The Issue of Homosexuality

[Egyptian Phoenix]

Note- This is a political thread not a religious thread.

The question- Who does homosexuality hurt or in what way is it damaging to society that it should be determined as criminal or not by the government?

What grounds do politicians that oppose homosexuality have to justify using the legislative process to persecute gay people?

Remember- not a religious thread. What social problems do opponents of homosexuality feel that being gay creates?

[Levite]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

Note- This is a political thread not a religious thread.

The question- Who does homosexuality hurt or in what way is it damaging to society that it should be determined as criminal or not by the government?

What grounds do politicians that oppose homosexuality have to justify using the legislative process to persecute gay people?

Remember- not a religious thread. What social problems do opponents of homosexuality feel that being gay creates?

In a secular society, there can be no justification for homophobia of any kind. In a pluralistic or tolerant society, there is little enough justification for personal homophobia, and none for institutionalized homophobia.

The only arguments for institutionalizing or officially tolerating homophobia arise from religious fundamentalism mixing itself into politics.

[bobhikes]

If homosexuality is only selected by genes and can not be influenced by actions there is no issue.

If homosexuality can be influenced by actions then it can create a great harm to the younger generations.

I am not qualified to make that decision so I error toward caution.

[Penumbra]

Originally Posted by Levite

In a secular society, there can be no justification for homophobia of any kind. In a pluralistic or tolerant society, there is little enough justification for personal homophobia, and none for institutionalized homophobia.

The only arguments for institutionalizing or officially tolerating homophobia arise from religious fundamentalism mixing itself into politics.

^This.

[Storm]

Originally Posted by bobhikes

If homosexuality is only selected by genes and can not be influenced by actions there is no issue.

If homosexuality can be influenced by actions then it can create a great harm to the younger generations.

Such as?

I am not qualified to make that decision so I error toward caution.

Caution would be not trampling civil rights, don't you think?

[Tarheeler]

I agree with Levite.

If we are going to insist on a secular government that is based on equality and freedom, then there is no choice but to support same-sex marriage at the same level as heterosexual marriage.

And in this type of society, while people should always be free to exercise their personal beliefs, they should also strongly advocate for equal rights for all groups.

My rabbi is actually an excellent example of this; during the recent campaign for "Amendment One", which creates a constitutional ban to gay marriage in NC, he came out very strongly against the amendment and in support of legalizing gay marriage even though he personally sees it as not quite right.

[fallingblood]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

Note- This is a political thread not a religious thread.

The question- Who does homosexuality hurt or in what way is it damaging to society that it should be determined as criminal or not by the government?

What grounds do politicians that oppose homosexuality have to justify using the legislative process to persecute gay people?

Remember- not a religious thread. What social problems do opponents of homosexuality feel that being gay creates?

The grounds is usually a religious one. The fall back is that the Bible condemns it, so it must be the truth. There are many problems with that, but it is convincing for many.

The other grounds is that it is dangerous. As in it can cause others to seek the same depraved actions which would one day lead to the dying off of the population. Or it would spread sexual diseases, and increase promiscuity. A little research shows how ridiculous such ideas are, but it doesn't stop some from believing it.

That or at the basic, they are in the minority so anyone different can't be squashed.

Either way though, the justification isn't one based out of research and logic. It is based out of prejudice, so they can really defend it in any illogical way they want as they already hold the belief.

[Gharib]

Originally Posted by Levite

In a secular society, there can be no justification for homophobia of any kind. In a pluralistic or tolerant society, there is little enough justification for personal homophobia, and none for institutionalized homophobia.

The only arguments for institutionalizing or officially tolerating homophobia arise from religious fundamentalism mixing itself into politics.

I disagree with this statement.

There are many secular states which do not recognize same sex marriage. Denial of same sex couple rights is homophobia.

[DreadFish]

The reason is an obvious one. I heard a politician clearly note that, if we start to let people marry people of the same sex, next we'll have to let people marry animals too! Then, inanimate objects!

If that's not a logical reason for secular banning of homosexual marriage, then I've never heard one.

[Levite]

Originally Posted by eselam

There are many secular states which do not recognize same sex marriage. Denial of same sex couple rights is homophobia.

Yes, and my point is that there is no justification for it. Not that it never occurs in secular states, but that when it does occur in secular states, it is inherently and insupportably unjust.