Aim to be genuinely loving when you do speak.

JOURNAL #7 (DUE FRIDAY) How has the media over the past few years contributed to the greater societal acceptance of homosexual behavior? (SGD #3, p. 123)

DEBATE— THURSDAY AND FRIDAY In teams of 2-3, students will be assigned a plank and will be graded based on the following: Presents opening statement clearly and persuasively; supports ideas with references Asks questions during cross-examination, dialogues actively with other side during rebuttals Answers questions well; provides some type of response without getting stumped Poised—remains calm under pressure; organized; able to retrieve info quickly Seems prepared; thorough research is evident

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. (*31 pts.) 3 words = 1 point this time!

MEMORY VERSE Romans 1: Because of this, God gave them over to lusts. Even their exchanged sexual relations for ones. 27 In the way the also abandoned relations with women and were inflamed with for one another. Men committed acts with other men, and received themselves the due penalty for their. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the of God, so gave them over to a mind, so that they do what not to be done.

MEMORY VERSE Romans : - 26 Because of this, gave them over to lusts. Even their exchanged sexual for ones. 27 In the way the also relations with and were inflamed with for one. Men committed acts with men, and received themselves the for their. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not it worthwhile to retain the of God, so gave them to a mind, so that do what not to be.