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:
It is true that the attractions themselves are not chosen. A person does not decide whom they are drawn to or the inclinations of their heart. Nevertheless, the claim that God made someone this way requires careful consideration. Many inherit predispositions or endure conditions through no fault of their own, whether frailty, illness, or other limitations, but the Church does not teach that God intentionally made these burdens. God created the soul and the human form with wisdom and care. "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psm. 139:13-14). The imperfections of the human body and mind are the result of a fallen world, not divine design.
Human inclinations may arise from a combination of biological, social, and environmental factors. Scientific studies suggest that genetics may contribute to sexual orientation, although other biological, social, and emotional elements play a role (Camperio-Ciani, Corna, & Capiluppi, 2004; Savic, Berglund, & Lindström, 2005). Exposure to certain social environments may also influence inclinations, as seen in contexts such as same-sex peer groups or situational exposure. These factors, however, do not determine moral action. Just as we cannot command whom we love, neither are we compelled to act upon every impulse. The human will remains free, and this freedom is precisely what God honours. Attraction alone is not sin. Sin occurs when one acts contrary to the moral law, when the pursuit of desire seeks fulfilment in ways that distort God's design (American Psychological Association, 2008).
Consider the life of a heterosexual man. He may experience desire for many, yet he is called to the covenant of marriage with one wife, or to celibacy in the service of God. In the same way, a person with same-sex attraction is called to live in chastity, dedicating themselves to God's purposes. The struggle may be profound, but it is an opportunity to cultivate holiness, redirect the heart toward the divine, and participate in life as God intended.
This call is not punishment nor a reflection of moral deficiency. It is a participation in the higher life of obedience and love. Those drawn to same-sex relationships, like all Christians, are invited to a life of devotion in prayer, in community, in service, and in continual alignment with God's will. Just as monks and nuns surrender earthly desires in pursuit of the sacred, so too are all called to bear their cross with humility and faith.
The essence of this teaching is that human sexuality is not defined solely by inclination but by the proper ordering of desire according to God's design. Acting contrary to that design disrupts holiness and the reflection of God's image in us. The faithful are therefore called to navigate their inclinations with wisdom, striving always for sanctity, and entrusting themselves to God's guidance (Buss, 1994).
Sources
American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to your questions for a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation
Buss, D. M. (1994). The strategies of human mating. American Scientist, 82(3), 238–249. http://www.jstor.org/stable/29775193
Camperio-Ciani, A., Corna, F., & Capiluppi, C. (2004, November 7). Evidence for maternally inherited factors favouring male homosexuality and promoting female fecundity. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1691850/
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. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1129091/
YOU ARE READING
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...
