I’m certainly not advocating the spread of “their” agenda. I’m advocating several things, including not putting all of “them” in a box. I’m also advocating extending Christlike love to “them”. Many times these political and radical gay activist groups gain power by being the only ones who address real issues that homosexual persons face, such as rejection
I do think that there is a time and place for to oppose the agendas of certain gay activists, but this should be play a secondary role to love and should be done by teaching morality and risks, not by attacking persons themselves or taking an “us vs “them” approach. The battle we should ultimately be fighting is against principalities and powers (Eph 6:12), not persons who may or may not honestly believe there is nothing wrong with their sexual behavior.
Remember, there are PERSONS involved in this. These persons face real issues. The more political it is, the more likely one is to loose track of that fact and fight the wrong battle against the wrong enemy.
“Discrimination” simply means to make a decision based on some factor. I may discriminate between what foods I want to eat for dinner based off of various factors (taste, nutrition, etc.). Recently, the word “discrimination” has come to strongly imply an unjust discrimination.
To oppose “same-sex marriage” or homosexual acts would be to discriminate against sexual ACTS, not sexual ORIENTATION. The laws may not recognize it that way, but those are often highly problematic and faulty laws.
Catholics should avoid discrimination based on sexual orientation. We should also not discriminate against persons who practice sexual sin, except in matters which not discriminating would be allowing the sexual sin to occur (such as letting your son share a room with his girlfriend in your house overnight).
Regarding the document from the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith that you liked to through EWTN, I’ve read it in its entirety in the past and did so again, and there’s nothing in there contrary to what I’ve said. It’s a non-magisterial letter that points out problems with certain legislation that could cause increasing acceptance of homosexual behavior. This document also says:
“7 It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the church’s pastors wherever it occurs. It reveals a kind of disregard for others which endangers the most fundamental principles of a healthy society. The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law.
…
12 Homosexual persons, as human persons, have the same rights as all persons including the right of not being treated in a manner which offends their personal dignity (cf. No. 10). Among other rights, all persons have the right to work, to housing, etc…”
It should also be noted that this document assumes that a person’s homosexual orientation won’t be known and thus won’t need anti-discrimination laws unless he/she has advertised his/her sexual orientation (see post 14). This, among with other things in this document, indicates that it is primarily concerned with how laws will affect how people view and treat homosexual behavior, not discrimination against homosexual persons.
