Losing your religion

Only book the author wasn't around to witness the events. Could be a slippery slope...could explain an awful lot.

 

I don't like so-called "affirmative action," hiring quotas, etc. either. I'd rather see people use market forces to encourage non-discriminatory practices than to depend on such laws. But I'd also distinguish between PEOPLE who own businesses (i.e., sole proprietorships & partnerships) and CORPORATE ENTITIES. Corporations should NOT have the same rights that individual human beings have.

But that's a whole other subject . . .

 

Everyone I've heard or read who claims it's possible also says the process is extremely difficult. I agree with you that the likelihood is that sexual orientation, due to both it's early establishment and powerful nature -- is deeply rooted in the psyche and therefore not easily manipulated. But I'm no psychology student, so take that for whatever it's worth. :huh:

But at least from the standpoint of Judaism and Christianity at least (possibly others as well), there is hope of supernatural 'assistance' that can be utilized to make that change.

 

Even we pagans know miracles sometimes happen
And if that's what someone wants for himself/herself, I wish them well.
And if not, I'd like to see them free to marry if THAT's what they want.

 

I just got this from the APA website:

What Is Sexual Orientation?
"Sexual Orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to another person. It is easily distinguished from other components of sexuality including biological sex, gender identity (the psychological sense of being male or female) and the social gender role (adherence to cultural norms for feminine and masculine behavior).

Sexual orientation exists along a continuum that ranges from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality. Bisexual persons can experience sexual, emotional and affectional attraction to both their own sex and the opposite sex. Persons with a homosexual orientation are sometimes referred to as gay (both men and women) or as lesbian (women only).

Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept. Persons may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors."
(link: http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html#whatis)


It appears you were correct in that orientation includes the whole emotional 'package' as it applies to attraction. Interesting that it would be so inclusive, as most people along the stated continuum should have similar emotional needs (i.e. intimacy, affection, etc.), so it's not as helpful to distinguish one position from another. Hmm...

 

Agreed.

I'm not one to interpret all of Genesis literally -- the research I've done suggests that much of it was written in poetic form and therefore symbolic, even flamboyant in places. But I don't know that I'd discard even the basics of the creation account because of it. Some (not all) of it just makes too much sense to me, and seems to fit with the rest of the texts. But then again, who knows what blanks science will be able to fill in the future.

 

Those of you who think it is biological and not a choice, how do you explain people who are bi-sexual?

 

........or the mysteries revealed to us when we join our Lord in heaven.

 

Thelt does not believe in grey areas. Only black and white.

Thelt people have varing levels of hormones for example. Estrogen and testosterone have a fairly good size of normal range, but even with that men and women sometimes go above or below the normal range.

 

The part about "sexual orientation exists along a continuum . . ." is so crucial to understanding, I think. It's not all either/or. And it's also vital to understand that it includes the whole emotional realm--not just "lust."

I know people who consider themselves straight, people who consider themselves gay, & people who consider themselves bisexual. And if I talk with them in any depth about their "orientation," it's clear that it's NOT all about the sexual attraction. It's psychological & emotional on multiple levels.

To use myself as an example--since I'm the person I know best --- I consider myself heterosexual. I am attracted to men sexually & emotionally; & if I can have a "life partner," I want my partner to be a man.

At the same time, I can recognize the attractiveness of women (or at least of SOME women). I can enjoy their company & their friendship. And occasionally, I can feel a certain degree of attraction to a woman. I can fantasize about being intimate with a particular woman, but not about women in general (as I can with men). However, I can't fathom the level of attraction that would prompt me to seek the kind of partnership with another woman that I enjoy having with a man. That's why I can't consider myself truly "bisexual." People I know who are bi are not only attracted physically to persons of both genders, but they feel the romantic sort of attraction to both also.

Damn, human beings are complicated, aren't they?