Why is being gay bad? (Part II)

[oberon]

Okay, I've done this topic before, but there have been a rash of comments in the news lately that make me want to ask it again. Comments such as Coulter's f***t remark about John Edwards, Tim Hardaway- a basketball player- who said in a radio interview, "I hate gay people" and most recently Marine Gen. Pace who said at a press conference, "Homosexuality is immoral". (I can, if necessary, provide links to these stories.)

What I have to ask is, what is so wrong with homosexuality? I've yet to receive a decent answer. Now, I'm not going to say you have to keep religion completely out of the discussion, but if you're going to use it, then I want more than... because the Great Moo said so.... Give me reasons why. For example, the Bible says that murder is wrong. However, I can make a case for murder being wrong without resorting to saying, "The Bible say so."

Anyone??

[sera300]

It's not bad. They are ignorant people who lack any sensitivity.

[foxdan]

Originally Posted by sera300

It's not bad. They are ignorant people who lack any sensitivity.

Hear Hear!!!!
Do what is right for you and what you feel
Other people’s opinions must not mater
They just don’t understand (I don’t comprehend it because I am not that way inclined but then some people can’t understand why I jump out of a good airplanes for fun)

[Shyguy151]

The only thing that makes it wrong is the ignorance of the world and the people that are scared to try new things. I believe some people are born with their homosexuality. Some just like variety in their life and there is nothing wrong with that. I suppose these people that quote the bible are perfect and never indulge in variety in anything in their lives, right? People need to learn to mind their own business, or if their going to worry, worry about something important.

[Brandye]

For nearly fifty years the data have been accumulating indicating that male homosexuality is genetically determined. Similar data for women has been showing up more recently. The unquestioned homosexuals are almost definitely wired that way, meaning that it is completely natural behaviour. For those of us who are bi-, there seems to be some learned behaviour as well as some genetic predisposition.

More women than men "learn" and random incidents of same sex behaviour seem more common in womens' residences (at schools, for instance) than in mens'. Either way, it is difficult to justify gay-bashing except for a basis in religious teaching and cultural learning.

"-isms" have always been with us; always will be; hateful behaviour is hateful behaviour no matter what the basis and I, for one, reject much religious teaching based upon the grounding offered to those who wish to hate.

[Old Kid]

This may be off topic but my dad who is 95 now (bless his heart) has done a lot of reading in his years. He is also a retired school teacher and on some days, sharper mentally than me. He has told me many times that more wars have been fought over religion than for any other reason. Makes ya wonder.

[Sirene]

Originally Posted by oberon

Okay, I've done this topic before, but there have been a rash of comments in the news lately that make me want to ask it again. Comments such as Coulter's f***t remark about John Edwards, Tim Hardaway- a basketball player- who said in a radio interview, "I hate gay people" and most recently Marine Gen. Pace who said at a press conference, "Homosexuality is immoral". (I can, if necessary, provide links to these stories.)

What I have to ask is, what is so wrong with homosexuality? I've yet to receive a decent answer. Now, I'm not going to say you have to keep religion completely out of the discussion, but if you're going to use it, then I want more than... because the Great Moo said so.... Give me reasons why. For example, the Bible says that murder is wrong. However, I can make a case for murder being wrong without resorting to saying, "The Bible say so."

Anyone??

Maybe it's down to to how us humans are meant to be?
In tune with evolution, we're meant to spread our seed, to keep ourselves going. To keep our DNA, & the human race going.
Gay people cannot do this. If everyone were gay, the human race would end.
I personally have nothing against it. Im just philosophizing I guess.

Maybe it's just an inbuilt thing for people to think it's bad for the above mentioned reason? It might just really go that deep into our phyche.

[DVDBear]

Originally Posted by Sirene

Maybe it's down to to how us humans are meant to be?
In tune with evolution, we're meant to spread our seed, to keep ourselves going. To keep our DNA, & the human race going.
Gay people cannot do this. If everyone were gay, the human race would end.
I personally have nothing against it. Im just philosophizing I guess.

Maybe it's just an inbuilt thing for people to think it's bad for the above mentioned reason? It might just really go that deep into our phyche.

Nah, it's just bigotry. It's the same reasoning as hating someone for race, religion, whatever is different. For the people that need to justify their generalized rage, it gives them a reason.

I don't think it goes any deeper than that.

[sera300]

I have little tolerance for people who cannot be open minded about other's who are different then themselves; furthermore, if someone does not agree with the way another is living their lives, so be it, but keep it to yourself at that point.

One prime example is my brother, we have had arguments to every extent about this. I hate his opinion about homosexuality and bisexuality; I have many times tried to get to the root of why he finds it so disturbing yet it has no bearing on his life. All I can get during an argument from him is similar to what Sirene points out as a potential scenario.

During our arguments/fights he states; it's against nature, it's not natural, humans are intended to reproduce, and the feelings can be suppressed. I nearly wish to disown him when he voices his opinions. Is he hateful towards gays? No, he just believes it's unnatural and some of his friends are gay. It's not based on a religious objection, it's not an opinion which is shared by anyone in my family, or by his friends. I can only surmise it's from him being narrow minded and ignorant. He also believes that men are not intended to be monogamous, it's against nature, since he believes it's inherent to spread the seed to reproduce, as if it's an innate right. He believes men choose to be monogamous but it's against nature.

I also believe when individuals enter religious convictions into the equation it's a guise to hide behind, rather then standing on their personal beliefs or having to form a belief. I am Christian and I am a Catholic; I denounce the Church's beliefs on many topics and this is one. If you are to be truly a Christian, it's accepting people for who they are and loving them just the same; therefore, I view this religious mentality as bigotry.

Why do I feel strongly homosexuality and bisexuality should be accepted? I have been married twice now. My first husband was bi; I found out after we were married. Why did we divorce? His emotional & physical attachment was stronger to his bf then it was to me and he admitted it always would be. If his family, friends, and co-workers accepted his lifestyle he would have been able to be open and honest rather then conceal it for fear of rejection. As upsetting as it was for me, it caused him anguish beyond belief and he was torn. We have remained friends over the years, the hardest part for me was watching him and his self destructive behavior; excessive drinking, indifference, and unsafe "hook-ups" to satisfy his sexual needs.

The statements made by the mentioned individuals in the original post, I can only attribute to ignorance, insensitivity, and emotional weakness. Obviously they have no empathy for people as human beings; therefore, I would love them to spend a few weeks at work with me. Let them view the emotional discourse which many suffer as a result of their "rejected" sexuality. Furthermore, they should get to see & know those who are plagued with illness from HIV. Many of these patients contracted the disease prior to much medical knowledge of the diseases existence. They should take care of the sweet and kind man who developed complications of HIV, thrush in his mouth, to such an extent his tongue was so infected it literally came off. When I called a surgeon to come in to repair it, all refused with the exception of one--one who was also gay. When you see and care for these patients day in and day out; they are no different then a heterosexual, merely their sexual orientation is different then mine. They are humans with hearts, perhaps those who have such an ignorant opinion should be aware of the reality, stop preaching from their soap boxes, and develop a heart.

[Chino]

I will never believe the argument about it being in man's nature to spread his seed for procreation (which I do believe is true for alpha males...myself included) being a basis for labeling homosexuality as "different". If anything, why not point to the data that brandye is mentioning as a potentially natural method of population control? Reproductive changes happen in species of animals all over the world as a way to control the numbers in any given herd or pack so as to not out number their access to food or cause them to be a better target for predators. Additionally, I believe a study in the UK a few years back determined that humans had shown changes in in the number of males vs females born during the Great Depression era in the US.

Another thought on this is that if we are to believe that men *should* be hard-wired to spread their seed, it would also be true that it is in every woman's nature to have sex with as many men as possible to ensure fertilization. If you want to get really animalistic about it, monogamy would be just as "against nature", in my opinion, as homosexuality.

I believe in Kinsey's sliding scale of sexuality and I also believe in not judging those things that do not effect you.