I sometimes wonder what the fuss is over whether sexual orientation is innate or not. While both my common sense and the field of psychology agree that it is, the question isn't really relevant to the issue of gay rights, at least as far as I can see.
I do find it perplexing that politicians and religious theologians once again want to argue with scientists and dispute their findings with nothing but bare assertions to back up their opinions that scientists somehow don't know what they're talking about or that there's some kind of vague conspiracy with poorly defined motivations. However, this too is a side issue.
Whether sexual orientation is determined by choice, genes or environmental/developmental factors, this is a question for psychologists and not judges and lawmakers and it's moot insofar as the rights of people are concerned. Gays have rights not because they were born that way but because they are people. It is "persons" that are discussed in our Constitution, at many points whether American or of other nationalities. Our constitution is written in the language of human rights.
The 14th Amendment, Section 1 of our Constitution makes it clear under no uncertain terms that all citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law. There can be no second class citizens. You can't provide special privileges to one group and deny them to another.
Read it and weep, Christians. Go tell it on the mountain all you like but don't tell it on Capitol Hill. You can feel any way you like about how God views homosexuals and bisexuals but you can't treat them as second class citizens.
This ties into my parody on the ban on Christian marriage. And Christianity IS a lifestyle choice. Don't worry, Christians, you're also protected by the 14th amendment.
I do find it perplexing that politicians and religious theologians once again want to argue with scientists and dispute their findings with nothing but bare assertions to back up their opinions that scientists somehow don't know what they're talking about or that there's some kind of vague conspiracy with poorly defined motivations. However, this too is a side issue.
Whether sexual orientation is determined by choice, genes or environmental/developmental factors, this is a question for psychologists and not judges and lawmakers and it's moot insofar as the rights of people are concerned. Gays have rights not because they were born that way but because they are people. It is "persons" that are discussed in our Constitution, at many points whether American or of other nationalities. Our constitution is written in the language of human rights.
The 14th Amendment, Section 1 of our Constitution makes it clear under no uncertain terms that all citizens are entitled to equal protection under the law. There can be no second class citizens. You can't provide special privileges to one group and deny them to another.
Quote:14th Amendment, Section 1
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Read it and weep, Christians. Go tell it on the mountain all you like but don't tell it on Capitol Hill. You can feel any way you like about how God views homosexuals and bisexuals but you can't treat them as second class citizens.
This ties into my parody on the ban on Christian marriage. And Christianity IS a lifestyle choice. Don't worry, Christians, you're also protected by the 14th amendment.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
