Who invented which?

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Ophelia Benson

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Ah yes the old “My beliefs are not an ideology!!!” gambit.

Really. There is no transgender ideology. Then what does “transgender” mean? What does “cis” mean? What does “transphobia” mean? What does “terf” mean? What are “trans rights”? What do we talk about when we talk about trans people and trans rights and transphobia?

The ideology is all there is. The whole thing is an idea, one that rejects reality and chooses fantasy in its place. Without the ideology all the dressing up and poster-creating make no sense.

Comments

2 responses to “Who invented which?”

  1. Your Name's not Bruce? Avatar
    Your Name’s not Bruce?

    Another one of those “I have principles; you have politics; they have an ideology,” things. Whittle clearly sees “ideology” as a pejorative. Sure sounds better than “cult,” though, which suits it better.

    What part of the definition of ideology rankles? Here’s what Merriam Webster has to say, in part:

    Ideology: a

    : a manner or the content of thinking characteristic of an individual, group, or culture

    b

    : the integrated assertions, theories and aims that constitute a sociopolitical program

    c

    : a systematic body of concepts especially about human life or culture

    I think all three fit to varying degrees; the definition does include “assertions.” It does not stipulate how coherent or logical the ideas must be. How one evaluates “GIVE US WHAT WE WANT OR WE START KILLING OURSELVES!” might be difficult. Is it an ideological stance that has degenerated into a threat, or a threat that aspires to ideology? It’s so hard to tell.

    Without the ideology all the dressing up and poster-creating make no sense.

    Of course, even with the ideology, there’s not a lot of sense to be found.

  2. Blood Knight in Sour Armor Avatar
    Blood Knight in Sour Armor

    It’s not a religion, it’s a personal relationship with God…

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