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BobObob
Guest
…CONTINUED AND FINISHED
A few alternative explanations to why therapy for unwanted SSA might not always work are:
Incompetent therapist (which many pastors who offer reparative therapy are)
The fact that many of the reasons why an individual developed SSA might not be known
Many of the causes of SSA in general might not be known, many of the events that lead to the development of SSA might have caused emotional damage that takes a lifetime to deal with (such is being molested as a child, or experiencing profound rejection from parents, peers, or others)
they lack the support of other Christians who are secure in their gender identity (which is absolutely essential to have in order to change sexual attraction)
or they might have so many underlying emotional or psychological problems (which may or may not be their fault) that need to be dealt with in order for sexual attraction to change, but these problems are often not able to be fixed, even if the person wants them to.
Let me place emphasis on some key things that the catechism says regarding homosexuality and SSA. Feel free to look it up if you want more context.
CCC 2357 “Homosexuality refers to relations between men…Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’”
Notice that it says that homosexuality refers to relations, which it implies is sexual. Also notice the acts are disordered. It does not say that having SSA is in itself a sin. It does say that the inclination is objectively disordered, but in the same sense that concupiscence is disordered, it can lead toward sin. It continues:
CCC 2358 “These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition”
Notice it does not say that they need to get rid of the condition. Rather, it says that they “Unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.” Why would it say that they should “Unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition” if, like you assert, they have a strict moral obligation to change their condition. Your view seems to conflict with what the CCC says.
This organization does not at all make a mockery of avoiding the near occasions of sin. This group highly encourages non-erotic friendships as a means of avoiding the near occasions of sin. One of many reasons why this group does not demand that their members attempt to change their sexual attraction by means of therapy is because therapy from a NARTH psychologist, or an psychologist who is almost as goo, is not always possible. There are not many of them and they are very expensive and out of many people’s budget. Plus, most of the time having close, non-erotic, friendships with other Christians, especially those who are straight, can be more therapeutic in changing one’s sexual orientation than reparative therapy. Would you be willing to enter into such a healthy relationship with a guy who had unwanted samesex attraction? If not, you may be part of the reason he has SSA.
To say that Courage has a relaxed standard of chastity for its members is completely inaccurate. Like I mentioned above, I think that the thinking that you have developed regarding chastity is distorted.
One final thing. Do you know anyone with SSA? I would like to know because I am wondering how you would treat such a person. I must confess, I am tempted to believe based on what you have posted that you personally don’t like people with SSA and that is influencing your interpretation of the Church’s position. However, I am trying to not judge your character, and hope that you honestly love those who have SSA, but just have a disagreement with me due to one of us having a misinformed conscience. Regardless of whether or not one’s conscience is flawed, we have an obligation to follow it, according to Aquinas and the Church.
By the way, based off what I have said about myself, are you honestly think that if I am not successful in changing my sexual orientation I will go to hell because such failure to do so is my fault?
A few alternative explanations to why therapy for unwanted SSA might not always work are:
Incompetent therapist (which many pastors who offer reparative therapy are)
The fact that many of the reasons why an individual developed SSA might not be known
Many of the causes of SSA in general might not be known, many of the events that lead to the development of SSA might have caused emotional damage that takes a lifetime to deal with (such is being molested as a child, or experiencing profound rejection from parents, peers, or others)
they lack the support of other Christians who are secure in their gender identity (which is absolutely essential to have in order to change sexual attraction)
or they might have so many underlying emotional or psychological problems (which may or may not be their fault) that need to be dealt with in order for sexual attraction to change, but these problems are often not able to be fixed, even if the person wants them to.
Let me place emphasis on some key things that the catechism says regarding homosexuality and SSA. Feel free to look it up if you want more context.
CCC 2357 “Homosexuality refers to relations between men…Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’”
Notice that it says that homosexuality refers to relations, which it implies is sexual. Also notice the acts are disordered. It does not say that having SSA is in itself a sin. It does say that the inclination is objectively disordered, but in the same sense that concupiscence is disordered, it can lead toward sin. It continues:
CCC 2358 “These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition”
Notice it does not say that they need to get rid of the condition. Rather, it says that they “Unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.” Why would it say that they should “Unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition” if, like you assert, they have a strict moral obligation to change their condition. Your view seems to conflict with what the CCC says.
This organization, JUST LIKE THE CHURCH, does not take an OFFICIAL position on whether or not an individual should seek therapy. By the way, the Courage group I go to is lead by a guy who is a professional social worker and counselor, and a priest who serves as the chaplain. The leader of this group continually offers advice regarding healing homosexuality, but he understands that it is not realistic to assume that complete change in that regard will happen if the person is motivated enough.
This organization does not at all make a mockery of avoiding the near occasions of sin. This group highly encourages non-erotic friendships as a means of avoiding the near occasions of sin. One of many reasons why this group does not demand that their members attempt to change their sexual attraction by means of therapy is because therapy from a NARTH psychologist, or an psychologist who is almost as goo, is not always possible. There are not many of them and they are very expensive and out of many people’s budget. Plus, most of the time having close, non-erotic, friendships with other Christians, especially those who are straight, can be more therapeutic in changing one’s sexual orientation than reparative therapy. Would you be willing to enter into such a healthy relationship with a guy who had unwanted samesex attraction? If not, you may be part of the reason he has SSA.
To say that Courage has a relaxed standard of chastity for its members is completely inaccurate. Like I mentioned above, I think that the thinking that you have developed regarding chastity is distorted.
One final thing. Do you know anyone with SSA? I would like to know because I am wondering how you would treat such a person. I must confess, I am tempted to believe based on what you have posted that you personally don’t like people with SSA and that is influencing your interpretation of the Church’s position. However, I am trying to not judge your character, and hope that you honestly love those who have SSA, but just have a disagreement with me due to one of us having a misinformed conscience. Regardless of whether or not one’s conscience is flawed, we have an obligation to follow it, according to Aquinas and the Church.
By the way, based off what I have said about myself, are you honestly think that if I am not successful in changing my sexual orientation I will go to hell because such failure to do so is my fault?
