Discussing homosexuality and speaking about homosexual people

[Thomas_Casey]

I tried to clean up a thread on homosexuality and it proved more trouble than simply giving some rules for a new one, if members wish to continue the discussion.

**All discussion on the subject of homosexuality must limit itself to

Pastoral Care of people with same-sex attractions

Moral teachings of the Church on homosexual acts

Human Rights**

No one may describe or mention specific forms of sexual intercourse between any persons of any gender. While we try avoid prudishness, we must also remember that there are minors who read our posts.

Statements that encourage promote or approve of unjust, unlawful and aggressive acts against homosexuals are forbidden and may result in an account being closed.

I encourage everyone to remember the Church’s teaching regarding homosexual people and homosexual acts. The two are not to be treated the same way.

If the question is about the Church’s teaching on the matter. It should be posted in Moral Theology, not TC forum.

Adherence to Church teachings on this delicate subject does not absolve anyone from rude and unkind remarks.

Thank You

Thomas Casey
Moderator

 

[floresco]

In case anybody doesn’t know, this is the Church teaching referred to above that should be informing anything we have to say on this subject:

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. 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.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

 

[cjforJesus]

Yes,the Catholic teaching is very clear on the subject: Love the sinner,but not the sin.

Whatever the reason for the disorder we must love and accept these people as God’s creation.

We do not have to dwell on the specifics of disordered acts as that only inflames people.Reach out in love and compassion,pray for them as the cross they bear is likely painful in itself,let alone having to deal with hatred and scorn.