Target?

    

I almost made this blog a weekend thought for the day. Changed my mind. Too many good things to say about this topic.

To get us started is this quote:

            “Haters don’t really hate you. They really hate themselves because you are

             A reflection of what they wish to be.”           ~Anonymous

Think about that a bit. Why do some people dislike another person? Especially dislike to the point of detesting? Is the other person a direct threat to their safety, way of life or well-being? Probably not. They may think so on impulse, but upon reflection I bet they can’t make much of an argument along those lines.

No, there has to be something else involved.

I can get into this subject rather easily because I’m gay. I understand that many people don’t understand this subject; it helps if you are gay and experiencing it from the inside out!  Here are some examples.

First, the hater who is a Fundamentalist Christian. They take the Bible literally and look for passages which condemn behavior that is sinful or patently opposed to their own position or understanding. They think the Bible condemns homosexuality. But it doesn't. Nowhere is that word used. There are phrases that may refer to it but nothing directly. It leaves a large space for interpretation. And such interpretations have been plentifully made over the past two millennia. Trouble is there are lots of other topics directly referenced as sin but all of these have been lessened in social context to lesser sinfulness. All were originally subject to death by stoning you may recall. The only one is the supposed sin of homosexuality in which no such term is in existence in the Bible. But adultery is; so is eating shell fish, and touching pork and pork products.

You get what I’m saying here. There is a motive for some people to elevate their dislike or ignorance to that of hate – a universal negative emotion against something. In this case I’m interposing all things gay in the modern meaning of the term.

The question remains: why do some people hate gay people, behavior or terminology? What is their motivation to be so moved? Will gay people directly hurt them, destroy their lives, values or whatever? I fail to understand how they can make their conclusion.

The only idea that makes sense is they fear what ‘gay’ is and that it could contaminate them in some way. Maybe they think they could become gay because they are around gay people? Maybe they see it as a choice adopted by gay people?

Interesting. I guess if I thought I could ‘catch’ something from another person I might fear it if I felt that something was not a good thing. But clearly being gay is not a choice, not something one catches like a disease!

So maybe they fear they might be gay themselves and they are fighting it and feel that my being gay will influence them to admit that to themselves and become a fully blown gay person?  Might that be it?

It sounds so ridiculous that it nullifies the statement at once!  But maybe they think not?  Who knows? Rationality is not logical in the minds of everyone.

It comes down to a recent statement on BBC:

            “Homosexuals are not interested in making other people homosexual.

             Homophobes are interested in making other people homophobic.”

Second, a quote by Jon Stewart:

“I’ll tell you this…Religion is far more of a choice than homosexuality. And the protections that we have for religion – we protect religion. And talk about a lifestyle choice – that is absolutely a choice. Gay people don’t choose to be gay. At what age did you choose to not be gay?”

Religion is protected in our country, and in many nations around the globe. People are free to practice their religion, live their lives in accordance with their religion, all of that. However, this protection of religion does not impose a right on the ‘religious’ to impose their religious beliefs on others. Yet that is what has been happening! Why else do we have a ban on abortion in many states in the America? Why have other nations attempted abortion bans throughout history? Why are many people opposed to gay marriage? No one is saying they have to live in a gay marriage, just that gays ought to be sanctioned to express their relationships within a ‘legal’ marriage contract.  And what gives them the idea that gay marriage destroys their marriage or the institution of marriage in first place?

I agree with Jon Stewart. Religion is a choice. There are many to choose from. Gay or straight is an inborn element of life. There is nothing to choose among! Maybe to recognize it or not, but that’s it. And that’s for me to do; not you, or them….

November 21, 2013