Stealing and pedophilia are different from sex. Let’s refer to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. In order to become a virtuous person, one must find balance in actions. For example, the excess of bravery is rashness and the deficiency is cowardice. However, some actions are inherently bad, like murder. Stealing and pedophilia are akin to murder; there is no virtue to be found in them. However, sex is different. It is not inherently bad.
good reply
As long as they don’t practice the behavior they can hold their heads high just like anyone else.
agreed
Good. Because you see I am a nonpracticing homosexual person myself and am proud of who and what I am. I still follow the teachings of the Church but I will always have same sex attraction and that is not some mysterious disease that is easy to catch. You’re either born with it or you’re not. One can only change behavior. You cannoot change preference. As I stated elsewhere, if someone likes chocolate over vanilla, you may be able to get them to eat vanilla or nothing at all, but you will never change their preference for chocolate. And there is no shame in that preference.
As for my, I am not a Catholic. I researched it, prayed about it, and decided that it was not more. The sexual morality issue is one the main reasons that I will not become Catholic.
And what does the Catholic Church believe on sexual mores that you can’t accept? If you feel everyone must be 100% undeniably heterosexual, it ain’t going to happen. The Church still believes that a homosexual person can obtain heaven just like the old testament used to say a eunuch can be part of the people of God by keeping his commandments. As long as even a selfidentifying homosexual person follows God’s teaching he can make it to heaven.
OK…since you asked.
). On the other hand, a Catholic man, baptized and confirmed in the CC, can go marry a Baptist girl in a Baptist church (without a dispensation) and later get a cut and dried, defect of form annullment, no matter how bad or good his motives. This seems to be an irrational irony and settles that this is not the true Christian teaching. After all, Christ acknowledged that divorce was given to the Jews due to our weakness. Are we somehow morally stronger now? I think not. Also, this is not the only viable option. The Orthodox churches uphold the sanctity of marriage but allows for the same human weakness.Thank you. I enjoyed yours as well.
And human weakness also includes the orientation of homosexuality. If alcoholism can be genetically predisposed, without excusing the actions of someone getting drunk regularly, why isn’t it possible that one can be predisposed towards homosexuality but still be expected to live a celibate life? It doesn’t mean either that they must live the lifestyle or that they are doomed to hell from the start. It means that they are born with temptation which we all are. Temptation to some sin or another is in the genes since the fall of man.OK…since you asked.
My problems with sexual ethics of the CC are as follows.
I personally do not believe that someone is born gay or straight. I think people are born with masculine and feminie traits and, based on thier upbringing, they incline to identity based on one or the other more. Western society in general, and American society, in particular, is “Pornified” and so our sexual orientation amplified.
- I agree that conjugal love is for strengthening the marriage bond and procreation. However, I do not see why every conjugal act must be be open to procreation. Methods of contraception before conception are fundamentally different from those used afterward. Given the near-death experiences that my wife has had with 3 of her four pregnancies, we do not want to procreate everytime we are intimate. But on the other hand, I did not get married to be a Monk. This will open us both up to more temptation outside the marriage. That kind of defeats one of the purposes of marriage.
- If I joined the CC, I would need to get a grant of nullity for a marriage 13 years ago. Until I get that (and I can’t count on getting it) I have to be celibate. Let’s just say that they cannot find a “positive act of the will” to grant the nullity. I am stuck being a monk, at least until nullity ( maybe forever
I KNEW this would be brought up. Look, my point is not to equate the behaviors, but to point out, as you have, that some behaviors are “inherently bad”. Pedophilia, by the way, was practiced in ancient Greece and Rome without a second thought as to its virtue…in fact, it was looked upon favorably by many.
Well put, G.
I would say it is actually irrelevent where the SSA comes from: genetics, environment, etc. Just like it is irrelevent where the temptation to adultery, or thievery, or gluttony comes from.
you forgot to say that it is incompatible with logic as well (not that Christianity is something illogical…)… But it stands to reason when you violate your sexuality, bad things are going to come from it… The thing is, thoug… being human, we don’t always see beforehand, the consequences of our actions… The world, the flesh & the devil tell us that some pleasure is “good” and “natural”… so we find ourselves agreeing and sinning…
Well- said…
I agree with you, but still hold that countries show be able to make laws and corresponding punishments for homosexual activity. Perhaps then we can stop the “gay rights” movement from confusing more young people.
It is not INCOMPATIBLE with the view of most other Christians in the world.