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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: E who wrote (1682)1/19/2001 2:42:36 PM
From: Solon  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 82486
 
Hi E, I thought I would comment briefly on this conversation about homosexuality. It must be remembered that romantic love or Eros was considered the norm between males--and to some extent between females--in the Grecian culture of particular centuries. At one time ALL Spartan males were introduced to same sex love as part of their training for military manhood (As an aside, these were the finest specimens of manhood in history--no fat, abs of steel, etc.) :). Interesting, however, was that passivity was never considered an apppropriate male role in these relationships. They probably would have called this queer(LOL!). The point is that cultural mores determine (or reflect) the prevailing values of any particular culture, and determine what are considered deviancies. In our culture, homosexuality is still a deviant practice, as being outside the norm. Although it is deviant--our culture less and less finds it evil or wrong. In Greek culture during certain centuries, strict heterosexuality was extremely deviant, although it must be stressed that they were not burdened with the need to make moral distinctions of sexuality as relates strictly to gender. It was not an issue. Most modern people can scarcely conceive of this lifestyle, just as people in 1000 years (if the species survives) will scarcely be able to conceive of ours.

This essay is quite well researched, and gives a broad perspective to sexuality as it was...and as it is. I think, when people set out to form a personal opinion on gay lifestyles, they ought to thoughtfully consider the cultural breadth (and implications) of all ideas, and to sincerely question the kind of society they want to experience in their lifetime.

Personally, I think the rights entitlement to behaviour that has no victims, should be obvious and unquestioned. As to what one teaches their own children about such behaviour, that, of course, stems from ones own personal beliefs; But behaviour should not be mocked or hated merely because it is deviant. Many of the finest behaviours are deviant--such as respecting (instead of hating) the differences between people--even when they hold legal diversity in political belief.

fordham.edu



To: E who wrote (1682)1/19/2001 7:12:03 PM
From: Poet  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 82486
 
Hi there, E,

Argh, another 100 posts to read. I just wanted to chime in and say that I too would be uncomfortable with the scenario you described here:

He says the two leaders for his Boy Scout troop were an unmarried, non-parent marine and his longtime and married
pal, an alcoholic who used the camping trips as occasions to get falling-down drunk in the absence of his wife. The
boys thought it was funny.


It's interesting that, even among self-described liberals, the diversity of opinions is so large on this issue. I freely admit that my own personal experience (as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse) greatly impacts my feelings on this topic.

PS: To potential blackmailers: This information is known to my friends and family.