____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ November 24, 1996 ____________________________________________________ "Homosexuality is Genetic" Mantra #8 by Warren E. Berkley On August 30th, 1991, the headline on page one of the McAllen Monitor read: ``Scientist detects biological difference between homosexual, heterosexual men'' (McAllen, Texas). Headlines have a necessary function in journalism. The blunder many fall victim to is--reading a headline, drawing a conclusion and asserting something as fact, without even reading the story beneath the headline! I can visualize, for instance, having a discussion with someone about homosexuality someday, perhaps years from now, and in defense of homosexuality the remark is made: ``Studies have shown that homosexuality is a matter of biological determination!'' Of course, the headline doesn't state this; neither does the article! I read the entire Associated Press article, and listened to an interview on Good Morning America (ABC, Aug. 30, 1991). Here are some of the facts beneath the headline: * Simon LeVay, of the Salk Institute for biological Studies, San Diego, was the researcher. He studied the brains of 41 men and women (post mortem), including 19 homosexual men. In that portion of the brain called the ``anterior hypothalamus,'' which some say relates to male sexual behavior, LeVay discovered a cluster of cells which was smaller in homosexual men, then offered the conjecture that there might be a link between ``the size of that group of cells and the sexual preference of males.'' That's it! This was the study that was published in the journal Science, and widely reported in the news, beginning about 1991. * A careful reading through the Associated Press article will reveal {a} the inadequate grounds of the study, and {b} the very cautious, uncertain attitude of LeVay, and others who have looked at his study. Judging just from the headline, the casual reader may think this is some sort of gigantic leap in knowledge or a breakthrough. But just notice these things, quoting from within the AP report: This cluster of brain cells ``may guide the sex drive of men.'' The relation of this cell group to male sex drive is not an established fact. This small body of research is ``suggesting that homosexuality could be a matter of biological destiny...'' Those who only quote headlines need to understand--this is only a suggestion about what could be! {Of course, I deny that homosexuality is a matter of biological destiny. But right now, I'm exposing the folly of men, who jump to conclusions and make assertions on very inadequate and tentative grounds, sometimes just a headline.} The article clearly states: ``researchers still aren't sure which is cause and which is effect.'' Scientists who study such things cannot prove that this works the other way around. That is, the homosexual activity (persisted in) may have this effect on this particular cell group. In fact, the chief researcher, LeVay, stated: ``I don't know if the structure caused the behavior... or if the behavior modified the structure.'' This vital observation isn't in the headline. The Associated Press article is filled with cautious, uncertain language and clarifications. Beneath the bold headline, there is language like this: ``LeVay cautioned...researchers still aren't sure...the odds are...I don't know...possibly...could...I would put my money on...may be yet know...may not be...could well be ... it might...just pure speculation... '' On and on, clarifications, expressions of doubt and admissions of human speculation not hinted at in the headline! Good Morning America featured Dr. Robert Kolodny (specializes in endocrinology). He commented on the LaVey study with caution and reservation, expressing three problems he had with the results: {1} The brain specimens in this study were taken from the bodies of men and women who had died of AIDS, raising the question of the impact of the HIV virus on brain cells. {2} This study was greatly limited in number; only 19 homosexual men. {3} The other specimens came from heterosexuals, but this was just assumed; these ``heterosexuals'' could have actually been homosexuals. Conclusion So, there is a great deal to be learned under the headlines. Actually, with regard to this issue--the headlines may not be true; the article under it may not be true. But here's something you can count on... ___________________________________________ Speculations A stranger entered a dwelling house of a community. The ``neighbors'' saw him when he entered. They did not see him again until he departed an hour later. Then curiosity began its work, and the questioning arose, ``What was the stranger's mission? Why did he enter the house?'' All with one consent began to speculate, each according to his own practice or profession. ``He went into the house to secure votes,'' said the politician. ``I do not see it that way,'' said the trader. ``He must have entered to trade and get gain.'' ``I have it,'' said the glutton, ``he went in to fill his belly.'' ``My idea is different,'' said the cold-blooded. ``He must have entered to do bodily injury.'' ``You are wrong,'' said the sot and the sensualist. ``That man went into the house to carouse and commit adultery.'' ``All of you are in error,'' said the covetous cuss. ``That man went in to cheat and to defraud.'' ``I think,'' said the Christian, ``that he must have entered to do some work of benevolence.'' Each ``neighbor'' answered in harmony with the trend of his own mental habit. The speculation of each was governed by what he might have attempted under similar circumstances. The color of his own thoughts gave to the stranger a corresponding tint. ``To the pure all things are pure; but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled'' (Titus 1:15). -- author unknown ___________________________________________ Children And Their Changing Attitude Toward Their Parents Every parent realizes that children go through different stages in their attitude toward Mom and Dad, as represented by the statements below: Age 4: ``My parents can do anything.'' Age 8: ``There might be one or two things they don't know.'' Age 12: ``Naturally, my parents don't understand.'' Age 14: ``I never realized how hopelessly old fashioned they are!'' Age 21: ``You would expect them to feel that way. They're out of date.'' Age 25: ``They come up with a good idea now and then.'' Age 30: ``I wonder what Mom and Dad think I should do.'' Age 40: ``Let's be patient until we discuss it with our parents.'' Age 50: ``What would Mom or Dad have thought about it?'' Age 60: ``I wish I could talk it over with them one more time.'' -- Via Just a Minute ___________________________________________ Snap-Judgments While on a walk one day, I was surprised to see a man hoeing in the garden while sitting in a chair. ``What laziness,'' I thought, but suddenly I saw leaning against his chair a pair of crutches. The man was at work despite his handicap. The lesson I learned about snap judgments has stayed with me for years. Many of the crosses people bear are seldom in plain sight. -- Anonymous ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES John Music, Ron's father, was recently hospitalized--but now back home--due to some heart trouble he has been having. Let us be praying for him. We also want to keep Christine Stambaugh in prayer as she will soon be receiving additional surgery for her breast cancer. Being the last Sunday of the month, tonight will be our ``Sing Night.'' If there are some certain songs you would like led, be sure to let one of the song leaders know prior to the worship service. We have free Bible courses available for anyone who would be interested. Contact us today. Let us not forget that everyday should be a day of gratitude and thanksgiving unto the Lord, for it is He who makes all our blessings--and even our very existence--possible! ___________________________________________ To Be Happy Children by Don C. Truex It was reported last year that the Harvard Medical School had completed a forty year study, tracking the lives of 456 young men hailing from inner-city Boston. Many were impoverished and/or from broken homes. When interviewed at middle age, one fact repeated itself continually: Those men who had worked as children, even at simple household jobs, enjoyed significantly happier and more productive lives than those who did not'' (Readers Digest, January 1986). Dr. George Vailant, author of the findings, noted that ``boys who worked in the home or community gained competence and came to feel they were worthwhile members of society.'' There is a valuable lesson in that for those of us who wish to grow up spiritually as happy children of God. To be active in the work of the Lord is to cultivate a real sense of belonging--a legitimate feeling that you are a vital part of the work. To be active in the work of the Lord is to have concern for that work--and genuine love for those who share in that same work with you. ``Sidewalk superintendents'' who are forever standing on the fringe complaining about what ``they'' are doing can never be truly happy. Why? Because we are not meant to be spectators! We were created to be involved. Listen to Paul: ``We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works...'' (Ephesians 2:10). We simply cannot be happy or truly committed until we begin to fulfill the purpose for which we were given life. -- Via The Southside Reminder, August 26, 1987 ___________________________________________ The Word Became Flesh John states in the first chapter of his Gospel record that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus was human and divine when He was on earth. He was so human that He became hungry when He went without food. He was so divine that He could feed five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. He was so human when He was here that He became thirsty. He sat on a well and said to a woman, ``Give me to drink.'' He said on the cross, ``I thirst.'' Yet, He was so divine that He poured all the rivers and oceans into their places and hung the big dipper in the sky. He was so divine that He could say, ``Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give Him shall never thirst.'' He was so human, when He was here, that He became tired. He could fall asleep in the back of a boat during a storm that baffled experienced fishermen, but He was so divine that He could say to a weary world, ``Come unto Me and I will give you rest.'' He was so human, when He was here, that He was tempted in all points like as we are and yet He was so divine that He was without sin. -- Via The Providence Light (author might be Austin Mobley--more than 10 years ago) ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net ________________________________________