Emotional Correctness

Ambersky

Came across this video today and thought what of fantastic idea or aspiration to work on ones emotional correctness.
Its difficult being LGBT sometimes and as your awareness grows of how homophobia works in your own life, in institutions and in the minds of those you know and of complete strangers you can find yourself up against some pretty heavy opposition. It can be exhausting challenging stereotypes misconceptions and sometimes outright bigotry.
While it is really important that there are people who even in their own small way have things worked out enough in their heads to put forward challenges to homophobia, in fighting bigotry maybe it is also important not to turn into the very thing you are fighting and become a bigot yourself.
It can be difficult to disagree with someones beliefs and still respect them as people even thought the beliefs they are putting forward would have implications for your own personal freedoms. How does one do that and why would you do it.

Do people on this forum think it is a desirable thing to be able to be friends with, maintain relationships with, or even to respect people who believe things like that homosexuality is an illness, or that gays shouldnt be allowed to marry or teach children in schools. Is it desirable to treat such people with respect or do they deserve nothing but contempt?
How do you think people with such ideas can be persuaded to change their opinions. This idea raises lots of questions.

Maybe have a listen to what this woman does for a living and her thoughts on such matters. The video is very American based, Fox News for anyone who isnt aware of it is a conservative station airing a lot of anti gay marriage, pro gun lobby, fundamentalist christian, anti Obama, viewpoints.
I think this idea of emotional correctness is a very interesting idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCJTV5KaJJc

Genegirl83

Hey!
I think this is a cool question

I personally, would never concern myself with someone who was not entirely respectful to other human beings. OK, everybody has their moments when they have an "air" and maybe look down on somebody elses job or upbringing but I think those moments are often fleeting for most people and I think they're a normal part of the fragile human ego. In my opinion.

This might seem to be a useless maybe somewhat "bigoted against bigots" stance to take but for myself, I absolutely support the right of a Christian or (insert other religion here) to denounce homosexuality in their own mind and believe it is wrong. I however have quite the issue with a religious person who would have that belief and take steps to in any way intrude on a gay persons life or well being. Unfortunately, that includes the intention or action of voting "No" to marriage equality or public rhetoric against homosexuality. I would happily converse with a religious person about any number of topics including homosexuality (provided they were respectful) but I would never call them "friend". How could I? They fundamentally disagree with a massive proportion of my life. I could never objectively discuss my relationships with them, my future family plans. Nothing like that. With friends you should be able to speak freely. You shouldn't have to worry about facing vocal or silent judgement.

I suppose what I'm saying is, I DON'T deal with it. I would genuinely start to consider the depths of my self esteem if I were to willingly surround myself with people who thought I was essentially, not living the "correct way". In fact I would go so far as to say I myself was exhibiting internalised homophobia. I don't expect homosexuals to have to be friendly towards anyone who speaks ill about their life and who they are. No more than I would expect a black person to befriend a racist. I'm not interested in persuading them out of their hatred and many are far beyond the scope of help I would however emplore every person to be civil, kind and respectful of every single person and except that they live their life out in the way they choose provided they are not hurting another person. In the same way I would certainly help the most homophobic of people if they needed help.

As an athiest and humanist I feel that it is my moral duty to respect everyone. Since I, and other atheists do not believe in the reward of a "paradise" afterlife for our good behaviour, I think this is true testament to the morals of the unreligious. Love and respect for those who hate us for no reason other than it is good to do so. I am fully in the belief that you have one life and that it is NOT to be treated like a dress rehearsal. So live and live well. Living without hate feels truly excellent and that is my real reward.

baby and crumble

I won't be watching the vid just now, but for me, respect goes both ways. As in, I have a friend who does not believe that gay people should be married. It's for religious reasons.

Now, a lot of people would say that I shouldn't be friends with her because she would deny me my right to get married. But she is entitled to have that belief, especially as she has made honest attempts to decide for herself using her own reading of the bible, and prayer. I may not agree with her conclusion, but so what? I don't agree with her Christian beliefs, but that doesn't mean I dump her as a friend. She sees my relationship as perfectly fine, it's the final step of marriage she has an issue with. Why would I cut someone out of my life for a mismatched opinion?