Original Research

“Genes Я us” – Of juis nie? Oor determinisme en voluntarisme by die mens met verwysing na homoseksualiteit

Johan Buitendag
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 60, No 1/2 | a529 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v60i1/2.529 | © 2004 Johan Buitendag | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 16 October 2004 | Published: 20 October 2004

About the author(s)

Johan Buitendag, Universiteit van Pretoria, South Africa

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Abstract

“Genes Я us” – or not? About human determinism and voluntarism, with reference to homosexuality

This article has as its departure point the conviction of some that human genome mapping predisposes human beings genetically and as a consequence, the homosexual person becomes a mere victim of circumstances. Biological determinism and social construc-tionism are not mutually exclusive and although a person is orientated within a web of boundary matters, the depiction of a human being as imago Dei still prevails. A person has the freedom to choose and the responsibility to do so. One’s understanding of reality provides a frame of reference from which a definition of morality is derived. The suggestion of Nancey Murphey to understand reality as a “nonreductive physicalism” is followed. Reductionism in any form is subsequently avoided. A holistic view of humankind in terms of which religious experience is seen as more than some brain functions and people are embedded in a “sacred canopy”, is therefore advocated.


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