Homophobia

In today's world if you speak up in opposition to homosexual behavior you are homophobic and if you stand in favor of the longstanding, historical, traditional definition of marriage you are homophobic and if you do not embrace these behaviors -- sex relations between those of the same gender and a redefinition of "marriage" to include those of the same sex -- you are homophobic. When Paul writes, "Men who practice homosexuality ... will not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:9-10), he was a homophobe, and when God inspired him to write it, He was a homophobe. What is this thing called "homophobia"?

Homophobia is a relatively new term. Psychologist George Weinberg coined the term in the 1960's. He merged "homosexual" and "phobia". He meant by it that men who were opposed to homosexuals were opposed because they were afraid they might be homosexual themselves or might be thought to be. He was addressing the sense in some that associating too much with "that kind of person" might be contagious, like you could contract homosexuality from them. And from Dr. Weinberg's original use of the idea, the term made sense: a fear of -- phobia -- homosexuals.

Of course, we aren't a society that leaves words alone. It's not as if "marriage" is the first word we've decided to redefine. English is a living language, and most of our language has evolved over time. Today, not even 100 years from its origins, the word no longer refers to the fear of homosexuals. Here are some definitions from a couple of sources:

Unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality. (Random House)

Intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality. (World English Dictionary)

We see that fear might be a component, but that two other components have been added, so much so that they have taken precedence. First and foremost, it isn't mere fear; it is hatred. It is intense hatred. Second, this sense is "unreasoning". If you are "homophobic", it is an intense hatred and it is without cause. Merriam-Webster says it is "irrational".

Using the word as defined, then, it would stand to reason that if a person is opposed to homosexual behavior for a reason or if they are opposed to the behavior without hate (or fear), that person would not be classified as homophobic (or a "hater" or ...). And, of course, now I'm just spitting in the wind, because those who throw the pejorative about aren't going to listen. You don't classify people as "homophobic" because they are, but because it puts them in a bad light and people won't like them.

I have to be honest, though. I can see how the term might be more loosely thrown about than I would like. I mean, I don't hate people who practice homosexual behavior and I'm not afraid of them, nor am I opposed to such behavior without reason, but I am concerned that I'm an extreme minority. You see, I suspect that many, perhaps most, of those who are opposed to the behavior or to "gay marriage" are opposed precisely because of either irrational hatred or fear. Here, consider the first, most common evidence I might offer. To those who are opposed to homosexual behavior just from the world (as opposed to those from a religious perspective), I would guess that most of them would be offended by male homosexual behavior but happily endorse female homosexual behavior. You see, that's not an opposition on principle or with reason. It is ... irrational. Then there are the many Christian opponents who are, at the bottom, more offended by the act than the sin. They say it's immoral, but what they're thinking is "It's yucky." They are not offended by the fact that God hates it; they're offended because it violates their particular taste. Among some opposed to "gay marriage" it is because they are opposed to the "evils of homosexuals" and others because "What if they make churches offer gay weddings??!!" or the like. That is, it's not principle; it's preference. In other words, there are lots of people opposed to homosexual behavior and "gay marriage" who are, in fact, homophobic under its current definition. So I can see why the term is so liberally applied, even if not always accurately.

I don't oppose homosexual behavior because it's yucky. I am not offended by the act or afraid that it might infect me somehow. I'm not hateful toward those who practice such things. I do believe that marriage has a definition, that this definition has existed since the beginning of the human race, and that changing that definition now would only serve to destroy it. And I believe that original, longstanding, historical, traditional definition is critical, so destroying it would be a bad thing. But more importantly, I believe that God is opposed to the act of sex between people of the same sex. I believe it is clear from Scripture that this is God's opinion. And since I stand on God's side, I would have to be opposed myself to the act, not the actors. As for those who engage in the act, since God promises damnation for those who practice and encourage such behaviors as sexual immorality, homosexual behavior, adultery, drunkenness, theft, murder, idolatry, and so much more, I would encourage them to avoid such things. Indeed, when I encounter these things in myself, I would encourage me to avoid such things. It is not irrational. It is not fear. It is not hate. I understand that many operate on those very principles, but not everyone does. And I would personally urge extreme caution about labeling as "homophobic" a God who opposes homosexual behavior. That's a bold and foolish approach (Job 40:8).