The Question (and Statement):
➣ But being gay/bi/lesbian is not a choice. Since God made us this way, it should be fine, right?
This is my answer:
To the first part of this objection, I agree. It is not a choice to have those attractions.
In reference to God making them that way, that is not entirely true. There are many genetic predispositions people are also born with that God did not make nor intend for many, like with alcoholism if it is prevalent in their family; some are born with deformities, disorders, and incapacities. The Church does not argue that God made them with these issues, but that God made their soul and the human form. Your inward parts are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-16) The product of biological and social complications to the human form and its mechanisms are a result of a sinful nature, a consequence of the Fall, which allowed mutations and change to the genetic makeup of the human person.
It is true that, in most cases, it is not a choice, much in the same way we can't choose the person we have a crush on or our state of love for a person. There is scientific evidence that there are biological factors involved in some other subsets of those who have a homosexual orientation as well. "Camperio-Ciani estimates at this time 20% of the variance in sexual orientation can be attributed to genetic factors, while the other 80% await further specification and probably include other biological factors as well as social and emotional elements." [1][2]
However, despite the biological nature it could have, it does not mean it is the sole nature. Rather, there are social elements that can contribute to it also, such as early viewing of same-sex pornography, exposure to a mass of same-sex groups (such as during incarceration; in female jails and prisons, they refer to it as "gay for the stay"). These exposures, as well as societal acceptance and encouragement, can increase the likelihood of homosexual inclinations. The same is also true for heterosexuality.
It is not a mental disorder and shouldn't be treated as such. However, what the Church does address is the human will. When we discuss orientations, we don't solely speak on the sexuality behind the orientation, but the pursuit of it; an orientation supposes that one would engage it and act within the romantic sphere of the relationship. [3] It is romanticism and sexuality, it is human choice.
For example, we cannot control parts that leave us with no control no matter how much we desire to. When we feel the pangs of hunger, we then choose to prepare food to sate it. For these feelings, regardless of sexuality, it is not a matter of health like hunger is, but an inclination. In such a matter, we can choose not to pursue it and focus on something else completely, even though that may be a struggle. This endeavour is what the Church calls on homosexual persons to do: focus on God instead. Regardless of whatever they are inclined towards, the engagement of it itself can result in sin.
To further elucidate this topic: Heterosexual men have an inclination in sexual arousal towards multiple women. [4] Despite their inclination to such arousal, they are called to marriage with a single wife (if not celibacy completely in serving God). As Christians, we are called to overcome and partake in the divine nature.
Can one's sexuality be changed? There is some speculation on the fluidity of sexuality, such as the strength of it weakening or strengthening from one's teenage years and into adulthood, but I have not found any evidence which suggests that clinical work can change the sexuality of a person. I do not advise physical and pain oriented treatments, self-deprecation, and otherwise, but assistance from a spiritual father could be useful in making wise and righteous choices.
Instead, a homosexual person, much like the monks, bishops, and nuns, is called to a life of celibacy and lifelong devotion to our Lord. It is a life in a community, in meditations, in prayer, in worship, in service, and more. So, with such said, everyone must carry their crosses.
Sources
[1] Camperio-Ciani, A., Corna, F., & Capiluppi, C. (2004, November 7). Evidence for maternally inherited factors favouring male homosexuality and promoting female fecundity. Proceedings. Biological sciences. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1691850.pdf/15539346.pdf/
[2] Savic, I., Berglund, H., & Lindström, P. (2005, May 17). Brain response to putative pheromones in homosexual men. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1129091/
[3] American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to your questions for a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. American Psychological Association. Retrieved January 15, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation
[4] Buss, D. M. (1994). The Strategies of Human Mating. American Scientist, 82(3), 238–249. http://www.jstor.org/stable/29775193
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LGBT+ and the Church
SpiritualThis book will be addressing the LGBT+ issues and the Church. The primary chapters will discuss God's design, the sin and reasoning, and more, and will eventually begin going into a question series. In the question segment, it will address questions...
