Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Via New Civil Rights: New Study Shows Homosexuality 'Is An Essential Part Of Human Evolution'
Researchers at England's University of Portsmouth believe they have
found a scientific explanation for homosexuality and their theories
could even provide support for same-sex marriage as being completely
natural.
The scientists link the hormone progesterone, which is naturally-occurring in both men and women, to socialization and see it as a tool that "promotes bonding."
"The frequency of homoerotic behavior among individuals who do not identify as having an exclusively homosexual sexual orientation suggests that such behavior potentially has adaptive value," the researchers write.
"From an evolutionary perspective we tend to think of sexual behaviour as a means to an end for reproduction," Diana Fleischman, the study's lead author, states. "However, because sexual behaviour is intimate and pleasurable, it is also used in many species, including non-human primates, to help form and maintain social bonds. We can all see this in romantic couples who bond by engaging in sexual behaviour even when reproduction is not possible."
That sex is scientifically found to be not solely designed for reproduction debunks religious extremists' claims that man-woman marriage is the only "natural" marriage.
"To test whether homosexual behaviour really does go hand in hand with a need to form close bonds with others of the same sex, they decided to compare sexual behaviour with the level of a certain hormone in the blood," City AM reports.
Image via Flickr
Make the jump here to read the original and full article:
http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/new_study_proves_evolution_supports_same_sex_marriage
The scientists link the hormone progesterone, which is naturally-occurring in both men and women, to socialization and see it as a tool that "promotes bonding."
"The frequency of homoerotic behavior among individuals who do not identify as having an exclusively homosexual sexual orientation suggests that such behavior potentially has adaptive value," the researchers write.
LOOK: Large Study Finds 'Pretty Good Indication' Of Genetic Link To HomosexualityAnd they seem to have found an evolutionary case that supports same-sex relationships and marriage, even finding them advantageous.
"From an evolutionary perspective we tend to think of sexual behaviour as a means to an end for reproduction," Diana Fleischman, the study's lead author, states. "However, because sexual behaviour is intimate and pleasurable, it is also used in many species, including non-human primates, to help form and maintain social bonds. We can all see this in romantic couples who bond by engaging in sexual behaviour even when reproduction is not possible."
That sex is scientifically found to be not solely designed for reproduction debunks religious extremists' claims that man-woman marriage is the only "natural" marriage.
"To test whether homosexual behaviour really does go hand in hand with a need to form close bonds with others of the same sex, they decided to compare sexual behaviour with the level of a certain hormone in the blood," City AM reports.
Progesterone is also known as a “social” hormone – it is produced mainly in the ovaries in women and in the adrenal glands in men, and encourages a person to engage with others in a positive way.Fleischman adds that "the research suggests that having exclusively heterosexual thoughts is a disadvantage – it’s better to be a little bit attracted to the opposite sex."
They asked a group of participants questions such as "The idea of kissing a person of the same sex is sexually arousing to me," and: "If someone of the same sex made a pass at me I would be disgusted”. They compared the answers to the level of progesterone in the blood.
The results, published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behaviour, show that the people with higher levels of the hormone are indeed more inclined to have homoerotic thoughts.
Heterosexual men and women, for example, were more open to the idea of engaging in homosexual behaviour when progesterone was high. Men also produced more of the hormone and felt more homosexual if they were reminded of a societal need to be friendly with other males.
Image via Flickr
Make the jump here to read the original and full article:
http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/new_study_proves_evolution_supports_same_sex_marriage
Via Zac / FB:
Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to disdain, hostility,
injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely kind, not in
appearance only. Let each one of God’s loved ones centre his attention
on this: to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him
do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some
benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and
reorient the minds of men. In this way, the light of divine guidance
will shine forth, and the blessings of God will cradle all mankind: for
love is light, no matter in what abode it dwelleth; and hate is
darkness, no matter where it may make its nest. O friends of God! That
the hidden Mystery may stand revealed, and the secret essence of all
things may be disclosed, strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and
ever.
-'Abdu'l-Baha
Flower of the Day: 11/25/14
“Trust
is one of the main virtues that needs to be developed on the spiritual
path. It is not possible to fabricate trust through the mind, just as
it’s not possible to fabricate steadiness, loyalty, humility,
forgiveness or gratitude. These virtues are the fruit of the tree of
consciousness. If you do not have a tree yet, or your tree has not yet
been able to bare fruit, don’t give up. Work towards amplifying your
perception through self-observation and spiritual practice. This is how
we expand our consciousness.”
Sri Prem Baba
Via Daily Dharma
Realizing Guiltlessness | November 25, 2014
From the Buddhist point of view we can understand that all the
things we do to harm ourselves and others come from deep-rooted
confusions and ignorance but that the mind is by its very nature pure
and enlightened. When we feel a tremendous amount of guilt, we forget
this view.
- Venerable Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, "Realizing Guiltlessness"
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