Are Japanese Open Minded to.....

[Spaztick]

Ack, I get flamed...

Didn't mean to offend anyone, I wasn't called them diseased, but I lacked any other symbolism to describe my outlook on it. I supposed calling it a fetish is a bit more appropriate, but I can't really speak for the homosexual population. (Although it gives me the shudders thinking of anohter guy passionatly kissing another guy).

Now then, moving on.

Interesting what they thought way back when, this does intruige more research.

[Daichi]

Inexactitude wrote:
Regarding Hagakure, it must be remembered that this writing is just a few men's interpertations of the code of Bushido.

That is true, the Hagakure is of made up of the quotations of Tsunetomo alone, so it isn't possible to say whether his observations were typical of the period.

[Inexactitude]

Actually, most historians consider his views extremely radical for the time they were written (approx. 1700).

[Daichi]

Inexactitude wrote:
Actually, most historians consider his views extremely radical for the time they were written (approx. 1700).

Sorry, I should have said "it isn't possible for ME to say.."!

I'm not going to argue with historians!

[Kingstonian]

to cut a long story short

Homosexuality is unnatural and that makes it wrong in the greater majority of the human population's mind (Japan, USA etc)....i could go on more but I might come across wrong.

Is same sex inetrcourse illegal in japan?.....it is in my country

[Harisenbon]

. . .

Just to counter a point, Homosexuality occurs in nature as well as in human society. There's nothing unnatural about it. It would be like saying that albinos are unnatural.

[torgosaves]

You are exactly right Harisenbon.

[skrhgh3b]

i think american and japanese attitudes towards homosexuality, on the whole, are more similar than not. or, at least that has been my personal experience. but it's also strange to think about that. after all, our culture's insecurity with homosexuality is deeply rooted in a puritan interpretation of the judeo-christian bible. before christianity, western culture, whose roots primiarily lie in ancient greece, was an overtly homosexual culture. and on that note, sappho of lesbos was my kind of woman... but i digress. so, what are the roots of japan's insecurity with homosexuality? is it simply the fear a majority has of a minority it doesn't understand? that seems to be a pretty universal characteristic of human nature.

[skrhgh3b]

Harisenbon wrote:
. . .

Just to counter a point, Homosexuality occurs in nature as well as in human society. There's nothing unnatural about it. It would be like saying that albinos are unnatural.

that's an excellent counter-point. every sexual scenario imaginable is found in nature. who here hasn't had their leg humped by a pup in heat? i wish i could say, "me."

[Hiro]

Harisenbon wrote:
. . .

Just to counter a point, Homosexuality occurs in nature as well as in human society. There's nothing unnatural about it. It would be like saying that albinos are unnatural.

Harisenbon-san, you are absolutely correct. However, regarding some other peoples' comments, one cannot deny the fact that different cultures do in fact treat homosexuality differently. Even the policies of Canada and the United States are vastly contrasting on this subject; for example, Canada allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military, and has legalized same-sex marriage; whereas the United States, only a few minutes away, restricts homosexuals from serving in or alongside the military.

It all depends on the culture and their beliefs. As for Japan, judging by some of its published multimedia, I would submit that the Japanese people have a very mature stance on the subject of homosexuality; that is, "live, and let live."

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents.

[b4d0m3n]

Kingstonian wrote:Homosexuality is unnatural and that makes it wrong in the greater majority of the human population's mind...

If homosexuality is unnatural, then my head is a big blue melon. Oh, wait... it's not, because it isn't. So there.

[lomagu]

Really, I don't think the point of this thread was to discuss whether homosexuality is right or wrong, but since everyone else is I think I'll add my 2 cents.

Kingstonian wrote:
Homosexuality is unnatural and that makes it wrong in the greater majority of the human population's mind...

Harisenbon wrote:
Just to counter a point, Homosexuality occurs in nature as well as in human society. There's nothing unnatural about it. It would be like saying that albinos are unnatural.

Strictly speaking, homosexuality is natural like albinos, as Harisenbon pointed out. That being said though, albinos become albino because of a gene defect or mutation. Albino animals have a much lower chance of survival in their natural environment because they lack camouflage (& therefore protection). They are sometimes born with other defects such as impaired hearing or vision. So as a matter of survival, being an albino is a disadvantage.

I think homosexuality too, from mother nature's point of view, doesn't really serve any purpose. The whole point of life is to propagate life. Being homosexual kind of limits one's reproductive chances. So, I guess whether homosexuality is natural or not depends on one's definition of "natural".

I don't think negatively towards gay people (some of my friends are gay), I just don't think really think it's "proper" (sorry, I don't know what other word to use) - scientifically speaking.

[mandolin]

I'd like to add some food for thought, particularly in response to lomagu:

Nature is notorious for "correcting" itself. Compensation, survival of the fittest. What-have-you. Some things which are abberations become more and more prevalent when the need arises, until such abberations are no longer... unusual.

In a world that is quickly depleting its resources, and becoming exponentially more crowded each generation, who is to say that 'gay' tendences are anything less than mother nature's own population control?

The alternative is population control of another sort, like the rest of the wild kingdom. Dwindle the food supply and let population drop off due to mass starvation.

I say let em be gay.

[skrhgh3b]

Hiro wrote:
It all depends on the culture and their beliefs. As for Japan, judging by some of its published multimedia, I would submit that the Japanese people have a very mature stance on the subject of homosexuality; that is, "live, and let live."

but you can't judge a culture by its 'published multimedia.' america has no shortage of 'published multimedia' that has a very relaxed attitude towards homosexuality, but at the same time, you couldn't say america is a very tolerant culture towards homosexuality either.

[Hiro]

Even if it's a bit unorthodox -- nicely said, mandolin-san. But really, I think today's generation of young people is far more understanding and tolerant of this kind of thing than is our parents and grandparents. I've never really had a problem with being gay -- my friends are totally awesome about it. It's just adults I have to worry about it, lol. It's ironic that I'd have to be the one to tell my elders to grow up.

Edit: No, skrhgh3b-san, you'd be correct. I was simply using their multimedia as an example. There is far more of such "generally-available" media in Japan than there is in the United States. Nonetheless, a good point. And yeah, the United States certainly does not go in the top ten list for homosexual tolerance, lol.