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from Books & Reviews
Interview with Stanton Jones
and Mark Yarhouse
Authors of
Homosexuality: The Use of Scientific Research
in the Church's Moral Debate
(Courtesy of InterVarsity Press)
Stanton L. Jones, Ph.D.
Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D.
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How did this book come about?
We (Stan and Mark) have watched for years as the
supposed "scientific evidence" has been used in
the ethical/moral debates of the various Christian
denominations over the divisive topic of
homosexuality. The majority of the time, the
"evidence" has been used against the traditional
moral position that sees homosexual behavior as
sin.
Stan began writing about this subject in the late
1980s, and was joined by Mark as a co-author in
the mid-1990s. Together, we wrote a very
well-received article in the Christian Scholar's
Review that attempted a complete overview of all
of the major scientific studies that had been
cited as having some bearing on the moral/ethical
debate.
This article was applauded by scientific scholars
who managed to read it, but we were disappointed
that the article was not more understandable to
the educated Christian public. This book was
conceived as a way to explain the scientific
evidence to pastors and educated Christian
laypersons so that they could be better informed
about two major areas: first, what the scientific
evidence really says, and second the real bearing
of this scientific evidence on the ethical/moral
debate about homosexuality.
Why did you decide to focus on this particular
topic?
There were really three reasons for choosing to
focus on homosexuality. First, as scientists, we
were deeply disturbed by the way that the supposed
"findings of science" were being used in this
ethical conflict within the church.
"Science" is seen as having more relevance to
what the church should believe ethically and
pastorally about homosexuality than about any
other topic that is currently being debated in the
church.
Second, as evangelical Christians, it seemed to us
that homosexuality is the area where more
pressure is being put on the church to depart
from the explicit moral teachings of scripture
than any other area.
Third, we have also been concerned for the
well-being of individuals who we know who struggle
with homosexual orientation and who themselves
receive very confusing messages from church and
society about how they are to live their lives.
Often, it is "science" that is given as the reason
for advice that departs from the teachings of
scripture.
How prevalent is homosexuality today?
The prevalence of homosexuality is widely
estimated to be 10% or more of the general
population. This estimate stems from a terrible
misinterpretation of the badly biased Kinsey
studies of the 1950s. Gay rights advocates have
used this statistic to overestimate the prevalence
of homosexuals in order to accentuate the
significance of this sub-population as a political
and socioeconomic force.
The best research is very clear, however, in
suggesting a much lower prevalence, likely
somewhere in the range of 1.5% - 3% of homosexual
individuals in the general population.
What does scientific research actually show about
homosexuality?
To answer this question would actually require
that we summarize the entire book! Perhaps one of
the most crucial questions that is being asked is
the question of causation: "what causes homosexual
orientation?" What we attempt to show in the book
is that there is no simple or conclusive answer to
this question at this stage in the evolution of
science.
After a number of years when genetic causes have
been celebrated and proclaimed as "THE cause," it
now seems clear that genetic influences are weaker
than has been suggested in recent years, and are
probably only present for a sub-population of
homosexual individuals. It is possible that there
are other biological influences at work for some
poeple, including the possibility of prenatal
hormones having some influence.
It is likely that familial, psychological, and
experiential variables influence the development
of homosexuality, though there is no conclusive
evidence about how this happens.
In short, we do not have any conclusive answers to
the question of what causes homosexuality. We do
have a number of tantalizing clues that genetics,
prenatal hormones, and early childhood environment
and experiences, along with adult choice, can all
be participants in the mix of causal factors.
Updated: 3 September 2008
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