Dismantling the LGBT "Born this Way" Argument
Born This Way?
“Ye Must Be Born Again.”
“That’s the thing that I wish the Mike Pences of the world would understand: That if you have a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me. Your quarrel, sir, is with my creator.”
Pete Buttigieg (Source)
Amid the many excuses used to justify certain behaviors, one of the most common is to simply blame nature. It’s a convenient way to pass the buck of personal responsibility. And since the nature vs. nurture debate is still unresolved, it leads to expediently nebulous non-answers.
The “born this way” defense for human behavior permeates modern society. It’s cited by most people who willfully engage in unhealthy, sinful, or socially undesirable behavior. Alcoholics, for instance, say it to absolve their responsibility for nursing their “family tradition.” It’s often a common excuse for those of us facing debilitating mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. Rude and even violent people routinely claim to be “born that way.” It’s widespread and touches just about every facet of human misbehavior. Sometimes it can be true, such as when a person describes a talent for music or has a genetic condition. Nevertheless, when used to excuse or dismiss critique of a willful behavior, it’s often a copout.
Within the last decade, the “born this way” argument has become a mantra of the LGBT community and their advocates. (Insert obligatory reference to Lady Gaga’s No. 1 song of the same name.) It’s used as an attempt to deflect criticism of LGBT behavior. The thrust of their argument is that they were “born gay” or “born trans” and therefore shouldn’t be expected to behave or live otherwise. Then the argument generally goes a step further: It’s explicitly stated or implicitly suggested that the allegedly natural born LGBT persons ought to engage in LGBT behavior. Anything less than “out and affirmed” is cast in the light of either denying their “true self” or being unrighteously discriminatory and bigoted. (If you ever want to see unbridled vitriol, browse the public comments on content posted by LGBT people who choose to live celibately or engage in cis-gendered, heterosexual relationships. Evidently, being #woke and affirming isn’t a two-way street.)
Being “born this way” is a hot phrase for LGBT advocates, especially as they confront Christian and other Biblical objections to LGBT behavior. It seems like a perfect defense because it blames creation and the Creator for their LGBT-ness. It’s the crux of the much-lauded zinger stated by then-Presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, which was quoted at the front of this article. The argument is simply: If God exists and created me, then it’s His will or fault that I am this way. It’s a catchy marketing slogan, but it’s a BS LGBT argument — logically, scientifically, religiously, and otherwise.
To address this flawed argument, we need to be abundantly clear. Too much of the conversation around LGBT issues is obfuscated by ambiguous language and terms (for example, the silly “Love is Love” red-herring). We really have no way of functionally measuring, policing, or controlling thoughts or feelings (plus, that’s God’s job — not ours), but societies absolutely make great attempts to govern behaviors. As such, this article, much like the related Biblical texts, is focused primarily on sexual behaviors — not inclinations. And, as I always point out, it is homosexual and transgendered behavior that is debated — no one really fusses much about the rest of it.
So let’s dig in.
Is “Born This Way” a Rational Argument?
For the sake of exploring this, I’m going to temporarily grant the premise that some people are born gay or transgendered. Assuming we share a desire for equality and also expect people to conform to societal mores, this really begs three closely related questions:
Is being “born this way” ever a rational argument or justifiable defense for human sexual behavior?
Is it illogical or inconsistent to expect behavior contrary to what may be one’s innate disposition?
Are those opposed to LGBT behavior simply being illogical bigots?
The “born this way” argument simply doesn’t work for sexual behavior — homosexual or otherwise. Barring only the most obscene and morally atrocious (and fortunately never really documented) scenarios, people do not engage in sexual behavior at birth. Despite having marginal degrees of subconscious sexual function, no one has sexual awareness, sexual orientation, or sexual preference at birth. When it comes to mature sexual desire and willful expression and behavior, no one is “born that way.” So it is flatly false and weirdly perverse to suggest that anyone was “born this way” when describing any sexual activity.
For the sake of dissecting the argument, perhaps we should grant that “born this way” isn’t meant to be taken literally. Maybe it’s just an expression used to convey something sensed from an early age. Or maybe it’s just a euphemism for an innate proclivity. Okay, let’s go down that road…
If a man has a longstanding or innate desire to have sex with men, is that alone a justifiable argument for the morality of such behavior? Of course not. People have all sorts of wild inclinations, especially with regard to sex. Every person I’ve ever met has had to deny some of their innate sexual desires. In fact, I believe most people likely curtail most of their desired sexual behaviors. Individually and as a society, we are not allowed otherwise. Humans are predisposed to polyamory. Biology doesn’t inherently follow our laws. Creatures do not innately accommodate consent. Nevertheless, we curtail behavior to enforce a social code of morality. Curiously, LGBT behavior is the only set of sexual behaviors in which society seems willing to accept the “born this way” premise as justification. It’s not. And to accept it as justification for sexual behavior is to create an entirely new and inconsistent social standard.
It’s perfectly rational to impose standards that deny what may be innate desires or orientations. We do it all the time to all people. Even straight, “cis-gendered” people don’t get to have sex with whomever they want — even if the other parties consent.
If a 15-year-old wants to have sex with a 40-year-old, we prohibit them. If a married person wants to have sex outside of their marriage, we disparage, punish, and/or court marital them. If two first-cousins want to marry, we prevent them. If a person wants to be maimed or strangled during sex, their partner is legally prohibited from doing so. Many husbands are arrested for raping their wives. Etcetera. And it’s not just sexual behaviors. Plenty of people manifest undesirable behaviors, and society generally discourages them from doing so. A person who is “born” with violent tendencies is still expected to not act on those behaviors. We do not enable the misbehavior of people with lifelong mental health issues. Babies are born selfish and impatient, and they are taught to manage such behaviors. Society routinely infringes on our inclinations. It’s perfectly reasonable to expect that all human behaviors, including LGBT behaviors, ought to be scrutinized, evaluated, and held to social standards. It’s not bigotry — it’s society.
It is perfectly normal to have standards for sexual and other social behaviors. Since the dawn of time, standards of sexual behavior have generally defined who, with whom, when, where, how, etc. Those standards have obviously fluctuated with various times and cultures, but there has never been a civilization devoid of standards. Extending such standards to all isn’t discriminatory — it’s equality. Whether or not LGBT behavior is intellectually logical or socially reasonable is a debate worth having, but “born this way” is simply an illogical argument.
But Are People Actually “Born This Way”?
So what about that premise; that some people are born gay or transgendered? Above, I outlined how virtually no one is engaged in sexual behavior at birth. Also, no one has sexual awareness at birth. But what if being LGBT is like a time-bomb that is set at birth and destined to eventually go off when the person’s sexuality begins to emerge? Could they be inherently biologically predisposed to eventual LGBT behaviors? These are questions that geneticists, biologists, and other life scientists have been asking for generations. Instead of “born this way,” maybe we should see if some people are “born to eventually be this way.”
Against the insistence of the “born this way” proclaimers, the scientific community is inconclusive (at best) on the nature vs. nurture aspect of homosexuality and transgenderism. Despite countless studies, they’ve not yet found a significant genetic root to sexual orientation or gender dysphoria (source). When they study twins and multi-generational families, researchers haven’t been able to link genetic biology to LGBT dispositions. There are some minor studies that show certain biological phenomena are slightly more common in homosexual persons, but those aren’t passed along generationally, which means that they’re more likely a product of environment than genetics. As it stands, the jury is still out. (A basic summary is here.) And in science, what can’t be proven ought not be considered a fact or law.
All that’s good to know, but somewhat irrelevant. For the purpose of this discussion, I’m focused on sexual behaviors — not inclinations. So the real challenge for the “born this way” defense isn’t just for the scientific community to prove a genetic component to sexual orientation or transgender identity. Rather, they would need to prove a genetic component to involuntary LGBT sexual behaviors. Restated: For the “born this way” argument to hold water, there would need to be scientific evidence that something in their biology is compelling them beyond the bounds of normal self-control to engage in gay or transgendered behavior. In the absence of such evidence, it’s incorrect to assert that LGBT or any other sexual behavior is justified simply on the theory that some may have been “born that way.” It’s again a baseless argument.
As a Christian, Being “Born This Way” Is a Problem
At this point, we’ve dismissed the idea of LGBT behavior being present or encoded at birth. Now we are addressing the notion of LGBT behavior or LGBT sexual desire being part of one’s creation. All this leads to religion. A religion is a system of beliefs and practices pertaining to the origins of life, a divine will, and/or good and evil. It often manifests in what we call morality.
I’m a Christian, so I’m going to slice this from a Judeo-Christian religious perspective. As a Christian, I feel obligated to live and teach according to the standards and morals of God as expressed in the Bible. The Bible is filled with challenging guidance, but I believe it is my job to live up to it — not dismiss the parts that are unpopular or undesirable. But we didn’t write the Bible. We didn’t come up with it’s liberties or limitations. We’re simply trying to live according to its guidance, regardless of whether or not it aligns with our own preferences. I expect others who share in my religion to maintain a similar orthodoxy to the Biblical prescriptions. And while I believe the world would be made better if everyone shared my religion, I am under no illusions that such is the case. If my readers are Christian, I hope to share an understanding. If they are not, I don’t expect their conformity to my beliefs, especially on this topic.
The religious implication of the “born this way” argument is that it’s God’s will for certain people to embrace LGBT identities and then engage in LGBT behaviors. They theorize that God encoded homosexuality or transgenderism into who He wants them to be. And that by practicing LGBT behaviors they are somehow living up to a God-given destiny. Consequently, it’s asserted that there is a moral obligation for others to affirm such behaviors. Many religious people are often denounced as being unrighteous and morally repugnant for maintaining “homophobic” or “transphobic” religious codes. (Religious opposition isn’t a phobia — but that’s another topic for another day.) In many churches, denominations, and friendships, it has become tense, to say the least. Against this conflict, I’ve got a crazy idea: Bible-followers ought to exercise judgement based on what the Bible actually says.
So what does the Bible actually say about the innate desires we are seemingly born with? Are the things we are naturally predisposed to always good? Are the things that come naturally to us part of the will of God? Should they always be encouraged among Christians? Is an inclination toward any behavior sufficient Christian justification for it? Here are some answers from the Bible:
Psalm 51:5: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
Psalm 58:3: “The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies.”
Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Romans 6:12: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.”
Romans 8:7: “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.”
Ephesians 2:3: “Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”
I could go on, but I think you’ve got the point.
The Bible teaches that all people are inherently flawed at birth; we are predisposed to sin. This is summed up in the doctrine of Total Depravity. As such, the extent to which anyone is “born this way” ought to be viewed as an indictment — not a justification. So even if it were possible that people were somehow “born this way” with regard to sexual orientation or identity, that’s not a Biblical defense for any behavior.
Christ pushes the concept even further. In a secret meeting with a religious leader, Yeshua (Jesus) explained that it’s imperative for all to reframe their identity. His solution is simple:
Born this way? “Ye must be born again.”
The call of the gospel is one of rebirth and transformation. We’re supposed to deny ourselves and lay down our lives, passions, and selfish interests. In so doing, we’re granted the gift of an eternal, transformative life. This new life is one in which God’s laws become part of our very own will (Jeremiah 31:33). Coupled with that is the agency granted by the Holy Spirit that allows us to manifest virtues such as self-control and the wholeness of peace (Galatians 5:22-23). All of this is wrapped up in what the Bible calls a transformation brought about by the “renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:1-2).
In conclusion, the Bible never uses the inclinations of humans as justification for behavior. Our natural depravity is the very reason for the Bible, God’s laws, and the Gospel. The literal definition of “gospel” is “good news.” The Good News that Scripture offers is that there is a solution for our depravity. There is a cure, and He is Yeshua. We no longer have to live according to our predispositions, but we can change into something holy and good. For unbelievers who haven’t experienced this, it sounds like rubbish. But for those of us who are actually experiencing it, it’s liberating. We aren’t limited to our history. Our inclinations don’t determine our behavior. We have actual power — the power of God — over how we live our lives. And any perceptions of being born any particular way quickly become inconsequential factors in our identity and futures.
— John