Homosexual Behavior Is Immoral

I look forward to a spirited exchange. I will be defending the historic Christian position that homosexual behavior is immoral. Using the same method that Paul employed in Romans 1:26-27, I will argue that homosexuality is wrong because it is unnatural, meaning that it is contrary to the proper functioning of human sexual organs. Additionally, because both myself and my opponent are Christians, I will also make use of Biblical passages to support my position. [[--Natural Revelation--]] Let me begin with an analogy. The purpose of eyes is to see. We say that one has a pair of "good" eyes if they function in accordance with their purpose. By that same token, we say that one has a pair of "bad" eyes if they do not function in accordance with their purpose. Now, since good is something that ought to be pursued (that's the definition of good), the proper thing to do with bad eyes is to turn them into good eyes. In other words, the proper function of eyes gives us insight on how they ought to function. [1] According to this position, known as classic virtue ethics, "[h]uman nature defines what is unique and proper for human flourishing, and a bad person is one who lives contrary to human nature. " [2] Now, it is a self-evident fact that the purpose of our sexual organs is to reproduce – that's how they're structured. Just like how a key fits a lock, the male and female sex organs are complementary to each other. Given that their purpose is to reproduce, they are functioning properly when used in conjunction with this purpose. Homosexual acts are therefore wrong because they run contrary to the proper functioning of our sexual organs. Aside from the fact that homosexuality runs contrary to the proper function of our sexual organs, it is also physically destructive. Yet, if homosexual behavior were morally acceptable, then it's odd as to why these harmful consequences result. Consequently, this lends credulity to the fact that there is something deeply wrong about homosexual behavior. Here are some examples: -The lifespan of homosexuals is shorter by 8-22 years. Smoking, by contrast, only shortens one's lifespan by 7 years! [3] If there's something wrong with smoking, then there's definitely something wrong with homosexuality. -The lifespan of the average homosexual is significantly lower than that of the general populace. For married men, the average lifespan was 75 years, with 80% living past age 65. . For single/divorced men, it was 57, with 32% living past age 65. By contrast, the average lifespan of homosexual men is 42, with 9% living past age 65. For homosexual men with AIDS, the lifespan is 39, with 2% living past age 65. [4] -"As of 1998, 54 percent of all AIDS cases in America were homosexual men. .. nearly 90 percent of these men acquired HIV through sexual activity with other men. " [5] Thus, because homosexual behavior both goes against the intrinsic purpose of our sexual organs and is physically destructive to those involved, it is reasonable to suppose that homosexual behavior is wrong. [[--Special Revelation--]] In Genesis, God explicitly ordained a heterosexual framework for human relationships. Prima facie, it appears that nowhere in the Bible are homosexual relationships endorsed. Thus, given the fact that Scripture prima facie condemns homosexual behavior (See the following passage), it is reasonable to suppose that it is immoral until proven otherwise. I would be impractical and unnecessary for me to post the entire passages, so let me just note several passages in which homosexuality is condemned. These include: Genesis 19:4-13 (The homosexuality of Sodom and Gomorrah was condemned) , Romans 1:26-27 (Where Paul refers to homosexuality as unnatural), I Corinthians 6:9; 10, and Leviticus 20:13; 18:22 (Which indicate that homosexuality is prohibited by the OT Mosaic law). Before going in depth on any exegetical issues, I will wait to hear my opponent's interpretation of these passages, lest I attack strawmen. [[--Sources--]] [1] – I owe this analogy to J. Budziszweski in personal correspondence. [2] – J. P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, "Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview" p.455 [3] – . http://www.allaboutlove.org... [4] – See Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, "Legislating Morality: Is It Wise? Is it Legal? Is it Possible? " p.132-134 [5] – . http://www.catholiceducation.org...