Do you believe being homophobic is a choice?

Question

BCRanger10 · Accepted Answer

Yes. However, it's important to define what "homophobia" actually is. According to the Dictionary App, a homophobe is "a person who hates, fears, or scorns gay people or gay sexual orientation."

Someone can disagree with the gay lifestyle and inclination, but that by itself doesn't make them homophobic. One can believe that a gay man or a lesbian woman ought to be treated with dignity and respect, that they shouldn't have hateful slurs thrown at them, and so forth, but still disapprove of gay marriage and believe that homosexuality is a disordered inclination and that is more a result of formation than nature. This is where I, as a Catholic, would fall.

I think then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI offered the clearest statements on the matter in his 1986 Letter on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, which I have linked before. The money line is Paragraph 10, when he says that "It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church's pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law." He then goes on to say though that the proper response should not be the approval of the homosexual inclination or acts.

There's so much more that he said in this letter, but what I've quoted here is the most relevant to your question.

So again, yes, I believe that homophobia is a choice. But terms need to be properly defined and sound assessments made.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

It depends what you classify as "homophobic". I don't believe in homosexuality. But that doesn't make me homophobic. But some goofballs intent on FORCING thier views on me will insist that I am.

So, having said that. Hate is always a choice. I may not agree with the homosexuality lifestyle. But we are both children of God. Ergo they are my brothers and sisters and I love them all the same.

trina_x · Accepted Answer

hard question

im not sure that its a choice to be homophobic, i think thats got a lot to do with upbringing

but its a choice to keep being homophobic instead of working on yourself

and its a choice to express homophobia

Labokachulaa · Accepted Answer

Yes, I think it comes from a lot of learned habits and behaviors.

Clairebear799 · Answer

I’m not homophonic if what they’re doing is sin. God will convict them.  But. I will say that all this pedo stuff is fucked up and even the LGBT community hates them. Like Gays Against Groomers

SecretsofKB · Answer

Yes, I think it is. People have experiences throughout their life that leads to the making decisions a specific way. In my experience, those that are religious are more prone to homophobia. Religion is affecting that decision.

es20490446e · Answer

Yes, it goes along with being far right. For fitting into that social circle. I know this guy... we call him the poet, because of how nicey he talks about women.

misogynistic_pig · Answer

I have been homophobic since I was eight years old.

Rossdasa · Answer

Mistreating homosexual people physically or verbally because of their sexuality is a choice

SmokinAces2000 · Answer

Yes so is being racist or sexist

Goforit1010 · Answer

Yes.

whereismyjohnny · Answer

Definitely.

Do you believe being homophobic is a choice?

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