O
Odell
Guest
**TEN RULES FOR DEBATING “GAY” ARGUMENTS
(As applied in a hypothetical conversation).
First. Never leave unchallenged any argument in which sexual orientation theory, homosexual immutability or the equivalency of heterosexuality and homosexuality is assumed (which is just about any discussion you will ever have on this issue).
“Gay” Advocate: “Can’t you see that denying gays the right to marry is discrimination. Why shouldn’t they have the same basic rights as heterosexuals?”
You:“I’m a little confused by your argument. Are you saying that you think homosexuality is equivalent to heterosexuality?”
Second. Always make the advocates of the “gay” position define the critical terms.
“Gay” Advocate: “Of course they are equivalent. One person is no better than another just because of whom they happen to love.”
You: “I still don’t get it. How do you define homosexuality and heterosexuality? It’s more than love isn’t it?”
Third. Stay on track. Sophists will always change the subject to avoid having to admit error. The trick is to stay focused until the term in question is defined. Don’t allow yourself to be baited into switching topics. Promise to address new topics after your main question has been answered. (Also, watch out for the “tag team” tactic in which a third party will interrupt your discussion to help your opponent change the subject. Make these parties address your question.)
“Gay” Advocate: “Homosexuality is just your sexual orientation. It’s the way you’re born. Some people are straight. Some are gay. You don’t think gay people should be discriminated against just because they have a different orientation, do you?”
You: “I’d like to answer that question after we talk about what sexual orientation is, but I’m still not clear on what you mean by homosexuality. How do you know that it’s just the way someone is born?
Fourth. Don’t allow your opponent to place the burden of proof upon you to disprove one of his*or her assumptions. The burden of proof is on him or her.
“Gay” Advocate. “Everybody knows that. There are lots of studies. Besides, who would choose to be gay when there is so much hatred and homophobia against them?”
You:“Lotsofpeoplemakechoicesthatotherpeoplehate. Thatdoesn’tproveanything. Andallthestudies that I have seen have been inconclusive. Can you cite me any study that absolutely proves that gays are born that way?”
Fifth. Always steer the discussion to sexual conduct.
“Gay” Advocate: “They’re out there. But gay people don’t have to prove themselves to deserve basic rights. You don’t have to prove your heterosexuality to get your rights do you?”
You: “Now we’re back where we started on this question of whether homosexuality is equivalent to heterosexuality. Youstillhaven’tdefinedwhathomosexualityisorwhatheterosexualityis. Isn’titaquestion of behavior?”
Sixth. Keep the discussion on what can be objectively observed and measured and away from the subjective. Don’t be diverted into a discussion of abstractions.
“Gay” Advocate: “No, its not about behavior, its about orientation. I already said that. You can be gay and celibate. Being gay is when the person you fall in love with is the same sex as you. Being straight is when you fall in love with someone of the opposite sex. That’s it.”
You: “So where does sex come in. If orientation has nothing to do with sexual behavior, what stops pedophiles from claiming equality with gays and straights? If they never get physical, what does it matter if they fall in love with a child?”
Seventh. Use affirmative statements to reclaim the initiative in the discussion.
“Gay” Advocate: “Yeah, but pedophilia is illegal.”
You: “Right. The behavior is illegal, but not the thoughts and feelings. That’s why its important to be very clearonthedefinitionofhomosexualityandheterosexualitybeforewedecideifthey’reequal. Ifwe’reonly talking about thoughts and feelings, then perhaps they are equal, but then so are all the other orientations you can think of. If we compare them by the types of behavior they involve, that’s a different story.
Pedophile behavior is illegal because it harms children. Homosexual behavior is still illegal in many states because it spreads disease and dysfunction.”**
(As applied in a hypothetical conversation).
First. Never leave unchallenged any argument in which sexual orientation theory, homosexual immutability or the equivalency of heterosexuality and homosexuality is assumed (which is just about any discussion you will ever have on this issue).
“Gay” Advocate: “Can’t you see that denying gays the right to marry is discrimination. Why shouldn’t they have the same basic rights as heterosexuals?”
You:“I’m a little confused by your argument. Are you saying that you think homosexuality is equivalent to heterosexuality?”
Second. Always make the advocates of the “gay” position define the critical terms.
“Gay” Advocate: “Of course they are equivalent. One person is no better than another just because of whom they happen to love.”
You: “I still don’t get it. How do you define homosexuality and heterosexuality? It’s more than love isn’t it?”
Third. Stay on track. Sophists will always change the subject to avoid having to admit error. The trick is to stay focused until the term in question is defined. Don’t allow yourself to be baited into switching topics. Promise to address new topics after your main question has been answered. (Also, watch out for the “tag team” tactic in which a third party will interrupt your discussion to help your opponent change the subject. Make these parties address your question.)
“Gay” Advocate: “Homosexuality is just your sexual orientation. It’s the way you’re born. Some people are straight. Some are gay. You don’t think gay people should be discriminated against just because they have a different orientation, do you?”
You: “I’d like to answer that question after we talk about what sexual orientation is, but I’m still not clear on what you mean by homosexuality. How do you know that it’s just the way someone is born?
Fourth. Don’t allow your opponent to place the burden of proof upon you to disprove one of his*or her assumptions. The burden of proof is on him or her.
“Gay” Advocate. “Everybody knows that. There are lots of studies. Besides, who would choose to be gay when there is so much hatred and homophobia against them?”
You:“Lotsofpeoplemakechoicesthatotherpeoplehate. Thatdoesn’tproveanything. Andallthestudies that I have seen have been inconclusive. Can you cite me any study that absolutely proves that gays are born that way?”
Fifth. Always steer the discussion to sexual conduct.
“Gay” Advocate: “They’re out there. But gay people don’t have to prove themselves to deserve basic rights. You don’t have to prove your heterosexuality to get your rights do you?”
You: “Now we’re back where we started on this question of whether homosexuality is equivalent to heterosexuality. Youstillhaven’tdefinedwhathomosexualityisorwhatheterosexualityis. Isn’titaquestion of behavior?”
Sixth. Keep the discussion on what can be objectively observed and measured and away from the subjective. Don’t be diverted into a discussion of abstractions.
“Gay” Advocate: “No, its not about behavior, its about orientation. I already said that. You can be gay and celibate. Being gay is when the person you fall in love with is the same sex as you. Being straight is when you fall in love with someone of the opposite sex. That’s it.”
You: “So where does sex come in. If orientation has nothing to do with sexual behavior, what stops pedophiles from claiming equality with gays and straights? If they never get physical, what does it matter if they fall in love with a child?”
Seventh. Use affirmative statements to reclaim the initiative in the discussion.
“Gay” Advocate: “Yeah, but pedophilia is illegal.”
You: “Right. The behavior is illegal, but not the thoughts and feelings. That’s why its important to be very clearonthedefinitionofhomosexualityandheterosexualitybeforewedecideifthey’reequal. Ifwe’reonly talking about thoughts and feelings, then perhaps they are equal, but then so are all the other orientations you can think of. If we compare them by the types of behavior they involve, that’s a different story.
Pedophile behavior is illegal because it harms children. Homosexual behavior is still illegal in many states because it spreads disease and dysfunction.”**
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