Playing the devil's advocate for a while, there could be many other sources of homophobia than religion.
For example, I did not encounter any concrete instances of homosexuality until late in my college years, but, as a concept, I knew about since high school. During that period, I could be classified as a homophobe.
For starters, the only depiction of homosexuality I saw was in movies, with the stereotypically flamboyant gay character making sexual passes at every guy in sight and I found it disturbing and creepy.
I also had some specific ideas about gender role then - probably due to specific roles played by my parents throughout my life - and I thought of any family without a father and a mother seemed incomplete.
Oh, and I simply couldn't imagine the aforementioned character in a parental role.
While all these could be chalked up to my ignorance and sexual subjects being taboo (I know, the joys of a third world country), we shouldn't forget that ignorance still prevails and sexual subjects are still a taboo. That religion happens to encourage both, is not as relevant as you'd think.
For example, I did not encounter any concrete instances of homosexuality until late in my college years, but, as a concept, I knew about since high school. During that period, I could be classified as a homophobe.
For starters, the only depiction of homosexuality I saw was in movies, with the stereotypically flamboyant gay character making sexual passes at every guy in sight and I found it disturbing and creepy.
I also had some specific ideas about gender role then - probably due to specific roles played by my parents throughout my life - and I thought of any family without a father and a mother seemed incomplete.
Oh, and I simply couldn't imagine the aforementioned character in a parental role.
While all these could be chalked up to my ignorance and sexual subjects being taboo (I know, the joys of a third world country), we shouldn't forget that ignorance still prevails and sexual subjects are still a taboo. That religion happens to encourage both, is not as relevant as you'd think.
