October 14th, 2010
04:42 PM ET

Obama: I believe homosexuality isn't a choice

President Obama said Thursday that he believes homosexuality is not a choice, but the result of people being born with "a certain make-up."

His comment came during a town hall-style event - hosted by Viacom's BET, CMT and MTV networks - in which students asked him questions.

A student asked Obama if he believed homosexuality is a choice. Obama responded he was no expert, then added: "I don't think it's a choice. I think people are born with a certain make-up."

"We're all children of God," Obama said. "We don't make determinations about who we love. That's why I think discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is wrong."

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Filed under: Barack Obama • Gay and lesbian
soundoff (231 Responses)
  1. Damian

    Not only are we born gay ("in sin and shapen in iniquity"), we are born adulterers, murderer, liars, thieves, but thank God for His grace, which is able to subdue evil passions and to bring "every imagination and every high thing that exalt itself above the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

    October 15, 2010 at 3:42 pm | Report abuse |
    • carlos

      Damian, except you are incorrectly equating Gayness, a gender like Male or Female, with bad behavior. Gays don't need the grace of God to subdue their passion, just like you don't need it, unless of course you use that passion to act and injure other people. But the issue here is passion to have s e x, a good thing. If it is ok for you have s e x with a woman as a Straight man, then it therefore also ok for a gay man to have s e x with a man, since he is gay. And frankly it does not matter one bit if he is born that way or not, it is still their universal right. If you still feel like praying, pray God gives you Reason, which in my humble opinion you are lacking some. At least you don't seem to have hatred, which is a step in the right direction, but more is required of you in order to be a good person, you need facts, you need to be informed, good intentions are not enough, how effectively you apply your good intentions in order to truly do good is key. My point is, read those books that can give you the facts, enlighten and encourage your reasoning skills, you will also discover the awesome Grace that comes from understanding and loving another human being's spirit. (Hint: the Bible isn't one of them)

      October 15, 2010 at 4:39 pm | Report abuse |
    • You reap what you sow

      Depraved man-Carlos at it again. Preaching licentiousness. His truth is chaos...everyone does as it pleases. People are an objects to be trampled. Truth does not exist at all for you. You are what is called a cheerleader for satan. I believe you are of the worst kind: a gay, masonic, satanist.
      You hate family, parents, and women.
      Really in all fairness you should declare these short comings...so they know there are receiving illicit advice from one who is consumed by the darkside.

      October 15, 2010 at 6:48 pm | Report abuse |
    • You reap what you sow

      @Damien you are correct grace heals all things, and men cooperating with God's grace and wisdom does subdue evil. Carlos is evil and he spew misdirections all day long to the lost and confused. Leading souls away from the True Light toward darkness and perdition.

      October 15, 2010 at 8:23 pm | Report abuse |
    • You reap what you sow

      @Damien you are incorrect that people are born gay, adulterer, liars, thieves...babies are murdering and cussing. Children are naturally open and truth. Humanity is created good. Men have to choose to do evil. They know when they do evil because of shame, lies, denial, and to hide. Those who condone evil has no truth in them.

      October 15, 2010 at 8:35 pm | Report abuse |
    • Behavioral Science11577

      We are all born sinner and that is the reason for the New Testament. We all must be reborn again and embrce the Holy Spirit. It is eaiser living by the flesh than the Holy Spirit. Gay and all other sinners dismiss the Bible because it eases the mind to say it ok. Man has created science to give oppostion to the Bible. In the end I do not hate gays for God love all but he dislike the behavior. The book of Romans, Lot and the angels in Gensis, are a few examples. In the end its hard to leave friends for being alone. That is why the str8 world needs to embrace gays and not be mean to them. No one will even think about changing for people who have no respect for them. Dont hate the person, its the behavior that is the problem.

      October 15, 2010 at 10:55 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Jules

    No one has the right to tell you who to love or judge you by it...straight or gay

    October 15, 2010 at 3:42 pm | Report abuse |
    • You reap what you sow

      Jules you don't know love. You abuse love. You practice self-love: what pleases you and makes you happy.
      See 1Cor 6:12-20; 1 Cor 13:1-13.

      True Love is a virtue. It does not sin.

      October 15, 2010 at 6:59 pm | Report abuse |
  3. s

    No one has the right to tell you who to love or judge you by it. Except Republicans, fundamentalist Christians/Muslims and the military. HoorAY~

    October 15, 2010 at 4:10 pm | Report abuse |
    • You reap what you sow

      @s you hide behind your choice and a corrupted freedom. The freedom given to you is free will: to choose what is right. You abuse this freedom and redefine free will: to choose what is right and added to choose what is wrong; to do anything. To do anything with disregard for right assures the presence of wrong, evil, death, destruction, harm, confusion, conflict, injury, offends, suffering, enslaves, contradiction. People tell and judge all day long...you do this yourself. It an obligation to admonish the sinner. It is an act of charity. You people encourage one another's sinfulness.

      October 15, 2010 at 8:02 pm | Report abuse |
    • Nobama

      Here is the flaming gay S telling us not to judge while being judgemental...goi figure.

      October 21, 2010 at 4:36 am | Report abuse |
  4. Carlosblanco

    Would Jesus hate gays?

    October 15, 2010 at 4:24 pm | Report abuse |
    • jerry

      @carlos no JESUS would not hate gays he would love them but he would also tell them THE TRUTH people think that christians hate gas because we dissagree with their lifestyle its because #1 GOD says it is an abonination #2 it totally and completly goes agaist nature

      October 15, 2010 at 5:37 pm | Report abuse |
    • You reap what you sow

      Jesus hate sin. Yes he does hate sin. He never condone sin. He has told those who transgress not to sin no more.

      He hates gay acts and gay lifestyle. Gay acts and lifestyle is not allowed
      in heaven.

      Only saints are allowed in heaven.
      So what are you doing on earth to become a saint?

      He loves sinners. He called all sinners to repent: to turn away from sin. Gay acts and lifestyle is sinful in christainity, Jewish and Islam faith.
      No sinner is permitted in heaven.
      YOU ALL KNOW THIS!

      October 15, 2010 at 7:24 pm | Report abuse |
    • Nobama

      Yes, Jesus would hate gays! It is aginst God's law and the concept of survival. Are there any gay animals?

      October 21, 2010 at 4:34 am | Report abuse |
    • xdjbrwxv

      I1Kpwa birulansfesv

      October 20, 2011 at 9:40 am | Report abuse |
    • ilsyryjfaz

      ALdTUI ovugqomewoxv

      October 22, 2011 at 8:41 am | Report abuse |
  5. Delly

    @good job....It seems to me that our president believes God created gay people because he says "people are born with a certain of make up". WOW..that says a lot about him.

    October 15, 2010 at 6:29 pm | Report abuse |
    • You reap what you sow

      God created all people. To say he created gay people is an eroneous and a negative presumption of GOD'S GOODNESS. For God is good all the time and all the time God is good. People choose to be contrary to this goodness eg gay lifestyle. If Obama attended church moreso than rarely perhaps his conscience would be formed enough to make valid facts rather than erroneous opinions.

      October 15, 2010 at 7:12 pm | Report abuse |
    • Behavioral Science11577

      All it say is I need your vote. How do we not know it was an athesis that ask a question that knew the political correct answer was going to be given and that answer would assist in the the plan of the anti christ. The enemy has a lot of trick. Believers look past the surface and see things spiritually.

      October 15, 2010 at 11:05 pm | Report abuse |
  6. jerry

    you want to know what is funny a person comes out and says that he is gay and he is considered a hero and people say he is so brave but a person who comes out and says heis a born again christian and he is considered a heratic goes to show how perverse our generation is

    October 17, 2010 at 10:21 am | Report abuse |
  7. russinmaine

    What this guy thinks is generally determined by two factors, where we are in the election cycle, and what do the polls say I should think!

    October 18, 2010 at 9:48 am | Report abuse |
  8. Ted

    TOYING WITH THE GAYS".....Now that the elections are decided, Obama's Hate of Gays can come into play ( Muslims cut their heads off). Don't worry, 2012 is comming and Barry will revert to your most ardent supporter,Obama wants to turn America into a Moslem Nation, THEN...It's time for the very close shave..with a 3 foot Muslim Sword...Deserving of Course....

    October 20, 2010 at 3:00 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Nobama

    Have you completely lost your minds (like Obama) I choose to be gay when I feel like it; then I stop. Which one is really me? Get over it!

    October 21, 2010 at 4:24 am | Report abuse |
  10. Nobama

    Nice Person should change their name to STUPID PERSON. Go back to high school and start over, then you can grow up and be a real free-though adult. You brain dead libs (conditioned by brain-dead teachers) just scare me. Teachers! leave the (stupid) kids alone!! Nice Person is an idiot like all other teacher pets.

    October 21, 2010 at 4:30 am | Report abuse |
  11. The next Genetic Prof

    So I want say to much stupid people here in this blog(or whatve this is here)!

    October 29, 2010 at 10:38 am | Report abuse |
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