The End of Homophobia
by Rahul ~ October 29th, 2008. Filed under: Analysis.
At the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, the conservative senator Stephen Douglas wielded racist sentiment like a katana. Lincoln was rather ambivalent toward the issue of slavery, only opposing it because of the instability of the slave system. Nevertheless, Douglas capitalized on the prejudices of the American public of the age, and went as far as to say that Lincoln was…
anti-slavery?
150 years ago, abolitionism was a radical fringe movement. In the white-centric society, few stood up for the rights of the slave-drivers’ “property”.
Even 50 years ago, civil rights took center stage. In the conservative former slave-states, previously unquestionable Black codes and Jim Crow laws that dominated the scene for a hundred years were put into question.
Now, of course, we live in a world where racial equality is a basic right guaranteed under the law (unfortunately, not always in practice). The thought of racial discrimination is worrisome for most, and slavery is positively repulsive. Scientific advances, such as the elucidation of inheritance principles, have morphed our society into one where discrimination on the basis of immutable genetic traits is unjust. Race is one of these genetic trates, mental capacity is another, and disease is a third.
Stepping back for a second, we can see that societies tend to become more liberal as time goes on. Discrimination based on race and other genetic factors, once considered part of the natural order, is now more or less gone (or at worst, not publicly displayed).
Today’s main civil rights debate is that of sexual orientation. Homosexuality in ages past was (and in some places, still is) taboo. Homosexuals have historically been discriminated against with society’s most brutal treatments - ostracization, and in some cases, reeducation or execution.
Clearly, the treatment of homosexuals has improved exponentially over the past few decades. However, there is one hurdle remaining to complete equality: marriage.
The trump card for advocates of homosexual rights - and therefore, civil rights - is slowly being revealed, though. Scientists studying the Drosophila fruit fly last year found that they could turn homosexuality on and off by modifying a gene. While the results are only preliminary, they do suggest that homosexuality has a genetic basis. Hopefully, as further research is done into this, it will strike the death blow for anti-gay marriage campaigns. If homosexuality really is genetic (which, judging by these results, it does seem to be), then discrimination of any kind by virtue of sexual orientation will die.
Nevertheless, as time goes on, chances are, all opposition to gay and lesbian rights will phase out, regardless of scientific study. If past history is any indicator, then as history progresses, we will see society slowly progress as well. Harmful tradition and prejudice are always fighting a losing battle against time. Though conservatives might be able to delay the inevitable, the truth - everything that is right and just - will always go marching on.
Stay tuned over the next week for my take on a hilariously misguided campaign: “Protect Marriage”, which aims to ban gay marriage in California.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Why, in 50 years, being opposed to same-sex marriage will carry the same stigma as being racist today.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
To bulgarian solicitors: “Why, in 50 years, being opposed to same-sex marriage will carry the same stigma as being racist today.”
I believe it already carries the same stigma - then again, perhaps I’m just ahead of my time? It’s sad that we can’t just learn from history and realize that any discrimination is just plain wrong. If voting on the “issue” of same sex marriage is allowed, why can’t we vote on the “issue” of heterosexual marriages? Can you imagine if you replaced “same sex marriage” with “heterosexual marriage” in any of the bills that are passed? Or to try to make it illegal for heterosexual couples to adopt? It’s just plain logic and reason.
I’m a straight female and I’m mad as hell that my fellow citizens are being discriminated against. We really must stand tall and DEMAND equal rights for all.
March 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Dude, this is the thing…
Many make the claim that the issues revolving around gay marriage now is synonymous to the issue of racial discrimination in the past, but that is a fallacy in regards to the Christian faith.
Christianity does not advocate racism. In the past, there have been Christians who actually defended slavery — I believe they were wrong. Dead wrong. That doesn’t mean they weren’t my brothers and sisters in Christ, that they didn’t receive salvation according to the faith, but Christianity does not antagonize the belief that racism is wrong (because it IS wrong).
However, in the Bible, it says homosexuality is a sin. If people don’t believe that, then they contradict Sola Scriptura (that the Bible is the Word of God, inspired and inerrant), and if they don’t believe in Sola Scriptura, one must wonder if they are true Christians that will be saved according to true theology.
Honestly? As a Christian, I’m struggling with this issue. I can understand the Ten Commandments. I can believe that worshiping other idols is a sin. I can believe murder is a sin. I can believe lying is a sin. I can believe stealing, coveting, committing adultery, and even desiring to do so are sinful. Yet, why is it, that two men, or two women, that genuinely and honestly lover each other, can be a sin? What’s morally questionable about that? Is it so simple as that God made woman for man and man for woman and contradicting that is a sin? Maybe it is. Maybe Christianity is a false religion, a tragic deceiver of untold millions.
I simply want to share this insight, that the issue of gay marriage is going to have a significant barrier that the fight for civil rights did not have to overcome, and that is the opposition of true believers in the Christian faith.
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:00 am
[...] April 22, 2009 · No Comments The End of Homophobia [...]
May 7th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Just because you all as christians believe it is wrong due to the fact that it is in the bible does not mean others who dont follow your faith should believe it too. If you don’t think a man and a man or a woman and a woman should marry then all you christian gays stay unmarried. But leave the option open for everyone else since, after all, America is SUPPOSED to welcome all faiths and beliefs.
May 14th, 2009 at 9:39 am
1. Not all Christians believe homosexuality is wrong, or a sin (when the Bible says it is), and those who call themselves Christian homosexuals are actually contradicting Scripture. I don’t approve of their homosexuality and I would tell them they are making a mistake if they believed homosexuality was compatible with the faith, because it’s actually a sin.
2. The point of my comment wasn’t to tell people who aren’t Christians that they should believe homosexuality is wrong, now, was it? My main insight is that abolition of slavery and the fight for civil rights is not the same as supporting gay marriage.
3. I’m more than grateful to live in a country where I won’t be executed by the government for following my faith, but all Christians should hold a Christian worldview. I am Christian first, American second, and that requires me to boldly proclaim the Gospel and do what is right, no matter if it conflicts with secular government or not. If a Christian believes abortion is murder and that homosexuality is wrong and wants to shut down abortion clinics and deny gays the right to marry, others will perceive him as anti-right, judgmental, bigoted, intolerant, arrogant, or stupid (and sometimes, they’re right, as in the case of Shirley Roper), but in actuality, that person is living out his faith and trying to fight for what he believes is the truth. He has no choice but to call out evil when he sees it as evil, and must act on it, regardless of what the government says, regardless of the General Will, regardless of whether or not he will be put to the death for it.
The Christian cannot be politically correct. “Not Christian, not gay, just accepting”? I can’t be Christian and accept what I believe is wrong in the eyes of God and let it be.
July 20th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Interesting blog post. What would you say was the most important NLP factor?
August 30th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
How did it cost to start up this blog…I want to start my own.