Therefore it is not considered a disease or condition that should warrant research into finding causes or healing treatments. If this understanding is correct, then why does the Bible contain such strong warnings against this “natural” behavior? Even though some question the meaning of the verses in the Bible about homosexual behavior, a close look at these arguments finds their conclusions not in accordance with Bible teaching. Please look at “An Analysis of Verses Related to Homosexuality”^[1] for a discussion of these points. So that leaves us with the same question: why is God so opposed to homosexual behavior? He is a God that is compassionate, loves all His children, and wants all to come to Him.^[2] Why then does it appear that He allows such a stumbling block as same-sex attraction for some? 

Current society does not talk much about the dangers of homosexual behaviors. There are real health dangers to be considered and when we look at them, we can understand why the Creator would warn against these behaviors. He does love us and as any loving father would do, he does not want us to engage in dangerous behaviors. What are some of these dangerous outcomes?

One of the indicators that point to the dangers of this behavior is the difference between the physical makeup of men and women. Women’s physiology is more developed and more capable of protecting against infection during sexual activity than is the male physiology. Consider this article: “Men, women and the risk of AIDS”^[3] from the Yale School of Medicine: “A difference in the anatomy of the rectum and vagina may explain, in part, why anal intercourse is up to 10 times more likely than vaginal intercourse to result in HIV infection.” Notice that: “The barrier between the outside world and the inside of the rectum is one single cell deep, whereas in the vaginal tract the barrier is 20 to 25 cells thick…” This difference in the immune system of the female vaginal tract and the anal/rectal opening is significant for immunity. The article continues: “That 25-cell barrier is a daunting challenge to HIV, which must cross it to reach dendritic cells and begin its infectious process.” In fact, this difference in anatomy is extremely important in recognizing the dangers of same-sex behaviors. Man-on-man sex is ten times more likely to result in HIV infection. HIV/AIDS was first noted in June 1981. Since that time hundreds of thousands have died from AIDS-related diseases in the United States. And it is among the homosexual population that the majority of the incidence of disease occurs. According to the KFF.org fact sheet,^[4] in the United States, for example, “In 2022, most newly diagnosed cases of HIV occurred among gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (67%).”

Incidents of other sexually transmitted diseases including the newly named M-pox are much higher in same-sex behaviors. Gabriele Kuby notes in her book The Global Sexual Revolution,^[5] “HIV/AID is far from the only risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state: “Men who have sex with (MSM) are at elevated risk for certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia … Approximately 15%--25% of all new Hepatitis B virus (BV) infections in the United States are among MSM.’” The same author notes that, “The large shadow looming over any man who has sex with men is infection with the fatal autoimmune disease HIV/AIDS. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that homosexual men account for 61 percent of new HIV infections, even though they make up less than 2 percent of the population.”^[6] Kuby also notes that lesbian behaviors also have high risks of disease: “Lesbians have the highest risk of breast and uterine cancer of any subset of women in the world.”^[7] This research aligns with other research findings concerning homosexual behavior. Frank Turek notes in his book “Correct, Not Politically Correct”^[8] that “Homosexual behavior…Shortens the life span of homosexuals, probably by eight to twenty years…” 

The bottom line is that homosexual behavior is physically risky behavior even when “safe sex” practices such as condoms are used. As well, the increased levels of depression, suicides, and other mental illnesses are correlated to same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior. Andrew Bunt of Livingout.org states “It’s widely recognized that LGBT people are more likely to experience mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm…”^[9] The gay rights movement has taught that these levels of mental illnesses are a result of societal rejection and judgmental attitudes but trends over time suggest a different picture:

“Another large study was performed on gay people living in the Netherlands. It revealed that, ‘contrary to our expectations, younger homosexual men were at higher risk than older homosexual men comparing them to their heterosexual counterparts for suicide contemplation… In spite of a more tolerant society in the last decades, younger homosexuals were still at high risk for suicidality.’”^[10]

In addition to the direct dangers to the bodies of those who engage in same-sex behaviors, there are also other effects. Society in general is affected by these outcomes in the spread of disease, increased financial costs for medical research and treatments, and the effects on emotional wellbeing of family members. There is also evidence that the acceptance of same-sex behaviors and gay marriages changes societal attitudes towards the purpose of marriage and the foundational support for the growth and development of children. 

Frank Turek, author of Correct, Not Politically Correct,^[11] notes that studies done by The Heritage Foundation on the positive effects of natural marriage reveal the following:

“Children from natural marriage homes are:

Seven times less likely to live in poverty

Six times less likely to commit suicide

Less than half as likely to commit crime

Less than half as likely to become pregnant out of wedlock

Develop better academically and socially

Healthier physically and emotionally when they reach adulthood.”^[12]

He also notes the following:

“These positive results of marriage are not new to our twenty-first century culture. Since virtually the dawn of humanity, marriage has been the bedrock of human social structure. In fact, British anthropologist J. D. Unwin studied eighty-six civilized and uncivilized cultures spanning five thousand years and found the most prosperous cultures were those that maintained a strong marriage ethic. Every civilization that abandoned this ethic, including the Roman, Babylonian, and Sumerian empires experienced demise soon after liberalizing their sexual practices.”^[13]

Turek summarizes:

“A civilized and productive society will not long endure if its adults abandon their children and one another in order to pursue sexual desires outside of natural marriage.”^[14]

It should be no surprise that when we act in accordance with God’s purpose and function for us, we will experience blessings. In the case of the anthropologist J.D. Unwin’s study, the societies that honored the purpose of God in upholding responsible, disciplined, faithful sexual behavior in natural marriages were blessed with prosperity and health. As the studies done by the Heritage Foundation show, families with a natural marriage of husband and wife are much more likely to have children that help strengthen their communities.

These things are difficult to think about but need to be said. Risky sexual behaviors can bring about deadly outcomes, not just for those who engage in the behaviors but also for family members and society at-large. Our Father, in his love for us, warns us that these behaviors are destructive. It is he that has made us—he knows us inside out. He gives us many commands for our own safety and well-being and for that of our children.  We can rejoice that every command that God gives is for the lifelong safety and well-being of us and our children.

References

1. ^ See “An Analysis of Verses Related to Homosexuality” in attached article.

2. ^ See John 3:16; Acts 17:22-31; James 5:11

3. ^ See “Men, women and the risk of AIDS” from the Yale School of Medicine that is listed with the resources.

4. ^ KFF – The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States: The Basics, published Aug 16, 2024

5. ^ The Global Sexual Revolution by Gabriele Kuby, page 147

6. ^ Ibid page 146

7. ^ Ibid page 147

8. ^ Correct, Not Politically Correct, by Frank Turek, MorningStar Publications, republished 2023, page 26

9. ^ “LGBT and Mental Health: What’s the Link” by Andrew Bunt, blog May 2021

10. ^ Ron de Graaf et al., “Suicidality and Sexual Orientation: Differences between Men and Women in a General Population-Based Sample from the Netherlands,” Archives of Sexual Behavior 35, no. 3 (2006): 257–58

11. ^ Correct, Not Politically Correct, by Frank Turek, MorningStar Publications, republished 2023, page 20

12. ^ Ibid Turek pages 19-20

13. ^ Ibid Turek page 20

14. ^ Ibid Turek page 20