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Originally Posted by JimmyTheHutt
However, the undercurrent of both of those arguments is that a homosexual pairing, regardless of gender, is unnatural and/or wrong. Those that hold that opinion, therefore, must hold a negative perspective on homosexuality in general. Therefore, they have to either fear it, or hate it, or both, to some degree. The arguments are emotionally based.
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Well, first, unnatural does not equal negative and I tend to think that at least some of that mindset realize as much.
Second, our views of what constitutes bigotry would likely diverge at this point. I view bigotry as a matter of disrespect. I don't think bigotry can exist if there isn't any meanness there. Reaching down for an old cliche...those "love the sinner, hate the sin" people can avoid bigotry if they strictly follow their self-proclamation. If they view practicing homosexuals as guilty of a moral wrong, yet treat them no less respectfully than others, then I see no reason why they couldn't be - and why one shouldn't assume that they are - devoid of fear or hate. It's in the behavior.
Of course, they could still have hidden bigotry, and I'd certainly count some relatives as falling into this category. But I don't think that's the fair assumption to make. Benefit of the doubt, I say.
And third, they could simply be against gay marriage because "it's not marriage" or because "it harms marriage", and explicitly NOT because "it's wrong". Believe it or not, I've heard essentially that view. Often. Those tend to be the people in favor of civil unions.