From: mike@gordian.com (Michael A. Thomas)
Subject: Re: TWISTED LOGIC!
Organization: Gordian; Costa Mesa, CA
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 01:04:00 GMT

In article <18DEC199217413519@zeus.tamu.edu>, crr4574@zeus.tamu.edu (LARUE, CHARLES L.) writes:
>      I do believe that homosexuality is wrong.  Tell me why I am wrong to
> believe this.  Tell me why I have no right to this opinion. The reason I even 
> mention this is based on the fact that most of the PRO HETERO (not necessarily
> ANTI-GAY) posts on this group have resulted in nothing but petty flaming of
> that individual or individuals. 

  You must first state why you believe it is wrong. You are passing a 
moral judgement here, shouldn't you be the one who supplies reasons for 
your judgement? If I said that I think that living in Texas is *wrong*, 
wouldn't it be my job to prove why my assertion is correct? If I could
not come up with rational reasons I should keep my opinions to myself,
if not modify them.

> Before you judge me as a gay bashing homophobe, 
> let me assure you that I am not trying to bash you.  I just do not understand
> you and I think many times you distort facts to justify your behavior.

  Why must I justify my behavior to you or anybody else? Am I picking
your pocket? Am I pointing a gun at you? The fact is that I don't
have any care to justify my behavior to you because you are utterly
unimportant to my life. Any more than I would expect *you* justify
your heterosexual behavior to me.

>      Another example of this which comes to mind is the study which said that 
> roughly 10% of the population is gay.  I do not have this article, but I would
> like to read it.  I cannot imagine any place in the country where 10% of the 
> people are gay.  I probably know several thousand people and I know damn well 
> 10% of them aren't gay.  I know several who are but I would say no more than
> 1%.  Do any of you actually believe this 10% figure?  If you do, I would have
> to say move back to reality and out of la-la land.  

  You have obviously never been any where close to West Hollywood or
San Francisco. Trust me, 10% would be an absurdly low estimate. About
you and your anecdotal evidence, may I respectfully ask what makes you
so certain? Have you asked each and every one of them? Do you have reason
to believe that they are telling you the truth? Do you have reason to
believe that they *could* answer it truthfully, even to themselves?
   The figure of 10% was derived in a study done in the 40's by Alfred
Kinsey. It is suspect as any study done that long ago is liable to
be. However, in the intervening 50 years the likelyhood of truthfulness
has dramatically increased therefore it is plausible that the 10%
number could be *low*. It is really difficult to say, and as long
as social mores remain the same it will be impossible to say with
any certitude. Also, realize that sexual orientation is likely to
be distributed on a continuum of different inclination. Various
factors are liable to skew ones actual behavior one way or the
other. It, however, does not change the innate capacity in much
the same way that knowledge and intelligence are related but not
firmly linked.
   The bottom line, however, is what difference does it make?
Why do you care? Would you be happier if it were 1%? Would it
make a difference to your politics? Is criminal behavior, discrimination,
and harassment more acceptible as n% approaches 0? 

>      By the way, I am very comfortable with my own sexuality, so don't
> try that latent homosexual copout.  This is not meant to put anyone down, I 
> just think this echoes how the general population feels.  I also feel that you
> need solid references if you want to be taken seriously.  

  No. I would say that it is you, the person who is passing moral judgement,
who must justify your morality. You are the one making claims about my
life's worthiness; it is incumbent upon you to back it up with fact or 
stand down. 
-- 

		Michael Thomas	(mike@gordian.com)
	"I don't think Bambi Eyes will get you that flame thrower..."  
		-- Hobbes to Calvin
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