Gays and lesbians are aware enough of passages that you have cited and of opposition to sodomy by the Catholic Church and many other Christians that bringing up the point that it is sinful is not presenting them any new information about the stance of the Catholic Church. If anything, it would likely make them feel attacked and drive them away. I personally know a few men who used to commit sodomy but have later repented and changed their entire lives. None of them (at least that I know of) did so because some Christian/Catholic presented them new information that homoerotic relations are sinful.
Dear BobObob,
Thankyou most kindly for your thoughtful response to my post and my apologies for not replying sooner.
First, Whilst it is quite true that many within the homosexual community may be aware of the traditional Christian opposition to homosexuality, based on the biblical data, I think it is also true to say that they are not unaware of the deep division that prevails, especially within Protestant circles, over the elucidation of the key biblical texts that treat of this subject. Alas, homosexuality, as with sexual ethics generally, has ended up in the melting pot of reinterpretation and pluralism. This has occured to such an extent that there is a fairly widespread feeling now that the Church is at last beginning to view homosexual abberant behaviour in a wholly different and, supposedly, more enlightened manner than has hitherto been the case; those who continue to espouse the traditional teaching of Sacred Scripture and the Church are gradually coming to be regarded as intransigent and intolerant fundamentalists, pathetically clinging on to obsolete and exploded theories. Thus I would contend that there is a great deal of misunderstanding and uncertainty among the homosexual community as to what the Protestant churches at least actually do authoritatively teach on this issue. Even the Catholic Church has its vociferous progressives with their clamour for change but we do, thanks be unto God, have the authorititative teaching of the Catechism with which to make our appeal.
Second, When has the biblical stance on homosexuality ever been well received by those defiantly and shamefully engaging in acts of moral depravity?; does any sinner want to be informed that what they are doing is an affront to the holiness of God and a direct assault upon His majesty? By the very nature of the case it is exceedingly difficult not to offend homosexual offenders if one does not mince oneās words, but that should not deter the Church from making its appeal to Sacred Scripture and Tradition in support of its condemnation of homosexual acts, as it indeed does in the Catechism footnotes for para. 2357. It is by so doing that men are convinced of their sin and, hopefully, brought to a state of penitence whereby they will seek Godās forgiveness. Needless to say this will be done in a caring and compassionate manner and one will always strive to speak the truth of Godās word in love. Having said that we cannot withhold unpalatable truth out of some misguided notion of charity or a morbid fear that we might drive them away; we would not entertain such thoughts with regards to other moral issues such as Abortion, why should we do so with homosexuality?
Third, When I used the term āvilest offenderā It was said with reference to those to engage in homosexual
acts of depravity. Moreover, I would also have employed such a term to describe other sins (e.g child abuse) and would not apply it soley to homosexual offenders. The words occur in a well known hymn, To God be the glory great things He hath done, by Fanny Crosby and I have actually sung it in a Catholic church!:
Code:
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Fourth, It is indeed unfortunate that some Christians have a tendency to judge homosexual sin harshly but appear quite unconcerned about hetrosexual transgressions. This is clearly inexcusable and smacks of double standards. Moreover, I think that some are equally guilty of approaching homosexuality from a self-righteous attitude. They act as if this sin is greater than their own, emitting a language of hostility, mockery and anger which sadly
does alienate the very people that they are seeking to help. Personally speaking I hope I would always be a Christlike friend to those struggling with a homosexual proclivity.
Fifth, With many Christians I do not think it is a case of an irrational fear of homosexual individuals as such, more a fear, often coupled with anger, at the militant tendencies of many homosexuals to normalize their aberrant behaviour and indoctrinate even the very young and impressionable by means of politically correct educational teaching in schools. Sometimes this regrettable response is regarded as the equivalent to homophobia when in point of fact it is merely a well-founded fear about the inroads of homosexual propaganda and activism in our contemporary culture.
Perhaps if we open our eyes to see the pain and potential for lust in all of us, and if we allow the depth of our own sin to humble us, we can reach out with a true compassion and create a context where individuals will feel at ease to reveal their homosexual struggles, hear Godās truth and so find hope.
Warmest good wishes,
Portrait
I was about to jump in about Dumbledore is actually basically the perfect model of a person with homosexual tendencies who lives a chaste life, but Iāll refrain.
Hello, i agree with you well said. I know they can change i have herd of it before and they o quite well but they usually stay celebrant and not ever married too the opposite sex. Yes i feel that if they are really trying then to me they are not sinning and God Bless their efforts because as with any bad habits or mental problems they are hard to break or fix even with counseling or medicine But i know they have and can change it is with Love and allot of reading of the word on their part. If you really want any thing you have to work on it. Apply and Try!