Intentional Dissonance -
A story about an addiction to Sadness. From the author of the popular blog, `I Wrote This For You.`
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Sunday, 9 November 2014
quote [ "Arguing that gayness is as genetically fixed as race might have bolstered our rhetoric a few years ago, but is it necessary to argue that way now? I understand that the genetic argument for homosexuality is a direct response to the tired 'You weren?t born that way' rhetoric of religious people. But in my opinion, we could strip that religious argument of much of its power if we responded like this: 'Maybe I wasn?t born this way. Now tell me why you think that matters.'" ]
My comments in the extended. Headline is shocking, but read the full article. It is an interesting argument and I hope it results in some insightful discussions.
Don't know what to think of this, but the author's opinion is as worthy of time and consideration as anyone else's in the community. While a single gay author obviously cannot speak for all gay people, I also can't tell him he's being gay wrong. Whatever any of us may think, he has a right to his own thoughts and feelings about his identity, and we should consider them. So let's have at it, shall we?
It seems the difference here is whether one can feel they own their sexual identity or like it was foisted on them. It appears to be a false dilemma; the issue here is really bigots and how they respond. If being gay is not a choice, then homophobes treat it as a disease; if it is a choice, then it's a sin. The result is condescending either way. Perhaps the choice/not choice thing is a farce, an attempt to placate a bigoted group we need not concern ourselves with. It distracts us from the fundamental issue that some people are being treated shitty; arguing why they are being treated shitty or if it's ok completely misses the point. Obviously it isn't ok to treat people badly. Curious what SE thinks. "Same Love" official video for anyone who hasn't heard it yet. I was surprised to hear this song played so much on the radio even in conservative towns. This new generation, man, they give me hope.
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robotroadkill said @ 4:11pm GMT on 9th November
The point is to get religious fundamentalists to back off the 'homosexuality is a sin' argument so that we they can accept equal rights for all. If you can't choose who/what sexually or romantically arouses you (i'd like to hear how the author is apparently able to do this) then it's natural, you aren't actively trying to disobey god, and maybe some people are just gay and that's that. You have to argue with crazy on their level. Sure, in a perfect world it wouldn't matter if its a choice or not, and we'd all be open minded and let people live however they do. But we have to deal with the world as it is, not as it should be and i think an article would give fundamentalists ammo we don't want them to have. It's too easy for nonbelievers like me to forget how powerful the idea of hell is to the fundamentalist, and how to not fight against something 'evil' is considered implicit approval.
Oh, and the reason we care about their opinion is because they vote, i should add. Beyond that no one should give a fuck about what they think.
<-- Entry / Current Comment
robotroadkill said @ 4:07pm GMT on 9th November
The point is to get religious fundamentalists to back off the 'homosexuality is a sin' argument so that we they can accept equal rights for all. If you can't choose who/what sexually or romantically arouses you (i'd like to hear how the author is apparently able to do this) then it's natural, you aren't actively trying to disobey god, and maybe some people are just gay and that's that. You have to argue with crazy on their level. Sure, in a perfect world it wouldn't matter if its a choice or not, and we'd all be open minded and let people live however they do. But we have to deal with the world as it is, not as it should be and i think an article would give fundamentalists ammo we don't want them to have. It's too easy for nonbelievers like me to forget how powerful the idea of hell is to the fundamentalist, and how to not fight against something 'evil' is considered implicit approval.
Oh, and the reason we care about their opinion is because they vote, i should add. Beyond that no one should give a fuck about what they think.
