Interesting.
On the one hand, panache45 and others of his opinion have a valid point. I certainly see the point and am supportive of it.
On the other hand, such a perspective is unfair and impractical. I think it is a bit too much to expect, let alone demand, that others see this issue the way we do. This is not solely a matter of personally-formed opinions but part of a larger, more complex picture.
There are three reasons I have heard why homosexuality should be regarded as unnatural and, thus, wrong. One is religious (“religion says homosexuality is a sin”), another concerns an understanding of the world and how it is structured (“according to natural laws, homosexuality is unnatural”), and the last is social (homosexuality threatens the formation of families and natural and religiously-acceptable sex, and so homosexuality is a threat to society"). Often, these are linked. An example is Muslim arguments: God has declared homosexuality to be a sin because it is unnatural and a threat to society. Conservative interpretations of nearly every religion (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism) unanimously assert that homosexuality is wrong and unnatural.
It is true that the concept of homosexuality is new. What the above perspectives and religious interpretations concern themselves with is sexual activity. According to the conservative/traditionalist perspective, only a man and woman who are married to each may have sex, and only with each other. Whom a man or woman may marry is also controlled. Outside of this, sex is considered to be wrong - leading to harm of society - or unnatural - if it strays from heterosexual sexual activity. Although in reality bestiality, homosexuality, incest, and the like cannot be compared one with the others, in the above perspective they are all lumped together under the category of “unnatural sexual preference or activity.” The word “preference” is deliberate: the above perspective also holds - for some reason I have not yet been able to determine - that one’s sexual preference and most certainly one’s sexual activity is one’s choice. Unnatural sexual preference is also lumped under the category of wrong sex (which includes premarital sex and extra-marital sex).
The point of all this is that this perspective has been around for thousands of years and has been codified in what before the modern age were unquestioned sources of authority. We live in a world that is becoming increasingly secular, but this is not the way the world has always been. The majority of the world - most especially in most Muslim countries - believes in forming their social values, morals, and laws from the traditional authorities and oppose any attempt to replace them by any other source.
Now, to put the major point bluntly, it is quite impossible to expect these people to change. If people live in an environment where open enquiry and exposure to different perspectives occurs on a regular basis, then such change is surely possible - if the people will open up to this discovery. All too often, people are sure of what they know and believe and see no reason to revise their opinions.
I cannot and do not blame those close to me for their opinions and beliefs. This is the way they have been raised. This is what their society and religion tells them. This is what they see as reasonable, reasoned, and true. I cannot and do not expect them to throw away such strongly enforced opinions and beliefs. It would be stupid of me to do so. Now, some may. But those some would be in a minority, if not for any fact that our South Asian society - influenced as it is by religion and, thereby, by conservative values and morals - does not openly permit such flexibility. It is a very conservative society: it is very concerned with preserving the traditional social fabric. It cannot be reasoned with: the society’s reasoning is in its own way solid and unassailable. Even moderate relatives have turned out to be vehemently anti-homosexuality.
Another aspect has to deal with the communitarian nature of our society. If I come out or if I try to reason with people for tolerance or acceptance for homosexuals, members of our society will not only execrate me but, which hurts even more, they will execrate my family. We are never considered as an individual or alone: we are always considered and spoken of with our family. What evil I may do will bring dishonor and ruin upon my family; what good I may do will bring honor and respect and praise to my family. My family have done nothing to deserve dishonor or ruin, and I will be held directly responsible for doing anything that would bring them upon my family.
But, and this is where I have wiggle room, the society deals primarily with open manifestations or demonstrations of rebellion, as it were. If I were to keep things discrete and quiet and not make a big deal, pretending to be straight, then I will be fine.
This has heretofore dealt with opinions and beliefs. Acts are a different matter altogether. With a few exceptions, I do not think there is any justification for violence against a person because of his/her homosexuality. The exceptions have to do with places where the shari’ah is in force, but that is another matter altogether. Even then, the legal authorities are supposed to handle the issue, not mobs or people.
I try to be open-minded. I often dismiss opposing viewpoints as one’s right to be wrong. I say this to myself with tongue in cheek but there’s a serious side to this: I am not one to declare who is and is not right or wrong. How do I know they are right? How do I know I am right? My reasoning is solid. But so is theirs. My opinion cannot be changed, but neither can theirs be.
It is very, very difficult for both sides to understand each other. There are a very few people who can understand both perspectives. Anyone who sees both sides comes to an understanding that this is a very difficult issue to resolve. Which side is wrong? Which side is right?
In the end, I cannot and do not blame others for the opinions they hold. There are often circumstances outside of their control because of which they have their opinions. Would I be so tolerant and accepting of homosexuality if I were not gay? Would another be more tolerant if he or she were gay? Everyone has the right to express their opinion, whether right or wrong. Judging others , however, is something we, ideally, should not rush to do. it happens all too often, and people have the right to do it. But I fear rushing to judge people will do nothing but increase animosity and misunderstanding on both sides. I wish my gay brothers and sisters would be more understanding of their opponents’ perspectives, and I wish my conservative brothers and sister to be more understanding of their opponents’ perspectives. With greater understanding and appreciation, perhaps something positive can come, but otherwise we are doomed to be vehemently pitted one against the other.
WRS - rant done. For now.
