Percy-L: Literary, Religious, Scientific, and Philosophical Discussion of Walker Percy

["Parlin, Steven" <PARLINS AT culver.org>]

Title: Re: [percy-l] gay marriage

Nice try Jim... :)

 

If I may comment on your message to Tim.

 

(Apologies to the list... I have a lot of time on my hands right now, and though I should be getting ready for classes, this is much more fun).

 

 

But, then,... why isn't the suffix "phobe" attached to ALL of those attributes, that we might  strongly object to and that we also might fear about ourselves... like pediphilaphobe, incestaphobe, beastialaphobe, or even something like serialkilleraphobe...  I vehemently object to all of these disordered states and behaviors, and if I look honestly at my heart, I might find disturbing remnants of these qualities...but that doesn't make me afraid of people who give into them (except maybe the serial killer).

 

I can still object, regardless of my fears about myself, without being labled a such-and-such phobe. In fact, your argument can apply to just about anything. I was of course joking with Nikki about the _expression_ "homophobephobe", but there is some truth in it. I hardly think Nikki is afraid of me (though she might be mildly afraid that I could be right), but it would be silly to lable her with a "phobia" for that reason.

 

I really should be doing something else...

 

Steve

 

 

 

  -----Original Message-----
From: James Piat [mailto:piat1 AT bellsouth.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 9:41 AM
To: Percy-L: Literary and Philosophical Discussion
Subject: Re: [percy-l] gay marriage

Dear Tim,

 

Sometimes I use the term homophobic  -- and what I mean by it is an irrational dislike of homosexuals based upon a fear that one's own homosexual impulses will overwhelm one's desire to suppress them.  Rather that acknowledging and dealing directly with one's own homosexual impulses the homophobic (per this formulation) targets and attempts to destroy an overt manifestation (homosexuals) of his covert desires.  I don't think all objections to homosexual behavior are based upon such dynamics, but I do think they are sometimes part of the equation.  What I think is constructive about this definition is that it reminds me to guard against my tendency to blame others for what I fear are my own faults  -- cast the mote out of our own eye and so forth.  Unfortunately, as you point out, the term is sometimes used as a verbal club to bash folks who object to homosexuality on other grounds.  But I'm not expert on the subject and all this is just my take.

 

Jim Piat

I'd like very much to hear someone who likes/uses the term 'homophobic' to suggest a definition that's constructive and useful. It seems to me to be a word constructed to muddy semantic waters and caricature those who have moral and teleological objections to homosexual behavior, and not an irrational fear of homosexuals.

I have a long time family friend, a psychologist, who uses the term more liberally than ketchup in his letters to the editor , but won't define it for me. Drives me batty...