Only God Can Judge Homosexuality #5 (Discussion)

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Father Joe

Continuation of the Discussion on Homosexuality

This is the fifth installment in this extended dialogue about homosexuality. I must warn the reader that not everyone is polite and few are timid about remarks. The majority express a strong negativity to the disorientation. Unfortunately, one of its strongest proponents was an avowed atheist. I was hoping that we might more deeply explore how some try to reconcile such a lifestyle with a professed Christian faith. The atheist rejects Christian morals because the Bible is just another book to him. Natural law often fails because he rejects intelligent design and order. The active homosexual person who tries to be a Christian would face serious quandaries regarding the Scriptural prohibitions. Does he argue that the Bible is not inerrant and fully inspired? Does he contend that certain teachings are prejudiced and so historically and culturally situated that they no longer speak to us? Would he contend that just as slavery was tolerated, core Scriptural values would override and come to the fore with later reflection about homosexuality? Might such dissenters merely ignore parts of the Bible and our sacred tradition, giving greater gravity to secular humanism and present-day social engineering? These questions really did not arise in this conversation.

DURCK:

Homosexuals are imposing their standards upon me and my children by claiming that such a lifestyle is acceptable and by telling my children that they, too, can live the gay lifestyle. Yes, the gay agenda is to force (yes, force) society to proclaim homosexual and lesbian unions as legitimate and valid. Absolutely not! All of you can talk until you’re blue in the face— I’m not buying any of it.

And when gay couples adopt children, they’re bringing yet a third party into their madness.

Who do any of you think you’re kidding?

MICHAEL:

Durck— you’re right. This is an abuse of the English language. We call them homosexual lifestyles right? Let’s call them what they really are. They’re death styles.

When I was young, my parents took our family for a Sunday ride through historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We drove through a town called New Hope. That was the first time in my life that I had witnessed two men kissing each other in public. One of the men was wearing a full length mink coat and then exposed himself to the other man. What stands out the most in my mind was the negative reactions of my parents. This left an indelible impression upon me for the rest of my life. My conscience told me how sick and how wrong that was. I’m sure that my late father, given the chance, would have kicked the crap out of them, only because his children were there.

A gay couple should NEVER, EVER be allowed to adopt a child either. Children need both a mother (female) and a father (male).

We have to fight today to keep normal things normal. It isn’t natural or normal for two people of the same sex to be physically attracted to each other. GET SOME HELP.

MORSE:

So Michael, when I see stories of Christians and Catholics abusing children, should I assume that every Christian and Catholic is a child abuser?

Perhaps Christians and Catholics should NEVER, EVER be allowed to adopt a child. Because of COURSE they’re ALL just horrible child molesters. [sarcasm]

FATHER JOE:

Okay, everybody let us try to place nice.

MORSE:

Why? I’m using his logic. Because two men were once lurid in public, he is casting down judgment on all homosexuals. Why should I not do the same to Christians?

FATHER JOE:

It may be that he could have better made his case. Remember, Christians presume that the believer who lives out his faith is properly disposed to virtue. By contrast, active homosexuality would undermine one’s moral standing, even if discrete. It is still sinful. While there are hypocritical Christians, there are also many homosexuals who reinforce the stereotype of low morals by public acts of lewdness and dissent.

DURCK:

Glad you agree, Michael. I’m sure your late father was incensed that his young son had to witness such a spectacle, but, seeing you today, he would have no cause to worry of any negative effect that sight may have had on you.

My heart breaks for children, especially today— the smut and the insanity they’re subjected to is absolutely criminal. What infuriates me the most is the brainwashing that’s imposed upon them while they’re still so vulnerable.

I know that homosexuals and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and that we should treat them respectfully, but I’m finding the task of loving them increasingly more difficult.

LARA:

See what I mean, Michael, that “anger within?” Never a legit defense; always the offensive attack because they don’t have to live a Christian life, so since they’ve chosen not to, they presume the right to clobber us for our every foible. Speaking of straining on gnats and swallowing camels…

MICHAEL:

Morse— for your info, neither Christians and Catholics, nor priests hold a monopoly on child abuse and pedophilia. That’s what deceived and deluded people try very hard to believe.

You can also thank Almighty God that you weren’t raised by either two males or two females, or were you? If I struck a nerve with you GOOD!

Gay is not OK. If you’re a “CHRISTIAN” then you’ll agree because homosexuality in the site of God is an ABOMINATION.

Be it known that I DON’T HATE HOMOSEXUALS! I LOVE THEM BECAUSE GOD DOES. What I hate is sinful behavior, especially in public and in clear view of innocent children.

Dear Lara, they don’t have any defense. That’s why they’re angry.

If their biological parents never came together in that most sacred act, they wouldn’t be here defending their abnormal and sinful behavior.

MORSE:

Christians who live out their faith are virtuous? Well, the majority of homosexuals are also virtuous. You happen to think you have a monopoly on virtue. The rest of the world disagrees with you.

“Never a legit defense; always the offensive attack because they don’t have to live a Christian life.”

No legit defense? How about the one I have repeated over and over…there is no good reason for homosexuality to be looked at as immoral— none. All you have is a book that says so. A book saying something does not make it so.

FATHER JOE:

Morse, I am using the word “virtue” or “virtuous” not simply in reference to natural virtues but that which is brought about by grace and is supernatural. I would hardly think an atheist could tell me who has and has not been so favored by God, particularly since you deny his existence. How often have I spoken about Catholics as not only a people of “the Book” (the Scriptures) but of a rational faith, too?

Homosexual acts also violate the natural law.

LARA:

The “rest of the world” disagrees with Father Joe?

Oh, please. That’s quite a hopeful stretch of the imagination, I must say, and not only painfully (for you) inaccurate, but a bold-written lie.

The Roman Catholic Church and her priests show more genuine, loving compassion toward you as homosexuals and lesbians than any other group on earth, and even their love you reject and ridicule. Why? Because they refuse, again, out of love for you— to pat you on your head and tell you, “There, there, my child, live as you please with a clear conscience…”

And you think the left cares for you? No, they’re using you, that’s why they couldn’t care less how you live.

“No legit defense? How about the one I have repeated over and over…there is no good reason for homosexuality to be looked at as immoral— none. All you have is a book that says so.” No, there isn’t a good reason for homosexuality to be looked at as immoral, but there are plenty of horrible reasons, aren’t there? No big surprise, either, that the Holy Bible is considered “just a book” to you. If the Bible condoned homosexuality, you wouldn’t view it as just a book, then. I, or anyone else, don’t have to quote you a good reason why homosexuality is immoral— you already know that it’s immoral. Oh, yes you do.

Morse, you’re at the wrong site to seek the validation you’re after, but there are plenty of sites that will tell you what you want to hear. Why waste your time here?

ISHMAEL:

Father Joe, yes God can only judge homosexuals and it’s true that their acts are against God’s laws. But we should respect homosexuals and treat them very kindness and respect.

I don’t have a problem with homosexuals but I don’t agree with the sexual stuff they do. But I believe God will judge us at the same time that he judges homosexuals. I believe the things that homosexuals do is sinful, but that being gay is not a sin.

LEIGH:

OK, everyone is quick to judge the homosexuals whether men or women; but, at the same time, we have Catholic priests molesting BOYS. Maybe you should put all your time and energy on something that matters?

FATHER JOE:

I have spoken about the tragedy of such men in the Church, too. But someone has observed that while not all homosexuals are pedophiles (or pederasts), most of the cases of such sins against children by churchmen have been homosexual in orientation and act.

LEIGH:

I have read the Bible and know what it says about homosexuality. I also know that I will only be judged by God. None of you have the right to throw judgment on anyone else. You are no one to say what is right and wrong.

FATHER JOE:

You have read the Bible, really? What you say is not what the Bible says.

LEIGH:

I know straight people and gay and most of the straight marriages I know (not all) end in adultery and lies. Meanwhile, spouses in all the gay marriages I know have the upmost respect for each other.

FATHER JOE:

You would recommend perverse relationships by castigating marriage? No, you are very much in error.

LEIGH:

I believe a person cannot help who they fall in love with and are attracted to. I am not saying gay is better than straight; I just think everyone should worry about their own relationships and give the gay community a break.

FATHER JOE:

I think we already give them a break. We love them, despite their sinful behavior. However, it would be a false love to say nothing regarding actions which offend God and our nature. We speak not as a perfect people or as kin to the self-righteous Pharisee, but as sinners who know Christ’s mercy.

ISHMAEL:

Father Joe, God does not judge homosexuality because that’s not good.

Homosexuality is not a sin. It is just the ministers out there trying to get people to believe otherwise. God will never judge because he respects and accepts them for who they are. If they are God’s kids, then why does he judge?

FATHER JOE:

Sorry Ishmael, but something objectively wrong is not right just because we want it to be otherwise. The ancient Jews condemned homosexuality as repugnant to God and enacted severe punitive measures against it. Likewise, both Christian Tradition and Scripture are clear in its prohibition and in how such activity deprives one of membership in the kingdom of heaven. Your view of parenthood is flawed; it is a role not of blind toleration, but one where guidance about right and wrong is offered. Divine justice speaks to the demands of natural law and divine positive law. Yes, there is infinite love and wondrous mercy, but never at the cost of truth or by compelling collaboration with moral evil. We are creatures and it is not the place of the creature to tell the Creator that he cannot judge us. We belong to him. Our posture should always be that of humble obedience. God does not merely accept us for who we are but calls us to repentance and conversion. If you do not know that then you are a stranger to the Gospel.

WAYNE:

Father Joe, I am who I am and not defined by my sexuality alone. I feel that I am no less one of God’s children than a heterosexual. I can only hope that God is more compassionate than you are.

I have spent my life trying to be a good person by loving and being considerate of my neighbor and sharing my time, talent and treasure.. I pray and participate at Mass, not just attend, on a regular basis and have faith that God will judge me for all I was in life, not just my sexuality.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

FATHER JOE:

Given the weather, I have a few snow balls, but no stones to throw. It is NOT my intention to be inconsiderate or mean. I am, however, a Catholic priest, and as such am obliged to teach and believe what the Church holds to be true. Yes, you are not utterly defined by your orientation; however, although you admit this, you then demand a full acceptance of your homosexuality or else. Sorry, that just does not wash. Like any unmarried heterosexual, you are called to a chaste life without genital or sexual activity. Since homosexuals cannot marry one another, you must then practice perpetual celibacy. As long as you are free from mortal sin, there is nothing that prevents you from the full and active participation in the Mass and Holy Communion. This is a statement of fact. Nothing is said to hurt you. God loves you and so does the Church. But all of us must obey God. The moral code on such questions is quite clear. I will pray for you.

ISHMAEL:

So Father Joe, are you are saying that if you were not a Catholic priest you would agree with homosexuality? You said, “God loves you and so does the church,” but then you said, “All of us must obey God.” It sounds like you are saying God does not love Wayne. It sounds like you are against homosexuality, Father Joe!

FATHER JOE:

No, priest or not, I would accept and believe what the Church teaches. However, as a priest I have a special commission to preach and to teach. It is not my place to substitute the whims of men for the truths of God and his holy Church. The Church rightfully opposes homosexual activity as wrong and as sinful. Homosexuality is a disorientation, a disease of the mind. God loves us all, including homosexuals. However, he wants us to LOVE HIM enough to obey him and to make the needed sacrifices to do so. We all struggle but not all our struggles are the same. Deviant sexual attraction and practices do not constitute a legitimate human right, nor should they be encouraged or normalized. Civil society is very wrong about this. There should even be civil sanctions against such crimes. Until recently sodomy was listed among the vices that were punishable under law.

MARCIA:

Anatomically speaking, the anus was not designed as a sexual orifice nor was man’s seed intended to be planted in feces. Male and female were created by God sexually different so as to procreate the species. Going beyond that design by anyone is perverse.

Homosexual acts are perverted or nicely put, “disordered.” There really is no argument here since the created design of male and female was quite simple and meant for the most basic intellect to understand.

To argue that God allows or accepts anything else negates everything the Scriptures tell us. Sex in and of itself is not necessary for love to exist.

ISHMAEL:

Dear Father Joe, why is the Church so against gay people? It is not a disease of the mind you dumb priest! The problem is ministers out there trying to get people to hate homosexuals. Do you dislike gay people?

FATHER JOE:

I do not hate anybody. But I am a priest and a Christian. I trust God’s Word on this subject. My appreciation of natural law substantiates my religious beliefs. I believe that homosexuals are called to lives of celibate and chaste love. Marriage is between a man and a woman. Sexual expression outside of marriage is a sin.

Filed under: Catholic, Discipleship, Homosexuality, Morality, Sexuality, Sin |

« Only God Can Judge Homosexuality #4 (Debate) The Sacrament of Marriage »

10 Responses

Ishmael, on February 14, 2013 at 2:51 am said:

Dear, Father Joe

I used to believe back when I had posted 3 years the whole thing of homosexuality being a sin and god judging but I was just taking sides of a friend of my who is catholic but I finally chose not to believe in what the Catholic Church says and believes.

I am pro-gay rights activist. I believe lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender are entitled to equal treatment under law and equal rights to employment and equal pay.

I support anti-discrimination laws and anti-bullying legislation’s that protect LGBT youth from bullying in schools and protect LGBT people in general from hate crimes. I support civil unions between same-sex couples and I support gay marriage.

In the province where I live in Canada, the provincial government passed a anti-bullying legislation called Safe and Accepting Schools Act of 2012 that ensures protection for LGBT youth from bullying in schools and also requires schools to establish Gay-Straight Alliances in all schools including Catholic Schools. I also support Gay-Straight Alliances. I support the equal rights to tax benefits for same-sex couples.

The friend who is catholic who I told you about. She used to be homophobic and discriminatory about LGBT people until she saw first hand a gay man get physically beat up because of his sexual orientation and she fought for this man for four months against a dance school he taught at that had him beat up by a board of director member.

She is now for the gay rights and believes in equal rights to equal treatment, respect and love like everyone else. She believes in equal rights to employment and equal pay and she stands strong against the discrimination and bullying targeting LGBT people.

She believes in protection for LGBT from hate crimes. She had a gay friend who died years ago from AIDS and she stills keeps in contact with the gay man she advocated for. She disagrees with gay marriage. Personally, I support LGBT people 100%.

FATHER JOE:

Not being a Catholic you are certainly free to believe what you want. However, I am still convinced that same-sex attraction is “disorientation” and that any commission is morally wrong. Having said this, the Church would still defend the normative civil rights of every person against wrongful discrimination and violence. The dignity of the person and the sanctity of human life are hallmarks of Catholic moral doctrine. People who do the same job with competence should receive equal compensation. No one should have to face name-calling or violence because they are judged some-how different.

However, while homosexuals and others might quietly live in their various partnerships or liaisons, I would object to the redefinition of marriage to something other than a nuptial relationship between a man and woman. It is a basic building block to a healthy society and it provides the natural setting for the generation of new human beings, i.e. the family. Despite protestations to the contrary, one can hate the sin but love the sinner. Such people are wrong to make their sexual disorientation the essential element in their self-identity and the nucleus for their sense of worth. We are so much more.

Religious liberty comes from God and the state (even Canada) does not have the right to strip Catholic schools of the ability to transmit our faith and values to the children in our charge. I would sooner be placed in prison and have the government fascists throw away the key than to ever cooperate with laws that would force us to teach perversity and encourage mortal sin. We can respect persons and love them, but they cannot make me renounce what God in Scripture and the Church condemns. Let these people who dissent go to the public schools. Give them tax credits and insurance for all I care. But do not force me and faithful Catholics to violate our consciences.
Tom Torchia, on July 9, 2012 at 1:29 am said:

He already has judged homosexuality. According to His word, it is an abomination. Do you presume, Father, to find or pursue some other dictum? The watering down of these kinds of moral truths has and is costing the Church much and is leading souls to perdition.

FATHER JOE: The Church’s moral stand is not compromised. That is one of the reasons for the Marriage Matters campaign. We can show compassion, but we cannot rewrite the natural law or dismiss divine revelation in the teachings of Sacred Scripture and/or the living Tradition.
Colten, on July 7, 2012 at 9:48 pm said:

I am a happy open gay male. I know being gay is wrong (a sin). Though being gay isn’t something I chose, I remeber being 4 and 5 years old thinking other boys were attractive.

Anyways I know homosexuality is a sin, but not a single person on this Earth can say they do not sin… and in the eyes of the lord, a sin is a sin, no matter what it is… and all sins may be forgiven through the lord.

There is no need to be hateful or say nasty things (that’s sinful) nor do you need to judge others as you yourself are not perfect… only God may do so!

Have a good day all and God bless the world!
dsouza, on May 13, 2012 at 10:04 pm said:

Isn’t it against human rights to not allow homosexuals to love whomever they want?

FATHER JOE: The discussion and fight in the U.S. is about contractual marriage. Laws against sodomy and homosexuality have largely gone by the wayside. The Church would ask them to exhibit celibate love. Sexual morality is important for a stable and good society. Would you also allow multiple spouses? Would you allow beastiality? Would you allow the abuse of minors, all under the banner of a disordered love? That which degrades the human being is hardly a right.

Our hate is based the bible, a book that has been translated wrong in many places and though it is the word of god, it was written by humans and personal prejudices were bound to creep in.

FATHER JOE: You contradict yourself. The Bible is both written by men and authored by God. The divine positive law is confirmed by natural law. Such is not prejudice but truth based upon right reason and faith.

People being gay does not harm us in any way, just because something is uncommon does it have to be wrong?

FATHER JOE: The predominate relationship among gays is permiscuous. It has also given birth to a new industry in pornography and has precipitated an organized attack against Christians for their beliefs and practices. What we might permit them in silence, they will not allow the Church.

While it may be argued that the bible says homosexuality is wrong, but the bible also says that only God has the power to judge or rather punish us for our sins.

FATHER JOE: Where does the Bible actually say this? Why did God give penalties for such sins to be enacted by the Hebrews? Why then did he give the power of governance to his Church and ministers?

We have no problem lying and cheating but when someone is gay we isolate them and cause them to have emotional and psychological trauma.

FATHER JOE: We have trouble with lying and cheating, too. You should not lie about this. Do not cheat yourself and others of the truth and God’s grace.

So why is the catholic church so against them?

FATHER JOE: The Catholic Church wants to protect the sacrament of marriage. The Catholic Church loves them so much that we want them to behave, have faith and go to heaven. To say that it is okay to commit mortal sin would be a failure to love. The Church will never do that!
Ishmael, on April 22, 2012 at 2:44 am said:

Father Joe,

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people are god’s children. God does not judge anyone because that’s all horse [expletive deleted] on the church’s side of the case. It is because the bible was not made by god. It was made by men who have been in control for too long. I am a pro-gay rights activist and I support gay marriage but I am not gay. But I still have more respect than the catholic church does for gay people. The catholic church has a history of sexually abusing kids and besides the catholic church is corrupt like all the governments in the world. The whole thing about the devil being real…believe or not we as humans create the evil by being angry and emotional. Gay people are human…so leave them alone.

FATHER JOE: Ishmael, the Catholic Church also believes that we are all God’s children. However, God is indeed the ultimate judge of all; this fact is substantiated by the Scriptures. You are obviously not a Christian and show evidence of being a militant atheist. Christians believe that the Bible is God’s inspired Word. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit guides her and protects the deposit of truth that is passed on to each generation. Attacking the Church makes you an enemy of God. Homosexuals struggling to be good Christians would also repudiate you. They do not want to destroy the Church, only to make sure that they can have a place in God’s house and be wanted by the community of faith. Radical gay activists like you hate them for this. While a few people in the Church sinned against children, the legacy of our saints is that of saving lives and protecting the dignity of human beings. As for the devil, he is very real and you will find something of his hatred and poison reflected when you look in the mirror. You might have meant well, but somewhere in your life’s journey you became a bigot. Of course, we are all sinners and you still have time to seek God’s mercy and make amends.
leslie, on March 27, 2012 at 1:57 pm said:

What’s wrong with you people? Just because someone does something that you were told is wrong, you hate them for it. You heard that this is wrong from a book; what ever happened to “don’t believe everything you read”? For the love of God, these people haven’t done anything wrong. Your frame of mind is EACTLY the same as the Taliban’s. They hate Christians because they don’t believe in their God. It’s the same frame of mind. Personally I don’t really think that you Christians should get a lot of say on this issue, based on your previous ways of dealing with people you don’t like (i.e., the crusades, the Salem witch trials, and the holocaust, etc.). Also, hating gay people doesn’t make any sense on a religious level ether. If God wants us to love one another, shouldn’t that include everyone who is not doing serious physical harm to others? They aren’t doing anything wrong. Another thing, let’s just leave religion out of this for a second. If religion weren’t a factor, hypothetically, would you feel any different? If God wants us to be happy then I think that should be extended to everyone. If not, and God only wants us to be happy in “certain” ways, then we don’t have free will— which is a direct contradiction of your bible. I’m guessing that will cause some serious issues. One last thing before I finish: MICHAEL, about the two men going at it in public, would you have felt any more comfortable if it was a man and a woman? Just a side note, if I have offended anyone with this statement I sincerely apologize. I am not trying to offend anyone. I am simply trying to state one side of this argument.

FATHER JOE:

Leslie, you communicated that you had reservations about making this comment, and if you still desire, I can delete it. However, while I may not agree with you, there is nothing wrong with you sharing your viewpoint. You are welcome here. But please know that while many of us believe that intimate same-sex activity is wrong, the Church would have us love and care about our brothers and sisters who must live with such disorientation. It would be wrong to hate them. While we feel that marriage and public morals should not be compromised, it is Catholic teaching that the universal call to holiness is open to all. Everyone is precious and important, in God’s eyes and hopefully in our own. We are to love our neighbor, not scapegoat and/or persecute him. The history of the Church includes both saints and sinners. Some may have sought to use the Church, particularly the princes of this world, resorting to measures which failed to reflect the mercy of Christ. The Bible and the living Church would have us maintain the truth but while respecting the rights of conscience, natural law and human dignity. This makes Christianity and particularly Catholicism quite different from the religion of the Taliban. It is true that God wants us to be happy and perfect joy comes with the acquisition of the Greatest Good, which is God. While there are many goods in this world, like food, drink, friendship, marital intimacy, etc.; there are also “apparent” goods. The person who drinks and eats to excess, seeks the euphoria of drugs, manipulates people for power or money or to satisfy lusts— is precisely a person who cannot distinguish between true goods and those things that come to his physical and/or spiritual detriment. We believe same-sex activity, while it might feign marital joy, fails to deliver the unity and happiness that people really crave. Indeed, it is a violation of nature and the commands of a loving God. Because of original sin and concupiscence, men may often fail to appreciate their high calling and retreat back to the level of the beast. These words are not meant to offend either, just to express how I see Catholic teaching on this serious matter. God bless!
Christa, on March 19, 2012 at 11:13 pm said:

This issue is on my “list of things to work out.” There are a couple of things that are a real stumbling block for me.

First, if God is the author of life, then why would God make gay people if it were such an abomination?

FATHER JOE: Why are some people born into poverty? Why are there children who suffer birth defects? Why are there victims of disease, natural disaster, and evil men? The Church would answer that because of original sin we live in an imperfect world. The disorientation of homosexuality finds its source in this brokenness, not directly in the divine will.

I know quite a few gay/lesbian/bisexual people (no transgendered as of yet, though). One of them is a close cousin. The people I know had “normal” upbringing–nothing “made” them gay–they were born that way.

FATHER JOE: You may not know everything about them. It is possible that they suffered a secret trauma. However, even if there were a genetic predisposition, this would be understood in the context of natural evil that has plagued mankind since the primordial sin.

Second, I know that there are a few places in the bible which seem to condemn homosexuality.

FATHER JOE: The Bible more than “seems” to condemn it. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament (epistles) condemn homosexuality (see the first post in this series).

Some interpret the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah to be not at all related to homosexuality.

FATHER JOE: I am aware of those who argue a lack of hospitality, but the text is clear about a sexual perversion. Those who subtract this often start with a revisionist agenda to sanitize the Scriptures and make them safe for dissenters. Sexual deviation was symptomatic of a faithless people who had utterly rejected God and his commands.

But regarding the passages which outright mention homosexuality, this is what perplexes me: the bible says a lot of things, particularly in the Old Testament, which we don’t seem to be bound to any longer. Why is it that these passages are not observed today, while some churches (including the Catholic church) still hang on to the passage or two which mentions gays?

FATHER JOE: Distinctions must be made between rules regarding accidentals and laws which touch upon essential elements, like the nature and dignity of man. There are also man-made laws and then there are divine ordinances. Men and the Church can change man-made laws; but God has sovereignty over his own immutable precepts. The Church, and that includes the Pope, does not have the power and authority to make legitimate something like homosexual activity.

I was always taught that, even when pointing out sin, we are to be charitable. Unfortunately, for some reason, I often see so much hatred directed towards gays.

FATHER JOE: Yes, we are supposed to be charitable. However, as much as they detest the slogan, “we hate the sin but love the sinner.” We cannot approve of moral evil. Silence about a serious moral transgression is false charity.

And most often it comes from so-called religious/Christian people. I know that this kind of antipathy is against what the Church teaches; however, I’ve seen it too many times.

FATHER JOE: Maybe you have to associate with better religious people? Certainly many are frustrated and afraid about what is happening in our society. Maybe that is what you are hearing? However, I do not think people of faith should be required to offer approbation for sin.

Sometimes distaste for homosexual behavior gets projected onto the human being who happens to be gay. This is particularly true for teenagers and young people who are particularly vulnerable to bullying. These people often suffer life-long psychological effects, or even attempt suicide.

FATHER JOE: I think homosexual advocates and extremists often reinforce the negative stereotypes by acting out and making a scene with lewd public acts or dressing in drag. While such clowns are the minority in the gay community, these are always the images shown on television and in the news. It is in light of this that many families want to segregate themselves from what they view as bad influences. Of course, there should be no place for bullying or scapegoating in a civil society. We should not be afraid to love our brothers and sisters, even if we take serious exception to their lifestyle choices.

I’ve seen good people of faith being excoriated by pro-gays for adhering to/expressing their honestly-held religious beliefs that homosexual behavior is immoral. That’s also wrong IMO. Being against gay marriage is NOT “hateful.”

If perhaps someday science unlocks the reason for homosexual orientation, i.e., DNA, genetics, something during gestation of fetus, etc., I wonder how it will continue to be thought of as a moral issue?

FATHER JOE: Unlike certain fundamentalist churches, Catholicism does not have a vested interest in which way this question might go. I suspect that there are some gays who are such largely because of choice and conditioning while others had a biological proclivity towards it. However, the orientation in itself is not a sin. The Catholic Church holds that sexual activity must be reserved to a man and woman in the covenant of marriage. Sexual activity in any other setting would always be deemed as immoral.
Manuel, on March 14, 2012 at 1:33 am said:

Dear F. Joe

Homosexuality is an abomination to God. So says the Bible (which I believe).

Even if you are atheist and believe in the evolutionary theory, it’s still against the laws of nature.

If humanity had to depend on Homosexuals to populate the world humanity would become extinct!!

Does’nt matter how you look at it, deep inside the individual person knows it defies all laws, wether it be Gods or Mother Nature.

God Bless

Manuel
Tom Torchia, on March 14, 2012 at 12:58 am said:

This is ridiculous is it not. God already has judged homosexuality. He called it an abomination two times in the Old Testament and once in the New. Yet we insist that it’s up for debate. Maybe if we come to a “consensus” God will reconsider, perhaps the unchanging God will change His mind.

Only God can clealy see the heart and judge the soul of a homosexual. We, however, can judge the act. God has given us that much authority. If we do not have that authority, then Adam and Eve must have missed the whole knowledge of good and evil thing when they ate the fruit of the tree of . . . you guessed it – KNOWLEDGE. And judge it we must, lovingly but steadfastly. It is not up for debate because someone in our family is struggling (or not) with is, or the person is a “good person” as far as we can tell, or WE are struggling with it. Some things are settled. God has revealed many of them to us. The immutable laws of nature, for example – we either work with them and within them or we perish. The immutable laws of behavior – the Ten Commandments – which we either work within or . . . you guessed it again – we perish. The issue of homosexuality is settled. It is not up for reconsideration because of the age.
Basil, on March 14, 2012 at 12:50 am said:

Ah, I think I get the videos now…

Fred Schneider is gay.

Elton John is gay.

Clay Aiken is gay.

Boy George is gay.

David Bowie is straight but pretends to be gay.