Thank you for writing to Focus on the Family. We value your interest in our ministry, and I consider it a privilege to reply on behalf of our staff.
We appreciate your taking the time to share about your “gay” gerbil. In response to your comments about the roots of homosexuality in humans, it might be helpful to clarify that we have never claimed that homosexuality -- or same-sex attraction -- is “chosen.” However, many gays do choose to *willingly participate in* homosexual activity.
This being said, the fact remains that there is no valid scientific evidence to indicate that homosexuality is inherited, despite repeated efforts to find a so-called “gay gene” or other indicators of genetic transmission (see
http://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.asp). Dr. James Dobson -- founder and Chairman of Focus -- believes there is a much more verifiable explanation than genetics for the causation of same-sex attraction. It is his view that homosexuality is a disorder that results most commonly from early developmental problems. He feels this is the case despite the denials of professional organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association. A variety of environmental factors play a role in *some* individuals, including one or more of the following: 1) serious family dysfunction that wounds and damages the child (it should be noted that we realize many homosexuals were raised in loving families); 2) early sexual abuse; 3) the influence of and/or sexual exploitation by an older homosexual during a critical period of adolescence; 4) homosexual experimentation, such as mutual masturbatory activity in boys in early adolescence; and 5) peer rejection or labeling. There is, of course, a great deal of variance in how these and other forces interplay in individual circumstances.
Perhaps it’s worth adding a theological note at this juncture. From the Christian perspective, it is a mistake to assume that because an action, condition, or mode of behavior has a physical or biological basis, it cannot therefore be considered a sin or the consequence of sin. Those who jump to such conclusions fail to understand that we live in a fallen, sin-sick world -- that creation has been off kilter ever since Adam and Eve made the fatal decision to eat the forbidden fruit. Because of their choice, the world now exists in an *abnormal* state. Therefore, even if science *could* demonstrate that there is a genetic basis for homosexual behavior, this would not necessarily prove that homosexuality is a good thing.
This last thought leads us to conclude that one must be extremely careful about drawing moral and ethical conclusions from the study of nature -- e.g., from the behavioral patterns of animals. Indeed, common sense itself suggests that it is potentially disastrous for human beings to base their actions and moral standards on the habits of animals. After all, we know that some creatures kill their consorts after mating and eat their own young.
Again, thanks for taking a moment to contact us. We trust this response is helpful in clearing up any confusion you may have had regarding our viewpoint on this matter. May all the richness of God’s grace rest upon you in the days ahead.
Joseph McCrae
Focus on the Family
P.S. You may be interested in reading about the ex-gay penguins in Manhattan ’s Central Park Zoo at the following Web site:
http://www.family.org/cforum/sherman/shermansays/A0041265.cfm.
