What do you consider the "gay lifestyle" to be?

  • Thread starter Thread starter challam2010
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

challam2010

Guest
*However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition. *

Even though we’ve been admonished by the Church as above, I’ve noted in these threads a very different attitude toward those who engage in “the gay lifestyle.” Some of the postings could be considered overt homophobia, while others lie somewhere along that continuum.

I’m not sure I understand what you consider comprises that “gay lifestyle.” Is it political action for gay marriage, marching in gay pride parades, protesting against discriminatory laws, “flaunting” their homosexuality – what? I’m looking for an explanation.

I’m curious if you expect a homosexual person living as a celibate Catholic to forego all sociopolitical connection with his/her peers – to basically go back in the closet in actions, if not in words.

For the record, I’m not gay, I have no gay friends or family now, I don’t support gay marriage, I have NO AGENDA HERE. I’m just curious about the disparity between the above statement from the Church and many of the postings I’ve seen from Catholics on this Forum.

Thank you for your answers.
 
challam2010 said:
*However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition. *

Even though we’ve been admonished by the Church as above, I’ve noted in these threads a very different attitude toward those who engage in “the gay lifestyle.” Some of the postings could be considered overt homophobia, while others lie somewhere along that continuum.

I’m not sure I understand what you consider comprises that “gay lifestyle.” Is it political action for gay marriage, marching in gay pride parades, protesting against discriminatory laws, “flaunting” their homosexuality – what? I’m looking for an explanation.

I’m curious if you expect a homosexual person living as a celibate Catholic to forego all sociopolitical connection with his/her peers – to basically go back in the closet in actions, if not in words.

For the record, I’m not gay, I have no gay friends or family now, I don’t support gay marriage, I have NO AGENDA HERE. I’m just curious about the disparity between the above statement from the Church and many of the postings I’ve seen from Catholics on this Forum.

Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...
I think the gay lifestyle means dressing up in flamboyant clothing and processing around with like thinking people. Also lace, silk and cuff links.

Peace
 
portarica said:
I think the gay lifestyle means dressing up in flamboyant clothing and processing around with like thinking people. Also lace, silk and cuff links.

Peace
Click to expand...
Leather chaps, with no back-side!
 
challam2010 said:
*However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition. *

Even though we’ve been admonished by the Church as above, I’ve noted in these threads a very different attitude toward those who engage in “the gay lifestyle.” Some of the postings could be considered overt homophobia, while others lie somewhere along that continuum.

I’m not sure I understand what you consider comprises that “gay lifestyle.” Is it political action for gay marriage, marching in gay pride parades, protesting against discriminatory laws, “flaunting” their homosexuality – what? I’m looking for an explanation.

I’m curious if you expect a homosexual person living as a celibate Catholic to forego all sociopolitical connection with his/her peers – to basically go back in the closet in actions, if not in words.

For the record, I’m not gay, I have no gay friends or family now, I don’t support gay marriage, I have NO AGENDA HERE. I’m just curious about the disparity between the above statement from the Church and many of the postings I’ve seen from Catholics on this Forum.

Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...
Engaging in homosexual behavior. Equating homosexual behavior as being equivalent to heterosexual behavior.
 
challam2010 said:
*However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition. *

Even though we’ve been admonished by the Church as above, I’ve noted in these threads a very different attitude toward those who engage in “the gay lifestyle.” Some of the postings could be considered overt homophobia, while others lie somewhere along that continuum.

I’m not sure I understand what you consider comprises that “gay lifestyle.” Is it political action for gay marriage, marching in gay pride parades, protesting against discriminatory laws, “flaunting” their homosexuality – what? I’m looking for an explanation.

I’m curious if you expect a homosexual person living as a celibate Catholic to forego all sociopolitical connection with his/her peers – to basically go back in the closet in actions, if not in words.

For the record, I’m not gay, I have no gay friends or family now, I don’t support gay marriage, I have NO AGENDA HERE. I’m just curious about the disparity between the above statement from the Church and many of the postings I’ve seen from Catholics on this Forum.

Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...
Skinny jeans, Bette Midler, and Kathy Griffin.

The “gay lifestyle” is individuals who try to make homosexuality equate with heterosexuality.
 
Jesus,our Lords peace be with You.
A lifestyle in celibacy I hope.
 
challam2010 said:
*However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition. *

Even though we’ve been admonished by the Church as above, I’ve noted in these threads a very different attitude toward those who engage in “the gay lifestyle.” Some of the postings could be considered overt homophobia, while others lie somewhere along that continuum.

I’m not sure I understand what you consider comprises that “gay lifestyle.” Is it political action for gay marriage, marching in gay pride parades, protesting against discriminatory laws, “flaunting” their homosexuality – what? I’m looking for an explanation.

I’m curious if you expect a homosexual person living as a celibate Catholic to forego all sociopolitical connection with his/her peers – to basically go back in the closet in actions, if not in words.

For the record, I’m not gay, I have no gay friends or family now, I don’t support gay marriage, I have NO AGENDA HERE. I’m just curious about the disparity between the above statement from the Church and many of the postings I’ve seen from Catholics on this Forum.

Thank you for your answers.
Click to expand...
First of all, as someone who works in the media, I understand that “homophobia” is a pejoritive term used against anyone who is against what homosexuals want as a group. It should be applied on a case by case basis, and it usually isn’t. So, we have a few so-called Christian groups that claim they openly hate gays. Catholics are told to not hate anybody. Hate is the other label automatically given to some for refusing to agree with certain aspects of the LGBT agenda.

“In the closet” is another term and reference that assumes (A) anyone actually knows that a person is ‘in the closet’ in the first place and (B) assumes that Catholics do not respect the rights of people to do what they want in private.

Let’s look at the history of gay rights.

1969 Stonewall Riots. In response to a police raid, members of the gay community rioted and staged demonstrations. The claim was that gay bars were often scenes of police harassment.

1973 The American Psychological Association published a guide titled Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for psychiatrists. In a non-scientific vote, gay activists had them remove homosexuality as a disorder from the DSM.

1978 The Equal Rights Amenment, an issue since the 1920s, gets a further push from the radical National Organization for Women. The goal is to include LGBT rights against what they call discrimination.

Recently, members of the gay community have been pushing what they call marriage on the American people. Why was I asked to vote for it? Why did it appear on the ballot? Until this issue was forcibly raised by the gay community, I respected their right to privacy. Now, they want to radically redefine the institution of marriage. To answer your question about the gay lifestyle, I refer you to this article:

catholiceducation.org/articles/homosexuality/ho0088.html

I’ve worked with gay people, no problem. I have no unreasoning fear or phobia. I worked in a hospital for nearly ten years, and whenever I went down to the ER, no one was asked about their sexual orientation or gender identity. The hospital also performed “sexual reassignment” surgey.

God bless,
Ed
 
The “gay lifestyle” is being out of the closet in all areas, celebrating your homosexuality as an essential part of who you are, and the freedom to engage in any sexual act you feel inclined to try. Usually for men, this includes clubbing and indiscriminate sex.

There is an element of “in your face” to this label. Just being gay or lesbian does not mean you necessarily live “the gay lifestyle.” I think the connotation is that you live it and you love it, consider it normal and wish to celebrate it, and have everyone in society not only tolerate your sexuality but celebrate it with you.
 
Homosexual behavior/acts of any kind.
43% of homosexuals surveyed reported to have slept with over 500 partners, and only a few had less than 10 partners.
Homosexual men are 44 times more likely to have HIV/AIDS than heterosexual men.
Homosexuals have shorter average lifespans than any other group, even smokers.
Homosexual men get various forms of anal cancer that are almost nonexistant in other groups, and these forms of cancer unfortunately do not respond to treatments as well as other types of cancer.
 
stephe1987 said:
Homosexual behavior/acts of any kind.
43% of homosexuals surveyed reported to have slept with over 500 partners, and only a few had less than 10 partners.
Homosexual men are 44 times more likely to have HIV/AIDS than heterosexual men.
Homosexuals have shorter average lifespans than any other group, even smokers.
Homosexual men get various forms of anal cancer that are almost nonexistant in other groups, and these forms of cancer unfortunately do not respond to treatments as well as other types of cancer.
Click to expand...
:bigyikes:

Oh, and the 400% increase in cancers of the throat and mouth over the last 20 years has been attributed to gay male sex.
 
However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition.

FYI, Challum, you failed to include the remainder of Pope Benedicts’ address to Catholics.

Pope Benedict was not “admonishing” the Church faithful (as you wrote) he was providing guidance and support for the faithful to oppose both gay marriage and noncelibate same sex attraction.

"Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided’. They are called, like other Christians, to live the virtue of chastity. The homosexual inclination is however ‘objectively disordered’ and homosexual practices are ‘sins gravely contrary to chastity’.

In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, **clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. **

One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, from material cooperation on the level of their application.

In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection.

Doctrinal document Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions between Homosexual Persons, July 31, 2003

Ratzinger’s “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons,” 1986, as reported by National Catholic Reporter

"Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered to an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.

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… The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in work, in action and in law.

“Cardinal Ratzinger on Laicism and Sexual Ethics,” Zenit.org, Nov. 19, 2004:

"…Men and women were created to be jointly the guarantee of the future of the humanity — not only a physical guarantee, but also a moral one.

Above all, we must have great respect for these people who also suffer and who want to find their own way of correct living. On the other hand, to create a legal form of a kind of homosexual marriage, in reality, does not help these people.

Because God loves us, because He wants us to grow into truth, He must necessarily make demands on us and must also correct us."
 
Barbkw said:
However, the Church also acknowledges that "[homosexuality’s] psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. . . . The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s cross the difficulties that they may encounter from their condition.

FYI, Challum, you failed to include the remainder of Pope Benedicts’ address to Catholics.

Pope Benedict was not “admonishing” the Church faithful (as you wrote) he was providing guidance and support for the faithful to oppose both gay marriage and noncelibate same sex attraction.

"Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided’. They are called, like other Christians, to live the virtue of chastity. The homosexual inclination is however ‘objectively disordered’ and homosexual practices are ‘sins gravely contrary to chastity’.

In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, **clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. **

One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, from material cooperation on the level of their application.

In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection.

Doctrinal document Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions between Homosexual Persons, July 31, 2003

Ratzinger’s “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons,” 1986, as reported by National Catholic Reporter

"Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered to an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.

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… The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in work, in action and in law.

“Cardinal Ratzinger on Laicism and Sexual Ethics,” Zenit.org, Nov. 19, 2004:

"…Men and women were created to be jointly the guarantee of the future of the humanity — not only a physical guarantee, but also a moral one.

Above all, we must have great respect for these people who also suffer and who want to find their own way of correct living. On the other hand, to create a legal form of a kind of homosexual marriage, in reality, does not help these people.

Because God loves us, because He wants us to grow into truth, He must necessarily make demands on us and must also correct us."
Click to expand...
If you re-read my post, you will note that I specifically referenced celibate Catholics and said I do not support gay marriage. I didn’t quote the entire statement for brevity’s sake, but I thought I quoted the essence of how we are to treat homosexuals. If I erred in using that brief quotation, I apologize.

I’m not disputing or arguing with any part of the Church’s statements about homosexuality in this post; I am only wondering about the disparity between the Church’s admonitions/guidance about homosexuals’ treatment in this Forum under the umbrella of the “gay lifestyle.”

I’m trying to gain some personal nsight into what that particular phrase means to the orthodox, faithful Catholics here.
 
I think that the whole “gay lifestyle” verbiage is basically a shorthand way to refer to those who practice and promote homosexual activity, especially those who don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. It does not refer to those who may have some tendencies which they strive to overcome nor to those who live out the Church’s teaching on chastity.

At least, that’s how I have always interpreted the term.
 
“Gay lifestyle” isn’t a term I use, but to me without context it just use means openly and actively practicing homosexuality. Usually there is some context that hints at a certain aspect of it in any given post though. Generally I don’t have much of a problem with how the term is used however…

“Gay Agenda” is more the term that concerns me. It seems like most people who use that term legitimately believe that homosexuals as a whole are out to attack their way of life. There are people on this forum who have openly expressed the belief that there has been some underground gay society influencing society towards something since sometime in the mid 1900’s. There are others here who act like all gay people are unified under one banner in what they want and expect from society and that they are all loud, sexually expressive, and trying to force ideas like infidelity and the destruction of monogamy down out throats. Gay Agenda is almost always a term that accompanies some level of paranoia and tries to group homosexual people into one group. I am willing to be the same people who use that term wouldn’t be terribly happy if someone started using the term “Christian Agenda” in a similar manner though.
 
PatrickSebast said:
“Gay lifestyle” isn’t a term I use, but to me without context it just use means openly and actively practicing homosexuality. Usually there is some context that hints at a certain aspect of it in any given post though. Generally I don’t have much of a problem with how the term is used however…

“Gay Agenda” is more the term that concerns me. It seems like most people who use that term legitimately believe that homosexuals as a whole are out to attack their way of life. There are people on this forum who have openly expressed the belief that there has been some underground gay society influencing society towards something since sometime in the mid 1900’s. There are others here who act like all gay people are unified under one banner in what they want and expect from society and that they are all loud, sexually expressive, and trying to force ideas like infidelity and the destruction of monogamy down out throats. Gay Agenda is almost always a term that accompanies some level of paranoia and tries to group homosexual people into one group. I am willing to be the same people who use that term wouldn’t be terribly happy if someone started using the term “Christian Agenda” in a similar manner though.
Click to expand...
I suggest, if you are an adult, to go to any gay web site. There you can see, without preconception, what they’re talking about. You can also google LGBT to find out how unified this all is. Paranoia is often used as a claim without supporting evidence.

Or, you can read this article:

catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26840

God bless,
Ed
 
I know it was a joke – and a great one – but there’s a bit of underlying truth in the concept of the subliminal “feminine” aspect of liturgy (particularly traditional) as one of the reasons the priesthood has been attractive to gay men.

This isn’t my idea – it’s the opinion and experience of a (straight) priest friend who teaches in a well-known and respected seminary. The drama, the music, the clothing, the creativity – not too far from the theatricality of many gay men’s gifts and choice of occupation.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top