Didymus

Good question. It's kind of a twist on the usual answers to the old question of theodicy; How can a good and all-powerful God allow bad things to happen? The usual answers are related to limits on God's power and knowledge, but you're going for the 3rd part of the question and basically saying that bad things don't really happen - it just seems that way. Which, to me, seems like a pretty good way to go. But my answer would not be that I don't know the all powerful, all knowing, Omniscient Mind. I solve the dilemma for myself with the belief that there are, in fact, things that are definitely wrong, but that the ultimate power in the universe isn't an Omniscient Mind at all. I think that we've personified God and created "him" in our image, and that's been the source of a whole bucket full of theological problems.

Hang on, Atwater Vikti. I think what Brother Kaman is trying to say is that the idea that whatever exists is meant to be is faulty reasoning - along the same lines as the reasoning that allowed other antiquated, faulty reasoning. And I agree. Just because people act a certain way doesn't mean that they should. Gay, hetero, trans... fine. But what about cannibal, necrophile, pedophile...? These are not ways of being in the world that are perfect and/or "meant to be".

The topic has gone a long way since the first post, but I'd like to go back to it, and the relationship between BIID and homosexuality, transgenderism, etc... I think BIID is a great example of people having a very strong belief about their body but being totally wrong. I would put hypochondriacs and transexuals in the same category myself. But we've seen this and similar arguments before. The first I can remember was in the early 90's when a study found the hypothalami in several gay men were smaller than those in straight men. Immediately I both side of the issue claimed the study as proof that they were right. Gay activists said "See, it's biological!", and religious conservatives said, "See, it's a physical deformity!" Both sides claimed that science had proven them right. I think the science is extremely interesting, but ultimately, science only explains how things happen. It doesn't give us the value. We simply assign that ourselves. So I think the larger question is, "So what?" Personally, I have no problem at all with homosexuality or bisexuality (or heterosexuality for that matter), but I think that being transexual shows a psychological break with reality. As a minister, I think I would need to be upfront about my views on these issues with anyone that came to me for counsel, but ultimately, to help them decide what they feel is right for them. As a citizen, I think it's all well and good for me to have my opinions about these issues as long as I'm not trying to legislate them onto others. So what about that side of it? Beyond whether or not you think it's "ok". what does all of this mean for you in practical terms? And of course lesbianism isn't wrong. It's hot.