People who disapprove of homosexuality on religious grounds are NOT homophobes, FFS. We do so because the God whom we worship disapproves of homosexuality, and we cannot condone that which He condemns. Many (if not most) of us have no specific quarrel with the homosexuals whom we know and even like them (my best friend of a dozen years really WAS a gay dude, and would still be, had he not drowned in a rip tide years ago). Moreover, I really take issue with the term "homophobic" because a phobia is an irrational fear...and even to be disgusted by peoples' behavior is not to be fearful of them, and certainly does not constitute irrational fear. As a professing Christian (as was my best friend), I am worried about pleasing God, not my fellow man. And whereas homosexuality IS a sin, it is just one of many kinds, and the Holy Bible teaches that we are ALL sinners. (Sin is defined in Scripture as being in rebellion against God's law, so as He established the law, He also gets to determine what constitutes violations of that law. It is HIS law, after all...)
While I don't share your religious beliefs, and view homosexuality as just another expression of liberty, I absolutely agree that the term "homophobia" is inappropriate. Same with any other use of "____phobia" to describe someone who simply disagrees on a particular subject. Calling people mentally ill because they disagree with you is not a starting point for mutual respect, meaningful discussion, or civil agreement to disagree.
People who disapprove of homosexuality on religious grounds are NOT homophobes, FFS. We do so because the God whom we worship disapproves of homosexuality, and we cannot condone that which He condemns. Many (if not most) of us have no specific quarrel with the homosexuals whom we know and even like them (my best friend of a dozen years really WAS a gay dude, and would still be, had he not drowned in a rip tide years ago). Moreover, I really take issue with the term "homophobic" because a phobia is an irrational fear...and even to be disgusted by peoples' behavior is not to be fearful of them, and certainly does not constitute irrational fear. As a professing Christian (as was my best friend), I am worried about pleasing God, not my fellow man. And whereas homosexuality IS a sin, it is just one of many kinds, and the Holy Bible teaches that we are ALL sinners. (Sin is defined in Scripture as being in rebellion against God's law, so as He established the law, He also gets to determine what constitutes violations of that law. It is HIS law, after all...)
While I don't share your religious beliefs, and view homosexuality as just another expression of liberty, I absolutely agree that the term "homophobia" is inappropriate. Same with any other use of "____phobia" to describe someone who simply disagrees on a particular subject. Calling people mentally ill because they disagree with you is not a starting point for mutual respect, meaningful discussion, or civil agreement to disagree.
It's not my place to judge one's sexual or love life. As long as it doesn't interfere with mine.