Well, the statistics are all there from non-Christian, "un-biased" (everyone has a bias) researchers that can do nothing else but point to these high risks among the LGBT community, but I quickly found that it would be almost counter-intuitive to use these statistics, based off the researchers conclusions. Basically, they universally pointed to homophobic bullying, discrimination, and intolerance of the gay lifestyle as the reason for the high rates of depression and suicide--not the lifestyle itself.
Is such an analysis fair though? For example, smoking is a great evil in our society today, because it has been proven to be unhealthy. It can lead to lung cancer, and you will die on average 1 to 7 years earlier than your non-smoking peers. However, research shows that those who engage in the homosexual lifestyle on average die 24 years earlier than their heterosexual peers! (more on that argument by following this link)
We wouldn't say that discrimination against smokers has caused them to die earlier. Their lifestyle is unhealthy and is the cause! So why can't we even dare suggest the same with the immensely more dangerous lifestyle of homosexuals or transgendered people? After all, LGBT teens are somewhere between 2 and 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than "straight" teens, homosexual men account for 2% of the population but 67% of all new HIV diagnoses according to the CDC, and 35-40% of transgender or sexually confused people struggle with suicidal thoughts, to name a few statistics.
Another interesting point: "White" people are almost three times as likely to commit suicide than "black" people, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which noted:
"In 2015, the highest U.S. suicide rate (15.1) was among Whites and the second highest rate (12.6) was among American Indians and Alaska Natives (Figure 5). Much lower and roughly similar rates were found among Hispanics (5.8), Asians and Pacific Islanders (6.4), and Blacks (5.6)."
African Americans are actually at the bottom of this list! This would seem to fly directly in the face of the argument that it is discrimination rather than lifestyle that leads to suicidal thoughts and depression.
It's time for researchers to be honest about their findings. We need to be able to use these statistics to help avert the growing crisis among the LGBT community. As this study of the accepting culture of Denmark vs the less tolerant USA pointed out, more support and acceptance of their lifestyle will not help the levels of depression and suicide among homosexuals or bisexuals. There has got to be a different alternative that will help the LGBT community.
As a Christian, I believe that we are hard-wired to live the way God created us to. When we try to live outside of God's design, it is detrimental to us. It can only lead to unfulfilled, wanting lives. Homosexuality is clearly a lifestyle apart from God's plan. It won't fulfill you; It will leave you empty and depressed. There is hope, though, in Jesus Christ. If He becomes the center of your life--if He becomes your Lord and Savior--you can find healing and joy! He offers life, and life abundantly! As He says in John 10:10: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
We as Christians need to lovingly confront the world with the Gospel. It may be counter cultural, but how could we see the high rate of depression and suicide among any group and not seek to offer them hope?
So take heart, and stand for truth.
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous[will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
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