Homosexuals Catholicism and Protestants

[Mommyof02green]

It’s not a disease! :banghead: It’s a way of life that these people feel. They may not be following God’s design (ex. man gets with woman, like Adam and Eve) but they’re not ill.
It sickens me that people will chastise these people who pose no harmful threat on society but yet we have illegal immigrants and terrorists running amuck and we’re all too terrified to speak up against the REAL harm in society today.
I think we have our priorities backwards.

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2344:

Chastity represents an eminently personal task; it also involves a cultural effort, for there is “an interdependence between personal betterment and the improvement of society.” Chastity presupposes respect for the rights of the person, in particular the right to receive information and an education that respect the moral and spiritual dimensions of human life.

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2348:

All the baptized are called to chastity…

Source CCC; web-link: usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art6.htm

There are many things of this world that we are fighting against, and no one is saying that we shouldn’t do something about illegal immigrants or even terroist. That’s not even the focus of this thread.

I, also, don’t think anyone is here to chastise these people. The OP just wanted to know what was the Catholic Church stance re: homosexaulity and how does the Catholic Church deal with it.

 

[Jeanette_L]

It’s not a disease! :banghead: It’s a way of life that these people feel. They may not be following God’s design (ex. man gets with woman, like Adam and Eve) but they’re not ill.

What our society or people call illness or addiction, the Bible calls slavery. It’s pretty much the same thing. Shackles that are not easily, if ever, freed from.

He who sins becomes a slave to sin.

We’ve all been there, in some way or another. If we are presented with temptation and choose to sin even once, it becomes easier the second time the temptation presents itself. By the third or fourth time around, you’re pretty much in a pattern, some are slaves already.

Sexual sin of any nature is one of the most immediate addictions (bondages) out there. That’s why the Bible continually warns us about the heinous nature of sexual sin. The destruction to the soul, the body, and in turn society at large, is so devastating. And the homosexual act, (which is sin) seems to be very specifically called out in the Bible as particularly offensive to God for it’s very unnatural use of what God created.

When God says he gives them over to their lusts, slavery is what takes place. It no longer feels like a choice, because the bondage has taken hold. And freedom can only come with a first step, understanding the sin for what it is, and the person’s slavery to it, and the need for God’s grace to overcome.

 

[catholicbudgie]

Many Protestant denominations have the “hate the sin and love the sinner” mentality. I think what many Christians denounce is acting on homosexuality. They also reject that people are natually born that way and that the lifestyle is a choice. God will be the ultimate judge, but Christians can state the facts presented in church tradition and Biblical passages. That is being rightly judgemental because a Christian is making a profession of faith and stating Godly truth.

Agree mostly. I was a protestant and not all of it was wrong. In fact I became catholic because catholicism is the full truth. This does not mean to say that a protestant thought is completely wrong - i guess that’s wht I hold this position still. As I said I just DON"T KOW whether it’s nature or nurture, I suppose my position is my way of opting out of that debate.

All sinners are made in Gods image. The fact they are does not excuse the sin. Although I dont wnat to get involved in judging the sinner i must speak out when we have movements to tell us that sin is not sin, or in the case of many modern churchs condone and embarce not only the sinner but the sin itself.

Again, agree mostly. I wasn’t trying to excuse any sin. As I responded to catherine above the debate can get rather messy, I adopt my position in order to sit on the periphery of it.

However, I don’t believe that any one “chooses” to have ‘homosexual attractions". No more then what someone “choosed” to find attractive in his or her spouse, boyfriend, and girlfriend. For instance, when dating I founded myself geared towards men who were taller then me and funnier. It just was what I liked, what I was attracted too.

There are enough studies out there that suggest that “homosexual” tenancies are a disorder similar to Alcoholism. I have known plenty of Alcoholics in my life. Many of the people I’ve known have been “sober” now for 12 plus years. If you listen to them, they will tell you the urge is still there, and it takes will power and God to keep them for tipping the bottle.

Interesting Point of view. I will consider it.

Very true. I will have 21 years of sobriety November 5 yet I still fight a desire to drink and know if i had even a sip of a beer i would be back to two to three six packs a day within a month

Well done, et tu, Bob! One of these says I’ll go to Akron just to see where it all started.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Leah and Catherine A… I’ve seen the commercials… and I think you’re seeing what you want to see. Insuinuations are how bigotry and misinformation begin.

Nothing can abrogate church law/Book of Discipline. Just like cafeteria Catholics, there will no doubt be Methodists who pick and choose what they want to believe. But Church Law is quite clear on the matter.

O+

NO. I saw what I saw. I have no problem with homosexuals. I honestly don’t have a problem with practicing homosexuals, but as a good Catholic, I have to follow the Church’s teachings. The Church says that homosexual activity is a sin, so it’s a sin.

I’d be willing to take another look at the commercial, but I haven’t seem it for several months. If I see it again, I’ll look VERY closely.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I believe that you are seeing the commercials for the United Churches of christ. They are the congragational Churches. I believe that I am right about this.

I saw this commerical about six months ago. I’m positive it was for the United Methodist Church. They have newer commercials that are not as explicit on this subject, but seem to be opening the doors to all of God’s lost children.

 

[O.S.Luke]

NO. I saw what I saw. I have no problem with homosexuals. I honestly don’t have a problem with practicing homosexuals, but as a good Catholic, I have to follow the Church’s teachings. The Church says that homosexual activity is a sin, so it’s a sin.

I’d be willing to take another look at the commercial, but I haven’t seem it for several months. If I see it again, I’ll look VERY closely.

Every UM pastor gets the Igniting Ministries media packet, which includes all of the television and radio commercials produced. So I watched all of them last night… and for the life of me, I don’t have any idea what you saw or how you could have construed it.

I posted church law on the matter in the posts above. It also says that homosexual actvity is a sin. I’m not bashing your church - why bash mine?

 

[Zooey]

Luke is right:In the Methodist Church, the Book of Discipline has the say…
I think you are, indeed, thinking of a UCC commercial. The UCC is a very, very liberal denomination. (They are sometimes referred to as “Unitarians Considering Christ”). They have ads that are very much pro-homosexual acceptance.
The other possibility is that an individual parish is putting out their own ad, using the same type of script as the UCC. That would be contrary to the Discipline, but it could happen…And then, (soon, one hopes), the Bishop will get wind of it, & the ad will be pulled…Or further action may be taken.
But, I honestly think that you are mistaken as to the denomination. I have seen some UCC ads, & they are troubling indeed!!

 

[estesbob]

Luke is right:In the Methodist Church, the Book of Discipline has the say…
I think you are, indeed, thinking of a UCC commercial. The UCC is a very, very liberal denomination. (They are sometimes referred to as “Unitarians Considering Christ”). They have ads that are very much pro-homosexual acceptance.
The other possibility is that an individual parish is putting out their own ad, using the same type of script as the UCC. That would be contrary to the Discipline, but it could happen…And then, (soon, one hopes), the Bishop will get wind of it, & the ad will be pulled…Or further action may be taken.
But, I honestly think that you are mistaken as to the denomination. I have seen some UCC ads, & they are troubling indeed!!

Great ad! "Come sin with us"

 

[LeahInancsi]

Every UM pastor gets the Igniting Ministries media packet, which includes all of the television and radio commercials produced. So I watched all of them last night… and for the life of me, I don’t have any idea what you saw or how you could have construed it.

I posted church law on the matter in the posts above. It also says that homosexual actvity is a sin. I’m not bashing your church - why bash mine?

The commercial I saw had several groups of two or more people scattered throughout an otherwise empty church. The last or next to the last group it came to were two men sitting together. What did the voiceover say and why were these two men relevant to this commercial?

BTW, I don’t think this commercial reflects on Methodists as a whole, but the churches desperate attempt to grow their congregations.

 

[O.S.Luke]

The commercial I saw had several groups of two or more people scattered throughout an otherwise empty church. The last or next to the last group it came to were two men sitting together. What did the voiceover say and why were these two men relevant to this commercial?

BTW, I don’t think this commercial reflects on Methodists as a whole, but the churches desperate attempt to grow their congregations.

The United Church of Christ commercials can be viewed here.

The United Methodist Church commercials can be viewed here.

If you view all of them, you will see FOR A FACT, that only one of United Methodist commericials even shows a scene inside a church buildling… and it’s in Spanish.

I believe that the commercial you are speaking of is a UCC commercial. You are mistaken about it being United Methodist.

It is very, very unfair to post disparaging remarks about a sister church that are untrue.

 

[CatherineofA]

Every UM pastor gets the Igniting Ministries media packet, which includes all of the television and radio commercials produced. So I watched all of them last night… and for the life of me, I don’t have any idea what you saw or how you could have construed it.

I posted church law on the matter in the posts above. It also says that homosexual actvity is a sin. I’m not bashing your church - why bash mine?

I still think what I saw was in a commercial for the United Methodist Church. This leads me to another question. Are you saying that you are a Methodist minister? What is said on this matter in the majority of churches in your denomination? I ask because I know people in this church and they think homosexuals are fine and dandy. Do you comment in this in your church?

 

[Jeanette_L]

I still think what I saw was in a commercial for the United Methodist Church.

CatherineofA-

I agree with you. I saw the same commercial and thought* specifically* how surprised I was that the UM would be going down the same path as the Episcopals and the UC.

O.S.Luke-

Maybe this was done by a fringe element within the UM and not an approved message? We all know how fervent the left in any organization can be to get their message out and not always following the rules to do so.

 

[Jeanette_L]

The United Church of Christ commercials can be viewed here.

The United Methodist Church commercials can be viewed here.

If you view all of them, you will see FOR A FACT, that only one of United Methodist commericials even shows a scene inside a church buildling… and it’s in Spanish.

I believe that the commercial you are speaking of is a UCC commercial. You are mistaken about it being United Methodist.

It is very, very unfair to post disparaging remarks about a sister church that are untrue.

I went to the site above and it is absolutely the Diversity commercial on the UM site that we are discussing, but the ending has been altered on this site. I kid you not. So, I don’t know why this would be, unless, either they received complaints and changed the commercial, or they altered the version for this website.

I’m not making this up, and I’m not trying to unfairly disparage anyone, this is true and unfortunate.

Very odd.

 

[Stephen_C]

O.S. Luke is correct. The commercial in question (Ejector pew) is for The United Church of Christ.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I believe that the commercial you are speaking of is a UCC commercial. You are mistaken about it being United Methodist.

It is very, very unfair to post disparaging remarks about a sister church that are untrue.

I apologize. I was very sadly mistaken.

I had no intention of being unfair. It was an honest mistake. In fact, I’m quite relieved that the Methodist churches were not the chuch running the ejector pew commercial. I’ve always respected Methodists.

 

[kellie]

Very true. I will have 21 years of sobriety November 5 yet I still fight a desire to drink and know if i had even a sip of a beer i would be back to two to three six packs a day within a month

I would like to say a big congratulations to estesbob

Thank you for sharing this, and I think its very admirable that you have been able to fight your temptation for 21 years.

You are a fantastic example to all of us.

 

[O.S.Luke]

It is clear to me that several of us are either talking or confusing different things.

I went to the site above and it is absolutely the Diversity commercial on the UM site that we are discussing, but the ending has been altered on this site. I kid you not. So, I don’t know why this would be, unless, either they received complaints and changed the commercial, or they altered the version for this website.

Those commercials are copyrighted, and were approved by the general church in their entirety before they were released. The only exception to this was the commerical that aired after 9/11 occurred. Any television station airing an edited ad would be in violation of copyright, and I don’t know of any church who could afford the production costs to edit one without it looking horrible.

Maybe this was done by a fringe element within the UM and not an approved message? We all know how fervent the left in any organization can be to get their message out and not always following the rules to do so.

No one can speak officially for the United Methodist Church except for the General Conference. Like I said in earlier posts, there are always ‘cafeteria’ Christians who pick and choose their beliefs (i.e., Catholics and birth control). But that does not negate or abrogate the official church stance.

Leah… thank you for your apology.

O+

 

[mrs_abbott]

There are many things of this world that we are fighting against, and no one is saying that we shouldn’t do something about illegal immigrants or even terroist. That’s not even the focus of this thread.

I’m sorry for getting off topic with my little rant but I just get angry when people say that homosexuality is basically a disease. I have homosexual friends and while I don’t agree with that lifestyle, I love them for who they are and not what they do. I definitely don’t think that they have a disease either.

Ok, I’m done hijacking the thread. Sorry to the OP for getting off-topic.

 

[Contarini]

I am Southern Baptist and I have noticed that some Protestant denominations (Example-United Methodist Church) are embracing homosexuality aka taking a non judegemental stance.

How do you see the UMC “embracing homosexuality”? Granted, they take a very moderate position, but they do not say that it is OK, and the tendency in recent years has been to strengthen the traditional stance, not weaken it.

The UMC is a very complex body, and you can find plenty of evidence to support your thesis. But on balance the trend is in the opposite direction.

Edwin

 

[estesbob]

I would like to say a big congratulations to estesbob

Thank you for sharing this, and I think its very admirable that you have been able to fight your temptation for 21 years.

You are a fantastic example to all of us.

Thanks for your kind words. In the end my alchoholism is a blessing as it bought me closer to the Lord. My sponsor gave the scpriture reference I use as my sig line and it has served me very well in all aspects of life.