www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Australian Survey Defines "Homophobia" as Belief that Homosexuality is Immoral

Originally posted by Alfonsus:
I think the survey is not representative enough due to ambiguity in term of 'homosexuality'.

Originally posted by incognitus:
By sheer coincidence - or the Plan of God - I just happened to watch the film Inherit the Wind. I suggest it to all of us.

Incognitus

Originally posted by DAVIDinVA:
origins of the term "homophobia":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophobia

Many supporters of gay and lesbian rights use the term "homophobia" to describe any opposition to the interests of homosexuals, arguing that there are no rational criticisms of homosexuality per se, and that consequently, there is no argument against homosexuality that is not rooted in prejudice or fear. Opponents of homosexuality (and some supporters) object to or disapprove of this usage of the word, arguing that it mischaracterizes those who oppose homosexuality on religious grounds or on grounds of encouraging what they consider to be more traditional sexual relationships. Critics of the term thus find the association with irrational fear unwarranted, and may further find any implication that anti-LGBT political and moral views represent a diagnosable medical condition to be an attempt to disempower them by artificially medicalizing a legitimate point of view.

Some users of the term "homophobia" simply mean prejudice against homosexuals or LGBT people. But others actually use the word to intentionally associate the idea of prejudice with fear. One implication of this association would be that a lack of familiarity or comfort with openly LGBT people causes prejudice; some might even go so far as to claim that all prejudice arises from some kind of fear, possibly related to one or another "us vs. them" division.

In reaction to disapproval of homosexual behavior, many have associated themselves with the idea of "homophelia," which is an illogical support of the behavior, simply to counter what they perceive as homophobia.

Originally posted by incognitus:
Actually it is my impression that many forms of bigotry are rooted in fear and that frequently this fear strangely involves a sexual element even when there is no obvious reason why it should. One might note, for example, the amazing number of "jokes" attributing remarkable sexual prowess to African Americans linked with the fear that white southern women might find the African American men irresistible and must therefore be protected lest they succumb to this magnetic attraction.

Incognitus