I think you are on target about the issue of whether right and wrong vs. a genetic link should be further examined. It has been my observation and experience that if one can prove there is a genetic link then that will validate the “rightness” to have same gender sex. While that is one way to look at it, it certainly isn’t the only way. For many a genetic link will be valuable as far as understanding themselves but it will not be used as a component to determine personal values or validate any behavior that is not in alignment with those values. I also agree that science studies commonalities and differences instead of right vs. wrong – we see that a lot in expert testimonies in legal cases too. Just the facts.

If something isn’t right what is it? The question misses the point. I believe Alan’s statement simply said that genetics, while they may fill in the picture and increase our understanding, don’t answer ‘rightness’. They would simply say that it is–and that there’s a genetic link.

The issue of whether homosexuality is right or wrong won’t necessarily be decided on the discovery of a genetic link. That link (those links?) would have to be further evaluated.

It seems to me that science studies commonality and difference not right or wrong.

Thanks again for your response – I am glad you don’t think it is wrong for someone to have a different opinion than you. I was unsure how you felt about it because you indicated that Alan was wrong in making the statement he did and that you didn’t agree with him. In referring specifically to the issue of endorsing homosexuality as a natural variation of sexuality, there are some who do not agree with your opinion of that and I appreciate your fairness in understanding that it is not wrong of them to have a different opinion from you about it.

we still need to hold it up to the light.

I believe you mean, you still need to hold it up to the “light” as you define it! 🙂

If something isn’t right what is it? Do you think someone would be out of line to suggest the answer is “it is wrong” ?

As to your claim that Alan was merely saying that if it was genetic it isn’t the end of the discussion, why didn’t he say that? And what was the topic of the discussion that wasn’t ended? There are many ways he could have phrased it to be much clearer about what he meant. But instead he brought up the correctness of being gay and suggested that it wasn’t right.

if you mean in general, no I don’t automatically think a person is wrong because he has a different opinion than I do.

Actually the statement you quoted does not imply that being gay is ‘wrong’. It simply says what it says: that the discovery of a genetic factor doesn’t end the discussion. I had been involved with Exodus for a number of years and, even back 20 or more years, people would agressively confront us with a “yeah, and what if you find out if it’s genetic….what then?” I believe Alan was trying to address that question before it was raised yet again. The fact that something’s inborn doesn’t necessarily make it ‘right’…we still need to hold it up to the light.

Thanks for your response. Do you think it is wrong if someone doesn’t agree with your opinion?