Disgust
DISGUSTING! The difference between liberals and conservatives is the degree of disgust they feel about many things.
That is simplifying the differences and does not cover the complexity of how people take their political stances. But research* is showing that the "disgust" reaction is a built-in self-defense mechanism. Those who are different, have a different appearance, or have some other physical traits that are unfamiliar and not proven to be safe tap that self-defense mechanism in our psyches.
"Disgust" is a close cousin of fear. And as people learn from experience that something is not worth being afraid of, experience with things that appear to us to be disgusting, like leprosy or physical deformities on people, helps us discover that our first impression of "disgust" diminishes the more we are with them.
"Disgust" is as potent as fear is when we decide to feed it with excuses, rationalizations, false theories . . . and religious beliefs. I remember when I finally realized that my feeling of distaste about homosexuality was unfounded. I didn't have to be homosexual and deal with the behaviors I imagined they had. Then I discovered people who were homosexual found my heterosexual impulses were distasteful to them. That was a surprise!
I have always believed that the "Yuck Factor" was an important part of why so many people believe homosexuality is wrong. What this science about disgust is saying is that it is not just a matter of taste but a full-fledged defense mechanism which keeps us separate from something strange that we are afraid could cause us harm. It is not something that is easily overcome with rational discussion, especially when those feelings are buttressed by Scripture and church leaders who speak out against homosexuality as if they were speaking on behalf of God.
There's an irony there in that God is described as both male and female in Genesis!
The way I was able to continue my journey toward overcoming the "disgust" my body provided as a shield was to have a couple years to know a political science professor, a janitor who had severe cerebral palsy, and a fantastic singer, all of whom were gay and I would not have known it if they had not told me. I attended a Metropolitan Church service attended by many people, some gay, mostly parents and siblings of gay people because they were made to feel unwelcome in mainline churches. The pain I felt there among those folks really hammered home just how much our "disgust" was both misplaced and unreasonable.
I know this bit of information that the natural "disgust" response to the unfamiliar is something like fear that can (and should) be overcome will not be enough to change anyone's mind about the seriousness of the split within our denomination over homosexuality. But maybe it will help us all move a little further along in our Christian journey.
*I discovered the research in a report on NPR today which I cannot further document. I've been around social sciences since college over 60 years ago and the report sounded valid. And it adds a new layer to the research noted when one Googles the phrase "disgust research.
The Rev. Jerry Eckert, a retired clergy member of the Wisconsin Annual Conference, lives in Port Charlotte, Fla.