Selling Homosexuality to America

CBN ^ | 7/11/03 | Craig von Buseck

[apackof2]

Selling Homosexuality to America

By Craig von Buseck
CBN.com Producer

In this exclusive interview, Paul Rondeau talks about his in-depth study, Selling Homosexuality to America, which was recently published in the Regent Law Review.

CBN.com – In his recent study, Selling Homosexuality to America, marketing expert Paul Rondeau explains, "Among America's culture wars, one of today's most intense controversies rages around the issue alternatively identified, depending on one's point of view, as "normalizing homosexuality" or "accepting gayness." The debate is truly a social-ethical-moral conceptual war that transcends both the scientific and legal, though science and law most often are the weapons of choice. The ammunition for these weapons, however, is persuasion."

This article and interview explores how gay rights activists use rhetoric, psychology, and the media to frame what is discussed in the public arena -- and how it is discussed. "In essence," Rondeau points out, "when it comes to homosexuality, activists want to shape 'what everyone knows' and 'what everyone takes for granted' even if everyone does not really know and even if it should not be taken for granted."

"The first strategy of persuasion," he goes on to say, "is to establish a favorable climate for your message so that the communicator (marketer) can influence the future decision without even appearing to be persuading ... This is at the heart of the homosexual campaign: to get consent via social construct today to determine whose idea of personal freedoms will prevail in our legal codes tomorrow."

Paul Rondeau has been a senior sales and marketing management professional with industry leaders for over 25 years. He holds an M.A. in Management, with a specialty in persuasive communication. Currently, he is a doctoral student in communication studies with a focus in rhetoric and persuasion.

READ STUDY HERE

[Jorge]

On the other hand, you're right about homosexuals being easy to spot, but if you really notice, it isn't always because they fit the stereotype, although they often do. It is kinda hard to describe actually, but I can usually spot them a mile away. It seems to me more like a certain "quality" that emanates from them rather than any specific behavior.

I don't mean this to sound like an accusation...but I have heard that only gays are good at spotting other gays in the general population.

I know sometimes I can spot them, but many times I can't.
I've been totally surprised many times to find out a person is really gay.
For example one time I caught a guy peeking into the stalls in our company men's room....a guy who was married and his wife just had a baby. I was shocked.

[sweetliberty]

Well, I am definitely NOT a lesbian. I like men. And I wouldn't go so far as to say that I ALWAYS spot them, but I often do. That's not to say that I haven't had an occasional surprise or occasionally wondered about certain people.

[Old Professer]

See post #120 for my less than polite "Socratic" response.

[tdadams]

If we know the 25% figure was a fabrication, doesn't it lead you to suspect the rest of the story? I've read plenty about the lack of veracity in the story. It was fairly widespread right after the story came out, naturally.

Unfortunately, as I didn't anticipate having this discussion with you, I've not made photocopies or saved bookmarks about those stories. However, as you're the one who's posting statistics and stories that have been publicly refuted, it would be incumbent upon you (and your credibility) to look into it and make sure you know the whole story.

[tdadams]

Most people who know they don't have a reasoned argument resort to calling people names, like idiot.

[Jorge]

For example...if I were a sodomite...why would I condemn other sodomites when I too was involved in the same behavior.

Same goes for adulters. God prescribes the death penalty for both homosexuality and adultery in the Old Testament.

Unfortunately we have far too many self righteous religious hypocrites who openly condemn homosexuals on these boards, yet never seem to rate the level of heterosexual immorality as just as deserving of condemnation.

[Old Professer]

I just realized that my last comment may have been presumptuous; surely you must know that I did not refer to you.

[PurVirgo]

Luke 17 1-4 says to rebuke (reprimand, reprove) your neighbors sins. Not judge.

Mark 14-21 warns of betraying Jesus. I'm not aware that I have done so on this thread. But this can go both ways. Peter denied knowing Christ, but yet others can preach false Gospel and still betray.

I don't make up morality. We all know the difference between right and wrong. But God gave us free will, didn't he? Sometimes, in the heat of an emotion, I don't always make the right decision. I beleive God wants me to learn from my mistakes, and help others with my experience.

I certainly don't want to offend anyone, but it happens. If I have offended you, I apologise

[I got the rope]

...therefore the counterargument has no merit apriori.

Very observant...look at post #115.

[Jorge]

But I still feel that homosexuality is not a choice.

If homosexuality did not involve some degree of choice then God would not be justified in condemning it and holding people responsible for it.

But we all know God is perfectly just. Therefore homosexual conduct must be a choice.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

... surely you must know that I did not refer to you.

Yes, I know. Good response and very true. Less than Socratic, but very Aristotelian...

[Old Professer]

You still don't get it, do you?

For all I know, you may well be an idiot; I have no way to tell.

The point I am now belaboring is that one cannot start an argument with a preemptive phrase and expect to win simply because they have obviated a response.

For what it's worth, I advocate nothing, I do debate points of logic, reason and science to the extent of my knowledge as long as it entertains me.

I have actually seen water run uphill -- but there was an earthquake in progress.

I have more hope to repeat that phenomenon than to penetrate your consciousness.

[Old Professer]

LOL; my mother told me that my first word was "Why?"

[I got the rope]

My friend...this is why Jesus came to the world. Man was too weak to be saved by the law.

Methinks the "self-rightous" on this forum are simply trying to point out the error and sin of a perverted behavior. If you haven't heard it yet...I'll be the first to tell you that adultery is wrong. It is harmful to the family unit.

[Jorge]

So what are you doing? Making up your own morality as you go? All the while trying not to offend anyone. This is not how Christ wanted us to live. Did he not say. "Do you think that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division." Luke 12:51

So how do interpret this verse? To tell us we should be causing divisions among our fellow man?

Jesus also said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be call the children of God".
The scriptures need to be interpreted in context and balanced against each other.

[I got the rope]

So how do interpret this verse? To tell us we should be causing divisions among our fellow man?

No. He is telling us if we follow HIS way, then we will be chastised, beaten, killed, and ostracized. If you follow him then people would single you out, call you names (self-rightous), and call you a kook.

If you follow HIS way, your life will not be easy. It will be very difficult, but your reward will be in heaven. So rejoice.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Homosexuality is deviant sexual behavior and a mental illness.

It is also a cult of perversion, a religion with idols, dogma, fanatic adherents preaching the praises and converting others in ritual baptisms. (See my FR homeage, click on my name...)

[PurVirgo]

thank you - I was looking for those words but I just couldn't find them. In all honesty I was confused that he referred me to that verse

[F16Fighter]

"Well, maybe if he'd [Richard Simmons] lay off the estrogen injections...."

Simmons' next estrogen injection evolves him into a headless giant vagina.

[viaveritasvita]

As for me and my house, we serve the Lord. I stay as far away from New Agism and astrology and Oprah-type beliefs and counterfeit Christianity and sorcery and the like as is humanly possible.

As to the statement that homosexuality is a choice, see Jorge's post #130. I couldn't agree more.

Have you ever read the Bible cover to cover? If not, may I suggest it and recommend the Life Application Study Bible, NIV. You seem like a bright and thoughtful person, so you'll have no trouble at all. Ask God to help you understand. I read the commentary cover to cover (having already had a good background on most of the historical record in the Bible), then the entire Bible, including commentary, cover to cover. A life changing eye-opener!

May God richly bless you, FRiend, as you seek Him.