Southern Baptist considers biological basis for homosexuality

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Southern Baptist seminary head Albert Mohler considers biological basis for homosexuality

Background by JewsOnFirst.org, March 2007

Early in March 2007 Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, outraged advocates of LGBT rights with a blog post that considered the possibility that homosexuality might be genetic -- and that mothers-to-be might take medical treatment to "correct" the fetus's sexual orientation. The big religious right groups have made no comment on Mohler's postings.

In late March the Soulforce Equality Ride visited the seminary and a dozen riders were arrested as they sat-in at Mohler's office to protest his column.

Mohler would favor altering 'gay' fetus

Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service, Christian Century, April 03, 2007

A prominent Southern Baptist said he would support medical treatment, if it were available, to change the sexual orientation of a fetus inside its mother's womb from homosexual to heterosexual.

The idea of a hormonal patch for pregnant women was discussed by R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, on his blog, www.almohler.com, on March 2.

"If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is then developed, and if a successful treatment to reverse the sexual orientation to heterosexual is ever developed, we would support its use as we should unapologetically support the use of any appropriate means to avoid sexual temptation and the inevitable effects of sin," Mohler wrote. Continue.

Was it Something I Said? Continuing to Think About Homosexuality

Albert Mohler, www.almohler.com, March 16, 2007

Well, never doubt the power of the media. My recent article on homosexuality ignited a firestorm in the public square. Why? We may never know -- but the controversy represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Several thoughts:

I must admit much frustration about the way many in the media have handled the issue. Headlines proclaimed "Seminary President Says Babies Born Gay" -- something I neither believe nor said. Other articles and reports claimed that I suggested that homosexuality may be genetic in origin and that genetic therapies should be used to create customized and corrected babies. I never even mentioned genetic therapies or germ-line experiments, and I am adamantly opposed to genetic therapies of such a sort -- real or hypothetical. Reading these reports and headlines was a painful and exasperating experience. If I believed those things attributed to me, I would not agree with myself and would condemn myself. Continue

Same-Sex Attraction: If it's Inborn, Can we Alter it? Should we?

Albert Mohler, www.almohler.com, March 2, 2007

What if you could know that your unborn baby boy is likely to be sexually attracted to other boys? Beyond that, what if hormonal treatments could change the baby's orientation to heterosexual? Would you do it? Some scientists believe that such developments are just around the corner.

For some time now, scientists have been looking for a genetic or hormonal cause of sexual orientation. Thus far, no "gay gene" has been found -- at least not in terms of incontrovertible and accepted science. Yet, it is now claimed that a growing body of evidence indicates that biological factors may at least contribute to sexual orientation. Continue

Mohler’s Slippery Slope

By Wayne Besen, TruthWinsOut.org, March 21st, 2007

If it were discovered that homosexuality had a biological basis, it would be morally acceptable for a mother to use a hormonal treatment patch to ensure her child was born heterosexual, Rev. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, suggested on his personal website.

“If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is then developed, and if a successful treatment to reverse the sexual orientation to heterosexual is ever developed, we would support its use as we should unapologetically support the use of any appropriate means to avoid sexual temptation and the inevitable effects of sin,” wrote Mohler.

His comments raised the ire of gay activists who accused him of promoting eugenics and abandoning moral principles on the sanctity of life. But, in Mohler’s desire to root out homosexuality, he fails to consider an equally compelling question: If a biological or genetic basis for religious belief is discovered, would it also be morally acceptable to create a hormonal patch to eliminate fundamentalists, such as Mohler himself? Continue.

Re-engineering Temptation

Fuzzy science sparks debate over treatments to reverse homosexuality.

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra, Christianity Today, Aprli 9, 2007

What if scientists proved that certain people have a biological bent toward homosexuality? And what if they developed a treatment that reversed that orientation? Christians need to have answers ready, said ethicist Nigel Cameron. Already, theologian Al Mohler's response to theories recently tossed about in the media has ignited a debate among Christian leaders.

The story begins at the Oregon Health and Science University, where Charles Roselli studies homosexual sheep (about 8 percent of rams are gay). His research, now more than five years old, has confirmed a link between brain chemistry and sexual preference. But his data does not indicate whether chemistry or preference comes first. Continue.

The God of Double Standards

A major Southern Baptist figure has acknowledged the possibility of a biological basis for sexual orientation. The conundrum he now faces is not unique to him.

Harold Meyerson, The American Prospect, March 22, 2007

Science is stealing up on America's religious fundamentalists, causing much alarm. Consider the dilemma of the Reverend R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and a leading figure in the Southern Baptist firmament.

Writing in his blog this month, Mohler acknowledged that "the direction of the research" increasingly points to the possibility that a "biological basis for sexual orientation exists." Should sexuality be determined in utero, Mohler continued, that still wouldn't justify abortion or genetic engineering.

Nonetheless, as Mohler noted in a later blog post, his admission that the data suggest that homosexuality may be as genetically determined as hair color produced a torrent of irate e-mail from his fellow evangelical Christians. Up to now, the preferred theory among Christian conservatives has been that homosexuality is behaviorally induced and thus can be unlearned. That gave added moral weight to the biblical proscriptions of gay and lesbian sex and to the Bible's condemnation of homosexuality as a sin -- though for those who believe in biblical inerrancy, no added moral weight was necessary. Continue

Ex-gays say science can’t change morality

by Michael Foust, Baptist Press, March 20, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--The leaders of two ex-gay ministries say that even if scientists someday find a biological basis for homosexuality, such behavior will nonetheless be immoral and the Bible’s condemnation of it will still stand.

Tim Wilkins of Cross Ministry and Alan Chambers of Exodus International were responding to comments by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr., whose online article about a possible biological basis for homosexuality caused a small media storm.

Both Wilkins and Chambers say they agree with Mohler’s main point -- that a biological basis would do nothing to change the discussion over homosexuality’s immorality. Wilkins and Chambers formerly were homosexual. The two men e-mailed their responses to Baptist Press.Continue.

Mohler sparks controversy with article on 'gay' biological research

by Allie Martin, OneNewsNow.com, March 19, 2007

The president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has caused an uproar with a recent article on his blog that says research points to the possibility that there could be a biological basis for homosexuality. But Dr. Albert Mohler says while scientific evidence may be mounting that a person's sexual orientation may be influenced by genetics and other biological factors, the Bible would still condemn homosexual behavior. Continue.

Soulforce Equality Riders Sit-in at Mohler's Office

For more on the Soulforce Equality Ride, click here.

Activists stage seminary sit-in

They protest Mohler's commentary on gays

Peter Smith, Louisville Courier-Journal, March 27, 2007

A dozen gay-rights activists were charged with criminal trespass yesterday after holding a sit-in outside the office of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler to protest his recent comments about homosexuality.

Twenty-two people initially participated in the two-hour sit-in. Ten left when they were warned that they would be arrested if they stayed.

Police arrested the other 12 protesters without incident. They were being processed at Metro Corrections early yesterday evening. Continue.

A Special Message from the Executive Director of Soulforce, Jeff Lutes

Jeff Lutes, Soulforce, March 26, 2007

Dear Friend of Soulforce,

It's been a powerful and challenging week for Soulforce and our young adult division (Soulforce Q).

Today, the East bus of the Equality Ride visited Albert Mohler, the current president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention's Council of Seminary Presidents, and board member of Focus on the Family.

Why?

In his March 2nd blog, Mohler acknowledged that a mounting body of scientific research suggests that sexual orientation is shaped by biological factors and is not a behavioral choice. However, he went on to say, "If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is developed, and if successful treatment to reverse sexual orientation to heterosexual is developed, we would support its use as we should unapologetically support the use of any appropriate means to avoid sexual temptation and the inevitable effects of sin." Later he adds, "We can and must insist that no scientific finding can change the basic sinfulness of all homosexual behavior."

Translation: Straight people have a "sexual orientation" – LGBT people, even in utero, have a "sinful temptation." Continue

Soulforce Members Arrested for Second Day at Baptist University

Associated Press, New York Blade, March 23, 2007

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) _ Police for a second day arrested members of a group protesting Oklahoma Baptist University’s policy toward gays. Six members of the group, Soulforce Equality Riders, were taken into custody last Thursday as they tried to take a tapestry with biblical references and song lyrics to the student union, said Soulforce spokesman Kyle DeVries. Five group members were arrested Wednesday when they tried to enter OBU’s Raley Chapel to attend services. Continue.

Gay Equality Riders Arrested Protesting Gay Gene Pastor

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff, March 26, 2007

(Louisville, Kentucky) Twelve members of the Soulforce Equality Ride were arrested Monday after staging a sit-in at the office of Albert Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, to protest his suggestion that a biological basis for homosexuality may be proven, and that prenatal treatment to reverse gay orientation would be biblically justified.

Soulforce Equality riders are crisscrossing the nation on two buses, stopping at schools that bar openly gay students. They made a side trip Monday to the Sedimentary to protest against Mohler. Continue.

Gays Arrested At Ky. Seminary Sit-In

Members Of Gay Rights Group Arrested After Staging Sit-In At Baptist Seminary In Kentucky

Associated Press, CBS News, March 26, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Mar. 26, 2007 (AP) Members of a gay rights group were arrested Monday after staging a sit-in at a Baptist seminary whose president is drawing criticism for his comments on prenatal treatments that would influence a child's sexual orientation.

The group, Soulforce, attempted to meet with the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's president, the Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr., an influential evangelical leader. Continue.

Soulforce Members Arrested for Second Day at Baptist University

Associated Press, New York Blade, March 23, 2007

Loving Us into Extinction

A Baptist leader says we're 'equally made in the image of God.' Yet he usurps God's authority when he advocates eliminating gays

Jeff Lutes, Religious News Service, undated

I have fond memories of growing up in my Southern Baptist church in Lexington, Ky. My father was a deacon, my mother taught Sunday school for 14 years, and -- like all good Southern Baptists -- we attended services on Wednesday nights and twice on Sunday. Several of our church leaders graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in nearby Louisville.

As a result, I was horrified -- as all fair-minded Americans should be -- to read the recent comments of Albert Mohler, the current president of that seminary and a board member of Focus on the Family.

In his blog on March 2, Mohler explores the mounting body of scientific research suggesting that sexual orientation is shaped by biological factors. In doing so, he alludes to the Religious Right's slow and reluctant concession that sexual orientation is an innate human characteristic, not a behavioral choice. The argument that homosexuality is simply a behavioral issue is the foundation for the Religious Right's arguments against equal civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. Continue

A Special Message from the Executive Director of Soulforce, Jeff Lutes

Jeff Lutes, Soulforce, March 26, 2007

Dear Friend of Soulforce,

It's been a powerful and challenging week for Soulforce and our young adult division (Soulforce Q).

Why?

Translation: Straight people have a "sexual orientation" ... LGBT people, even in utero, have a "sinful temptation." Continue

12 Arrested Demanding Apology For Comments About Gay Eugenics

Equality Riders Arrested for Sit-in Outside of Albert Mohler's Office at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Mohler Refuses to Respond

Kyle DeVries, Soulforce, March 26, 2007

Louisville, KY, Monday March 26, 2007--Today, 12 young adults were arrested for conducting a sit-in outside of the office of Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS). In light of recent inflammatory comments by Albert Mohler, leaders of the Equality Ride eastbound bus decided to reroute temporarily in order to demand an apology for his remarks. Earlier this year, Mohler encouraged the intentional prevention of homosexuality. In comments on his blog, Mohler wrote, "If a biological basis is found, and if a prenatal test is then developed, and if a successful treatment to reverse the sexual orientation to heterosexual is ever developed, we would support its use as we should unapologetically support the use of any appropriate means to avoid sexual temptation and the inevitable effects of sin."

Twenty-two Equality Riders sat in Norton Hall at SBTS awaiting a response from Mohler. After about 75 minutes, the Vice President of Communications listened to a statement read by Jarrett Lucas, Co-Director of the Equality Ride. Afterwards, the administrator informed the group that Mohler was unwilling to meet with them or speak with them via telephone. Continue

Soulforce protests at Southern Seminary

by Erin Roach, Baptist Press, March 27, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--Twelve members of Soulforce, a group of homosexual activists, were arrested during a two-hour sit-in outside the office of R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, March 26.

The surprise protest was in response to comments Mohler made in a March 2 weblog entry about the possibility of prenatal testing and treatment for homosexuality.

Soulforce is in the midst of a second nationwide Equality Ride, in which about 50 of its members split up on two buses to travel on an east route and a west route visiting more than 30 Christian colleges and universities in a two-month period. Continue.