From what you say, I assume that given the need to make such a choice, you would put homosexuality in the first category. Which is fine. But I think you also have to accept that people who put it in the latter category are entitled to put forward their opinions and beliefs without being accused of prejudice similar to racism. Unless you are prepared at some point in the future to accept that your opposition to genetically-based child abuse or gender abuse or such is also prejudice similar to racism rather than responsible societal involvement.
Well I chose to use the racial analogy because to me it is a benign physical trait. I guess I don't see the connection between sexual preference, or race, or a genetic predisposition to be fat for example vs. your examples of genetic predispositions to abuse other people or break laws.
I don't know if there is such a thing as a genetic predisposition to murder for example, however there is a case like that right now in Arizona I believe (involving an adopted child), so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and say that yes, some genetic biases exist towards undesirable behavior. We regulate human behavior with laws, so, if somebody breaks a law, whether it is due to some genetic predisposition or eating a twinkie or whatever, then I don't see any need to treat those that are predisposed any differently than anybody else.
Of course this is somewhat unfair to those that are born predisposed to commit crimes, but a subsequent argument exists related to learned vs. inherited behavior... I'm sure a case could be made that those born in the inner city are equally likely to commit crimes as those born with the "crime gene"... so there you go, life isn't fair, but nonetheless laws are laws.
Otoh, being born gay, or born short, or blind etc. is simply a way of life for the people involved. No laws are broken (meaningful laws not the historical laws still on the books in the south)... they are funtioning members of society... whats the problem? Some people are offended based on their personal religious beliefs when confronted with gays... ok, but isn't that their problem? We don't allow discrimination based on race, how is this different? |
