Homosexuality

Who are these homosexuals? I think it makes sense in the context of this discussion to think of Homosexuals as those individuals who act on their homosexual feelings toward members of their same sex. I don't know if there can be any conclusion as to whether this behavior is genetic or not. In David Myer's "Psychology" he seems to conclude that there are definite genetic links between homosexuals and the hormone they are exposed to in the womb. There are too many exceptions to think of this as the rule and there is no way to conclude from this then that this behavior is appropriate or inappropriate, for there are many other deviant behavior patterns that are reflected in genetic makeup (alcoholism, mental illnesses).

Is there any non-religious reason why homosexuality should be seen as inappropriate behavior? Aside from the fact that if it became the norm society would be distinct I can't see any other reason.

What does the Bible say about this issue, and how do people interpret these verses?
Gen 1:27, 2:24, Matt 19:4-6, 1 Cor 7:3-4 all talk about God creating men and women with the purposes of their being together. Sure someone could say that this does not mean that God is against people who choose to unite themselves to the same sex, but then isn't there something to the fact that God created the two sexes to complement each other?

Outright Old Testament condemnation: "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev 18:22 (also echoed in Lev. 20:13) Some gay activists insist that this was only an old Testament law that was intended to separate Israel from the surrounding nations and now we are under a new law of grace. This doesn't seem to add up however as the New Testament affirms this as being against God's will.

Jesus words about homosexuality? Some have made the argument that since Jesus never said anything about homosexuality then we can not affirm that he is against it. However this argument from silence doesn't mean much since there are many things that Jesus didn't speak about (rape incest etc) that we still consider wrong. Also just a clear examination of Paul's letter indicates that the early Church saw this as against the law of God.

Paul's address of homosexuality:
Romans 1 26-27 "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions, for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error."

1 Tim 1:9-10 talks about how the law was made for the rebellious, ungodly sinners, the unholy and the profane and lists homosexuals in this list along with liars and murderers.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11a "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you."

Pro-homosexual activists deflect Paul's words by trying to argue that what Paul is condemning is an inappropriate approach to homosexuality that would be condemned even for heterosexuals. The kind of homosexuality that is promiscuous and interested in molestation and prostitution etc. I just don't see the logic in this since the biblical writers never gave any description of an acceptable form of homosexuality.

Conclusion: Homosexuality is a sin like any other and is something that a person can stop as 1 Cor 6:11 says in reference to sinners caught up in sinful behaviors such as homosexuality "Such were some of you." While freedom from homosexual feelings may not happen right away self control in acting on these feelings is the godly approach to overcoming this tendency and lifestyle. It is important for the Christian to be able to separate the sin from the sinner and accept these individuals into church settings (I'm not talking positions of leadership) where they can have the support and godly instruction needed to overcome this temptation.