Lately I’ve been seeing the phrase
“God made me this way, and God doesn’t make mistakes” as an argument or an
explanation for accepting a sexual situation. It presents itself as a form of
religious excuse, at least as an argument to present to religious people as a
reason to accept certain circumstances. It suggests there are inescapable
natural conditions beyond one’s will to make decisions about, that one must or
may as well comply with. I thought I’d have to think about this a bit. I've used some 'experimental AI' in the following.
While the phrase "born this way" is
commonly used to describe sexual orientation, there is no conclusive
scientific evidence to support the idea that it is solely determined by
genetics or biological factors at birth. Research suggests that sexual
orientation is a complex phenomenon influenced by a combination of biological,
psychological, and social factors.
Here's a more detailed
explanation:
1. The "Born This
Way" Narrative:
- The idea that sexual orientation is
entirely innate and biologically fixed is not widely supported by
scientific findings.
- While genetics and early hormonal
exposure may play a role, the development of sexual orientation is likely
more complex than a simple "born this way" explanation.
2. Research Findings:
Research has shown that
genes contribute to sexual orientation, but the effect is not overwhelmingly
dominant.
Studies suggest that the
effect of genes on sexual orientation is relatively weak, with heritability
estimates around 0.32 on a scale of 0 to 1.
Environmental and social
influences, such as early experiences and social interactions, may also play a
role in shaping sexual orientation.
3. Complexity of Sexual
Orientation:
- Sexual orientation is not a simple trait
that can be attributed to a single gene or factor.
- It's likely influenced by a complex
interplay of biological and social factors, making it difficult to
pinpoint a single cause.
4. Importance of Nuance:
- While there's no definitive proof of a
single "gay gene," the phrase "born this way" is often
used as a shorthand way of saying that sexual orientation is not a
choice.
- This phrase can have positive
implications, as it can help to combat discrimination and prejudice
against LGBTQ+ individuals.
- However, it can also be overly
simplistic and may not fully capture the complexity of sexual
orientation.
The statement "God made
me this way, God doesn't make mistakes" is a belief often used to
affirm that one's identity or characteristics, whether related to gender,
sexual orientation, or other personal aspects, are inherently part of God's
design. It suggests that individuals should accept and embrace themselves
as they are, as God created them.
Here's a more detailed look
at the concept:
- Acceptance and Self-Love:
The phrase is often used to
encourage self-love and acceptance of one's identity, regardless of societal or
religious norms.
- Divine Design:
It implies that God has a
specific purpose for each individual's unique characteristics and that those
characteristics are part of a larger plan.
- Justification:
While the phrase can be a
source of strength and affirmation, it can also be used to justify behaviors or
beliefs that may be considered harmful or inappropriate by some.
- Interpretations:
The phrase is open to
different interpretations and may be used to support various perspectives,
depending on an individual's beliefs and experiences.
Examples:
- A transgender individual might say,
"God made me this way, and God doesn't make mistakes," to
express their acceptance of their gender identity.
- A gay person might use the phrase to
assert that their sexual orientation is natural and part of God's
creation.
- Someone struggling with a particular
trait or challenge might use the phrase to find solace and reassurance
that their difficulties are part of a larger plan.
In Conclusion:
The phrase "God made me
this way, God doesn't make mistakes" is a powerful statement of
self-acceptance and a belief in divine design. However, it's important to
consider the various interpretations and potential implications of this phrase
when applying it to different situations and beliefs.
Compare this to the phrase “a
born athlete.”
The term "born
athlete" suggests a natural talent or predisposition for athletic
endeavors, implying a greater ease in learning and performing in sports
compared to others. While some individuals may have a genetic advantage in
certain physical abilities, athletic success typically requires dedicated
training, practice, and perseverance.
Elaboration:
- Natural Talent:
"Born athlete"
often refers to someone who seems to have innate skills like great vision,
flexibility, or strength that contribute to athletic performance.
- Quick Learning:
It also implies a quick aptitude
for learning the techniques of a particular sport and transferring those skills
effectively.
- Genetic Predisposition:
Athletic performance is
influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Some individuals may
inherit a genetic advantage that makes them more likely to succeed in
sports.
- Dedication is Key:
While natural ability can be
an asset, becoming a successful athlete ultimately requires consistent effort,
training, and perseverance.
- Types of Athletes:
There's a spectrum of
athletes on any team, from those with little talent to those who are highly
skilled and competitive, but may not consistently put in the necessary
work.
Born gay? A born athlete? Or
both results of tendencies chosen and developed? People can identify with an
‘identity’ so much there is no longer any real self, nothing that chooses, but
just a choice, and if you feel there is no fighting against fate, you are
frozen in that amber.
Compare the ‘destiny’ of
genetics with the ‘destiny’ of astrology (once a universally accepted ‘science’),
as a rationalization for actions:
Edmund. This
is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune, often
the surfeit of our own behaviour, we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the
moon, and the stars; as if
we were villains on necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion;
knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical pre-dominance;
drunkards, liars, and adulterers by an enforc'd obedience of
planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine
thrusting on. An admirable evasion of whore-master man, to lay
his goatish disposition to the charge of a star! – King Lear, Act I, Scene 2
The absurdist comics of
Monty Python pointed out the double-edged consequences of such arguments
presented to less merciful philosophies:
2nd Man: (Graham
Chapman) Well I mean, they can't help it, can they? But, er, there's
nothing you can do about it. So er, I'd kill 'em. – ‘The Mouse Problem’, Sex
and Violence, Monty Python’s Flying Circus
No-one can really point to fate or destiny of any kind (genetic or religious) without in the end denying free will or choice about what we do with our situation.
New International Version
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.
-
James 1:13
“’Son,' he said,' ye cannot
in your present state understand eternity...But ye can get some likeness of it
if ye say both good and evil, when they are full grown, become retrospective
... That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering,
"No future bliss can make up for it," not knowing that Heaven, once
attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of
some sinful pleasure they say "Let me have but this and I'll take the
consequences": little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back
into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin. Both processes begin
even before death. The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven
sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven: the bad man's past
already conforms to his badness and is filled only with dreariness. And that is
why...the Blessed will say "We have never lived anywhere except in
Heaven”: and the Lost, "We were always in Hell." And both will speak
truly.’
‘I mean, that is the real
sense of what they will say. In the actual language of the Lost, the words will
be different, no doubt. One will say he has always served his country, right or
wrong; and another that he has sacrificed everything to his Art, and some that
they’ve never been taken in, and some that, thank God, they’ve always looked
after Number One, and nearly all, that, at least they’ve been true to
themselves.’”
― C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce,
Chapter Nine
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