While the Bible does address homosexuality, it does not explicitly mention gay marriage/same-sex marriage. It is clear, however, that the Bible condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 identifies homosexual sex as an abomination, a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27 declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent. First Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be, in fact, sinful.

Whenever the Bible mentions marriage, it is between a male and a female. The first mention of marriage, Genesis 2:24, describes it as a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife. In passages that contain instructions regarding marriage, such as 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33, the Bible clearly identifies marriage as being between a man and a woman. Biblically speaking, marriage is the lifetime union of a man and a woman, primarily for the purpose of building a family and providing a stable environment for that family.

The Bible alone, however, does not have to be used to demonstrate this understanding of marriage. The biblical viewpoint of marriage has been the universal understanding of marriage in every human civilization in world history. History argues against gay marriage. Modern secular psychology recognizes that men and women are psychologically and emotionally designed to complement one another. In regard to the family, psychologists contend that a union between a man and woman in which both spouses serve as good gender role models is the best environment in which to raise well-adjusted children. Psychology argues against gay marriage. In nature/physicality, clearly, men and women were designed to “fit” together sexually. With the “natural” purpose of sexual intercourse being procreation, clearly only a sexual relationship between a man and a woman can fulfill this purpose. Nature argues against gay marriage.

So, if the Bible, history, psychology, and nature all argue for marriage being between a man and a woman—why is there such a controversy today? Why are those who are opposed to gay marriage/same-sex marriage labeled as hateful, intolerant bigots, no matter how respectfully the opposition is presented? Why is the gay rights movement so aggressively pushing for gay marriage/same-sex marriage when most people, religious and non-religious, are supportive of—or at least far less opposed to—gay couples having all the same legal rights as married couples with some form of civil union?

The answer, according to the Bible, is that everyone inherently knows that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural, and the only way to suppress this inherent knowledge is by normalizing homosexuality and attacking any and all opposition to it. The best way to normalize homosexuality is by placing gay marriage/same-sex marriage on an equal plane with traditional opposite-gender marriage. Romans 1:18-32 illustrates this. The truth is known because God has made it plain. The truth is rejected and replaced with a lie. The lie is then promoted and the truth suppressed and attacked. The vehemence and anger expressed by many in the gay rights movement to any who oppose them is, in fact, an indication that they know their position is indefensible. Trying to overcome a weak position by raising your voice is the oldest trick in the debating book. There is perhaps no more accurate description of the modern gay rights agenda than Romans 1:31, “they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”

To give sanction to gay marriage/same-sex marriage would be to give approval to the homosexual lifestyle, which the Bible clearly and consistently condemns as sinful. Christians should stand firmly against the idea of gay marriage/same-sex marriage. Further, there are strong and logical arguments against gay marriage/same-sex marriage from contexts completely separated from the Bible. One does not have to be an evangelical Christian to recognize that marriage is between a man and a woman.

According to the Bible, marriage is ordained by God to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:21-24; Matthew 19:4-6). Gay marriage/same-sex marriage is a perversion of the institution of marriage and an offense to the God who created marriage. As Christians, we are not to condone or ignore sin. Rather, we are to share the love of God and the forgiveness of sins that is available to all, including homosexuals, through Jesus Christ. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and contend for truth with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). As Christians, when we make a stand for truth and the result is personal attacks, insults, and persecution, we should remember the words of Jesus: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).

In 1996, The Advocate, a gay and lesbian magazine, asked readers what they believed the potential impact would be to the advancement of gay and lesbian rights if a scientific discovery is made that proves a biological basis for homosexuality. About 61 percent of the magazine readers asserted that such scientific research would advance the cause of gays and lesbians and lead to more positive attitudes toward homosexuality. For example, if one can be born gay, much like being born with blonde hair or brown eyes, then a fair society could not possibly condemn such an individual as being unnatural or immoral. To that end, gay activists and the liberal media have actively encouraged and pushed the idea that homosexuality is inherited and unchangeable, and researchers have diligently sought the scientific evidence to back up that claim. Unfortunately for the pro-homosexuality movement, the vast research on this subject has failed to establish any scientific evidence that shows a purely genetic basis for homosexuality. 

The controversy began with the work of Simon LeVay, M.D. in 1991, when he noted differences in the brains of 41 cadavers between homosexual versus heterosexual males. The hypothalamus, an area that is believed to regulate sexual activity, was smaller in homosexual males than heterosexuals. Although Dr. LeVay believed the brain differences proved the biological basis for homosexuality, he failed to consider a variety of reasons, other than genetic, that the brains were different. First, all 19 of the homosexual cadavers had died of AIDS, a disease known to affect the neurological system. Second, scientists who have studied the biochemistry of brains know that the way a person thinks affects the way his brain functions, specifically the neurochemicals released in the brain and the way certain pathways grow and change. Could the structural brain differences have started with the differences in thoughts between homosexuals and heterosexuals, not with genetics? Third, there is no proof that the hypothalamus size had any association with homosexuality, either as a cause for it or a result of it. 

In 1993, Dean Hamer made the astounding claim in his research that there may be a gene for homosexuality. His team of researchers began a series of gene linkage studies, in which families with several homosexuals underwent genetic analysis to determine if any chromosomal variants could be found in the family and if the variant correlated with those individuals who displayed the homosexuality. Although Hamer’s study sample was very small, he found a significant linkage between gays and a marker on the maternal X chromosome, Xq28. Additional studies with larger sample sizes had conflicting results in the linkage to Xq28. Additional proposed linkages have been reported for 7q36, 10q26, and 8p12. Thus far, these linkages have been hypothesized but not validated. 

Do these genetic linkages mean that homosexuality is an inherited trait? This information suggests that there are heritable characteristics that may be common among homosexuals. Associated characteristics do not necessarily mean that there is a causal link. To illustrate this point, if one conducted a genetic study among professional athletes, it would probably be determined that a significant percentage of these stars shared certain genetic sequences. One might erroneously conclude that these genetic sequences mean that engaging in professional sports is a heritable trait. However, a closer look reveals that the sequences code for increased athletic ability, speed, agility and strength. People who have these traits may naturally gravitate to or be encouraged toward playing professional sports. Although athletes share these traits in common, being a professional athlete itself is not heritable. The environment in which an individual grows up and the choices that he makes influence the ultimate career path. 

Research indicates that there are some statistically significant physiologic differences between homosexual individuals and heterosexual individuals. For example, homosexuals are more likely to be either ambidextrous or left-handed. Homosexuals also emit different underarm odors than heterosexuals. Gay males more commonly have counterclockwise hair whirls and increased ridge density in the fingerprints on the left pinkies and thumbs. The gene linkages could code for any of these findings. A significant point to note is that the variance in Xq28 that has been linked to homosexuality can occur in heterosexuals and may not occur in some homosexuals. Hamer, himself, in an interview in Scientific American, when asked about a sole biologic root for homosexuality, stated, “From twin studies, we already know that half or more of the variability in sexual orientation is not inherited.” 

There are many scientists, psychologists, and researchers who cite environmental factors as major contributors to homosexual feelings. They strongly believe that in the first few years of life, negative early childhood experiences in an unloving or non-supportive home environment are a critical part of this process. Common elements seem to be an emotionally withdrawn or physically absent father and an overbearing, fawning or over-protective mother. In many cases, there may be reports of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Disruption of gender identification may contribute to the development toward homosexuality. This process begins between ages two and four. During this phase, children move from their primary connection with the mother to seek out deeper attachments with the parent of the same gender. For males, the relationship between a boy and his father is the primary means of developing a secure gender identity. As a father and son share time together, the father expresses his value and interest in the son, and gives to the son a sense of masculinity. The boy begins to develop a sense of his own gender by understanding himself in relation to his father. Conversely, a mother who is distant, abusive, or physically absent or a mother who is viewed by the daughter as being too weak (such as when the mother is abused by males) may disrupt the identification of the daughter with being feminine. 

Peer attachments with same-sex friends also play a role in developing gender identity. Eventually, after years of interaction and bonding with same-sex peers, children enter puberty and begin to pay attention to the opposite sex. When this natural process is disrupted, it feels very natural for a child to love and crave the attention of the same-sex. When children with certain temperaments initially perceive rejection of the same-sex parent, they detach and bond with the other parent. They begin to adopt the patterns and attributes of the opposite sex. However, there is always a longing for a connection with the same-sex parent, love and affirmation from the same gender. These children believe that they were born that way, having craved the love and attachment with the same-sex parents for as long as they can remember. It begins as an emotional craving, not a sexual craving. It reflects a legitimate need for non-sexual love, an emotional need that ultimately becomes sexualized as they enter puberty. 

Most researchers have concluded that sexual orientation is a complex, multifactorial issue in which biological, social and psychological factors combine to play a role in the ultimate sexual orientation of an individual. According to Julie Harren, Ph.D., the formula for this interplay between factors might be represented by the equations: 

—Genes + Brain Wiring + Prenatal Hormonal Environment = Temperament. 
—Parents + Peers + Experiences = Environment. 
—Temperament + Environment = Homosexual Orientation.

When reviewing the collective evidence in an adult twin study involving 7600 twins in Sweden, genetic factors explained between 18 and 39 percent of the sexual orientation choices, while 61 to 66 percent of sexual orientation choices stemmed from the individual environment. Environmental factors included prenatal and perinatal experiences, physical and psychological trauma, sickness or disease, violence or abuse, peer group influences, and sexual experiences. According to researcher Simon LeVay, whose work started the whole genetic discussion regarding homosexuality, “At this point, the most widely held opinion is that multiple factors play a role.”

Although it may be easier, psychologically, for a homosexual to believe that homosexuality is inborn, the accumulated scientific evidence suggests that most cases are not solely the result of genetic determination, hormonal disturbances, or chromosomal aberrations. Homosexuality can start in the womb by a genetic predisposition but it is ultimately determined outside of the womb. For those who are unhappy with their lives as homosexuals, this truth offers hope for change, if they desire it. Clinical experience has shown that some individuals can change learned responses and defense mechanisms to early painful experiences with help.

Homosexuals are precious souls to God, for whom Christ died. God loves persons of all sexual orientations, just like He loves all sinners. The Bible says, “But God commends His love to us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ “is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:2). The gospel of Christ “is the power of God for salvation, to every one that believes” (Romans 1:16). In Christ alone, we find the definitive source for healing, restoration, forgiveness, and comfort. He is the way by which we can all experience the affirming, unconditional love, value, and acceptance of our Father in Heaven.