Utilizador:InProgress/Same-sex attraction/Can the Church welcome gay people while teaching against same-sex relationships

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Homosexuality is defined as any kind of erotic thoughts, feelings, or behaviors towards persons of the same sex. Those who experience same-gender sexual thoughts or feelings often struggle to resist the temptation to act on such thoughts and feelings. It is important to recognize the difference between same-gender sexual feelings and behaviors.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated: “We should always distinguish between sinful acts and inappropriate feelings or potentially dangerous susceptibilities. We should reach out lovingly to those who are struggling to resist temptation. The First Presidency did this in their 14 November 1991 letter. After reaffirming the sinful nature of ‘fornication, adultery, and homosexual and lesbian behavior,’ the Presidency added:

“Individuals and their families desiring help with these matters should seek counsel from their bishop, branch president, stake or district president. We encourage Church leaders and members to reach out with love and understanding to those struggling with these issues. Many will respond to Christlike love and inspired counsel as they receive an invitation to come back and apply the atoning and healing power of the Savior. (See Isa. 53:4-5; Mosiah 4:2-3.)” (Ensign, Oct. 1995, 7 14). [1]

Some feel that the church's stance on same-sex relationships is harmful to people with same-sex attractions. They argue that a gay person's sexual orientation is innate and immutable, that it is unreasonable to ask them not to seek out homosexual relationships, and that repressing these attractions has a severe negative impact on a person's well-being. They teach that pursuing same-sex relationships is the only way for gay people to be well adjusted, and any teaching to the contrary is damaging to a gay person's well-being.

Discrepancy between same-sex relationships and same-sex attraction

While it is true that most people have little or no choice over their sexual orientation[2], it is not true that one's sexual orientation dictates one's sexual behavior, nor one's sexual identity. These three areas are not as highly coordinated as one might think. Studies in the area show significant discrepancies between orientation, behavior and identity. The American Psychological Association clarifies: "Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept. Individuals may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors."[3]

One of the most comprehensive studies in the United States was done by the Social Organization of Sexuality. They found that out of 131 women and 108 men in their survey who self-reported same-sex attraction, only 43 men (40%) and 42 women (32%) had a homosexual experience. [4]

The large discrepancies between sexual orientation, identity and behavior is one of the reasons why it is difficult to get accurate measures on people who deal with homosexuality. While the numbers vary from one study to the next, the numbers consistently show that there are significantly more people with same-sex attractions than those who have had a homosexual experience. That would indicate that the teachings of the church on same-sex relationships is consistent with the practices of a significant number of people with same-sex attractions.

Fluidity of sexuality

In addition to the population that have never had a homosexual experience, there are also people who have stopped or will stop having homosexual relationships, some of whom have also reported that they have no current attraction to the same sex. The study indicated that of the 4.9% of men and 4.1% of women who have ever had a homosexual experience since the age of 18, only 2.7% of men and 1.3% of women had one in the last year. This means that most people who have participated have already stopped. From these, and other findings, the American Psychiatric Association concluded "some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person’s lifetime". [5]

This might not follow the impression that most people have about gay people. Looking deeper into the survey might indicate why. The same survey found that 96% of women and 87% of men with a homosexual or bisexual identity have had sex with someone of the same sex. This indicates that the sexual behaviors of openly gay people are not reflective of the gay population at large. Because openly gay people are more open about their sexual orientation and behaviors, this has led many people to incorrectly believe that their sexual behaviors are reflective of the larger gay population. This misconception has lead many to believe that gay people either cannot or do not want to live a lifestyle that is consistent with the church's teaching. However, evidence indicates a sizable number already do or will sometime in the future.

Rejecting a gay identity

Most of the people with same-sex attractions who have not had a homosexual experience also do not identity as gay. Critics argue that it is not healthy for homosexual people to reject a gay identity or suppress their homosexual attractions. They argue that the only way to be well-adjusted is to come out as a gay person. There is a significant movement to try to "out" people who reject a gay identity,[6] and there are massive protests at any organization that seeks to help people with same-sex attractions that do not accept the gay identity.[7]

Because of the massive opposition to people who want to reject a gay identity, a task force set up by the APA investigated the matter. They found that there is no clear harm in denying a gay identity. They found that for some people, a religious identity was stronger than their sexual identity, and instructed counselors not to preclude the goal of celibacy, but to help clients determine their own goals in therapy, and that together with support groups, the therapy can change a client's sexual orientation identity. Dr. Glassgold, the leader of the taskforce, summarized the findings by saying that there has been little research about the long-term effects of rejecting a gay identity, but there is "no clear evidence of harm" and "some people seem to be content with that path."[8]

Although there is no harm in denying a gay identity, the church does not require gay members to deny their sexual orientation. What is required is members follow the law of chastity. Elder Wickman teaches that sexual orientation is a core element of one's identity, but not the only one.[9] All members of the church have made a covenant to take upon themselves the name of Christ. For members of the Church, taking upon themselves the name of Christ supersedes all other identities, whether gay or straight.

Obviously there is a strong relationship between being gay and having same-sex relationships. There is also a strong relationship between being straight and having a child out of wedlock, which the church also teaches against. However, it is neither unreasonable nor unhealthy for a gay person to follow the church's law of chastity, just like it is neither unreasonable nor unhealthy for a straight person to follow it. Both homosexuality and heterosexuality are natural variations of human sexuality,[10] but in order to become a saint of the latter-days, one must put off the natural man, and submit to the enticings of the Holy Ghost. (Mosiah 3:18) Latter-day saints are asked to serve God, which precludes serving one's own sexual desires, be it gay or straight. It is a sacrifice for both gay and straight people to put off the natural man and serve God, but Joseph Smith teaches that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things cannot produce the faith necessary to achieve eternal life. The promise of the gospel is peace in this life and eternal life in the next, and that is the greatest gift that anyone can receive, whether they be gay or straight.

Related links

Endnotes

  1. [note] American Psychiatric Association 2000
  2. [note] American Psychological Association Help Center Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality
  3. [note] Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation
  4. [note] Beckstead, A. Lee , "Mormon Clients’ Experiences of Conversion Therapy", The Counseling Psychologist 651–690
  5. [note]  The Honor Code and Applications: Live a Chaste and Virtuous Life , Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University off-site .
  6. [note]  Aversion Therapy glptq.com off-site
  7. [note]  Evergreen International Resources for Individuals
  8. [note] AP, The New York Times & Washington Post Style
  9. [note]  Hegna K, Larsen CJ. Straightening out the queer? Same-sex experience and attraction among young people in Norway.
  10. [note] Hinckley, Gordon B., (1987), Reverence and Morality off-site
  11. [note]  1998 What Are People Asking about Us? Gordon B. Hinckley, Official Site of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved on September 28, 2007.
  12. [note] Hinckley, Gordon B. (Nov 1999). Why We Do Some of the Things We Do. Ensign.
  13. [note]  (2004), First Presidency Statement on Same-Gender Marriage , Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church off-site
  14. [note]  (2004), A Conversation with Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints off-site
  15. [note] Holland, Jeffrey R., (2007), Helping Those Who Struggle with Same-Gender Attraction off-site
  16. [note] Jarvik, Elaine, (2006), LDS to push marriage amendment off-site
  17. [note] Kimball, Spencer W., (1964), A Counselling Problem in the Church (transcript) off-site
  18. [note] Kimball, Spencer W., (1964), BYU Speeches of the Year off-site
  19. [note] Kimball, Spencer W., (1969), The Miracle of Forgiveness Bookcraft
  20. [note] Spencer W. Kimball and Mark E. Petersen Hope for Transgressors 1970.
  21. [note] Kimball, Spencer W., (1971), New Horizons for Homosexuals LDS Church off-site .
  22. [note] Spencer W. Kimball, “President Kimball Speaks Out on Morality,” Ensign, Nov 1980, 94
  23. [note]  (1970), Hope for Transgressors LDS Church off-site .
  24. [note]  (1992), Understanding and Helping Those Who Have Homosexual Problems: Suggestions for Ecclesiastical Leaders , Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church off-site .
  25. [note]  (1995), The Family: A Proclamation to the World , Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church .
  26. [note]  (1998), Church Handbook of Instructions , Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church .
  27. [note] God Loveth His Children, off-site
  28. [note]  Sexual Purity, For the Strength of Youth: Fulfilling Our Duty to God, 26
  29. [note] "First Presidency Statement on Same-Gender Marriage," 19 October 2004)
  30. [note]  (2007), Gospel Library Gospel Topics , Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church .
  31. [note]  (2007), Gospel Library Gospel Topics , Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church .
  32. [note] Laumann, Edward O. , The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States {{{pages}}}
  33. [note] The Divine Institution of Marriage
  34. [note] Lattin, Don, (1997), Musings of the Main Mormon: Gordon B. Hinckley, "president, prophet, seer and revelator: of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sits at the top of one of the world's fastest-growing religions off-site
  35. [note]  (2004), In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-gender Attraction Deseret Book off-site .
  36. [note] McBride, Max Ford, (1976), Effect of Visual Stimuli in Electric Aversion Therapy (Dissertation presented to the Department of Psychology of Brigham Young University) , Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah:
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  38. [note] Moore, Carrie A., Gay LDS men detail challenges off-site
  39. [note]  In Focus: Mormonism in Modern America off-site Every person on this planet has personal challenges. Some have challenges with same-sex attraction, some have problems with opposite-gender attraction that have to be controlled.
  40. ((note|oaks86}} An Interview with Elder Dallin H. Oaks on Homosexuality and AIDS
  41. [note]  1995 Dallin H. Oaks Statement, Official Site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  42. [note] Wickman, Lance B., (2007), Same-Gender Attraction , Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church off-site
  43. [note]  Packer Ye Are the Temple of God
  44. [note] Packer, Boyd K., (1972), The Message: Why Stay Morally Clean LDS Church off-site .
  45. [note] Packer, Boyd K., (1976), To Young Men Only: General Conference Priesthood Session, October 2, 1976 LDS Church off-site .
  46. [note] Packer, Boyd K., (1978), To the One: Address given to the Twelve Stake Fireside, Brigham Young University, March 5, 1978 LDS Church off-site .
  47. [note] Park, Jason, (1997), Resolving Homosexual Problems: A Guide for LDS Men Century Publishing off-site .
  48. [note] D. Michael Quinn, "Prelude to the National 'Defense of Marriage' Campaign: Civil Discrimination Against Feared or Despised Minorities", Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, 33:3, p. 1-52 (2001)
  49. [note] Scott, Richard G., The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness off-site .
  50. [note] STEPHANIE SIMON A New Therapy on Faith and Sexual Identity : Psychological Association Revises Treatment Guidelines to Allow Counselors to Help Clients Reject Their Same-Sex Attractions
  51. [note] Throckmorton, Warren , "Initial empirical and clinical findings concerning the change process for ex-gays", Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 242–248
  52. [note] Snow, Lorenzo, {{{title}}} .
  53. [note]  Savin-Williams RC, Ream GL. Prevalence and stability of sexual orientation components during adolescence and young adulthood.
  54. [note] p. 156, Seligman, Martin E.P., What You Can Change and What You Can't: The Complete Guide to Self Improvement Knopf, 1993; ISBN 0-679-41024-4
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  58. [note] A Place in the Kingdom: Spiritual Insights from Latter-day Saints about Same-Sex Attraction.
  59. [note] Wichstrøm L, Hegna K. Sexual orientation and suicide attempt: a longitudinal study of the general Norwegian adolescent population.
  60. [note]  Yarhouse MA. Same-sex attraction, homosexual orientation, and gay identity: a three-tier distinction for counseling and pastoral care
  61. [note] Truth Wins Out
  62. [note] White-Hot 'Outrage' Over The Capitol Hill Closet
  63. [note]  Gay, Mormon, Married
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