“First, it is important to understand that homosexuality is not innate and unchangeable. Research has NOT proved that homosexuality is genetic,” begins the article written by Alan Osmond. Known for his contributions to the Osmond Family singing group, Osmond has taken to the internet – specifically a website owned by the Church of Latter Day Saints – to describe his “principles” on the matter of homosexuality.
Osmond is heavily involved in the Mormon church and the Osmond family is arguably one of the most famous faces of the religion. Osmond is serving his current post as LDS high council at the Orem Suncrest Stake in Orem, Utah.
Osmond’s take on homosexuality reads:
First, it is important to understand that homosexuality is not innate and unchangeable. Research has NOT proved that homosexuality is genetic. Even more important, many researchers whose studies have been used to support a biological model forhomosexuality have determined that their work has been MISINTERPRETED. What is clear is that homosexuality results from an interaction of social, biological, and psychological factors. These factors may include temperament, personality traits, sexual abuse, familial factors, and treatment by one’s peers.
Developmental factors aside, can individuals diminish homosexual attraction and make changes in their lives? Yes. There is substantial evidence, both historical and current, to indicate this is the case. Jeffrey Satinover, M.D., a former Fellow atYale Universityand a graduate of MIT and Harvard, concludes:
“The fact that not all methods of treating those who struggle with homosexual attraction are successful, and that no method is successful for everyone, has been distorted by activists into the claim that no method is helpful for anyone. … The simple truth is that, like most methods in psychiatry and psychotherapy, the treatment of homosexuality has evolved out of eighty years of clinical experience, demonstrating approximately the same degree of success as, for example, the psychotherapy of depression.” Other researchers note treatment success rates that exceed 50 percent, which is similar to the success rates for treating other difficulties.
As for any subsequent commenting on the article, the Osmond family has yet to respond to the many LGBT activists and allies who have strongly disagreed with Osmond’s “philosophy” on homosexuality in wake of the article’s posting.
I had been an Osmond fan since the 1960’s and I always thought that a few of them showed homosexual tendencies….Jay, Jimmy and Alan himself. These places that they send young Mormon men to be fixed are just awful, using horrific therapies such as shock therapy and others. They use their religion as a sheild to hide behind. He was the worst of the Osmonds, making his children practice all day long and perform like he and his brothers did as kids. If one messed up during a performance he would line them up and reprimand them as a group and forced them to practice more. He used to make weird remarks to the fans that had double entendres and would giggle at his own comments. My mother always said they used their religion’s idea of having alrge families as an excuse to have sex all the time. He’s an opinionated fool in my eyes.
First, Alan, if it has not been proved that homosexuality is not genetic, then it has not been proved the opposite — moot.
Second, Alan, in your list of factors which “result” in homosexuality, you, Alan, include, a, “biological factor.” Genetics encompasses biology. Again, — moot.
Third, Alan is clearly communicating through blind faith. That is, he does what the church says and believes what the church believes WITHOUT question. He cites one source, which indicates his myopic tendency; moreover, his myopic tendency to cite a single source that concurs with his beliefs that he will NEVER question because of his blind faith.
I was born into mormonism, (no upper case for that “m” word). I am Gay.
No one will ever take me, away from me. I am immutable in this regard. I, like Alan, am a child of God. I am what God is doing. Humanity is what God is doing.
Fourth, if “gay” is a choice, as is inferred that one can undergo therapy to be healed from it, then Alan, and those who share his belief, must have had, and perhaps continue to, have homosexual tendencies.
Fifth, as a spokes person for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, evidenced by his congregational leadership and his published writings, (probably solicited by mormon hierarchy), Alan should know that according to the King James version of the Bible, which the mormon church uses, Jesus Christ makes no mention of sexuality.
With regard to several books in the old testament, that homosexuality is interpreted as an abomination and therefore accepted, by “blind-faithers,” as being such, it is absolutely pertinent that this be addressed by Alan, via the mormon tenant in the mormon Articles of Faith, …[We believe the Bible to be the word of God in as much as it is translated CORRECTLY…] You see, per this very tenant, everything has a caveat. Everything retains a search for Truth.
Sixth, lay down your bullhorn, Alan, and begin to embrace Truth. The Truth being what is.
I am gay. I am truth in myself. I am God’s truth through being me.
First, Alan, if it has not been proved that homosexuality is not genetic, then it has not been proved the opposite — moot.
Second, Alan, in your list of factors which “result” in homosexuality, you, Alan, include, a, “biological factor.” Genetics encompasses biology. Again, — moot.
Third…Alan is clearly communicating through blind faith. That is, he does what the church says and believes what the church believes WITHOUT question. He cites one source, which indicates his myopic tendency; moreover, his myopic tendency to cite a single source that concurs with his beliefs that he will NEVER question because of his blind faith.
I was born into mormonism, (no upper case for that “m” word). I am Gay.
Fourth, if “gay” is a choice, as is inferred that one can undergo therapy to be healed from it, then Alan, and those who share his belief, must have had, and perhaps continue to have, homosexual tendencies.
Fifth, as a spokes person for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, evidenced by his congregational leadership and his published writings, (probably solicited by mormon hierarchy), Alan should know that according to the King James version of the Bible, which the mormon church uses, Jesus Christ makes no mention of sexuality.
With regard to several books in the old testament, that homosexuality is interpreted as an abomination and therefore accepted, by “blind-faithers,” as being such, it is absolutely pertinent that this be addressed by Alan, via the mormon tenant in the mormon Articles of Faith, …paraphrased — [We believe the Bible to be the word of God in as much as it is translated CORRECTLY…] You see, per this very tenant, everything has a caveat. Everything retains a search for Truth.
No one will ever take me, away from me. I am immutable in this regard. I, like Alan, am a child of God. I am what God is doing. Humanity is what God is doing.
Sixth, lay down your bullhorn, Alan, and begin to embrace Truth. The Truth being what is.
I am gay. I am truth in myself. I am God’s, The Universe’s, The Higher Powers’, Truth, through being me.
Hi Guys & Especially Fod,
First Alan Osmond is not a spokesperson for the church and neither is his website an official church one. He is a member, has a website, serves in his local church area (we are a lay ministry) and is expressing his opinion.
Second, there seems to be a lot of confusion between behaviour of an individual and the value of an individual. We are God’s children, those who believe often refer to Him as Heavenly Father. We have individually and collectively a value far beyond what we currently understand. Every soul is precious.
And, each one of us has sinned. There was only one perfect man who lived on this Earth. Often He would heal, or forgive, someone and then say sin no more (this included the woman caught in adultery). This shows both an attitude that values the individual and challenges them to improve. Jesus made plenty of comments about sexuality and the appropriate relationship between men and women. You are right (to my knowledge) that He said nothing about same sex relationships – His teachings in this matter are inferred by what he actually said about men and women. Some of these are very strong (see sermon on the mount for examples).
The truth is that we all need to change. We all need to raise our standard. We are a long way from perfect. In each of us are areas of great difficulty for us personally.
It is a moot point that the science research is inconclusive on a genetic root for homosexuality. There is so much new information about how we work at a genetic and cellular level that proof about homosexuality/same sex attraction being genetic is debatable.
However, how should I treat someone who’s understanding and behaviour is different to my own? And what treatment should I expect from them? Is there a need to alter the definition of marriage?
For me the answers are simple. As a child of God – respectfully and protecting their rights to express their view, to be safe from threat and abuse, and to have human equality. I expect the same without the treat of law enforcement to squash my opinion or physical retribution for disagreeing. Finally, marriage is between a man and a women there is no need to change that. If needed use the alternatives to protect property and inheritance.
It is all about behaviour. Sometimes behaviours have become deeply ingrained habit. Sometimes these habits enhance our humanity, sometimes they distract. Often they are very difficult to change.
I always learn a lot about the true value of a person’s position by how they express their view. The behaviour in their comments. If I have to tear you down as an individual, then my position must be very weak.
I am not gay, but have been an Osmond fan since the 60s as well. And I think that Alan Osmond is out of his mind. As extreme as their views have been over the years, Alan’s have only intensified since he retired from show business. The horrific things that he spouts on Facebook are disturbing. I was actually “unfriended” because I did not agree that the President is the antiChrist!! And his views on homosexuality are deeply disturbing as well. And I don’t even believe that the written portion didn’t have someone else’s hand in it as well. That is not Alan’s (poor) writing style at all. I used to like Alan a lot, he was always very kind to me in the past, but I believe he’s completely gone off the deep end and I don’t know why anyone pays any attention to anything he says.
Ignoring Alan Ismond comments for a moment, it must be pointed out that the website where he published his comments is not owned by the Mormon church and neither is Alan a spokesman for his church in any greater capacity than any other member of his church.
It’s important to discuss his comments, but it’s important to get the basic journalistic details correct first.
If there is a gene for homosexuality, then homosexuals are less likely than heterosexuals to contribute the gene(s) for homosexuality to the human gene pool. Consequently, through natural selection, there would gradually be fewer and fewer homosexuals in the population because the gene(s) for homosexuality would become a smaller and smaller part of the gene pool. Also, historical records indicate that the percentage of the population involved in homosexual behavior increases and decreases within short time periods, which also is evidence that it is not genetic since wide genetic swings do not occur in a large gene pool.
“These factors may include temperament, personality traits, sexual abuse, familial factors, and treatment by one’s peers.”
Gee, Alan, have you talked to your sister about this list? Which of these caused two of her kids to decide to be gay?
I’ve heard these same arguments used against black people.