When someone says "I disapprove of/don't agree with homosexuality... but I'm not a bigot", what do they mean?

Question

What does "disapprove of" or "don't agree with" entail?

Is it a moral statement, as in they "don't agree" with it on moral grounds? If so, do most people claim that their "disapproval" is Biblically justified, or do they claim it's morally wrong because it's "against nature"?

Is it based on some negative notion of what a "homosexual lifestyle" is? If so, do most disapproving people have credible, peer reviewed research conducted by reputable individuals and/or organizations to back up their position?

And can it REALLY be said that these positions aren't intolerant or prejudiced?

Answer 1

What woud you say if someone said "I don't agree with interratial marraige, but I'm not a bigot"?

How about "I don't like Jews owning businesses, but I'm not a bigot".

What about "I wouldn't want my son / daughter marrying an indian but I'm not a bigot".

Deny it or not ... bigotry is bigotry.

Answer 2

Bigotry is (rightfully) considered taboo in our society. If someone makes a statement about homosexuality and then makes the disclaimer that they are not a bigot, it is their attempt to magically make the statement valid. I agree with Run James Run's analogy.

Also, many people who are against homosexuality for what they consider to be Biblically justified reasons feel that being gay is a verb. They attempt to separate the "act" from the person, thereby making it sinful and denying the possibility that homosexuality is more than just a sex act.
In the end it devalues and dehumanizes gay people. It is an intolerant, bigoted stance that has been sugarcoated. It's like the Arian racist who identifies him/herself as a "separatist".

Answer 3

I disapprove of Christianity, but I'm not hateful of Christians... I suppose it's the same thing for those who make a similar statement about homosexuality.

It's not my right to say what one person does is wrong unless it can be demonstrated to be wrong for some meaningful reason. I don't care to participate in certain actions that would classify me as a homosexual, does that mean i disapprove? Perhaps, but i am not about to tell them that they shouldn't do what feels like the right thing to do, whatever that may be... unless of course there is good demonstrable reason to.

Being aware of the gray areas in such matters is what keeps one from becoming dogmatic, and dogmatism is the root of prejudice. To each his own, and too all freedom within reason.

Answer 4

In my experience - which admittedly is confined to very well-educated people,so that's who I'm referring to - the phrase would suggest that they view homosexuality as a hormonal disorder,currently incorrectable - hence the individual homosexual would be deemed blameless. On the other hand,they would reject the idea (to which I subscribe) of homosexuality as within the range of normal human variation,rather like red hair - exceptional but not abnormal. In line with their view they would neither condemn the homosexual,argue for treatment - or endorse the idea of homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle. Persons with such views are aware they can offend gays by expressing them; hence if they have any sensitivity they are careful about saying such things around gays and lesbians,so I'll give them credit for that. Of course this is a secular view; if you are referring to attitudes projected from a religious standpoint,I will be frank and say I don't know where they are coming from.

Answer 5

Your not made up from a particular race so quit using a word like bigot for someone not in agreement with your morals or lack of. using the word the way you do one could just as easy say you were a bigot against Christians, which would be an incorrect usage also. When others say I disapprove of, it means just that, look it up.

Answer 6

It's like saying I completely disapprove of/disagree with you, your lifestyle, and everything you stand for. But, if I just come out and own my prejudices, I will be (rightfully) called a bigot. Therefore, I will assure you that I am not (really) a bigot. Maybe, in my mind, Blacks are ok, Jews are ok, even Muslims are ok, as long as all the men are sleeping only with the women and all the women are only sleeping with men.

Please, keep in mind, I am not saying this. I am merely describing what they are saying. I truly am not a bigot. I am only intolerant of hatred and intolerance.

Answer 7

Hmmm, that's an interesting observation. Can someone believe homosexuality is wrong, whether that's based on moral/religious views, or the general "against nature" idea (which is just plain wrong), and not be bigoted? The dictionary defines bigotry as intolerance or prejudice. So it seems to me that most people who believe homosexuality is "wrong," believe that based on ignorance of scientific research of homosexuality and prejudice about whether or not homosexuals can be people of faith. So basically, they may try to wriggle out of it, but it still boils down to bigotry.

Answer 8

I see it as intolerance or bigotry. For example, I am a hetrosexual, but that doesn't mean that I "disapprove" of homosexuality. It simply means that it's not my personal preference. If it's someone else's preference, that's fine with me. That's totally different than saying, I don't approve of homosexuality. The word "disapproval" shows judgment.

Answer 9

There's so much homophobia going around these days, it really is hard to tell. People have told me that they aren't prejudiced and then turn around and say the most horrible things about others. Maybe it's not just bigotry, maybe it's insecurity and fear as well. I mean, if THEY could just all of a sudden wake up and choose to be gay, could that happen to ME??? Just a guess.

Peace

Answer 10

While I can't speak for anyone other than myself, I do know that the Bible specifically says in Leviticus 18:22 "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
So it is a matter of fact that homosexuality is a violation of God's law, therefore it is something we are against. Sorry, but that is what it says. I personally have no other issue with gays, and have several friends who have chosen that lifestyle, but they also know my beliefs. I don't make it a habit of making an issue about it with them every time I see them. But I also have the right to view their lifestyle as unacceptable in the sight of God, and therefore something I want nothing to do with.

Answer 11

When they say they disagree with the lifestyle, they aren't saying they don't like homosexuals, they are only saying they don't agree with what they do. If you disagree with smoking, but your best friend smokes it doesn't mean you don't like your best friend, you just don't like smoking. They're are radicals out there that REALLY are against homosexuality but you will find extremists in almost everything. Don't judge everyone else by the extremes.