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| Common Evangelical usage | Usage by others * | Comments |
| "Sexual preference" | "Sexual orientation" | Preference implies choice; orientation implies a fixed nature. |
| "Promoting homosexuality" | Educating others about the dynamics and diversity of human sexuality | Many Evangelicals feel that to explain sexual orientation is to promote homosexuality. |
| Homosexual behavior is sinful. | Homosexual behavior is sinful if it is unsafe, manipulative, coercive or non-consensual. So is heterosexual behavior. | Some "others" would add that all sexual activity (same sex or opposite sex) outside of a committed relationship is sinful. |
| Homosexuality is a behavior. | Homosexuality is an orientation, a feeling | This difference causes great confusion. |
| Homosexuality is an unnatural sexual deviant behavior. | Homosexuality is a normal and natural sexual orientation for a minority of adults. | |
| Homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle; an act of rebellion. | Homosexuality is determined by genetics and triggered by unknown environmental factors | The term "lifestyle" implies choice, as in choosing a single lifestyle, or urban lifestyle. |
| Some Evangelicals define Sexual orientation as including: homosexuality, bestiality, necrophilia, abusive pedophilia, etc. | Sexual orientation comes in three varieties: heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality. | Under the usage by some Evangelicals, civil rights based on sexual orientation may decriminalize abusive pedophilia. |
| Homosexuals can leave homosexuality and become ex-gays. | Homosexuals can change their behavior by becoming celibate, but they retain their homosexual orientation. | Bisexuals can choose to confine their relationships to opposite-sex persons, and thus appear to "leave homosexuality" |
| Homosexuals demand special rights & privileges. | Homosexuals seek equal rights. | |
| "Protecting traditional marriage." "Preserve the sanctity of marriage." Promoting traditional marriage" |
Restricting marriage to one man and one women, thus preventing gays and lesbians in committed relationships from enjoying the 1,400 or so benefits given by governments to married couples. | |
| "undermine the institution of the family" 1 | Extend benefits enjoyed by married couples to gays, lesbians, and heterosexual couples who live together in committed relationships. | |
| "children... will be subjected to homosexual propaganda... indoctrination" 1 | Children in public schools will be educated with facts about sexual orientation and sensitized to the discrimination felt by sexual minorities. | |
| Hate crime legislation gives special privileges to gays and lesbians | Hate crime legislation which includes sexual orientation as a protected class gives precisely equal privileges and protections to everyone: heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexuals. |
"Others" include most mental health professionals, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, religious liberals, etc.
Reference:
- James Dobson, "Update on California," Focus on the Family, 2001-OCT, at: http://www.family.org/cforum/
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Home page > Religious info > Evangelical dictionary > here |
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or Home > "Hot" religious topics > Abortion > Evangelical dictionary > here |
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Home > Comparison of religions > Evangelical dictionary > here |
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Home > "Hot" topics > Homosexuality > Basic info > Evangelical dictionary > here |
Copyright © 2000 to 2007 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally written: 2000-OCT-2-
Latest update: 2007-JUN-06
Author: B.A. Robinson
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