In RCIA tonight, the sister said

[funnyyetsavvy]

that it’s ok to have homosexual thoughts because they are just like heterosexual thoughts-as long as you don’t act on them, they are fine.

Is this really the Catholic view? This sounded strange to me. Maybe I’m not understanding…

 

[Teen4Christ]

That is correct, the catholic teachings state being homosexual is ok, but homosexual sex acts are not.

 

[Corki]

that it’s ok to have homosexual thoughts because they are just like heterosexual thoughts-as long as you don’t act on them, they are fine.

Is this really the Catholic view? This sounded strange to me. Maybe I’m not understanding…

The sister did not choose a very clear way to represent Church teaching but she isn’t completely wrong.

The Church teaches that homosexuality is intrinsically didordered - not “ok”.

BUT, homosexual attraction is not always voluntary and the causes are uncertain. To have homosexual thoughts involuntarily is likely not a sin. To indulge in sexual fantasies (homosexual or heterosexual) is likely a sin. To act on your sexual feelings with anyone but your valid spouse is sinful.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

That is correct, the catholic teachings state being homosexual is ok, but homosexual sex acts are not.

Any impure thoughts that are willfully entertained, homosexual or not, are not ok. There is a difference between immediately dismissing an impure thought (which is what one should do, and maybe the sister was referring to this) and entertaining an impure thought (which would be wrong), regardless if you act on it or not.

 

[Teen4Christ]

Any impure thoughts that are willfully entertained, homosexual or not, are not ok. There is a difference between immediately dismissing an impure thought (which is what one should do, and maybe the sister was referring to this) and entertaining an impure thought (which would be wrong), regardless if you act on it or not.

Really? I admit my mistake.

 

[OSUbride0708]

I was under the impression that the Church does not claim that people “choose” to be homosexual, or that they don’t. There for it is not considered a sin to be attracted to the same sex (there may be medical or psychological reasons for this). However, a person having such an attraction is called to be celibate if this is what they truly feel. There ARE people within the Catholic church who claim to be homosexual, but do NOT act on these feelings, because they know to do so is a sin. I believe there are support groups for such people as well.

 

[Teen4Christ]

I was under the impression that the Church does not claim that people “choose” to be homosexual, or that they don’t. There for it is not considered a sin to be attracted to the same sex (there may be medical or psychological reasons for this). However, a person having such an attraction is called to be celibate if this is what they truly feel. There ARE people within the Catholic church who claim to be homosexual, but do NOT act on these feelings, because they know to do so is a sin. I believe there are support groups for such people as well.

That’s what I thought as well

 

[Seatuck]

Homosexual attraction is disorderd. That’s not the same as being “ok”.

CCC

**

**Chastity and homosexuality **

**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,140 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."141 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.
**

 

[yellowbird]

If homosexual thoughts are a temptation that one doesn’t act upon, I can’t see that they are sinful. Being tempted is not a sin.

I think that’s what the Sister meant by “ok?”

 

[funnyyetsavvy]

I guess I thought any lustful thoughts were impure regardless of whom they might be about…

Sister said that any thought is ok because it is harmless.

 

[OSUbride0708]

I guess I thought any lustful thoughts were impure regardless of whom they might be about…

I believe this to be true. I thought you meant that just being attracted to the opposite sex was a sin, which I don’t think is.

 

[jwashu]

Think of it this way… as a hetrosexual male I’m walking down the street and a very attractive person walks by and a thought pops into my head. I didn’t willfully place it there and there is nothing wrong. However if I started to dwell on that though and think of other possible thoughts it would be a sin…

Same for Homosexuals, they can’t control that a thought pops into their mind but they can control where that though is taken… to more thoughts or to actions.

Joe

 

[kage_ar]

A wise man once said “You cannot stop the birds from flying overhead. You CAN, however, keep them from building a nest on your head.”

 

[latinmasslover]

that it’s ok to have homosexual thoughts because they are just like heterosexual thoughts-as long as you don’t act on them, they are fine.

Is this really the Catholic view? This sounded strange to me. Maybe I’m not understanding…

Fantasizing about homosexual “romance” is sinful, just as much as fantasizing about a pre/extramarital “romance.” It’s possible she meant the fleeting thought that may pop into his/her head, but I don’t think that’s it. If one feels this attraction it is not a sin, but to indulge in homosexual thoughts is sinful and needs to be confessed.