Michael Hardner Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Race ? Sexual preference ? Gender ?What would you choose ?Some on another thread were insulted by Shady's statement that nobody would choose to be gay, however given that you can't choose the natural state of these things, strictly speaking, I think I agree with him. But it's a comment on the discrimination that people face based on these classifications, nothing more.I just saw Larry Wilmore on the Nightly Show ask a panel of black women which they would choose to be and the respondent answered and reaffirmed that she'd be a white man, because she has to do "twice as much to get half the reward".Yes... white, straight, male. I feel lucky and privileged.How about you ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 That's what you're supporting by standing behind that statement. I do not believe in the least that people choose sexual preference. If you feel that way, then you are simply attracted to both sexes. I guess I can see your point, though, if you actually think it's a "choice" then it calls gay people crazy. I never thought of that before. No. I'm genuinely offended by your support for Shady's comments here. I find it repulsive and I expected better from you. It's a bit of a philosophical head-scratcher to me. What we're saying is: if this fundamental idea of where attraction comes from, or my ideas and beliefs on that to be more specific, are false... then my agreement with this question constitutes gross intolerance. Hmmmm.... I suppose if the idea with which I disagree has any significant support in our public, then you'd have a point. Does it ? Do people generally believe that people CHOOSE their sexual preference ? I'm asking honestly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I thought my statement was pretty logical. Nobody would choose to be gay because there's no legitimate reasons to. If people get offended by logic and reason, that's their problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I thought my statement was pretty logical. Nobody would choose to be gay because there's no legitimate reasons to. If people get offended by logic and reason, that's their problem. Huh ? Legitimate reason ? What does that mean ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Huh ? Legitimate reason ? What does that mean ? What would be the purpose of choosing to be gay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I also hasten to point out that the gay folks who I have heard say this share my belief that sexual preference is not a choice. Philosophically, if it were a choice then I agree with Cyber that the question would be different. Basically you'd be asking then if homosexuals were [pejorative] "crazy". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 What would be the purpose of choosing to be gay? The question only makes sense (to me) in terms of a completely asexual person looking at the universe of impacts that would await him/her/himher in choosing one preference over another. When you phrase it as "legitimate reason" you are confusing the unrealism of the premise in implying that there could be "illegitimate reasons". What illegitimate reasons do you think there could be ? Actually - first of all, do you think sexual preference is a choice ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeball Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 You know what I really don't get? Stand up paddle boarding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Stand up paddle boarding. What is that ? Is that when fraternity bros spank each other for initiation ? Me neither. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 The question only makes sense (to me) in terms of a completely asexual person looking at the universe of impacts that would await him/her/himher in choosing one preference over another. When you phrase it as "legitimate reason" you are confusing the unrealism of the premise in implying that there could be "illegitimate reasons". What illegitimate reasons do you think there could be ? Actually - first of all, do you think sexual preference is a choice ? I can't think of any. And no, sexual preference isn't a choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 What is that ? Is that when fraternity bros spank each other for initiation ? Me neither. I'm not sure what that is either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted March 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I can't think of any. And no, sexual preference isn't a choice. Well, right... as I said if you don't believe it IS a choice, as I don't, then we're talking about a theoretical/philosophical question about which choice would be better for the person in question. As it's laid out, I agree with you. Cyber appears to think that it may be a choice though. I will wait for his response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeball Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 What is that ? Is that when fraternity bros spank each other for initiation ? Me neither. It's a cross between a surfboard and a rowboat...it's totally bi. As for being spanked by people in spandex I often have to run a gauntlet of kayakers warming up on the dock every morning. So I wonder who gets the right of way in the event of a SUP boarder and kayaker on a collision course? Whoever has the biggest paddle would be my guess. They're all just a bunch of speed-bumps to me once I'm underway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 It's a cross between a surfboard and a rowboat...it's totally bi. As for being spanked by people in spandex I often have to run a gauntlet of kayakers warming up on the dock every morning. So I wonder who gets the right of way in the event of a SUP boarder and kayaker on a collision course? Whoever has the biggest paddle would be my guess. They're all just a bunch of speed-bumps to me once I'm underway. Lol, this is the equivalent of a child putting his hands over his ears and yelling, I can't hear you! I can't hear you! I can't hear you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeball Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Hmmm...to coin a phrase I'm not sure what that is either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Hmmm...to coin a phrase I'm not sure what that is either. If you don't wish to discuss the topic, then don't post in the thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmy Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Shady's statement made sense to me. If sexual preference was something that was consciously decided, I don't think many would choose the prejudice and strife and heartache that comes with being gay. Especially in other parts of the world, where people who are gay are arrested or killed or beaten to death by mobs. If it was a matter of conscious choice, why would anybody choose that? -k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argus Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 (edited) Actually - first of all, do you think sexual preference is a choice ? If you haven't read today's Post you have interesting timing. Underlying the emotion on both sides is the looming and frustratingly unsettled question: Is homosexuality inherent or a choice? Those who consider homosexuality a moral sin naturally prefer to cast it as a choice. The politically correct answer, though, is that gays and lesbians are born that way, case closed, so don’t even think about judging or trying to change them. Yet science has failed to give a definitive answer either way. http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/03/05/barbara-kay-gay-advocate-unwittingly-encourages-idea-that-children-can-be-taught-to-be-gay/ As to your original question, I see no general advantage and some disadvantages in being gay or female or adding skin pigmentation. So why would I wish to be anything but a white man? Edited March 7, 2015 by Argus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
On Guard for Thee Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I think if you are going to make the simple statement such as..... who would choose to be gay, you need to include such rationale as Kimmy points out as to the strife involved, else it could be construed as just a slam against gays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeball Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Shady's statement made sense to me. I guess he just doesn't get a joke. Micheal seemed to but...oh well. If it was a matter of conscious choice, why would anybody choose that? -k To force or make a point - a political statement. To challenge the status quo with hopes of effecting a change in the outlook of others be it family, community, society or world. I'm quite sure this happens all the time. Sometimes a bit of humour helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 Shady's statement made sense to me. If sexual preference was something that was consciously decided, I don't think many would choose the prejudice and strife and heartache that comes with being gay. Especially in other parts of the world, where people who are gay are arrested or killed or beaten to death by mobs. If it was a matter of conscious choice, why would anybody choose that? -k Well said kimmy. That's what I was trying to say. I probably wasn't specific enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 I guess he just doesn't get a joke. Micheal seemed to but...oh well. To force or make a point - a political statement. To challenge the status quo with hopes of effecting a change in the outlook of others be it family, community, society or world. I'm quite sure this happens all the time. Sometimes a bit of humour helps. What kind of change would one be hoping to effect? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeball Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 A change in the outlook of others be it family, community, society or world. If you thought choosing to do that would make a difference, would you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmy Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 A change in the outlook of others be it family, community, society or world. If you thought choosing to do that would make a difference, would you? I wouldn't think that deciding who to spend ones' life with is the venue by which most people would "make a difference". -k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted March 7, 2015 Report Share Posted March 7, 2015 A change in the outlook of others be it family, community, society or world. If you thought choosing to do that would make a difference, would you? Personally I'd find other ways of doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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