Hello Junction-Guy,
I'm really happy that you know who you are and how you want to live. But several things you've written are assumptions about other people that you couldn't possible know -- unless you were them.
I do not think that homosexuality is something people are born with,
How do you know this? Have you spoken with reputable psychologists or sociologists who have thoroughly and empirically investigated this? Or have you avoided an honest investigation because it would challenge your views. You make the assumption that gay behavior and being a Christians -- cannot be reconciled. Then why are there so many educated, intelligent members of the Christian clergy, both straight and gay, who have opened their churches and theology to be inclusive of gay people? There's an excellent documentary (on DVD) titled "For the Bible Tells Me So" that addresses all of the things you've mentioned here. If you really want to get an objective view -- I recommend that you see it. There's also a great documentary (on DVD) titled "One Nation Under God." It looks at ex-gay ministries and includes a variety of comments from Christians, scientists, and people on both sides of the issue. I found it interesting (and they're in the film) that the two founders of Exodus (the leading ex-gay ministry) who were extremely devoted Christians ended up falling in love with each other, declared their love for each other on national TV and became life partners and, of course, left that ministry.
And the majority of gay people know that unless they proclaim they were born gay, gay marriage doesn't stand a hope of a chance in most of this country. Therefore it becomes politically expedient to proclaim being born gay, even if deep down they don't totally buy into it.
Do you really think this is a fair comment? You're implying that gay people are being disingenuous and dishonest. To me, that's a very harsh accusation. Junction-Guy, I can understand people's fear of "the outsider," the other," of people who are different -- it's basic tribal behavior and goes back for millennia. This is where I think Jesus' counsel about not judging people is so wise. Do the Christian thing -- and don't judge. I've had to give up my family and a lifetime of friends and a belief system that made me feel safe, assured and secure. Leaving my family and friends is very, very painful to me -- and believe me, if I had a choice, I wouldn't be gay. BUT I AM. I wish you the best, Junction-Guy on your journey. Benjamin