Can you choose what gender you are attracted to?

[scourge99]

I've noticed that many Christians say that "homosexuality is a choice". I partially agree. I think people can choose how they act on their urges and desires. But i don't believe that people can choose their urges and desires. For example, I am attracted to women. But i have no sexual attraction to men. I can't choose to change this about myself. But just because i am sexually attracted to women doesn't mean i have to act on those desires and attractions.

Questions for debate:

1) Can you choose what gender you are attracted to?

2) Can you choose to act on your attraction?

3) Based on your answers to the above, is it accurate to say "homosexuality is a choice"?

[KCKID]

I've noticed that many Christians say that "homosexuality is a choice". I partially agree. I think people can choose how they act on their urges and desires. But i don't believe that people can choose their urges and desires. For example, I am attracted to women. But i have no sexual attraction to men. I can't choose to change this about myself. But just because i am sexually attracted to women doesn't mean i have to act on those desires and attractions.

Questions for debate:

1) Can you choose what gender you are attracted to?

'Choose' or 'choice' is the wrong term. One's sexuality (sexual attraction to) is 'instinctive' or 'innate' and has nothing to do with with choice. One could equally ask, "Is heterosexuality a choice?" So, the answer is no.

2) Can you choose to act on your attraction?

Yes, of course.

3) Based on your answers to the above, is it accurate to say "homosexuality is a choice"?

No, for the reason given in (1).

[Joab]

Miss, miss, the kid stole my answers
Oh he'll deny it.
But I really was gonna write that, what he said.

[KCKID]

Miss, miss, the kid stole my answers
Oh he'll deny it.
But I really was gonna write that, what he said.

I DO deny it but I'll let you copy my answers for half of your chocolate bar . . .

[otseng]

1) Can you choose what gender you are attracted to?

I would say no.

2) Can you choose to act on your attraction?

This would be yes.

3) Based on your answers to the above, is it accurate to say "homosexuality is a choice"?

Here's the problem. What do people mean by "homosexuality"? If it simply means what one is attracted to, then it's scenario 1 above. If it is homosexual behavior, then it's scenario 2 above.

[otseng]

One's sexuality (sexual attraction to) is 'instinctive' or 'innate' and has nothing to do with with choice.

Are you suggesting that homosexuality is entirely genetic in cause?

[Joab]

One's sexuality (sexual attraction to) is 'instinctive' or 'innate' and has nothing to do with with choice.

Are you suggesting that homosexuality is entirely genetic in cause?

It is entirely prenatal in cause.

Unless you possess the capacity to change your sexual orientation?

When did you choose heterosexual attractions over homosexual attractions?

Do you still experience homosexual attractions?

[dianaiad]

One's sexuality (sexual attraction to) is 'instinctive' or 'innate' and has nothing to do with with choice.

Are you suggesting that homosexuality is entirely genetic in cause?

It is entirely prenatal in cause.

IS it? What studies, proof do you have of this?

Now, I'm not claiming it's not, but I would like to see your evidence that it is 'entirely prenatal.'

For instance, ancient Greece shows us that there can be a great deal of cultural influence involved in addition to any prenatal cause. Whether today's culture promotes it or not may be questioned, but that culture CAN influence this issue is fairly well established as 'you bet it can.'

Unless you possess the capacity to change your sexual orientation?

When did you choose heterosexual attractions over homosexual attractions?

Do you still experience homosexual attractions?

Joab, this question is a prime example of the 'have you stopped beating your wife?" sort of comment. As it happens, homosexuality (and heterosexuality) are not binary sets. It's a range. MOST homosexuals are actually 'bisexual' to one degree or another; their primary attraction may be toward their own sex, but very few of them are totally indifferent to the opposite one. The same holds true of heterosexuals; though there are a lot more of us, certainly, and thus many more strict heterosexuals, the range is still there.

I think that most people, including the most activist of Christian evangelists, would agree that it is what one chooses to do about one's attractions that matters, or, to refine things further, why one chooses to do what one does. Equating the attraction with what one does about it is unproductive...but it is a favorite ploy of gay rights activists--and the one you use with your inquiry as to whether those with whom you disagree experience homosexual attractions.

In sum, if one is celibate, one is celibate. It doesn't matter two hoots which flavor of temptation one is abstaining FROM.

[JoeyKnothead]

From the OP:

1) Can you choose what gender you are attracted to?

One can no more choose their attractions than I can choose to be intelligent.

2) Can you choose to act on your attraction?

Yes.

3) Based on your answers to the above, is it accurate to say "homosexuality is a choice"?

Don't care.

As long as nobody's getting hurt, I'm for the right of everyone to love who they love, and to sex up those willing to sex 'em up right back.

[otseng]

One's sexuality (sexual attraction to) is 'instinctive' or 'innate' and has nothing to do with with choice.

Are you suggesting that homosexuality is entirely genetic in cause?

It is entirely prenatal in cause.

There is nobody that is disagreeing that nobody chooses their sexual attraction. What I'm asking is what does it mean to be instinctive or innate? Or do you all agree that it is not genetic in origin?

When did you choose heterosexual attractions over homosexual attractions?

Who said anybody has chosen who they are attracted to?

Do you still experience homosexual attractions?

As dianiad said, this is an irrelevant question.