From: wr001b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (William E. Raftery Jr.)
Newsgroups: ba.politics,ca.politics,talk.politics.misc
Subject: Re: Clayton's bogus numbers
Date: 19 Nov 92 13:41:02 GMT
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

In article <1992Nov17.191945.3176@linus.mitre.org> bs@gauss.mitre.org (Robert D. Silverman) writes:
>In article <lg826qINNah8@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM> chased@rbbb.Eng.Sun.COM (David Chase) writes:
>:In article <1992Nov12.230416.16881@netcom.com> phil@netcom.com (Phil Ronzone) writes:
>:>... The German State tried to protray the Jews as doing such things
>:>as murdering children for religious rituals.
>:
>:>That would be horrible and disgusting if true. But it of course was not true.
>:
>:>Homosexuals have sex with people of the same sex. Many people find that
>:>disgusting and revolting. But, what homosexuals do IS TRUE.
>
>Part of growing up and becoming an adult is learning that the world
>cannot always be the way we want it; that other people have different
>ideas and tastes; and LEARNING TO TOLERATE THOSE DIFFERENCES.
>
>There are many things I find disgusting and revolting. However,
>I accept that not everyone believes the same as I do and I have
>learned tolerance.
>
>I would argue that people who cannot tolerate something because they
>find it personally disgusting HAVE NOT YET GROWN UP; they are still
>emotional babies.
> 
>Since we only allow adults to vote, perhaps these people should
>not be allowed to vote.
>
>To paraphrase Jefferson: "It does me no harm for someone to say
>he is an atheist. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg".

	This hit the nail on the head. I have been watching this thread for
awhile now and felt it time to put in my 2 cents worth.
	As for something such as homosexuality, I can only consider it
"wrong" if it falls uder certain criteria:
	1. Does it do me direct harm?
	2. If there is no direct harm, does it do indirect harm to me or
those I care about?
	3. Does it harm those who cannot easily or readily defend
themselves?

	In case one, I do not see how homosexuality at the present does me
direct harm. I do not have a bad of homosexuals banging down my door, or
trying to "force-feed" homosexuality down my throat via indoctrination, etc.
In fact freinds of mine who are homosexual have at no time evr tried to
"make a pass" or any such thing. Since it doesn't directly harm me, this
idea is thrown out.
	In case two, I wonder of the indirect effect. Here is where the lines
become a little fuzzy. I am from New York City and as such am quite aware of
the ever increasing controversy involving homosexuality "taught" in schools.
If the case is that the only thing taught of homosexuality is "Hello class.
Homosexuality exists, and this is what it is..." I cannot see any problem
with it. It is not telling kids "Now run out and be homosexuals", it is
merely telling kids that it exists. It maybust some bubbles, but hey, SAnta
Claus doesn't exist and I believe we all got over that. What worries me is
when (and if) homosexuality is taught in such a manner as to say "You, yes
YOU! little Johhny in Row 4 Aisle 7 are a homosexual". Nor do I approve of
teaching extremely young children the finer details of what homosexuality is
and how it "works" (This is were I disagree with the NYC Schools
Chancellor).
	As for case three, harming thosewho can't defend theselves, Iagain
must introduce the children. If theteaching merely deals with "homosexuality
exists", I see nothing wrong with it. Even the staunchest anti-homosexuals 
would be willing to do this, if for no other reason than to say
"Homosexuality exists, and if you do it you'll burn in hell" etc. 
	There are differences in this world, and while some are not good for
me personally (a guy tring to murder me is a BIG difference), there are some
that should be left as is.
	I realize that I am opening myself up for attack under the concept
of "May be ok for you,but society as a whole is going to hell in a
handbasket because of it (homosexuality being taught, accepted, etc)." If
such an arguement comes up, I guess it will have to be dealt with