Comments on: Politifact rates Tim Pawlenty's views on sexual orientation

By: ken

ken — Mon, 13 May 2019 13:17:31 +0000

In reply to Sam Christian. Homosexuality is a "normal variation" of sexuality. "Normal variation" simply means it is within an expected range of possibilities that is not pathological or an outlier. The problem with your use of "normal" is that it is to broad to be useful. You don't account for identifiable sub-populations. Ex. something that is normal for a 2 year old may NOT be normal for a 20 year old.

By: Sam Christian

Sam Christian — Mon, 13 May 2019 10:45:09 +0000

This is another thing that “grinds my gears”. People expect me to buy into the idea that everything we decide to like is “normal”. No it’s not. And that’s not to say that people who are gay, or bi, or anything else, are bad people, anymore than anyone else is, but stop BSing me and telling me it’s normal. Normal is defined as what “Most people do” or what most people like, or how most people react to any given situation…etc. In my mind, 7% of the people do NOT define “normal”. I’d think it would take more like 50 to 75% to describe something as “normal. I personally believe it’s a wiring issue and lots of us have wiring issues. Like a Pontiac Sunfire with an on-board computer out of a Chevy Cavalier. The car will run and even think it’s a Cavalier but I guarantee you a check engine light, and some things won’t work. Like the reproductive system of a man who thinks he’s been turned into a women by a doctor. You wanna see the real war on women? Look what they’re doing to women’s sports. I can’t believe women are putting up with this. Chelsea Manning is NOT a woman. Even his name denies his claim to womanhood. Rather “he” is a slightly twisted dude who likes to play dress up. I do that too. Today I’m a millionaire pirate from Jersey.

By: Lynn David

Lynn David — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:52:23 +0000

I don’t know if it was a good point, but it is my impression of the how things are proceeding. But then I get much of that feeling from the Internet – so who knows how skewed such an impression would be!

By: Brent Sharp

Brent Sharp — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:52:23 +0000

Sin is sin (choices) and god does not make (genetic) mistakes (oh? Please explain 47 XXY to me – or even psychopathy).

This arguement has always puzzled me about Christians. If god doesn’t make mistakes then explain birth defects. Furthermore, if god doesn’t make mistakes then surely being gay isn’t a mistake. I truely feel that normal human sexuality has less to do with actual sex then are feelings about ourselves toward sex and sexuality. Whether it is influenced by genetics or biology, the few gay friends that I know have stated time and again that they knew very early before they even knew what “being gay” was that they were gay.
Further, science and christian fundamentalism are at odds. Fundamentalist use science to support what they already believe and discard sciences that do not support said belief. Imagine if Keppler or Newton had used this approach.

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Wed, 30 May 2018 20:52:23 +0000

Lynn David,

I think Pawlenty like many think that homosexuality is an either – or situation. Either it is genetic or behavior but that is surely a false dichotomy.

That is exactly what I thought when I heard his explanation.
Additionally, it appeared to me to be that Pawlenty makes a political equation. If orientation is not genetic, then therefore punitive or discriminatory social policy is acceptable. “Not genetic” = punishable behavior.
Like the other candidates, he needs to be careful. Attitudes are shifting on this issue at a highly accelerated rate. We’ve passed the tipping point, and if current trends continue then by November 2012 this could be a challenge.