| Slimebeast said: Different in intensity, but not necessarily to it's character. I've met many hateful homophobes in my life, but mostly I get a strong impression that it springs from something primitive more than a well-thought hatred. Anyway, my theory is that the basis, both culturally and on an individual basis, springs from a natural revulsion. Whether it's a weak revulsion or strong depends on how you look at it and who you ask. But this revulsion doesn't justify discrimination, hate or such things, I've never implied that. I am just arguing that it's the main source for the cultural historical phenomenon of homophobia. And as I said earlier, our culture historically always tends to augment our natural instincts. Well, up until our modern world. In our modern world it can actually be the other way around. And rightfully so, as with racism, homophobia, sexism etc, we strongly try to supress these instincts socially because these instincts simply are not good. But I would wish that we would have slightly more knowledge and awareness of these instincts, for better nuance, understanding and maybe even tolerance of those who are intolerant. |
It springs from society conditioning people to hate homosexuality. If it sprung from a natural revulsion societies like the Greek city states would not have existed as they did where pederasty was a common practice;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pederasty_in_ancient_Greece
The current hatred towards homosexuality seems far more likely to come from the blanket condemnation of sodomy in the Abrahamic religions.
