I'd like to note that, although you copied-in-reply the argument I made, in the two minutes it took me to see your request and pull it back, I did withdraw my post as soon as I read that you are sensitive on the subject, and did not wish to discuss it, out of respect for your feelings on the matter.
I am with you, in being "homophobic-phobic", as my work with HIV+ people has informed my worldview on the degree of bigotry and disrespect with the gay community must constantly cope, and my admiration of the good people in those communities leads me to have a "Crusader" attitude in trying to expunge the cultural memes that have, since Israelite and Roman times, infused our thinking on the subject, often in ways too subtle for us to notice... this is, again, as true in myself as it is in anyone else.
Evie, I most definitely like you; I have always enjoyed your posts. I think a man who is openly (and unapologetically) sensitive and caring and compassionate is the rarest of gems, especially in the machismo-infused culture of the United States. For hurting your feelings during my Crusader-impulse-moments, I deeply apologize.
However angry I might get, and however vehemently I might debate a point, at no time will I deliberately disrespect or dislike you for having well-founded opinions which, when carefully considered, happen to differ from my own. The irony here is that I don't think we disagree even a tiny bit, except on the question of whether the word "homophobic" can be used in contexts other than outright bigotry, a minor quibble at best! Mainly, I'm sorry I made you think that you were unliked or disliked, when I consider you a valued member of this community, a community that is rapidly becoming extremely important to me.
I am with you, in being "homophobic-phobic", as my work with HIV+ people has informed my worldview on the degree of bigotry and disrespect with the gay community must constantly cope, and my admiration of the good people in those communities leads me to have a "Crusader" attitude in trying to expunge the cultural memes that have, since Israelite and Roman times, infused our thinking on the subject, often in ways too subtle for us to notice... this is, again, as true in myself as it is in anyone else.
Evie, I most definitely like you; I have always enjoyed your posts. I think a man who is openly (and unapologetically) sensitive and caring and compassionate is the rarest of gems, especially in the machismo-infused culture of the United States. For hurting your feelings during my Crusader-impulse-moments, I deeply apologize.
However angry I might get, and however vehemently I might debate a point, at no time will I deliberately disrespect or dislike you for having well-founded opinions which, when carefully considered, happen to differ from my own. The irony here is that I don't think we disagree even a tiny bit, except on the question of whether the word "homophobic" can be used in contexts other than outright bigotry, a minor quibble at best! Mainly, I'm sorry I made you think that you were unliked or disliked, when I consider you a valued member of this community, a community that is rapidly becoming extremely important to me.
A Christian told me: if you were saved you cant lose your salvation. you're sealed with the Holy Ghost
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
I replied: Can I refuse? Because I find the entire concept of vicarious blood sacrifice atonement to be morally abhorrent, the concept of holding flawed creatures permanently accountable for social misbehaviors and thought crimes to be morally abhorrent, and the concept of calling something "free" when it comes with the strings of subjugation and obedience perhaps the most morally abhorrent of all... and that's without even going into the history of justifying genocide, slavery, rape, misogyny, religious intolerance, and suppression of free speech which has been attributed by your own scriptures to your deity. I want a refund. I would burn happily rather than serve the monster you profess to love.
