One of the arguments we hear from those in the LGBTQ+ community, seeking to normalize homosexuality and other gender forms within this community, is that they were “born this way” and they are just identifying as their “true” self, rather than the “self” that was foisted upon them at birth and that society (until recently) has forced them to live in.
Is “born that way” a legitimate argument for a person with same-sex attraction (homosexual)? Is “born that way” a legitimate argument for any behavior? Can a person who professes Christ, for instance, use this argument to legitimately continue a homosexual lifestyle and be a follower of Christian teaching?
Let’s first look at a couple of other examples of “born this way” that society has not normalized.
Pedophilia. While not all of psychiatry agrees that all pedophiles are “born that way”, many do that many are.
“Certainly, some people think the condition is primarily a product of defective biology. For instance, James Cantor, of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, who uses magnetic resonance imaging to scan pedophiles’ brains, believes that “pedophilia is a sexual orientation; [it’s] something that we are essentially born with, does not appear to change over time, and it’s as core to our being as any other sexual orientation is.”
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mind-shift/202106/are-pedophiles-born-or-made
Are people with anti-social personality disorder (ASPD), “born this way”. There is actually an ASPD “spectrum”, indicating degrees of ASPD. People who have some, but not all, of the traits/behaviors of this disorder.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/culture-shrink/202203/are-psychopaths-born-or-made
What about people who exhibit chronic behaviors?
Is a pathological liar “born this way”? How about a kleptomaniac? What about narcissism? What about the person who is abusive or manipulative? The list could go on.
From a Biblical Christian perspective, “born this way” is not only not a good or valid argument for any behavior, it is the crux of what Jesus came to address.
The message of the Gospel tells us that “we must be born again” (John 3:3).
One of the major changes that must come with being born again, is the “renewing of the mind” (Romans 12:2). This Scripture also tells us that we cannot discern what the will of God is until our mind is renewed, or one could say, opened to being renewed.
https://www.openbible.info/topics/renewing_your_mind
The broader principle, if we have been created, not just happen to come into existence by some random force, is that we have purpose. Our creation was with intent. But was abhorrent behavior part of this intent? Was the pedophile, or anyone who behaves in a manner that society deems abhorrent, created this way, therefore, should be encouraged to be their “true self”? Even if one argues that we were not created, rather evolved to be as we are, I don’t know anyone (except those who practice the behaviors mentioned) that would say we should encourage these to continue in these behaviors.
If the person with same-sex attraction, which God clearly calls sin/abhorrent behavior, as did society for thousands of years, can claim that because they were born this way, we should see their behavior as normal and something to be supported, even celebrated, then why not the other behaviors?
I would suggest that the societal mindset in our day is the result of what the Bible identifies as “leaning on our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) rather than trusting and following the ways of God that have been clearly delineated in the Bible.
Proverbs 3:6 Goes on to tell us that we should rather; “acknowledge Him” and His ways. Doing so will result in Him; “making our paths straight”.
The Bible goes on the make clear that “His thoughts are not our thoughts and our ways are not His ways”. (Isaiah 55:8) Thus, the necessity to “renew our minds”.
What are God’s “ways” regarding all things LGBTQ+? Romans 1:18-31 couldn’t be any clearer.
To be continued…