> Bertvan@aol.com writes
> in message <d3.2568844.25f80ba9@aol.com>:
> > Hi Ted,
> > You said:
> > > I agree, though, with Cliff's observation that there is probably
> > > more to homophobia than xenophobia. However, what ties all of
> > > this in to education is the fact that homophobia is fundamentally
> > > irrational. Every fear that defines homophobia is ungrounded.
> > > Education is usually highly effective in treating irrational fears.
> >
> > Why is "educating" people to adopt what we regard as socially
> > acceptable attitudes any different from what religious people
> > have tred to do in the past? While I personally am not homophobic,
> > I am bothered by people who regard all beliefs except their own
> > as "irrational", and want to "educate" everyone else to "the
> > correct attitude". It is precisely this aspect of Darwinism to
> > which I object, their attempts to ridicule and silence anyone
> > who criticizes "random mutation and natural selection". The
> > term "educate" brings up visions of the establishment trying to
> > impose some view upon everyone else, rather than allow any
> > obective discussion of ideas.
>
> Not to worry. Educate, in the present context, is used only as
> a means to avert hostility, persecution, human suffering.
> Education does not coerce but merely presents the facts as they
> are known. Ultimately it is up to individuals to allow themselves
> to be educated.
>
> Unfortunately, it is human nature to often ridicule those who
> reject certain facts on the basis of religious beliefs, but that
> is not a necessary component or characteristic of education.
Often, of course, "education" is used as a practical synonym for "political
or moral indoctrination."
When it comes to this issue, passionate activists on both sides tend to play
fast and loose with the truth, often with a large dose of condescension
toward their political or moral opponents.
I think we see both sides falling nicely into line. (Even the word
"homophobia" is really only pushed by one side in the debate.)
Recommendation: given that the origin of homosexual orientation is still
scientifically unclear, and given that the topic has almost nothing to do
with evolution, and given that it tends to produce discussions like the
one's we're seeing now, this should go off list.
There are plenty of newsgroups and listservers for which a debate about
homosexuality, it's origin, morality, and politics, is very topical.
This is not one of them.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Mar 08 2000 - 16:49:32 EST