"homophobia" term

[Robinsegg]

Hi!
I'd like to find out about the term "homophobia". You see, I always thought a phobia was "an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation" http://www.webster.com/dictionary/phobia

Such as
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/agoraphobia
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/arachnophobia

Therefore, why would people speak of those with a disagreement with homosexuals as "homophobic"?: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals http://www.webster.com/dictionary/homophobia

I'm talking about simple disagreement, not discrimination, crimes or hate speech against the people, but verbal disagreement with the action, stance or position of the people.

Thanks,
Rachel

 

[selfinflikted]

Ignorance can oft be the cause of irrational "fear" or behavior (i.e. disagreement). There is no reason for anyone to be so ignorant of such a pervasive issue, when the information is literally at your fingertips. Knowledge breeds understanding and acceptance.

 

[Robinsegg]

I'm sorry, I think I must be misunderstanding you. It sounds like you're saying that if I disagree with homosexual behavior and think it's wrong that I'm ignorant on the subject and being irrational. If I become more infomed, I'll stop disagreeing with it and accept it as acceptable, normal behavior. That's not really what you're trying to say, is it?

Rachel

 

[Zaac]

Hi!
I'd like to find out about the term "homophobia". You see, I always thought a phobia was "an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation" http://www.webster.com/dictionary/phobia

Such as
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/agoraphobia
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/arachnophobia

Therefore, why would people speak of those with a disagreement with homosexuals as "homophobic"?: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals http://www.webster.com/dictionary/homophobia

I'm talking about simple disagreement, not discrimination, crimes or hate speech against the people, but verbal disagreement with the action, stance or position of the people.

Thanks,
Rachel

Robinsegg, I have often asked the same question. People's retort is often, "Oh you're a homophobe" or "you're homophobic." My response is always the same. "Ain't nobody scared of no homosexuals."

If you're gonna be scared, might as well be scared of the heterosexuals too.

 

[JustJack!]

Homophobia is a real thing, though not something you just throw at someone when you disagee with someone.

 

[KarateCowboy]

The word homophobia from an etymological standpoint means "an irrational fear of sameness". However, the tolerant and accepting people who promote the sinful homosexual lifestyle (Lev 18:22) are waging psychological warfare, and they need ammunition. The reason why you see people using it as you do is because that way they can take anyone who disagrees with them and morally and psychologically dismiss them. Dennis Prager says it well:

"Phobic" is the current one-word favorite among liberal dismissals of ideological opponents. It combines instant moral dismissal with instant psychological analysis. If you do not support society redefining marriage to include members of the same sex you are "homophobic" -- and further thought is unnecessary. If you articulate a concern about the moral state of Islam today, you are "Islamophobic" -- and again further thought is unnecessary. And if you seek to retain English as America's unifying language, you are not only racist, you are, as the New York Times editorial describes you, "xenophobic" and "Latinophobic," the latest phobia uncovered by the Left.

Basically, what you see is their way of shaping and framing an argument, Orwellian style, to win the culture war through the use of labelling and newspeak-like thought control.

 

[GhostDad]

The roots of a word don't necessarily make for a hard and fast definition. "Homophobia" is a good example where the root morphemes don't come together to make a perfect blend, because language is fluid and changes as people change.

 

[KarateCowboy]

The roots of a word don't necessarily make for a hard and fast definition. "Homophobia" is a good example where the root morphemes don't come together to make a perfect blend, because language is fluid and changes as people change.

That is true, but in the strictest sense it should mean that. If you look at most the other phobias they are also like that: trischidecaphobia, arachniphobia, etc. I like language to be articulate, precise, and concrete instead of wavering and relative.

 

[GhostDad]

The word homophobia from an etymological standpoint means "an irrational fear of sameness". However, the tolerant and accepting people who promote the sinful homosexual lifestyle (Lev 18:22) are waging psychological warfare, and they need ammunition. The reason why you see people using it as you do is because that way they can take anyone who disagrees with them and morally and psychologically dismiss them. Dennis Prager says it well:

Basically, what you see is their way of shaping and framing an argument, Orwellian style, to win the culture war through the use of propaganda and newspeak-like thought control.

He can only claim this after the fact. We don't have any other better words to encapsulate the actions and attitudes of anti-equality activists, and "homophobia" works just fine, so it's the one we've decided to use.

 

[Robinsegg]

The roots of a word don't necessarily make for a hard and fast definition. "Homophobia" is a good example where the root morphemes don't come together to make a perfect blend, because language is fluid and changes as people change.

I understand this. However, the dictionary definition includes irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against but does not include disagreement with. Why is it that if I disagree that I must automatically have an irrational fear of homosexuality or homosexuals? I'm not discriminating against, not fearful of and don't have a real aversion to these people, but disagree with them and their behavior and believe it's sin. Please help me, here.

Rachel

 

[GhostDad]

That is true, but in the strictest sense it should mean that. If you look at most the other phobias they are also like that: trischidecaphobia, arachniphobia, etc.

Yesh, I'm aware, and I'm saying that homophobia doesn't work out like that in most cases. When used by writers of the DSM IV or psychologists, then it can be meants like that. But in regular discourse, it means what we usually mean. (if that makes any sense...)

I like language to be articulate, precise, and concrete instead of wavering and relative.

What you describe isn't a language at all. A langauge by definition must be able to describe anything that the human mind can conceive, and one that is concrete and unwavering has no room to describe future inventions or new concepts.

 

[JustJack!]

I understand this. However, the dictionary definition includes irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against but does not include disagreement with. Why is it that if I disagree that I must automatically have an irrational fear of homosexuality or homosexuals? I'm not discriminating against, not fearful of and don't have a real aversion to these people, but disagree with them and their behavior and believe it's sin. Please help me, here.

No rational person would say you're homophobic. Just as your side has loons, our side has some too.

But just as I wouldn't call all Christians homophobes, don't pretend as if all us "homo-activists" do go around calling you all homophobes.

Especially here. Call someone a homophobe, and depending on the mod, you just violated a series of rules. But you can call someone a heathen. You can call them a perversion, an abomination, compare them to a murder, and alcoholic, rapist and the scum of the earth, and generally get away with it.

Don't pretend like you're being persecuted.

 

[Robinsegg]

I don't pretend I'm persecuted, and I'm sorry if I come across that way? I'll go along with the concept (fact) that both sides have loons that say they speak for us and aren't representative at all. I was speaking of American culture, in general.

I also, for the record, disagree with characterizing someone the way you described. While I don't have any objection to describing behavior in just about any terms you wish, characterizing people in certain ways is wrong and always will be.

Rachel

 

[Jeff123]

Robinsegg, I have often asked the same question. People's retort is often, "Oh you're a homophobe" or "you're homophobic." My response is always the same. "Ain't nobody scared of no homosexuals."

If you're gonna be scared, might as well be scared of the heterosexuals too.

It's actually "Ain't nobody scared'a no homasekshullz!"

 

[DietCherryCola]

Hi!
I'd like to find out about the term "homophobia". You see, I always thought a phobia was "an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation" http://www.webster.com/dictionary/phobia

Such as
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/agoraphobia
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/arachnophobia

Therefore, why would people speak of those with a disagreement with homosexuals as "homophobic"?: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals http://www.webster.com/dictionary/homophobia

I'm talking about simple disagreement, not discrimination, crimes or hate speech against the people, but verbal disagreement with the action, stance or position of the people.

Thanks,
Rachel

I have wondered that myself.

I am a huge supporter of homosexual marriage. Yet, I would consider myself slightly homophobic.

I know people who are against homosexual marriage who are far from homophoic.

It's not just about the marriage issue, of course, but I use that as an example because it's so present.

 

[selfinflikted]

I'm sorry, I think I must be misunderstanding you. It sounds like you're saying that if I disagree with homosexual behavior and think it's wrong that I'm ignorant on the subject and being irrational. If I become more infomed, I'll stop disagreeing with it and accept it as acceptable, normal behavior. That's not really what you're trying to say, is it?

Rachel

Hi Robinsegg,

I didn't mean to come off sound like I think you are a homophobe I don't think that at all, I think what I was trying to get across is that the word is often used as an "umbrella" term so to speak... it has in a sense grown to encapsulate more that it's original meaning intended, which can be a bad thing at times. Sorry if I came off wrong

 

[Robinsegg]

Hi Robinsegg,

I didn't mean to come off sound like I think you are a homophobe I don't think that at all, I think what I was trying to get across is that the word is often used as an "umbrella" term so to speak... it has in a sense grown to encapsulate more that it's original meaning intended, which can be a bad thing at times. Sorry if I came off wrong

I'm glad you answered me. I was certainly hoping I was reading your post wrong! Thanks for the clarification.

Rachel

 

[JGG]

The word homophobia from an etymological standpoint means "an irrational fear of sameness".

Actually, no. In the early 20th century pscyhologists took the word phobos, which in Greek means "dislike" of, and used it to describe what we now know as a phobia, or irrational fear of something. However, homophobia is a not a psychological term, or condition. So in this case, it essentially means someone who dislikes "homosexuals." Phobia is the opposite of phile in Greek which translate to dislike, and love respectively.

So, if you dislike homosexuals, then you are indeed a homophobe.

 

[Robinsegg]

But I don't dislike homosexuals. They're people like anyone else. I believe what they do is wrong. When stating this belief, I speak with no malice or venom and very calmly. I love these people and think they may be deceived, and want to give them the truth. I dislike homosexual activity just as I do any extramarital or premarital sexual activity. That doesn't mean I dislike the people, but what they do.

Rachel

 

[KarateCowboy]

Actually, no. In the early 20th century pscyhologists took the word phobos, which in Greek means "dislike" of, and used it to describe what we now know as a phobia, or irrational fear of something. However, homophobia is a not a psychological term, or condition. So in this case, it essentially means someone who dislikes "homosexuals." Phobia is the opposite of phile in Greek which translate to dislike, and love respectively.

So, if you dislike homosexuals, then you are indeed a homophobe.

Ha. that's interesting.

Well, i've never met a homosexual I didn't like. However, I don't like certain things they do: homosexual acts.