Why Is This Considered Bigoted?

It's bigoted because it focuses not on a type of behavior but a class of individuals.

 

I believe it to be a misapplication of the word in this instance.

 

That's true - he doesn't say he hates people who act gay or look gay, but are gay.

or

Yes, he is saying honestly how he feels, but his feelings are bigoted against gay people. Without knowing the individual, he dislikes him and thinks he should not be allowed in the USA.

 

Sodomy is a type of behavior. I suppose sodomites are a class of people based on their unnatural behavior, akin to saying pedophiles are a class of people. However, Hardaway's statement was not bigoted, for Hardaway was not basing his view from a religious foundation nor was he being intolerant of the opinions of others but rather expressing his own opinions on the topic. Though he misrepresented the word "bigot" Amaechi wasn't even bigoted for he called the comments honest etc. Perhaps you could say Hardaway was bigoted for he did not want to share a locker with a sodomite and thus infringes on the sodomites beliefs but then you'd have to say Amaechi would be a bigot as well, for he would perhaps desire to be able to share the locker and thus would be intolerant of Hardaway's natural beliefs. The definite bigots would be David Stern and the NBA. The individual that spoke out in favor of being a sodomite was tolerated, the individual that spoke out against sodomy was not tolerated.

big·ot (bĭg'ət) Pronunciation Key
n. One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ. (American Heritage Dictionary)​

BIG''OT, n. 1. A person who is obstinately and unreasonably wedded to a particular religious creed, opinion, practice or ritual. The word is sometimes used in an enlarged sense, for a person who is illiberally attached to any opinion, or system of belief; as a bigot to the Mohammedan religion; a bigot to a form of government. (Webster's 1828)​

 

A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own.

Wikipedia



Based on this definition Hardaway is a bigot. Jesus was a bigot toward those who rejected Him. God continues this bigotry today. Christ was intolerant of a class of people (those who rejected Him and denied who He was), the unbelieving class. He made it known they were condemned so long as they continued to reject Him.

Or could iot be said He was intolerant of their behavior? Maybe it is true that to reject ungodly & sinnful behavior and refuse to recieve it as acceptable is not to reject the person.

The term bigot is misused as a tool to achieve political goals.

 

He didn't say he hates men who commit sodomy (which some straight men do with women, by the way). He said he hates gays.

Homosexuality is not simple behavior. A person who is erotically attracted only to members of the same sex and who are unaroused by members of the opposite sex are homosexual, whether they are active sexually or completely chaste.

A pedophile who never, ever acts on his inclination is unlikely to reveal it.

"Bigot" is the correct term.

: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance Merriam -Webster
​

He's intolerant of gays' existence.

"I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

That's like saying Rosa Parks was bigotted for being intolerant of Jim Crow.

 

Which he apologized for.

Sin begins in the heart. Whether they desire it or do the deed, they are what they are.

Are you not obstinately devoted to your opinions and prejudices? That definition makes most of the world bigots.

If "it" is sodomy, I don't like it either and it shouldn't be in the world or in the United States.

 

Then don't do it.

 

Of course you would. Doesn't make you right, but you could.

 

maybe he was using "hate" the way God did in referring to people...

 

The treatment of Hardaway is interesting to me for those actually wanting to talk about this issue. Do you think those with similar viewpoints are going to say anything NOW! How can their be dialog if one side is lambasted for saying what they actually think?

It is just funny to me how everyone is for freedom of expression, until someone expresses something they don't like.

BTW I would be willing to listen to John Amichai if he didn't come off as such an arrogant (p)ass every time he talked. Don't talk down to me, talk at me

 

Why shouldn't someone be allowed to say he hates gays ?
That's the way he feels about it, let the gays and lesbos live with it.
Those who don't like their lifestyles have to live with the fact that they are here, right ?
What. Tolerance is a one way street ?

 

You know, I just have nothing more to say to you people on this subject.

Fred Phelp's influence is a lot wider than I thought.

 

"Gay" or "homosexual" is not a class of people, but a class of behavior.

Having said that, Hardaway's comments are inexcusable.

 

What is a "homosexual manner"? How much time is spent actully engaging in that manner and how much doing thing everyone else does (working, eating, sleeping) - yet the person is defined by what they do that small percentage of their total time.

An alcoholic is considered an alcoholic whether they're still drinking or on the wagon. People are considered heterosexual whether they've actually done it or not, if their erotic desires focus on the opposite sex. Well, goose, gander.

 

Did anyone say that Hardaway couldn't say what he said - was he punished for it or did he just have to hear the reaction?

This reminds me of the Nazis marching through Skokie - freedom of (abhorrent) speech.

I can see the objection to Hardaway's speech as bigotry only as far as bigotry is associated with hypocrisy. He was not being a hypocrite. But I don't think that was the sense of the word when it was applied to Hardaway.