DEADLY DESIRES A Study of Homosexuality By Rev. Richard D. Starr Lesson Five—The Change

A TRUE STORY What would you do if a friend of yours engaged in behavior that would inevitably result in the following? A significantly decreased likelihood of establishing or preserving a successful marriage A five- to ten-year decrease in life expectancy Chronic, potentially fatal, liver disease—hepatitis Inevitably fatal esophageal cancer Pneumonia Internal bleeding Serious mental disabilities, many of which are irreversible A much higher than usual incidence of suicide A very low likelihood that its adverse effects can be eliminated unless the condition itself is eliminated An only 30 percent likelihood of being eliminated through lengthy, often costly, and very time-consuming treatment…

You should also know that while genetics may play a role, the condition is caused by behavior. Even though the condition is destructive, people choose to continue the behavior. Many people with the condition deny that they have a problem and resist all attempts to help them change. Often people with the condition socialize almost exclusively with others engaging in the behavior. If a loved one or someone you care deeply about was caught in such destructive behavior, what would you do?

Would it help you to know that the condition described above is alcoholism? Wouldn’t you do everything you could to help the person eliminate this behavior from his or her life? Wouldn’t you do everything you could to help the person make healthy lifestyle choices?

What would you do for a loved one or friend with this list of similar problems? A significantly decreased likelihood of establishing or preserving a successful marriage A significantly decreased likelihood of establishing or preserving a successful marriage A twenty-five to thirty-year decrease in life expectancy A twenty-five to thirty-year decrease in life expectancy Chronic, potentially fatal, liver disease—infectious hepatitis, which increases the risk of liver cancer Chronic, potentially fatal, liver disease—infectious hepatitis, which increases the risk of liver cancer Inevitably fatal immune disease including associated cancers Inevitably fatal immune disease including associated cancers Frequently fatal rectal cancer Frequently fatal rectal cancer Multiple bowel and other infectious diseases Multiple bowel and other infectious diseases A much higher than usual incidence of suicide A much higher than usual incidence of suicide A very low likelihood that its adverse effects can be eliminated unless the condition itself is A very low likelihood that its adverse effects can be eliminated unless the condition itself is An at least 50 percent likelihood of being eliminated through lengthy, often costly, and very time- consuming treatment… An at least 50 percent likelihood of being eliminated through lengthy, often costly, and very time- consuming treatment…

You should also know that while genetics may play a role, the condition is caused by behavior. Even though the condition is destructive, people choose to continue the behavior. Many people with the condition deny that they have a problem and resist all attempts to help them change. Often people with the condition socialize almost exclusively with others engaging in the behavior. If a loved one or someone you care deeply about was caught in such destructive behavior, what would you do?

This condition is homosexuality. You can see the striking similarities between the two conditions, both of which have their root cause in the individual’s choice of behavior.