Is homophobia genetic or learned?

[lelgt60]

There are many that try to justify homophobia on the basis that it is genetic - that the individuals afflicted with this terrible disease have no choice in the matter.

I disagree. I believe it is learned. That is both good news and bad. The bad news is that so many people, who otherwise might appear normal, have chosen this clearly sinful path. The good news is that through appropriate combination of watchfulness, direct action, and re-education, it is possible to convert these poor people back to functioning members of civil society.

First we must be watchful. If you're careful, you can see attempts to promote the homophobic agenda everywhere. The most insidious attacks are against are children at what is supposed to be a safe place - our schools. But, we also see it in our media and in our government. We must make it clear to our teachers that even passive acceptance of this terrible agenda is unacceptable. We must write to media and business personalities that either passively or actively promote homophobia. We must actively support anti-homophobic candidates for all offices. And we must monitor our children for subtle signs of homophobia - in what they read, watch, and who their friends are.

Second, we must not be afraid to intervene and provide re-education for those afflicted. True, they may not initially agree to this, but if we can convince them, or, if necessary, force them, I have seen amazing results.

I implore all good people to take up this cause. You may never know who - your children, your family, your friends, may need help. If you don't do God's work, who will? Your eternal salvation may depend on it.

[baldguy]

1. Hate is learned.

Teaching it is child abuse.

[babylonsister]

3. Amen. nt

[fed_up_mother]

18. Scary.

"Second, we must not be afraid to intervene and provide re-education for those afflicted. True, they may not initially agree to this, but if we can convince them, or, if necessary, force them, I have seen amazing results."

Not in my country. We don't brainwash people by force - which is what you are asking for. Think carefully about the implications of what you are saying.

Change isn't happening fast enough, but it will come.

[Dappleganger]

2. Homophobes are bullies with an agenda...

and yes, as parents we actively try to do our part to teach our children to respect *everyone* and stand up for those in need.

[musical_soul]

4. Homophobia

I don't think that's even accepted by the APA as being real. It's totally learned.

[Aristus]

5. I'll never forget what Denis Leary said once on the subject: "Hatred isn't born; it's taught.

I've got a three year-old son. You know what he hates? Naps. End of list."

That was cool. B-)

[Deja Q]

13. Now is he the one who did LSD or the one who said autism is a joke?

As if it matters; they're both part of the Wit family -- Dim and Nit, respectively...

[jonnyblitz]

19. Timothy Leary is the LSD guy. the other thing you mention I never

heard about.

[stray cat]

6. Bigotry toward any group of people is learned hatred

But bigotry isn't limited toward just differences in sexual orientation but differences between religious and non-religious, rural versus city, color, belief systems etc. Bigotry is whenever any broad societal group is labeled as THEM and EVIL rather than seen as individuals and judged based on their actions.

[TahitiNut]

7. D+

You didn't pay quite enough attention in Parody 101. :shrug:

(Six responses ... nobody "got it." Maybe that's a good thing.)

[lelgt60]

15. hey - I'm an engineer, not a lit major

[TripleKatPad]

8. All hate is learned

Parents teach it, their kids pass it on.

[Iggo]

9. You call it "learned."

I call it "taught."

[CLANG]

10. I think it's a little of both - a defense mechanism if you will

that helps prevent them from coming to terms with their own sexualities.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. I have never heard anybody call it genetic

[Deja Q]

12. Like most behaviors: Learned.

I'm also aware of every conceivable irony.

[JI7]

14. it's the same as racism and other hate

[auntsue]

16. learned or genetic

I love this is is brilliant satire but ironic and priceless
because it takes the right agenda and turns it on them.

When people ask me when I knew I was gay I asked them when
they knew they were straight.. I came to the awareness late
but I see now I always have been

[lelgt60]

17. postscript: lets say it is primarily learned...

Then, it seems to me you can't be too hard on those with homophobia. After all, it isn't their fault. That's the way they were taught. There, but for the grace of God go you. And, it can be fixed.

However, I can't help but think that this really can't be the case. If it were, then virtually all heterosexuals would have homophobia. Because until very recently, virtually all education about homosexuals was extremely negative. Why is it that some people seem to be able to resist this disease? I think, like other diseases, there must be some genetic protection. Some people's immune systems are stronger with respect to this disease.

Of course, if it is genetic, then you also can't be too hard on those with homophobia. After all, they didn't choose. It's not their fault.

I guess that where "hate the sin, not the sinner" comes from.

BTW - it was intended as satire (or parody, whatever). Sorry I'm not a better writer. Anybody who cares to can do a much better job with the concept, I'm sure.