?Homosexuality is an abnormal function that is not intended by God.? This view was expressed to Flair by Pastor Richard Keane, at the Family Church on the Rock in Montego Bay.

He further stated that Jesus can cure all diseases and disorders, both of the body and mind. He can change desires once you become righteousl with His Word and by practising righteous habits.

Pastor Keane notes that we are born man or woman but he does not believe that anyone is born a homosexual. ?There is always the tendency to sin but we are the one who make that choice.?

He pointed out that there might be things that influence our choices but you have to make the choice.

But, he said, the power of Christ enables us to make the right choice and not just do something that feels good. ?If you understand what you are doing is wrong in the eyes of God and you believe in Him, all you need to do is ask Him to strengthen you to make the correct decision.?

A straight man's view:

Thomas Blakedoes not see eye to eye with the pastor because he believes homosexuals cannot be cured.

?Once you cross the line, there is no turning back. It is not like a menu choice where you simply select fish or chicken today and tomorrow you decide that you want beef,? he said.

He further stated: ?I believe homosexuals are sick. Some of us have learnt to tolerate their choice but we don?t accept it because it goes against all things in the the Bible, even the natural order of life.?

Sex therapist view:

Dr. Sidney McGill, sex therapist, told Flair that before concluding whether or not a homosexual is curable, you have to look at the causes of their sexual orientation ? the nature-nurture continuum, whether it is as a result of biogenetic or psychosocial influence. Biogenetic may be hormonal or genetics playing a role in their sexual orientation. On the other hand, psychosocial depends on their environment, community, influences, or if they were abused as a child.

He notes that looking at Diagnosis & Statistical Manual (Dsm 4), homosexuality is not seen as a disorder. Therefore, it should not be treated as such. In the scientific community, it is seen as a natura lifestyle.

?However, from my perspective, if a homosexual comes in for treatment because he/she is unsatisfied with his/her homoerotic feelings and wants to change that feelings, then as a counsellor, it is my job to help him/her do that?.

Unresolved conflicts

He pointed out that female homosexuals tend to have unresolved conflicts with paternal figures. If they want to change, firstly they first need to resolve the conflict between them and their father or significant male figure. Also, they have to reduce the generalisation that all men are evil.

Dr. McGill continues: ?If you understand a human being, then it is clear that there are some behaviours and inclinations that can be deeply ingrained.

?A lot depends on the reason for their homosexuality. If it is due largely to psychosocial influence, then the prognosis for change is much better than if it is genetics.? He added that if their sexuality is as a result of hormonal or genetics orientation, then clearly, the ingrained inclination would be very difficult to change.

His personal belief is that most cases, both psychosocial and biogenetics, play a role in a person being a homosexual.

Names changed to protect the identity.

Consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Anthony E. Allen, notes that neither the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of the American Association (DSM 4) or the international classification of disease considers homosexuality an illness.

He pointed out that there is no research that shows that homosexuals have more physical or emotional illnesses than those who do not partake in that type of lifestyle.

Dr. Allen notes that illness or dysfunction is often determined by the person?s cultural background. What may be an illness in one culture, may not be in the next. Usually, when a culture identifies a dysfunction it identifies a cure. This is a view that is also held by cultural anthropologists.

Dr. Allen says that in the Christian faith it would be held that God would have the power to transform a homo-sexual. However, there is a spilt in the Christian community about whether or not a homosexual lifestyle is God?s will.

?There are those who hold the view that it is not God?s desire but it?s also not enough to just state that God can transform such a person to a life of celibacy or a hetero-sexual lifestyle. Just to say it is wrong is a condemnatory approach. One should go beyond that to a healing approach,? said Dr. Allen.