Originally posted by: GundarkHunter
People seem to want to drag me back into this and find out why I have no desire to see Brokeback Mountain, and if those reasons have homophobic underpinnings.
#1. I am not homophobic. I have had several gay friends, one of whom came out of the closet while I was in high school. We've lost contact since then, and I last heard he had committed suicide. Another died of AIDS-related pneumonia.
#2. For me, sexuality is a very personal thing. If a person decides to proclaim their sexuality to the world, that's their decision. I prefer to let my actions speak rather than to make some sort of proclamation.
#3. As I said before, I am disturbed by this trend of "ripping the bedroom doors off." Sexuality is not only a personal thing, it is a private thing. It is no one's business but mine and my wife's what goes on behind our bedroom doors. When you invite the public in, you are just asking for trouble, because no one's relationship can withstand that sort of scrutiny. Just ask Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Melissa Etheridge and Julie Cypher... the list goes on.
#4. I am a religious person, but that cannot be equated with homophobia. Just because my religion preaches against homosexual practices does not mean I hate gays and lesbians. Christ taught to love the sinner and not the sin, and I along with many others think that so-called Christian fundamentalists could learn a lot from practicing what they preach. Telling gays and lesbians they're going to rot in hell for the way they live their lives is just nonsensical. If people can understand that I appreciate them for who they are rather than what they define themselves as, I have succeeded in making my point.
One last thing: as a lawyer, consider this my cease-and-desist warning. Do not drag me into this again. My reasons for not seeing Brokeback Mountain should be abundantly clear now.
People seem to want to drag me back into this and find out why I have no desire to see Brokeback Mountain, and if those reasons have homophobic underpinnings.
#1. I am not homophobic. I have had several gay friends, one of whom came out of the closet while I was in high school. We've lost contact since then, and I last heard he had committed suicide. Another died of AIDS-related pneumonia.
#2. For me, sexuality is a very personal thing. If a person decides to proclaim their sexuality to the world, that's their decision. I prefer to let my actions speak rather than to make some sort of proclamation.
#3. As I said before, I am disturbed by this trend of "ripping the bedroom doors off." Sexuality is not only a personal thing, it is a private thing. It is no one's business but mine and my wife's what goes on behind our bedroom doors. When you invite the public in, you are just asking for trouble, because no one's relationship can withstand that sort of scrutiny. Just ask Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Melissa Etheridge and Julie Cypher... the list goes on.
#4. I am a religious person, but that cannot be equated with homophobia. Just because my religion preaches against homosexual practices does not mean I hate gays and lesbians. Christ taught to love the sinner and not the sin, and I along with many others think that so-called Christian fundamentalists could learn a lot from practicing what they preach. Telling gays and lesbians they're going to rot in hell for the way they live their lives is just nonsensical. If people can understand that I appreciate them for who they are rather than what they define themselves as, I have succeeded in making my point.
One last thing: as a lawyer, consider this my cease-and-desist warning. Do not drag me into this again. My reasons for not seeing Brokeback Mountain should be abundantly clear now.
I clearly see your point of view, but as I said, I don't belive anyone here is really committed of the so *quotes with fingers* "homophobia", a term I dislike because it's misleading. While you have your own opinions and views and I fully understand and respect those, I'm absolutely sure you wouldn't do anything to harm someone or act in prejudice ways towards homosexuals. Unfortunally, some people don't think that way, and discrimination between this minority is still pretty brutal.
You say that people should keep their sexual opinions and views for themselves, and strongly agree. There are two things I don't discuss to people, and one of them is my sexual life, and I belive people shouldn't be talking about it. But that goes for homosexuals and heterosexuals as well. If there's a couple kissing on the street, I don't care if it's two guys, two girls, or a guy or a girl, I'll say the same thing to any of them: "Hey you two, get a room! Please!"
About the whole "gays are going to rot in hell" thing... well first I don't know if there's any heaven or hell (agnostic), but if there is a God and His judgement decides who goes to hell, well that would be one mean God if he sent gay people to hell just because they love each other... Based on that very same logic, shouldn't he also send budhists to hell too, as they don't accept the God we do? Or even jews?