Quote:
Originally Posted by K0v0
Really? I definitely wasn't trying to use it in a derogatory way. I actually wasn't sure what the preferred terminology was. Because I also know that the word gay, amongst the young generation, is used in negative ways as well, but not always necessarily against a gay person (basically making the word a bit ambiguous) Well Ill be sure to use the term gay in the future in place of homosexual, I just had a pre-inclination towards steering away from a word that is also used loosely and negatively. To be honest, I prefer, human-being, as opposed to straight, gay, bi etc.. But I guess thats a bit too unrealistic!
The path you seem to be on now is what I always assumed that a lot of gays would go down, not necessarily Buddhism, but several of the more spiritual belief systems that do not produce such hate and bigotry.
Thanks for sharing, I really appreciate it.
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Didn't think you were being derogatory at all, but as you say, "I actually wasn't sure what the preferred terminology was." And I get your point about not using the word gay in a negative way. Admirable on your part!
Curiously, the first use of the word homosexual was by a gay person.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl-Maria_Kertbeny
And there's a certain nuance is that last sentence, implying a state of being rather than an act. It's the difference between saying 'I am a gay' and "I am a homosexual.' The first sounds odd to the ear, does it not? As such, I think this is a matter of self-determination rather than objectification. The latter is where bigotry and hatred arises.
And speaking of self-determination, I've witnessed groups of young black men using the word 'nigger' in conversation with each other to the consternation of their elders. However, it would have been inappropriate for me as a white man to do so.
Back to matters of faith.
My experience has been that every religion has its dogmatic and conservative side. There are homophobic/anti-gay Buddhists.