And somebody then said that he would not be allowed to say it in Canada. That is why we discussed Canada’s laws re speaking about homosexuality etc.But the topic of this thread is the content of the Holy Father’s Christmas talk to the Apostolic household.
JR
A young man who has as his foremost thoughts, the work of Christ and his Church, has nothing to “fear.” OTOH, a man with sex and sexuality on his mind from the get-go, has no right to feel that (a least currently) the priesthood is a “safe” place to embark on sexual self-identification, let alone activity. As I’ve said elsewhere on CAF, no straight man or woman that I know thinks of his/her identity as “straight.” This is a peculiarity of the gay culture. For purposes of the priesthood, the “safe” identities are Catholic + male + aspiring seminarian.
I guess you are right it would be a non-issue if Mother Church treated her children equally. If a priest was "found out" to be a heterosexual, it wouldn't bat an eye. But if a man had "homosexual tendencies"..... and all his life he must look over his shoulder and pray to God that no one finds out.
God understands what no human heart can comprehend.But isn’t discrimination also a sin ??
Fine , watching it from the pope’s view , I agree ,
The pope may tell that , fine , but …
Indeed !!
Don’t treat them as something special !!
What! You can roll just yet. Please answer may question. The Church also decriminalize the punishment of adulterers??? Or can we start organize adulterers pride day parades??? Heck, people should be free to put it on their business cards, John T. Smith, Adulterer.I just came back in to thank everyone for sharing. I think this topic has been exhausted. Most of the possible questions that WE can answer have been put on the table and “ping-ponged” back and forth.
There is only so much that the average lay person can discuss a topic before you find yourself exhausted. Even in the classroom, when we were studying these topics we moved on after a few sessions and some readings, because the mental gymnastics involved in philosophizing, theologizing and systematizing can be draining. It is best to move and pick up the topic later when something new comes up or someone writes or says something original that you had never heard or considered before.
My suggestion to all is to stay close to the Church and follow not only her teaching, but also her style of delivering her message. She is a reasonable and kind mother.
Good luck to everyone and Happy Holidays toeveryone on this thread. I’ll see you guys in other threads.
Fraternally,
JR
So, what’s the big deal then? Gay sex is already legal, and it’s already OK for so many families. Those who don’t think it’s OK should just not practice it and let the ones who practice it do as they wish. The legality of the matter is related to the protection of homosexual people from unjust prejudice and discrimination. No one is forcing people to be gay or to engage in homosexual sex. That would be wrong. But everyone must respect gay people and value their participation in society.
I do not believe that the Pope’s words were intended to be confined to homosexual activity. It pertains to whole spectrum of illicit sexual activity from the ubiquitous sins of contraception & self-abuse to the less common sins of homosexual activity. It pertains to abortion and euthanasia. The Pope’s words speak to both ordered rules for Procreation and to the Protection of Life. How this was diagnosed as homosexual hate speech is beyond me!?
. This is a non-starter for me. I cannot find it in myself (as of yet) to commit to a church that is still grappling with this issue. The testimony of Scripture and Tradition are crystal clear; not to mention natural law, that homosexual activity is a MORTAL SIN. Why would the Church attempt to suggest that governments cannot punish for Sodomy??? That does not make any sense! Can a nation pass a law to prosecute child molestation, rape, or adultery??? Of course they can! If someone engages in homosexual activity and they do not want to be prosecuted, they should do it within confines of their own home and not share with everyone else. Why do they need to define themselves by their orientation completely. If they are Catholic, they are supposed to be celibate. Also, if you have not noticed, sin never stayed tucked away in the corner. It will always try to justify itself. The pro-homosexual movement is trying to pass laws to punish anyone for speaking against homosexual activity. They will not rest until this is in place. On a secular note, how will western countries be able to turn-down polygamous marriages, if so-called “homosexuals” are able to “marry”. If you say marriage is between two people, they will agree and say that a man with 4 wives has 4 marriages. This is the dilution of morality that causes people to throw their hands up and say “forget it” to Christianity. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this very sin. Do you not think that God will use fundamentalist Islam to overthrow the lukewarm Christianity of the west. If you doubt what I am saying, check the demographics!!!Seriously? If this is a “non-starter” to come to Christ’s Church, then that is fine. You need some time to learn the Truth and some humility. You aren’t ready. We will be waiting when you are.I do not know if I can find the words to describe the disappointment and pain that I have over this discussion. I was on cusp of committing to the Roman Catholic Church. This issue has made me rethink my plans.
Yes. As surprising as it may sound to you, I need to now that the faith tradition that I submit is going to have sure moral footing, and not go the way of the Methodists, Lutheran, Pentacostals, etc. As for the rest of your message, I forgive your condescending attitude! :getholy:
Who is condescending? I submit to the Church founded by Jesus Christ when He was on earth. You won’t join the Church unless it suits your personal views. Apparently, you think you are superior.
Yep, when own personal views are solidly grounded in the Bible, Church Tradition, and Natural Law. Instead of arguing minutia, why not concern yourself with the substance of my message? For example, why not answer a question or two that I have posed?
I looked back a couple of pages, and I see primarily rants. If you have a question, ask it. I will be glad to answer it the best I can. However, if you seriously think that you are more grounded in the Bible, Church Tradition and Natural Law, then I doubt that you will accept anything that disagrees with you. You are all-knowing…
