Questions on Gay Rights
Reading – Is Homosexuality Unnatural?
1. When one says that homosexuality is unnatural, one might mean that it violates a law of nature. Why is this a mistaken belief?
2. One also might object that homosexuality tampers with nature, that it is artificial in some way. Why is this also a mistaken belief?
3. Or one might mean that since homosexuality is abnormal, it is unnatural. Why does this fail to show that homosexuality is wrong?
4. The most common attack on homosexuality proceeds roughly as, “Any use of an organ or an instrument that is contrary to its principle purpose or function is unnatural”.
i) What is this argument? What assumptions does it make?
ii) What happens when something has more than one purpose?
iii) What happens to this argument when we apply it to other areas of life? Is it possible to restrict this argument to sexual organs? Why or why not?
5. Even if one could show that homosexuality is somehow unnatural, this is still not enough to show that it is wrong. However, one might think that this fact, along with the principle, “That which is natural is good and that which is unnatural is bad,” would establish the immorality of homosexuality. Why won’t this work?
Comment Questions
1. Many who oppose homosexuality do so on religious grounds. However, even if a religion condemn homosexuality, these should not be used as a reason to make laws or policy since the Constitution demands that Church and State be separated. Respond to this critique.