One reporter reacts to JKR's revelations

[delwynmarch]

Susanmcgee wrote:
> But if someone presented me with evidence, 
> with examples, with reasoned discourse, as 
> has happened so many times in my life, I'd 
> say "hmmmm..well, maybe I should rethink that.."

Del wonders:
Are you somehow under the impression that this 
is the first time in my life that I'm discussing 
homosexuality? Are you under the impression that 
I have never been through that rethinking process?
If you are indeed under that impression, then let 
me tell you that you are gravely wrong. I have 
been in extremely deep and complex discussions on 
that topic, I have rethought my position a number 
of times, in fact I *constantly* rethink it, 
anytime a new fact or idea is thrown my way 
(something you haven't done, by the way: everything 
you've said in this discussion, I've heard many many 
times before.)

You shouldn't assume that just because people 
disagree with you means that they haven't
carefully thought out their position and opinion.

> Really. So you think that people who think Asians 
> are inferior can go through their life never 
> communicating that to an Asian or Asian 
> American or English person with Asian ancestry....?

No. But I do think that they can choose to express
their opinion or not when meeting those people.

Me, for example: I have a problem with homosexuality.
This didn't prevent me from living harmoniously along 
with a couple of girls in the flat upstairs that I 
strongly suppose were a lesbian couple. I was always 
polite to them, I enjoyed their presence, I enjoyed 
their personalities, and I totally enjoyed having 
them as neighbours. I would NEVER have done anything 
to hurt them. In particular, I would NEVER have gone 
out of my way to inform them that I have a problem 
with their sexuality. And you know what? Many 
people in my Church act exactly like me. You could 
live alongside us for years, talk to us every day, 
visit with us every week, go on holidays with us, and 
yet never know that we have a religious problem with
your sexuality. You'd have to ask us directly what 
our Church's position and our personal position on 
homosexuality are, to know that we have any problem 
with it.

> How am I trying to control your thoughts?

Emotional manipulation: "I won't like you, nor 
approve of you, nor recognise you as someone equal 
to me in opinions and qualities (morality, compassion,
whatever), until you fully agree with me."

> Well, I think you confuse beliefs, which I 
> contend can be changed through reflection, 
> analysis, and experience, with the fact of being 
> a lesbian or gay male...which for many people 
> is not subject to change..

My beliefs are indeed subject to change... but 
only within some limits. I have REASONS to believe 
what I believe, solid reasons, that I can no more 
deny than you can deny your exclusive attraction 
to females.

> Now you say I'm in favor of a black and white 
> (a racist phrase, by the way)..

No it's not. Every single phrase that mentions 
the words "white" and "black" is not a racist 
phrase. If it's racist, then tell me: which colour 
is it in favour of? Black or white?

> and a morally totalitarian worldview? Huh? 
> Where do you get that?

Do you or don't you, think that there is only ONE
right opinion about homosexuality?
 
> Del, please indicate specifically through citing 
> one of my posts where I have tried to be a 
> "thought police officer."

Anytime you argue that some opinions should not 
be freely aired, that some things cannot be said 
without automatically deserving verbal attack.

Del