As someone how is not politically correct and who opposes things such as "gay marriage", I have often had the word "homophobe" or "homophobic" thrown at me. I have always seen the word "homophobia" as being a ridiculous one and now I have decided to put my ideas down after having been questioned about my rejection of the word before.
One of the main reasons for the rejection of the term "homophobia" is that it is etymologically nonsensical. The "homo" section of the word could either derive from the Latin word homo meaning "man" or "mankind" or it could come from the Greek word homo meaning "same". The word "homosexual" stems from the Greek word, essentially meaning "same sex". But the word "homophobia" can not be eveb partially derived from the Greek word as then it ould be that "homophobia" would mean "irrational fear of the same", which it doesn't as whose who are described as "homophobic" often aren't the same as those who they are accused of being afraid of. The word cannot come from the Latin either, as then "homophobia" would mean "irrational fear of mankind". This isn't what those who use the term "homophobia" mean but the word "homophobia" was in fact used in the past to describe a sort of misanthropic fear of mankind or the human species.
Therefore considering the fact that "homophobia" makes absolutely no sense etymologically, there is plenty of reason not to use it. The insane and frankly amateur construction of the word "homophobia" shows it's true roots, as a propaganda word invented by leftist psychologists and gay activists in the 1970's.
My second reason for rejecting the term"homophobia" is the fact that it is falsely applied, which isn't surprising considering it's roots. The word is meant to mean an "irrational fear of homosexuals" but instead of only being applied to those who fear homosexuals, it is applied to anyone who disagrees with the politically correct consensus on the issue of homosexuality. It is quite clear that the vast majority of those who disagree with homosexuality aren't in any way fearful of homosexuals.
I might be more inclined to accept the term if it was applied according to it's supposed meaning and not to anyone who disagrees with the politically correct opinion.
The word "homophobia" is also by nature a propaganda word. Not only can this be seen in the way it is used but also in it's etymology. A "phobia" is described as being an "irrational fear" and that that "phobia" is contained within "homophobia" shows that the essentially use of the word is to paint someone who disagrees with homosexuality in any way as being irrational. Anyone who uses this term towards anyone else is telling themselves more about themselves than about the other person.
Homophobia is quite clearly a nonsensical propaganda word invented by radicals in the 70's to silence all opposition to their agenda. No serious academic should use the term.
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Oh, come on. A word doesn't have to have a correct derivation in order to have meaning. It's just that many words happen to have older derivations; this one doesn't.
ReplyDeleteAlso, doesn't 'fear of the same' make some sort of sense? 'Fear of the same gender', perhaps? Argh, this is one of those points where I know what I mean, but I can't find the right words to say it.
"shows that the essentially use of the word is to paint someone who disagrees with homosexuality in any way as being irrational."
Please tell me what's rational about disagreeing with homosexuality.
Yes, I've missed out bits of your argument, but I'm tired.
ReplyDeleteNatural law theory shows that homosexuality is immoral.
ReplyDelete"Racism" or "Sexism" are neutral terms. "Homophobia" isn't.
And the problem with etymology of "homophobia" isn't just that it is etymologically insane but that it isn't every applied correctly accoring to what it is "meant" to mean.
ReplyDeleteIt cannot be denied that the term is a loaded term and is used to end any discussion. Calling someone a homophobe when somone disagrees does not foster debate. Having "phobia" in the term should mean that it is used for irrational fear...agorophobia causes some to never leave their houses. The question would be to determine what constitutes irrational fear of homosexuals. Would it be fear to touch them, talk to them, work with them? I don't see very many people who have been labelled as a homophobe having that irrational fear. They simply disagree on natural law or religious principles.
ReplyDeleteNice argument. Now move onto the word racist, deconstruct it and prove why you can freely racist in your little world.
ReplyDeleteEtymologically the 'homo' part comes from the English word 'homosexual'. Or are words not allowed to be derived from the same language in which they are used? By this logic we'd have to trace every word to its root as a cave-man grunt. It is telling that you've reached the point where you can't justify your discriminatory views so instead you criticise the word used to describe those views. Calling the view that opposes yours 'politically correct' doesn't mean that the only reason yours is irrational is that it isn't 'politically incorrect'
ReplyDeleteI'm only attacking the word "homophobia". I haven't made any other arguments with regards to homosexuality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your views on this point. It is crystal clear how the word is meant to be used, labelling others as immoral and irracional.
ReplyDelete