Liberated dialogue [Archives:2006/917/Community]

By: Shadi Radman
[email protected]
This is in response to Mr. Nabeel Albadany who criticized Mr. Clint Carruth for supporting sexual freedom and rights. Mr. Albadany wrote about the myth of sexual freedom and its influence on people in America. From his response I find he shows similarities to a person with a narrow-minded attitude on the world, no offence to Mr. Albadany. It does seem he is generalizing the condition of a population based on the shortcomings of a minority. For example he refers to the people he works with and people around him as having relationship and marital issues due in part to their sexual freedom, alcoholism etc, which may or may not be the case. But does that entail that America in general could be in social distress because of their promiscuity or sexual preferences? I do not think so.

Let's take an example, let's say you are a male in a culture which socially pressures you into having relationships with other males, because that is the norm. Although you're not attracted to males (for unknown reasons), what would your reaction be in this situation? Of course you would be dissatisfied. Since this is a personal preference that could be innate, genetic, psychological, we don't know yet. But let me make it clear, an individual's sexual orientation or preference is unique to that individual same as physiology, personality, behaviour etc. I have not mentioned the position of any religion in my discussion because it is a complex and sensitive subject, and also because what I am speaking about is a matter of human nature. You can disagree with me on this, but we can not define what is normal and what is not, just try and look for that definition in areas of biological, medical, psychological science today and you will see what I mean. And from the humanistic perspective one should not judge or discriminate others in a different way just because they have a different sexual orientation. Keep in mind that not that long ago people used to discriminate against others just because of their skin colour and religion.

I believe journalists should have the right to discuss anything that concerns the public without favouritism and without fear of harassment. They should be able to talk about corruption in the government openly, and they should be able to shed new light on the civil rights and freedoms of individuals without personal fear. I think about these issues which are of significance in our society with tolerance and an open mind. As a Yemeni Muslim I do not want other people to decide for me. I believe we should think for ourselves and exchange and discuss those ideas. We need to be critical thinking Muslims not robots with fixed attitudes and mindsets.
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