Can Same Sex Attraction Be Overcome?

Some say: That Boyd K. Packer's October 2010 LDS Conference talk was anti-gay because he said, "Some suppose that they were preset and cannot overcome what they feel are inborn temptations toward the impure and unnatural. Not so!"

Beyond the Headlines: President Packer's statement is clearly in opposition to LGBT teachings. However, President Packer said nothing that was derogatory or negative toward people with same-sex attraction, practicing homosexuals or not. He did reiterate the position of the LDS Church that homosexual relationships are contrary to God's commandments and that the church would continue to oppose attempts to legalize same sex marriage. However, this was not even the focus of his talk. He talked more extensively about pornography, and spent a great deal of time giving hope to those who want to get away from pornography and homosexuality:

"For those who truly desire it, there is a way back."

"Priesthood holders carry with them the antidote to remove the terrible images of pornography and to wash away guilt. The priesthood has the power to unlock the influence of our habits, even to unchain from addiction, however tight the grip. It can heal over the scars of past mistakes."

"Paul promised that 'God . . . will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.'"

"I know of no more beautiful and consoling words in all of revelation than these: 'Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.'"

I promise that ahead of you is peace and happiness for you and your family.

President Packer did speak out against what the church teaches is sin. At the same time he reached out to those struggling with those sins to offer them love and hope.

Although President Packer was speaking purely from a theological point of view, contrary to popular belief, there is scientific and anecdotal evidence that people can "overcome temptations toward" homosexuality. Consider these articles:

"Can Some Gay Men and Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? 200 Participants Reporting a Change from Homosexual to Heterosexual Orientation", Robert L. Spitzer, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Volume 32, Number 5, 403-417

"The APA's Pro-Gay 'River of Denial'", By Debbie Thurman

"Initial Empirical and Clinical Findings Concerning the Change Process for Ex-Gays", Warren Throckmorton, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Volume 33, Issue 3, June 2002, Pages 242-248

For additional related information, see

Evergreen International - Evergreen is a nonprofit organization that helps people who want to diminish same-sex attractions and overcome homosexual behavior.

National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality - NARTH is a professional, scientific organization that offers hope to those who struggle with unwanted homosexuality.

For more information about the LDS Church stand on Same Gender Attraction

Church statement in response to Human Rights Campaign Petition

God Loveth His Children - LDS Pamphlet for church members struggling with same gender attraction

Same Gender Attraction - LDS Public Affairs interview with Elder Oaks and Elder Wickman

What is the Church's Attitude on Homosexuality - FAQ page on mormon.org

Is the US Health Care System a Failure?

Some say: That the Health Care system in the US is hopelessly broken and needs to be replaced with a nationalized system.

Beyond the Headlines: There are definitely problems with Health Care in the United States and much room for improvement, but we need to be careful not to get caught up in emotion and rhetoric and realize what we actually have. I have first-hand experience with nationalized health care in Japan and close family in Taiwan and England. There are strengths and weaknesses to each system. Personally I prefer the US system and feel we get much better care.

What are the real problems in the US anyway? What has been tried elsewhere? I'm reading an interesting book that attempts to debunk myths about US Health Care with some compelling arguments. If you're interested in going beyond the headlines, give it a look. It is available in print and as a free downloadable PDF. The Top Ten Myths of American Health Care: A Citizen's Guide

Is it Discrimination to Prohibit Same Sex Marriage?

Some say: Not letting people of the same sex get married is discrimination.

Beyond the Headlines: In society we formalize some of our interactions in laws and constitutions. Many laws restrict actions that are considered damaging or counterproductive to society. For instance, we have laws restricting motor vehicle use, land development, child abuse, and DUI.

These laws are based on actions and not personal characteristics that may lead to actions. For instance there is no law punishing someone who gets angry easily. If a person controls his anger and does not commit abuse, murder, or similar actions, he is not violating the law. Likewise, someone who likes to drink alcohol is not restricted or discriminated against. However, he is restricted from driving while under the influence of alcohol (even if no property damage or bodily injury occurs). A person may feel discriminated against because he cannot legally drive after a few beers, or when his license is taken away for repeated DUI offenses, but society is not unjustly discriminating against him by having those restrictions on his actions.

Restricting someone with same-sex attraction from entering into same-sex marriage is restriction of an action, not restriction based on a personal characteristic. Same-sex attraction is a personal characteristic, but same-sex marriage is an action, just as liking alcohol is a personal characteristic and DUI is an action.

Prohibiting an action that many consider bad for society is not the same as discriminating against someone for a personal characteristic.

Is Senator Bennett a Hypocrite about taxes?

Some say: Senator Bob Bennett is hypocritical because he was hard on Senator Tom Daschle about his income tax problems while owing even more himself.

Beyond the Headlines: Although both men have been in the news about taxes, the circumstances are very different, Recent articles about Senator Bennett seemed designed to stir up controversy by ignoring the differences.

Senator Bennett's tax problem occurred in 2005. At that time, Bennett was an investor in the Anniversary Inn. Due to financial problems the company did not pay property taxes for a number of years. Neither the investors or the company were hiding anything, and eventually the taxes and interest were paid. Although it may be upsetting to those who pay property taxes on time, it is not unusual for businesses to be late on property tax payments, effectively getting "cheap loans." Individuals sometimes do this with their personal property taxes as well, but Bennett is not known to have done this.

Daschle's main tax problem was that on his personal income tax returns in '05, '06 and '07 he did not report as income the value of a car and driver that were provided for him as part of his employment compensation and which he used personally. Without this income, his tax liability was lower. According to the Senate Finance committee, “in June 2008, something made him think that the car service might be taxable, and he disclosed the arrangement to his accountant.” He subsequently filed amended returns and paid the taxes owed. This correction of his taxes did not come until he was preparing for the possibility of a role in a new presidential administration, and Senator Bennett commented that the situation left a "cloud over [Daschle]" and that he needed to drop out of the nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary.

Source - Bennett's tax problems
Source - Cheap Loans
Source - Daschle's tax problems

Who pays taxes?

Some say: The rich don't pay taxes

Beyond the Headlines: The rich pay the majority of the taxes. Of course they have the majority of the money too, but they pay a higher percentage of the tax than they have of the money. The facts:

• 14% of tax returns have adjusted gross income of $100,000 or more. Those 14% earn 57% of the total taxable income and pay 69% of all personal income tax collected.
  
• 0.3% of tax returns have adjusted gross income of over $1 Million. Those 0.3% earn 18% of all taxable income and pay 25% of all personal income tax collected.

In other words, less than half of 1% of the people pay 25% of all the income taxes and have 18% of the taxable income.

Source (2005 IRS data)

Shouldn't "they" just give us the bailout money?

Some say: If the government gave citizens the bailout money directly, we'd be able to pay off our mortgages

Beyond the Headlines: Unfortunately it isn't that simple. If a $1 Trillion dollar bailout were divided equally among the 138, 893,908 tax filers in 2007, each filer would get $7199.74 -- not enough to pay off most mortgages. The stimulus packages are supposed to increase credit availability, provide or protect jobs, and increase the cushion available for those in trouble. Making straight cash payouts wouldn't meet the same goals, although some cash is included.

Source