Should gay people be forgiven for their sins?

[kalel76]

Of course she does! However, it’s stewards do need do determine who’s sincerely asking for forgiveness and who’s really asking for permission.

Does Catholic doctrine say the Church or God forgives?

It’s a little bit of both. You are probably aware of Jesus’ commission to the apostles to forgive sins.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit.Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” John 20:22-23 (emphasis mine)

He handed this authority to the apostles and through the apostolic nature of the Church, to today’s bishops and priests. A priest when he hears a confession acts as a steward. They can determine who’s sincere and who’s not.

 

[manualman]

If you disagree with homosexuality - should gay people who repent be forgiven? For example, if a gay man or woman decided to live as celibate but succumbed to temptation?

Of COURSE! That’s pretty much the whole point of Jesus coming to earth! Sinners can repent and be forgiven. Then they can receive the Grace to overcome the inclination towards sin (eventually, and not necessarily before earthly death).

The only sin I see in Scripture being called “unforgiveable” is to fully perceive God in his glory and identify him as the devil. (even that would require full consent)

 

[datingtrappists]

Wasn’t it said that Moses would judge?

I didn’t expand my thoughts out enough… Moses (and others) was only able to judge because God gave him that authority to judge… The same with priests and confessors… they are not able to judge by their own merits, but through the merit of having been given that authority by God. In the end, no matter how one puts it, it is ONLY God who judges, through the people He has authorized to judge.

 

[puzzleannie]

If you disagree with homosexuality - should gay people who repent be forgiven? For example, if a gay man or woman decided to live as celibate but succumbed to temptation?

is this a trick question? everyone should be forgiven of their sins, what is the agenda behind the question? Forgiveness comes from Christ and on His terms, which is ordinarily through the sacraments of the Church which He founded, those sacraments confected on the authority which He gave the Church. It includes confession, repentance, penance, reparation and amendment on the part of the penitent, and absolution and forgiveness on the part of Christ and His Church.

 

[Timbothefiveth]

Yes, everyone should be forgiven.

 

[MarkInOregon]

If you disagree with homosexuality - should gay people who repent be forgiven? For example, if a gay man or woman decided to live as celibate but succumbed to temptation?

Why single out “gay” people for this question? Isn’t anyone who repents and asks for forgivness forgiven? Why woud a “gay” person be any different? Don’t we all succumb to temptation at some point? Isn’t that why we go to confession more than once in our lives? Isn’t our life a struggle against temptation to sin and a continual cycle of repentance and asking for forgiveness when we fall?

Peace,
Mark

 

[Joe_5859]

I know that a lot of times when people come to CAF asking these questions, it seems they have an agenda or are just baiting the Catholics. Lethe has started several threads and she seems to be asking honest questions in a respectful matter. I don’t think her intent is to bait us.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

Personally, I find this question offensive. Why single out just one group of people? Just so you know, I would be just as offended if the question were “Should fornicators/murderers/liers/thiefs/the prideful pharisees…etc be forgiven for their sins?”

To answer this question, and the other one I posed… if they are repentant and are trying their best to no longer sin, then a loud resounding YES, OF COURSE!!! Who am I (or anyone but God) to judge the state of someone’s soul?

Quoted for truth!!!

Of COURSE gay people should be forgiven their sins. Christ died to bring salvation to EVERYONE, from little Johnny disobeying his mother and stealing cookies from the cookie jar, all the way up to mass-murderers and the perpetrators of genocide. He even said it Himself “I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners.” That includes gay people. I’m sure if He came back to earth for a visit, He would be associating with gay people and offering them His Love and consolation, which would scandalize the Pharisees in the Church…

This question makes me angry: I have had lapses by thoughts, but I have learned how to handle those. For singling out people like me by asking it, I forgive you.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Why single out “gay” people for this question? Isn’t anyone who repents and asks for forgivness forgiven? Why woud a “gay” person be any different? Don’t we all succumb to temptation at some point? Isn’t that why we go to confession more than once in our lives? Isn’t our life a struggle against temptation to sin and a continual cycle of repentance and asking for forgiveness when we fall?

Peace,
Mark

Well we are supposed repent with the conviction that we will not do that sin again. I guess if someone is continually going to confession and “repenting” with the notion in their mind that they are going to do that sin again… well is That repentence?

I do not know that you are stating that Mark but some here may read it that way.

 

[Gerard_Nadal]

If you disagree with homosexuality - should gay people who repent be forgiven? For example, if a gay man or woman decided to live as celibate but succumbed to temptation?

I’m sorry, but did INRI, tacked to the cross stand for “Except Gays”?