Our Platform for Outlining Colorado’s Future

a) Unstated Assumptions Required to Accept and Reject this Belief Accept: Sexual orientation, while not a choice, arises from a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences (saying it is "complex" may be problematic. It is not complex for many people, who knew from a very young age that they were gay). Modern scientific methods and studies are reliable and accurate in identifying these biological differences. Reject: Sexual orientation is a choice and has no biological determinants. Current scientific studies and methods are not reliable or conclusive in establishing these biological differences. b) Alternative Ways of Saying the Same Thing: Biological factors contribute to sexual orientation. There are physiological variances between gays and heterosexuals. c) Objective Criteria for Assessing the Validity of this Belief: Peer-reviewed scientific research and studies. The consensus among the scientific community. d) Most Common Shared Interests or Valu...

Alternative ways of saying the same thing: "It's hard to distinguish personal needs from spiritual experiences." "Divine feelings might be influenced by personal psychology." Objective Criteria for Assessing the Validity of this Belief: Comparative studies of religious experiences, studies on the psychology of belief, personal testimonies. Unstated assumptions: Agreement Assumes psychological factors can explain all spiritual experiences. Disagreement Divine experiences are outside of the realm of psychological explanation. Reasons to agree : +1 People who were raised in the church are going to have good feelings when thinking about staying in the church their parents friends, and family are in. These feelings naturally arise from friends, family, and tradition; independently of the truthfulness of the church. When you add in the confirmation bias, fear of change, and a desire to have answers and purpose in life, it is a wonder that anyone ever leaves.  +2: Cogn...