Is same sex attraction a sin?

[TheLittleLady]

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

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,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.

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#2357

 

[NuclearReceptor]

Is only lust to be rejected or any form of attraction (even those devoid of lust)?

 

[Cruciferi]

It is no different than any other temptation we face. Lusting and dwelling on the attraction is no good; however, heterosexuals shouldn’t do that either! I think sometimes people get a bit proud and think because their orientation is open to heterosexual marriage they don’t have a burden or cross. Well let me tell ya’, there’s nothing within a human harder to control than the desire for sexual gratification. Every last one of us MUST guard our eyes and thoughts as best we can. We must also avoid occasions of sin where we’ll be unnecessarily put to the test

 

[Duckling]

I’m aware that Homosexuality is a disordered desire but is it a sin? Or is it just a sin to commit Homosexual acts?

Okay so as you might have seen this was my original answer:

The act is, I think same sex attraction is a temptation, not a sin.

But I’d just like to say, as some posters have been saying, you should reject or turn away from SSA. I agree. But don’t hate yourself if it’s just something you feel. Don’t push yourself down because you can’t help but feel something. Feelings are the hardest thing to control.

Just try not to embrace it as your “identity”. Your Identity is in Jesus Christ. Embrace it as a thorn in the flesh. It’s not a part of you, it’s destructive. And the way I see it, it’s something to be grateful for. Think of it as a test of your faithfulness to God.

God Bless!

 

[theCardinalbird]

Just try not to embrace it as your “identity”. Your Identity is in Jesus Christ. Embrace it as a thorn in the flesh. It’s not a part of you, it’s destructive. And the way I see it, it’s something to be grateful for. Think of it as a test of your faithfulness to God.

Thanks for your post! I would not want this attraction to be an identity, it presents a trial I wish I didn’t have, but, in a strange way, brought me to the Church (I was a lukewarm Catholic before taking my faith seriously). You say it’s not a part of me, and that it’s destructive. Indeed (SSA) is destructive because it makes me want something that I can’t have. But I guess it could make me strong

 

[Duckling]

Thanks for your post!

You’re very welcome!

it presents a trial I wish I didn’t have, but, in a strange way, brought me to the Church (I was a lukewarm Catholic before taking my faith seriously). You say it’s not a part of me, and that it’s destructive. Indeed (SSA) is destructive because it makes me want something that I can’t have. But I guess it could make me strong

I’m glad to hear that you decided to take your faith seriously!

Yes, it could make you strong! Every trial/ test the Lord gives us is meant to deepen our relationship with Him!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

 

[exnihilo]

This makes sense. But with all due respect, I have a lot more experience combating homosexual temptation than you do. When I see an attractive man, “rejecting it” straight out will make it more likely I will go home and fantasize. The most successful approach I’ve found is to look at him and recognize his beauty (briefly, not by staring), and remember that his beauty is FOR a woman, not for me.

I agree ‘rejecting it’ is something have to be careful of. I think a lot of people who suffer scrupulousity do so because of a poor understanding of and skills dealing with temptations. Having a bad temptation and mentally freaking out over it will in my experience actually make things worse. Trying to stop thoughts from entering your mind is a losing battle. Learning to accept they will happen is essential.

 

[Sir2v4]

the statements about homosexuality being disordered are moral judgments. Where is the compassion for people who are afflicted with it? Homosexuality et al. are found around the world today and also going back in time, as evidenced by the Bible itself. Autism is disordered thought, so is autism disordered? 111/5/2017 BBC new article about narcolepsy possibly resulting from an autoimmune disorder ( http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20171031-why-we-still-dont-understand-sleep-and-why-it-matters). To label homosexuality as disordered is one thing. Either Francis or Benedict has apologized for a lot of prejudice directed towards those with this affliction. Telling people to just turn it off is a kind of elitism and arrogance for what homosexuality is and how it works. Of course, chastity is the Christian ideal for unmarried persons, but love of our neighbor – even our enemy – is a Christian principle,

SSA is a condition which is not understood and for which no cure is presently known. It is not a sin, but if one acts on it, it can be sinful. Para 1735 of the Catechism explains, on Biblical principles, that not all objectively grave actions involve grave culpability, or even any culpability at all, Before his papal election, Benedict XVI wrote about homosexual inclinations and urged chastity through a well-formed conscience.

Bullying of anyone with SSA is also disordered and sinful.

 

[NuclearReceptor]

Homo/heterosexual attraction is not sin.

Homo/heterosexual lust is sin.

But while not sinful, homosexual attraction is intrinsically disordered. That is an objective fact, not moral judgment.

Disorder does not mean sin or the person is viewed less-than.

Of course, the gay lobby loves to exaggerate the “disorder” part to claim it’s “homophobia”.

 

[Sir2v4]

well, it is a moral judgment. that it is intrinsically disordered is not a fact, but a moral judgment disguised as a fact. Psychologists and psychiatrists are of the opinion that H is “normal.” H is forbidden by the natural law, but SSA happens. Why? Natural law employs reason as a basis for its judgments, based on facts, generally.

 

[exnihilo]

How do psychologists form their opinion of what is normal? They have reversed their opinion on this matter. Nothing changed between when it was abnormal and normal other than society being more accepting of immoral sexual behavior.

 

[josh987654321]

the statements about homosexuality being disordered are moral judgments.

The Catechism says it, and it’s not saying that homosexuals themselves are disordered, because that’s not true, but rather that the desire is disordered and an argument could easily be made that everyone in this life suffer from disordered desires (temptations) resulting from the fall.

Where is the compassion for people who are afflicted with it?

What did I say that gave you that idea?

Either Francis or Benedict has apologized for a lot of prejudice directed towards those with this affliction.

Well, I’m not prejudiced toward anyone, but one tends to get accused of that a lot nowadays.

Telling people to just turn it off

Where have I said this?

Of course, chastity is the Christian ideal for unmarried persons, but love of our neighbor – even our enemy – is a Christian principle,

Are you trying to imply something? If so it helps if you quote what I’ve said that your referring to and what you take issue with or even how you would have said it if you prefer.

Bullying of anyone with SSA is also disordered and sinful.

Are you referring to anyone here? and ops, there’s that ‘d’ word again

I’m a bit confused because I didn’t even mention the ‘d’ word in any of my posts until this one.

God Bless

Thank you for reading

 

[Boler]

well, it is a moral judgment

No, it’s doctrine. You are Catholic which presupposes you accept this doctrine, correct?

Psychologists and psychiatrists are of the opinion that H is “normal.”

That’s so obviously not true. Many health professionals maintain it is a disorder. Additionally, “normal” does not mean ordered.

SSA happens.

Lots of disorders happen.

 

[gfvh]

If a lustful thought enters my mind and I a hesitate for even one instant before rejecting it, I have sinned.

Hesitation is full consent of the will? As far as I understand you need full consent of the will to sin mortally. Otherwise is venial.