What's Natural Nowadays?

What’s Natural Nowadays?

One of the hottest debates in the modern world is on the topic of homosexuality. Is it natural or is it not? Should same-sex unions be allowed in our society? Most people who sit on the religious side of this issue consider homosexuality to be abnormal, or against the natural way humans were created to act. Others believe the tendency to engage in same-sex relationships are like any other choice made throughout a lifetime, simply liking one option over the other or even a part of their genetic make-up presented at birth. Even though scientific observation and experimentation has shown the possibility of these ideas, people will still side on both ends of the issue.

In Jeffrey Kluger’s piece entitled, “The Gay Side of Nature” he discusses the different evidential findings regarding homosexual tendencies in animals (337). This article contains observations of over 450 species that participate in same-sex relations and behaviors (Kluger 338). The essay is basically trying to portray the idea that if animals do it without the influence of our modern society and its ideal behaviors it must be a natural act. What this article fails to mention that would significantly help its credibility is whether or not the animals being observed are in the wild, their typical environment, or if the couples are being watched in captivity. This missing piece of vital information would either solidify the argument or continue to raise more questions on the topic. One point that proves to be innovative as well as substantial is the fact that animals in general tend to be associated with what is considered to be natural, as well as corresponding to the behaviors we as humans take part in. Although certain actions are considered natural does not mean they are always correct or appropriate. In previous articles on the topic of love and reproduction several authors and findings say our purpose on earth is to preserve ourselves through our children and continuing generations. If this is the case, homosexuality and taking part in relationships when the end result will not be procreation lies within the realm of things that are unnatural. This of course does not mean same-sex relationships and unions cannot take place throughout a person’s lifetime, it just will not be (according to those who believe our only goal on earth is to produce children) natural.

Doing something that feels natural or is perceived as pure can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be offensive or inappropriate as well. For example, giving birth, falling in love, or having the call to help others is a part of life that has been deemed acceptable or typical. A person can experience these things usually without having to think twice about who is watching over them or what others think in general. Other natural feelings like arousal or anger are also a part of every person’s life, but what a person chooses to do with those emotions is what can turn inappropriate. If a man gets turned on by his wife in public it is not acceptable for him to “act” on those feelings in a community space, just as if another man gets upset over an altercation and chooses to release his anger through violence and destructive acts. It is in situations like these that our natural feelings and tendencies to take action on our emotions can lead to turmoil. Overall, feelings and the typical activities humans take part in are only considered ordinary because of those behaviors acted out in the past. Experts could be completely off-track making the behaviors and things we take part in daily the opposite of what really is the natural way. Who is really to judge what is natural or unnatural? Perhaps this should be the hot topic everyone should be discussing, instead of whether or not it is natural to fall in love or have a relationship with the same-sex.