What is homophobia?

Question

A "phobia" is an irrational fear of something. Yet often we hear the word "homophobia" banded about towards anybody who simply disagrees with homosexual practice - whether that's from a moral or religious viewpoint.

I know that a lot of unwarranted hatred is directed towards gay and lesbian people (and please - no 'gaybashing' in your answers else you will be reported to Y!AT) but is it possible to believe that homosexual practice is wrong without being called homophobic?

Politically, I think the Tories are wrong (and evil!) but I wouldn't dream of hurting a Tory or denying them a right to exist or promote Tory values and beleifs; and nobody calls me Toryphobic.

So why is anybody who beleives homosexual practice is wrong labelled homophobic?

Answer 1

One word we don't hear very often is "Christophobia" - but I believe we are experiencing that in England at the moment.

The BBC have got their knickers in a twish because a newsreader wears a crucifix - offensive to other faiths.

Local Councils are banning "Christmas" celebrations - offensive to other faiths.

Churches can't put posters for events in local library notice boards - offensive to other faiths.

At the end of the day, nobody from other faiths are offended by people wearing crucifixes while reading the news, they are not offended by Christmas celebrations and they don't object to posters promoting events being put in local libraries.

So why are all these things being banned? I beleive it is Christophobic behaviour. For example - the newsreader and the crucifix. The BBC say that it is wrong for people watching the news to receive "hidden messages" from religious symbols being worn. Does that mean that a male Sikh would never be allowed to read the news on the BBC?

What has that got to do with the question?

Well, while you have councils banning Christian leaflets and posters from libraries; when an elderly Christian couple compained about this and pointed out that leaflets for a gay and lesbian group were allowed the council sent the police to the elderly couple's house to "re-educate" them.

And a Christian minister (not very good ambasador for the churches) who peacefully handed out biblical leaflets at a gay pride march was arrested by the police and taken to the cells.

We now have a situation where you are not allowed to think that homosexual practice might be wrong - because if you do the police will come and pay you a visit.

That frightens me - not homosexuality, but the thought police in action.

There are too many people who abuse and assult gay and lesbian people and I am not condoning that for one bit. But if a person honestly beleives that the Bible paints a clear picture of how God intends human relationships to be; and that person aims to follow biblical principles for his or her own life; then surely that person is entitled to beleive that homosexual practice is wrong. Regardless of the label put on him.

Answer 2

Homophobia is like alot of labels, over used and misunderstood. Yes, sometimes people use homophobia as a way of side stepping a debate on homosexuality, much as people might use texts from the bible to warrant their own beliefs. To have a phobia is to have an irrational fear of something and when someone blindly argues the case against homosexuality and refuses to accept anyone else's arguments however rational or measured, then in those circumstances it is right to use the term homophobic.
The point is debating the issue of homosexuality is sometimes to suggest that a possible rational outcome is that homosexuality is wrong. There is no way that is true or can be a valid argument, homosexuality is no threat to society or any moral values, it is part of being more honest with who we are as people. However I stray from the point and that is homophobia is not an accurate term to use when someone disagrees with homosexuality, but it is accurate when they become irrational and almost obsessive in their negative judgment on homosexuality.

Answer 3

Homophobia is a fear of homosexuals, it sux to be so rotten and hateful. It is not Godly. I love everyone, though. I don't care what someone does, love is love. Peace.

Answer 4

two reasons.
1. we as a society like to label people. everybody has a label. I think its a way that we as humans learn to accept people. Instead of being offended we say "oh he's just a homophobe".

2. The most vocal people do tend to be acutal homophobes in disquise and so people who are for homosexuality (among other persecuted groups) can generalize.

Answer 5

Those who toss "homophobia" around assume that all anti-gay feelings are based on "fear" of homosexuals. Fear because they're different, or even worse, fear that I might be just a little bit gay!

The truth is, there are a lot of homophobes out there - people who truly fear their own sexual insecurities and see them brought to life by homosexuals.

There are also a lot of us who believe all sex outside of marriage is wrong. Of course, because we may also buy into this whole "Bible" thing, and we know that was written by a bunch of homophobes - that makes us homophobes too. ;-)

Answer 6

Now I could go on and on about how to explain what homophobia but I will make it short and I speak for every gay man including my self "HOMOPHOBES ARE DICKHEADS

Answer 7

I do. And I do not hate gays, or am scared of them as I like pussy. I have never said anywhere in my posts about killing them or any other hate crap like those other two. My questions are serious and I do think it is wrong and needs to be addressed as a world issue.

BTW reporting dosen't seem to do much to stop the haters, yes?

Answer 8

I agree with you that because a person disagrees or isagainst homosexual practices this does not make them homophobic nor does it make them an irrational person nor does it make them a gay basher nor does it make them a person whose views should not be taken and treated seriously.

What I object to are ignorant, hateful and stupid stuff--which I object to in any context.

As to your comment about reporting things. I was surprised to see that in your comment. You seem to be an intelligent person. Don't you think it is a little silly for anyone to be running off to Mommy Yahoo? To me this is being a tattletale. I would never do it. It is my belief that with free and uncensored speech the truth prevails. We do not need Yahoo to monitor it for us.

Answer 9

Well, when you put it that way, it seems like we're over using the term. Plus, I can't see how you can or can't agree with someone's sexuality. I can understand if you don't swing that way, but other wise...

Answer 10

I think it is because the gays are being used by the communists... they don't come out and say it.. but you can see the similarities.... and not all gays... don't get me wrong.... just the militant ones....
I still do not know any gay person that wants to get married.... that's why they turned gay in the first place.... marriage is the furthest thing in their mind... only the ones that do are outspoken and 'think' they speak for all, but not really...
this is the same in the communist movement. The start of the communist movement is to get rid of any religion then attack the family unit... and that's how they are doing it... by using the gay people as a front...
I know this must sound like the conspiracy theories and the like but I really think this is what is happening to the gays... they are being used by the militant gays and the communists...