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HydromiTad
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HydromiTad
123 posts
Nomad

I have done this type of thread on other gaming sites, but none of them wanted to take a stance on this issue. Let me try it here, where civilized people are.

Moderators: If I missed something in the rules (I read them 5 times) please lock this thread.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO INSULT PEOPLE.
^
I can't make it any clearer. Most people think I am insulting others, but I am not trying to.

TROLLS, SPAMMERS, LEAVE THIS THREAD ALONE! You got my thread LOCKED on other sites! Please refrain from flaming me or other people!

Now for the actual discussion.

We see it every-so-often. Another person has been bullied so badly that he/she has committed suicide. What were they being bullied about? They were being told they were gay.<-I hope this isn't going to be starred out. Nothing wrong with that word.

Why are we so afraid of being gay? When you go back in time, you can easily see that we have been afraid of many different things.

1500's---We were afraid of Jews.

The beginning of black slavery in America-1970's-- That certain word was used on African Americans.

1950's---If you were called a communist, you had no future.

2000-present--- If you're gay, you're a target.

This isn't a new trend. But why do we demonize others?! Aren't we human beings? Aren't we smarter than this!?

Until we learn that we are all EQUAL, nothing will change. I would like to hope that we could start here.

No matter what religion or political stance you have, remember one VERY important rule: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.

Please comment as to why you think we demonize people. Also, please give out ideas on how we can shut down people who hate others (examples above).

TROLLS, SPAMMERS, AND FLAMERS, LEAVE!

  • 119 Replies
daleks
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daleks
3,766 posts
Chamberlain

I think people demonize others because somehow in their minds it makes them feel better. I don't really know though why people do it. Maybe they just want to blame someone for why the world is in such a bad state. At least that is what people used to do to the Jews.

DeadFamous
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DeadFamous
152 posts
Nomad

Humans are self-conceited and vain. We judge people because of their skin color, their sexuality or their ethnicity whether it's right or not. That doesn't mean that every single one of us abide to that and there are people that stand against it. I wish we could all understand that we have no overpowering rights against others just because we are, say, white, or have more money than someone else, etc.

HydromiTad
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HydromiTad
123 posts
Nomad

I'm glad to see that people here are mature enough not to name call lie on other sites.

MageGrayWolf
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MageGrayWolf
9,462 posts
Farmer

They were being told they were gay.<-I hope this isn't going to be starred out. Nothing wrong with that word.


The word is fine to use here if not being used derogatorily.

Why are we so afraid of being gay?


because many people got incorrectly taught that it's some how wrong or sick.

This isn't a new trend. But why do we demonize others?! Aren't we human beings? Aren't we smarter than this!?


We often demonize what we don't understand. Many people remain in ignorance or are simply too stupid to get it.

Until we learn that we are all EQUAL, nothing will change. I would like to hope that we could start here.


From what I can tell we are beginning the road to change in this field. Though moving out of ignorance can be a slow process.
DeadFamous
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DeadFamous
152 posts
Nomad

Why are we so afraid of being gay?


Well apparently in the Bible it is an automatic sin and if you ever have sex or marry gay then you are condemned to rot in Hell. That could be a large factor of why people think so low of the concept. It isn't a reason to judge others for it though.
HydromiTad
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HydromiTad
123 posts
Nomad

^

Never heard that one. That's a big contribution for sure!

iMogwai
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iMogwai
2,027 posts
Peasant

When I went to school here in Sweden, we were constantly being told how equality was good and taught not to judge people based on their race, gender or sexual preferences, and I think it's taught me to be pretty open minded. However, I'm guessing that people who are taught that homosexuality is wrong, whether it's by their parents or the Bible, is likely to believe that is the case.

I think that's why kids in the US should be taught not to judge others at school. At least that way they will have heard both arguments for both sides when they make up their mind on the matter.

While being taught about this at an early age makes you aware of the differences earlier, you're much likely to be influenced by it at an earlier age, and you'll carry it with you when you reach the age where you would've had an opinion about it anyway.

So basically, if a kid's told something's wrong, then they'll start believing it, and when they've made up their mind, it's going to be much harder to change their opinion about it.

2000-present--- If you're gay, you're a target.


First of all, I'm guessing it was way worse before 2000, and that it's been going on for a much, much, much longer time. Second, I don't really think it's that bad nowadays. At least not in Europe.
HydromiTad
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HydromiTad
123 posts
Nomad

^

First of all, I'm guessing it was way worse before 2000, and that it's been going on for a much, much, much longer time.


Yeah, I messed up on that. It was happening throughout the 1900's

Second, I don't really think it's that bad nowadays. At least not in Europe.


Maybe not in Europe (sometimes I wonder if you Europeans are more civilized) but here in America, it's a bigger issue.
Jefferysinspiration
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Jefferysinspiration
3,139 posts
Farmer

Please comment as to why you think we demonize people. Also, please give out ideas on how we can shut down people who hate others


I've personally had a loss in my family through suicide that was the result of bullying so it's a topic i feel very strongly about.

Why do we demonize people?
Power, authority, what we deem is respect.
Simply: Because we can.

It's like the food chain, the fight of the fittest and all that crap.

being told how equality was good and taught not to judge people based on their race, gender or sexual preferences, and I think it's taught me to be pretty open minded. However, I'm guessing that people who are taught that homosexuality is wrong, whether it's by their parents or the Bible, is likely to believe that is the case


I agree, the main factor to this problem is ignorance. Plain and simple. Throughout my life i have been taught right from wrong, i have been taugh morals, not to judge people etc - & Although this has been instilled in me, i still subconcously do it. Regardless of what we've been told, taught, or whatever, we all judge. & Anyone who claims they've never judged anyone at all is pretty much a fibber. We do it with the "Omg, what is she wearing", not to a huge extent but we're all guilty of it.

In younger and less serous cases i think the problem is immaturity. I was bullied when i was younger and my "Bully" is now one of my closest friends. She admitted what she did was wrong and apologized - because she has matured.

In reference to the more serious cases of bullying, where someone has self harmed or took their own life, a lot of factors come into play. Some people argue that these people aren't "strong" compared to other people who can candle it, but hey, people deal with things differently.

The example you opened with was sexual orientation. Regardless of the worlds progression this will always be an issue. Homosexuality will never be 100% accepted. I don't say this to be mean. I'm a lesbian, so i'm not saying it to be homophobic. It's just honest - there'll always be at least one person who will be derogatory towards homosexuals. Although Imogwai makes a good point - in Europe we are opening up to the idea more and more. Which is beautiful.

A lack of education and understanding is what is hurting society. Hell, it's a lack of respect. The youth need to be taught properly how to deal with these issues. I went to a catholic school and although we touched on most issued, homosexuality was kind of glossed over - that said, the school didn't stand for homophobic bullying and this was dealt with: but the bullies weren't educated to accept this.

I think i've went on a bit (Yes i know, a huge) rant, but i hope i answered the question(s) somewhere in there.
Kyouzou
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Kyouzou
5,061 posts
Jester

Humans especially as children tend to single out something that is different, in the case of bullying usually this person is different in a way that the leader of the group deems to be uncool.

Schools try to fight this by saying go to an adult, be a responsible bystander.

This does not work, it may be the right thing to do, but its going to get the kid labeled for the rest of his time there, and at a later point subconsciously. I definitely agree that rather than teaching the "lets tell someone" they should teach acceptance of their fellows, be blind to skin color, sexual orientation, religion.

partydevil
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partydevil
5,129 posts
Jester

learn that we are all EQUAL


thats the problem. humans are still animals and like whit many other kind of animals it's in our nature to show off what we can. or know.
it's like when 2 dogs fight. they do not realy fight. they are just wrestling a bit to show eatchother how strong they are. it's in our nature to want to be the best. in sports we whold call it competition.
or sport fans that say that their team is beter then the enemys team.
314d1
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314d1
3,817 posts
Nomad

Maybe not in Europe (sometimes I wonder if you Europeans are more civilized) but here in America, it's a bigger issue.


Wait, so you are up on a soap box complaining about equality, then you turn around and wonder if one country is more civilized than the other? Doesn't that make you a hypocrite?

Everyone makes fun of every other group. People make fun of those stronger than them by claiming to be smarter, people make fun of people smarter than them by claiming greater strength. Everyone makes fun of everyone, although I am not homosexual and would assume it is rather worse than the average, I still don't see how suicide can be considered an answer by anyone. Not only should homophobia be fought, I would also state that the suicides should be fought.
Kyouzou
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Kyouzou
5,061 posts
Jester

You can't teach against suicide, I'm no expert in psychology but I'd imagine a person, especially a child has to be incredibly depressed to even contemplate suicide. Rather than teaching against it why not train school professionals, and parents on spotting the signs of depression?

Jefferysinspiration
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Jefferysinspiration
3,139 posts
Farmer

I still don't see how suicide can be considered an answer by anyone.


You don't see it, because you haven't been at a point so low in your life that suicide seems like the only option.
Jefferysinspiration
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Jefferysinspiration
3,139 posts
Farmer

You can't teach against suicide, I'm no expert in psychology but I'd imagine a person, especially a child has to be incredibly depressed to even contemplate suicide. Rather than teaching against it why not train school professionals, and parents on spotting the signs of depression?


This happens where i live in northern Ireland. I went to get a qualification in it:

Pips is a suicide prevention charity that go to schools and youthclubs to teach youth the signs of depression/suicide and how to deal with/help it.

They have a "mind your mate" programme which is amazing.

This is the education the world needs.
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