Where does homophobia come from?
Question:
Good morning, sir.
Thanks for giving an answer to all those who ask and share difficult questions of life. I need an explanation on homophobia. How does it originate? What is it? What are its manifestations? How can one deal with it?
Answer:
Homophobia originates with the promoters of homosexuality to explain away why reasonable people reject homosexuality as being a normal lifestyle. They can't imagine why anyone could say that it is wrong, so they conclude that people must have an irrational fear of homosexuals (which is what "homophobia" means). That the people don't display any symptoms of irrational fear doesn't matter. It becomes a club to strike back at those who say there are problems with homosexuality, such as that God calls it a sin (Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 6:9-10; I Timothy 1:8-10). In their mind, if they claim the objections are caused by irrational fear, then they don't have to consider the objections.
Can there be people with an irrational fear of homosexuality? Quite likely. Is it prevalent? Not hardly, especially not for the number of people accused of it.
You deal with the false accusations like any other. You live a righteous life and teach the truth.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" (I Peter 3:15-17).
"In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers" (I Peter 4:4-7).
