Transcript Sexual Orientation

Sexual Orientation
Psychological and Pastoral
Perspectives
Psychology & Sexual
Orientation
Emerging Understanding &
Continuing Research
Nature or Nurture?

Homosexuality as Innate—Nature

Homosexuality as Voluntary--Nurture
What do we all have in common?

An Orientation—Direction of Erotic Interest
– Opposite Gender
– Same Gender
– Bi-Sexuality

Strength or Intensity of Sexual Response
Kinsey Scale
0.….1.…...2.…...3…....4…....5.….6
heterosexual...bisexual...homosexual
Brain Physiology
Brain Physiology

Interstitial Nuclei of the Anterior
Hypothalamus

Sexually Dymorphic Tissue
Pastoral Challenge
A
Painful &
Divisive Issue in
Faith
Communities
Evolving Perspectives
 Homosexuality
as perversion/evil
 Sin or moral
failure
 Disease or mental
illness
Evolving Perspectives
 Choice
or life-
style
 Emerging
discovery/bioenvironmental
 Influence of
feminist
consciousness
Pastoral/Theological Dilemma
The value and sacredness of the heterosexual
family
The radical dignity of the human person and
the right to give and receive love.
The Pastoral Dilemma
Upholding ‘family values’ and traditional
morality.
Embracing gospel justice, compassion, and
inclusive communities.
The Pastoral Need
Spirit of prayerful
listening.
 Atmosphere of
respectful dialogue.
 Openness to
scientific research.

The Pastoral Need

Welcoming all
the stories of
loving.

Pastoral
compassion and
inclusion.
Scripture Debate
What Does the Bible Say About
Homosexuality?
Some Scriptural Basics
‘Homosexuality’ as we understand it today,
not a term used in bible.
 Jews & early Christians not familiar with
erotic attraction to persons of same gender
as a natural response.
 In bible, same gender loving connected to
violence, abuse, and idolatry.

Biblical References—Hebrew

Genesis 19:5-9 (Sodom & Gomorrah)

Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 (Part of the
Holiness Code).
Biblical References—Christian

Romans 1:26-27

I Corinthians 6:9-10

I Timothy 1:9-10
The Unfinished Debate
Diverse & Evolving Scriptural
Scholarship
Landmarks in Psychology

1957—Evelyn
Hooker’s Research

Erased
psychological
dichotomy between
heterosexual &
homosexual.
Landmarks in Psychology
 1973—APA
Decision
 Homosexuality
not a mental
disorder
Landmarks in Psychology
 1991
Brain/hormonal
research
 Removing
another stigma?