Mass. Catholic School Won't Admit Lesbians' Son

[eureka525]

cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/12/ap/national/main6477159.shtml

This is a recent story about an 8 year old boy being turned away from a Catholic school in MA because he is the child of a lesbian couple. Just wondering what people’s thoughts are on this issue. Do you think the child should be turned away? What kind of lasting impact (if any) do you think stories like this could have on the church in the U.S.?

 

[JimG]

The school can do what it wants, but I think the idea is that parents are expected to raise the school children in accordance with Catholic doctrine. If the child learns through his religion classes that his mom’s lifestyle is condemned by the Church, is that a message that will be validated at home, or contradicted? Very confusing. And if the child is enrolled, would the school later be subject to a lawsuit on this very basis?–i.e. that the school’s moral teaching is denigrating her lifestyle to her son.

 

[lynx]

cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/12/ap/national/main6477159.shtml

This is a recent story about an 8 year old boy being turned away from a Catholic school in MA because he is the child of a lesbian couple.

Another one already? Is this the starting of a new trend?

Do you think the child should be turned away?

Not if that school receives any public money. I personally wouldn’t want to support anything that might be quantified as gay bashing.

What kind of lasting impact (if any) do you think stories like this could have on the church in the U.S.?

I would suspect, that as homosexuals become more excepted by society that it will have a negative impact on the churches reputation, which isn’t getting any better recently.

 

[Polycarp1]

I find it is sad that a gay couple would subject a child to a situation that will further confuse and quite likely subject him to more emotional pain. Were the child to be accepted into the Catholic school he would be taught the truth about same sex relationships, that they are sinful and can lead to eternal damnation. This would be very hard for the child to deal with as he no doubt loves the gay couple that are caring for him. The child is not to blame for this circumstance and should never been put into this relationship.

I would wonder what the motivation of the gay couple is in this. Are they using a child to force a religious - political faceoff. While I’m sure that many will want to view this as the Church punishing a child due to homophobia against gays I think that in reality the Catholic school who refuses to admit the child is showing more concern for his well being than the gay couple who would put him through it.

 

[JimG]

. . . I would wonder what the motivation of the gay couple is in this. Are they using a child to force a religious - political faceoff.

Quite possible. There’s this, from the article: “Gay rights groups later took out full-page newspaper ads in protest.” It makes a good platform to advance the homosexual agenda.

 

[eureka525]

The school can do what it wants, but I think the idea is that parents are expected to raise the school children in accordance with Catholic doctrine. If the child learns through his religion classes that his mom’s lifestyle is condemned by the Church, is that a message that will be validated at home, or contradicted? Very confusing. And if the child is enrolled, would the school later be subject to a lawsuit on this very basis?–i.e. that the school’s moral teaching is denigrating her lifestyle to her son.

Good point, but I’m sure there are other students in Catholic schools who have parents who don’t reinforce the doctrine at home. I myself was in Catholic school until age 12, at which time we moved, and I am the child of an atheist and a Baptist and attended a Presbyterian church. I know that’s not really the same thing but the point is that I’m sure plenty of children aren’t necessarily getting the right ‘follow-up’ at home.

I suppose though it would be quite difficult to be a young child and hear outright in class that your parents’ relationship is condemned by the Church…

 

[eureka525]

Originally Posted by Polycarp1
. . . I would wonder what the motivation of the gay couple is in this. Are they using a child to force a religious - political faceoff.

On the local news here, they had quotes from one of the moms saying that she knew the Church would not approve of their relationship but that they wanted the child to be raised in a school that would reinforce good Christian values and that they had heard very good things about this particular school academically as well.

 

[choy]

Another one already? Is this the starting of a new trend?

Not if that school receives any public money. I personally wouldn’t want to support anything that might be quantified as gay bashing.

I would suspect, that as homosexuals become more excepted by society that it will have a negative impact on the churches reputation, which isn’t getting any better recently.

first, i think the word you’re looking for is “accepted”
“except” means to remove and i don’t think thats what you mean

now, if you look at history, homosexuality was already accepted in the past, in the first century and earlier, in Roman and Greek cultures. and i’m pretty sure you know what happened afterwards. Christianity won over this culture, because the people realized their error

today is not the first time homosexuality becomes an accepted act of society. but history teaches us that eventually, morality wins because people sooner or later recognize the error of their ways

 

[Polycarp1]

On the local news here, they had quotes from one of the moms saying that she knew the Church would not approve of their relationship but that they wanted the child to be raised in a school that would reinforce good Christian values and that they had heard very good things about this particular school academically as well.

The Catholic Church’s stance on same sex relationships is widely known and I have a hard time believing that the mother wouldn’t be aware of it. I guess her understanding of good “Christian values” is something different from “good Catholic values”. She must know that the dogma and doctrines of the Catholic Faith are very different from most Protestant Churches.

 

[Tsuwano]

I find it is sad that a gay couple would subject a child to a situation that will further confuse and quite likely subject him to more emotional pain. Were the child to be accepted into the Catholic school he would be taught the truth about same sex relationships, that they are sinful and can lead to eternal damnation. This would be very hard for the child to deal with as he no doubt loves the gay couple that are caring for him. The child is not to blame for this circumstance and should never been put into this relationship.

I would wonder what the motivation of the gay couple is in this. Are they using a child to force a religious - political faceoff. While I’m sure that many will want to view this as the Church punishing a child due to homophobia against gays I think that in reality the Catholic school who refuses to admit the child is showing more concern for his well being than the gay couple who would put him through it.

According to the article I read, the couple seemed to say there were three major reasons for enrolling their son in a Catholic school. Though they expected the school not to support their lifestyle, they do want the child to learn certain Christian virtues, such as tolerance and generosity. They wanted the child to attend a smaller school with a lower number of students. They believe the child will be better educated in a Catholic school and will be able to enter into a university with greater ease. Other than this, I don’t know if there were any other reasons behind the couple’s decision.

 

[Tsuwano]

The Catholic Church’s stance on same sex relationships is widely known and I have a hard time believing that the mother wouldn’t be aware of it. I guess her understanding of good “Christian values” is something different from “good Catholic values”. She must know that the dogma and doctrines of the Catholic Faith are very different from most Protestant Churches.

Again, according to the article I read, the “parents” of the child were aware that their lifestyle is not supported by the Church, but they didn’t expect that the child would be discriminated against because of this. They noted that there is a great deal of tolerance in Catholic schools for children whose parents are not Catholic or who may not faithfully follow the doctrines of the Church. They noted that children of divorced parents often attend Catholic schools and they thought that they would somehow fall under this same umbrella of tolerance.

 

[lynx]

first, i think the word you’re looking for is “accepted”
“except” means to remove and i don’t think thats what you mean

Good job on stating the obvious Also, when you say “thats what you mean” you for got the apostrophe in “that’s”, clearing meaning ‘that is’. Additionally, you need to work on your capitalization and punctuation for your, what should be, sentences above.

now, if you look at history, homosexuality was already accepted in the past, in the first century and earlier, in Roman and Greek cultures. and i’m pretty sure you know what happened afterwards. Christianity won over this culture, because the people realized their error

Is that what crusades and inquisitions were all about? How exactly did Christianity “win”? Oh right, at the edge of a sword. Kill and torture that which went against the teachings of Christ and the bible. But, maybe i’m wrong and there was a legitimate reason for Christianity coming into power not through years of bloodshed.

today is not the first time homosexuality becomes an accepted act of society.

I know. Only recently have we begun pulling ourselves out of the dark ages (the smiley means i’m being facetious)

but history teaches us that eventually, morality wins because people sooner or later recognize the error of their ways

Assuming being LBGT is morally wrong, which is isn’t, even by Catholic standards. Being homosexual and acting on those urges are two separate things. If these women wish to live together and raise a child while being chaste is that a sin?

Short and sweet, homophobia is only going to look bad on the church like it does on the military.

 

[Polycarp1]

Again, according to the article I read, the “parents” of the child were aware that their lifestyle is not supported by the Church, but they didn’t expect that the child would be discriminated against because of this. They noted that there is a great deal of tolerance in Catholic schools for children whose parents are not Catholic or who may not faithfully follow the doctrines of the Church. They noted that children of divorced parents often attend Catholic schools and they thought that they would somehow fall under this same umbrella of tolerance.

I don’t think its a question of discrimination as I don’t believe that “Tolerance” can or should be extended to the point where a Catholic educational facility would avoid teaching Church doctrine so as not to offend someone. The Truth is the Truth and the Church is obligated to speak it! Should however a child in this situation, or children of divorced parents, or non Catholics be admitted to a Catholic school than the school must of course do everything in its power to ensure the well being of that child as they would any other child. However changing or ignoring Church doctrine is not in its power.
I am sure that the parents of non catholic students know that the school will teach the Catholic Faith freely and accept that in deciding to enroll their children. But in this case it is the True teaching of the Faith that is going to conflict in the mind of the child with the gay couple’s example and lifestyle. If they believed as the Church teaches they wouldn’t be in that relationship and the child’s emotional and spiritual well being at issue.

 

[Vjerovati]

If they’re interested in pursuing ‘good Christian values’ for their child, (which is odd since they outright obviously disagree with some of them), then why choose a Catholic school??
Why not choose a Protestant school that will teach basic Christian moral values and allows for their state of being (being gay partners, I mean)?
It would be less traumatizing for the child, and more importantly- they need to see that they cannot compromise the Catholic faith. Calling oneself a Catholic is saying that you hold all the teachings and beliefs of the Catholic faith to be true, any less and you’re just one confused Christian.
I can’t fathom why they would make their child go half in and half out- especially if they can probably find some Protestant religion that would appear to be more comfortable in suiting their lifestyle.

 

[Petergee]

Is that what crusades and inquisitions were all about? How exactly did Christianity “win”? Oh right, at the edge of a sword. Kill and torture that which went against the teachings of Christ and the bible. But, maybe i’m wrong and there was a legitimate reason for Christianity coming into power not through years of bloodshed.

Please don’t blindly swallow the absurd anti-Catholic legends distorting the facts of the Crusades and Inquisitions.

Assuming being LBGT is morally wrong, which is isn’t, even by Catholic standards.

To publicly self-identify and proclaim one’s pride at being “Lesbian”, “Bisexual” or “Gay” is a sin by Catholic standrads. And to claim to be “Transs-sexual” is a sin by Catholic standards as well as a lie.

If these women wish to live together and raise a child while being chaste is that a sin?

Yes. Every child has the right to be born of and raised by his natural mother and father who are married to each other. Or where that has become tragically and unavoidably impossible, he has the right to be raised according to the natural moral law, preferably by another married couple.

And being chaste means aq lot more than just technically abstaining from sexual activity outside of marriage. It means avoiding occasions of sin and avoiding giving scandal to others, especially children.

 

[Petergee]

This is a recent story about an 8 year old boy being turned away from a Catholic school in MA because he is the child of a lesbian couple.

There is no such thing as “the child of a lesbian couple”. Two lesbians “raising” a child is despicable institutionalised child abuse, worse than any one-off act of a pedophile.

Just wondering what people’s thoughts are on this issue. Do you think the child should be turned away?

The school has a right to that of course, but if I ran the school I would enrol the boy and make sure that the teachers ensure that he learns and understands and remind him every day that same-sex sexual activity is a grave sin crying out to Heaven for vengeance.

What kind of lasting impact (if any) do you think stories like this could have on the church in the U.S.?

In the long run the world will see that it was only the Catholic Church which had the courage to stand up against such evil acts.

 

[VetA]

Another one already? Is this the starting of a new trend?

no it is not, the church’s stance on homosexuality is quite clear, and this is how this school–and others like it–chose to uphold that teaching.

Not if that school receives any public money. I personally wouldn’t want to support anything that might be quantified as gay bashing.

they are a private school they can do what they want, as long as the public funds are not used in religious classes. the partial funding of private schools can be justified by the fact that private school children’s parents still pay taxes to send public school children to school, therefore they are entitled to receive the benefits of the taxes they are STILL required to pay.

 

[lynx]

Please don’t blindly swallow the absurd anti-Catholic legends distorting the facts of the Crusades and Inquisitions.

Alright then, I won’t. Please enlighten me as to what really happened. What brought Christianity into the realm of power it is today?

To publicly self-identify and proclaim one’s pride at being “Lesbian”, “Bisexual” or “Gay” is a sin by Catholic standrads.

Assuming that’s true, you’re assuming they’re boastful of that fact.

And to claim to be “Transs-sexual” is a sin by Catholic standards as well as a lie.

I believe being transgendered is ok as long as, once again, you remain chaste. This was a topic in the Apologetics forum a little while ago.

Every child has the right to be born of and raised by his natural mother and father who are married to each other.

I would say that every child has the right to be raised by caring, intelligent, competent parents. One’s sexuality should not matter.

Or where that has become tragically and unavoidably impossible, he has the right to be raised according to the natural moral law, preferably by another married couple.

Whose moral law? Your’s? Mine? Catholic? Islamic? Morals are subjective to the individual, but you’re welcome to think otherwise. So, what if they’re gay and married?

And being chaste means aq lot more than just technically abstaining from sexual activity outside of marriage. It means avoiding occasions of sin and avoiding giving scandal to others, especially children.

Right, and how does a gay parent do any of that to their child? Is it by proximity? Is sin going to jump off of them onto the child? Is it when they sit down to dinner to talk about their day? Maybe it’s when the child sees both of them hold hands. From a Catholic standpoint, what in scripture lets you know this? From a secular standpoint it doesn’t even matter.

no it is not, the church’s stance on homosexuality is quite clear, and this is how this school–and others like it–chose to uphold that teaching.

That’s their right as long as they don’t accept tax dollars. Otherwise I don’t think they get to make that rule. So, where exactly has the church come out and rejected children of gay parents from a Catholic school. I’d like to see the scripture or some official’s stance on this.

they are a private school they can do what they want, as long as the public funds are not used in religious classes. the partial funding of private schools can be justified by the fact that private school children’s parents still pay taxes to send public school children to school, therefore they are entitled to receive the benefits of the taxes they are STILL required to pay.

That’s BS, I don’t care how you justify it. If you take government money you need to play the secularist game, otherwise you’re pathetic. Apparently they’re good enough to take money from homosexuals, just not their kids I see the lessons on theft were avoided at this school.

 

[Orleans_Attny]

There is no such thing as “the child of a lesbian couple”. Two lesbians “raising” a child is despicable institutionalised child abuse, worse than any one-off act of a pedophile. The school has a right to that of course, but if I ran the school I would enrol the boy and make sure that the teachers ensure that he learns and understands and remind him every day that same-sex sexual activity is a grave sin crying out to Heaven for vengeance.In the long run the world will see that it was only the Catholic Church which had the courage to stand up against such evil acts.

Wow.

Just Wow.

At first I hoped that you were writing facetiously, but now I don’t think so.

I hope that you don’t enjoy a position of authority or power over anyone.

Pax,
OA

 

[Orleans_Attny]

That’s BS, I don’t care how you justify it. If you take government money you need to play the secularist game, otherwise you’re pathetic. Apparently they’re good enough to take money from homosexuals, just not their kids I see the lessons on theft were avoided at this school.

Actually that’s the law - so if you don’ t like it write to your representatives.

Pax,
OA