Losing your religion

yes it does. as suspected, i was not interpreting your words correctly. thanks for clarifying.

 

Yes it takes faith to believe the bible.

 

I think there are lots of things that can do that. Not having a strong male (or female) role model, being exposed to sex at too young of an age, being abused, lack of attention and affection are all possibilities.

 

I'd like to see that article, if you wouldn't mind, Muff.

It might be the same research that the American Psychiatric Association has since debunked as unverifiable. I'd like to know for sure, though. The rep I heard speak a while back referred to a finding several decades ago.

The findings the APA discussed were that the "triggers" for lesbianism are so complex and can be so subtle during early childhood development (ages 1 - 3), that it can take months of counseling sessions to find them. According to their research, it doesn't have to be as traumatic as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.

 

Seems excruciating and severely depressing to me, too, but a huge test of faith no matter how you slice it. What your old church failed to mention as an option is actual transformation from a homosexual mindset to a heterosexual mindset. If the APA is right it seems plausible, and would back up the testimonies I've heard from both men and women who have 'made the switch', so to speak.

Don't know if I agree with that. Love, romance, and the need for intimacy is present in both homosexuals and heterosexuals, both men and women -- neither side has exclusive rights to those basic human needs.

 

So do you have a problem with the government telling a business owner he cannot hire only white people?

 

Please don't apologize! Einstein said, "Religion without science is blind." Science that compliments or refutes religious principles (any religious principles) are perfectly welcome here, as far as I'm concerned. :xyzthumbs

 

That's the rub, isn't it? Most probably feel (and I would agree) that the state has little authority to define the "ideal family unit". But those who believe in the Abrahamic (Judeo/Christian/Muslim) God view His authority as absolute, and His definition pretty clear. The problem is, not everyone believes in that God, and more to the point, chooses to subscribe to His authority.

 

Definitely possible, but potentially a very slippery slope, don't you think?

 

They did propose that; but then, as now, there was a lot of disagreement as to whether that was truly possible for most people--leaving celibacy as the primary option. I haven't researched the subject in depth, but I think it's unlikely that such a "switch" is truly possible on a deep psychological level. Perhaps some people, sincerely believing that their homosexual nature is wrong, can learn to adapt & achieve some measure of contentment in a heterosexual relationship. I doubt most could, even if they wanted to.

That's exactly what I meant. Sexual orientation isn't just about sexual desires--it includes what kind of person you want to share the other aspects of your life with as well.