Morality
The beliefs you hold dear may be merely products of unchallenged tradition.
The best ideas emerge when people are forced to debate and defend them. When ideas are challenged, they are subjected to scrutiny that can reveal their strengths and weaknesses. The more an idea survives debates, the more it may become acceptable.
Anyone who understands only their own side of an argument understands very litle of it. Understanding opposing viewpoints is essential to forming a well-rounded opinion.
Some ideas that were acceptable in the past but were challenged and are no longer commonly accepted include foot binding, witch hunts, sati, human sacrifices, feudalism, child labor, caste discrimination, racial segregation, colonialism, slavery, etc.
Most members of society follow conventional morality, which is generally based on external elements such as culture, religion, and tradition.
Relying solely on conventional morality can lead to a dangerous complacency, where we stop questioning, stop reflecting, and simply accept what we are told without thought. This can lead to a failure to understand the complexities of moral issues and the nuances of different perspectives.
You have to assess the worth of contemporary morality by examining and critiquing the socio-historical process that created it. Check whether moral beliefs and accepted practices can withstand rigorous scrutiny. Find out whether they are based on outdated or flawed premises. Evaluate whether they are rationally defensible and fit the available facts.
The condemnation of homosexuality is sometimes based on the idea that it can be acquired. However, this idea has no scientific support. In several countries, laws against homosexuality come from legal codes established during the British Empire. The laws on this matter were influenced by Christian beliefs. Many people feel disgust towards homosexuality, influenced by the beliefs of Abrahamic religions. However, as Friedrich Nietzsche stated, the will to a system is a lack of integrity. This means all religions are biased and thus are unreliable.
Many people are trapped in a cycle of fear and conformity, too afraid to challenge the status quo and think for themselves. To truly grow, you need to break free from reliance on authority (government and religion). Genuine understanding requires courage, self-reliance, and a commitment to actively using one's own reasoning abilities.
You must think critically (about your actions) rather than simply following societal norms. You have to realize that individuals are separate entities from society, and that your own perspective may take precedence over others' views. You have to live by your own ethical principles which should include fundamental human rights such as life, liberty, and security.
True moral value comes when you scrutinize conventional morality and freely choose your beliefs and commitments—not when you are simply born into them, follow them out of obligation or societal pressure, or rely on others to tell you what to believe.
For further reading, consider Friedrich Nietzsche's book, On the Genealogy of Morality.