Why does the Catholic Church care about sexuality?

[voctor09]

Obviously, we must assume the “Body as a temple” based on the passages in the Bible, but what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from? Did the Pope say this ex cathedra?

If a gay man is attracted to another gay man, the attraction in and of itself is not sinful according to the Church. But at what point does it become sinful? When a gay man holds hands with another gay man? If a gay man kisses another gay man on the cheek–the mouth? If a gay man has intercourse with another gay man?

Assuming it’s not sinful for a gay man to hold or touch another man’s hand, why is it sinful for a gay man to have sex with another gay man? Why is so special about the penis, as opposed to fingers or toes or elbows, that it is the forbearer of sin?

 

[Holly3278]

Because sexuality is an integral part of who people are. It can be misused and abused. To misuse or abuse one’s sexuality is to commit a sin.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Obviously, we must assume the “Body as a temple” based on the passages in the Bible, but what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from? Did the Pope say this ex cathedra?

If a gay man is attracted to another gay man, the attraction in and of itself is not sinful according to the Church. But at what point does it become sinful? When a gay man holds hands with another gay man? If a gay man kisses another gay man on the cheek–the mouth? If a gay man has intercourse with another gay man?

Assuming it’s not sinful for a gay man to hold or touch another man’s hand, why is it sinful for a gay man to have sex with another gay man? Why is so special about the penis, as opposed to fingers or toes or elbows, that it is the forbearer of sin?

You must take a broader view.
God created Man. He is the Creator. He gives freedom to Man but He demands some rules too. He has a plan for Men. And lets Men have freedom too.
So, if God rules Men, He plans for man’s penis, hands and feet.
You may use your hands and feet to walk and give bread to people with hunger. But God does not want you to walk over there and with your karaté-hands kill people.

Another thing. In the Bible, it is said that Man is not balanced, with bad thoughts and feelings. Feelings are nor sin.

People have bad feelings in all kinds of human behavior: killings, pedophilia, genocide, adultery, rape, murder, theft, and so on.

You must ask to what point pedophilia is an act sinful if feelings of pedophilia are not sin. In the TV, I saw a man who asked the judge to be killed. He had so many pedophilia feelings that he knew he would repeat the crimes he did so he rejected appeals. And he was executed. It was dramatic and one asks why this happens, why cant this be cured?

As for homosexuality, it is the same thing. God has a plan for sex: reproduction, to beat death. If no one reproduces, if everybody becomes gay, death wins and the human gender finishes.

I would say that all acts that are done and come out of homosexuality are not wished by God. The gestures that I have with my father, brother and son are ok for they are my family. Whatever I do with my male friends co-workers are OK. If I do otherwise with a male colleague out of what I do with my male friends and coworkers I would say that are outside of what God wants.

In Indonesia, I saw islands where men walk hand in hand. It is common but it is not homosexuality. Depends on culture.

That is my opinion.

 

[GEddie]

One’s fingers, toes, limbs, nose, etc, are the parts of our body that contact the outside world; however, the genital organs are meant not for simple contact, but specifically for unitive and procreative sexuality.

So touching with the hands and feet is not wrong – that is what they are for – provided that these limbs are not used to do something that is in itself wrong. But use of the sexual organs for something other than unitive/procreative sexuality is a misuse of the organs and of the body.

ICXC NIKA

 

[DeniseNY]

I don’t know that the Church cares such much about sexuality as it does about souls.

 

[Robertanthony]

I know it must be daunting for a homosexual to envision life with no possibility to ever find sexual gratification/release without committing a sin. You’re either committing the sin, the flesh is happy but the soul is screaming, or you don’t, the flesh screams for satisfaction but the soul is well pleased. I’ve had quite a few challenges/limitations/crosses in this life and because of those living the life of a truly human being is not possible (meaningful frienships, deep connection, hope for the future, the opposite of stagnation, serenity and contentment etc.) so I have a good idea of what a Catholic who has deep-seated homosexual attraction must feel like. You’re not exactly like a fish in the water.

 

[JRKH]

To address the title of the thread…

The Church cares about sexuality because she cares about the entire person. She cares that in all aspects of our life she gives proper care and teaching to her children. This is just as true in sexual matters as in any other.

I suspect that there is an appearance of greater concern in matters of sex, but I suspect that has more to do with the interest shown by the lay faithful than with the church herself…

Peace
James

 

[Brooklyn]

To address the title of the thread…

The Church cares about sexuality because she cares about the entire person. She cares that in all aspects of our life she gives proper care and teaching to her children. This is just as true in sexual matters as in any other.

I suspect that there is an appearance of greater concern in matters of sex, but I suspect that has more to do with the interest shown by the lay faithful than with the church herself…

Peace
James

It is interesting to note that this is the Feast Day of Fatima. During these apparitions, Our Lady told the three shepherd children that more people go to hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason. Sexual sins are extremely serious and dangerous to our spiritual health.

The ultimate purpose of sex is to create potential new members for the Kingdom of God. If Satan can pervert this, and he has been wildly successful at this down through the ages, then he can thwart God’s purpose for humanity of bringing us into the Kingdom of God. By perverting the use of sex, instead of being a means of creating life, as God intended, it has become the greatest tool of Satan to destroy us. It seems only the Catholic church completely and totally understands this.

 

[snarflemike]

Obviously, we must assume the “Body as a temple” based on the passages in the Bible, but what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from? Did the Pope say this ex cathedra?

If a gay man is attracted to another gay man, the attraction in and of itself is not sinful according to the Church. But at what point does it become sinful? When a gay man holds hands with another gay man? If a gay man kisses another gay man on the cheek–the mouth? If a gay man has intercourse with another gay man?

Assuming it’s not sinful for a gay man to hold or touch another man’s hand, why is it sinful for a gay man to have sex with another gay man? Why is so special about the penis, as opposed to fingers or toes or elbows, that it is the forbearer of sin?

The Church cares about sexuality because people care (very, very much) about sexuality. So why do people care about sexuality?

 

[John72]

God created them male and female. In this He created our sexual nature to be procreative so we could participate in His creation through the monogamous married sexual act resulting in new life. What is the greatest expression of love on earth? I believe it is life. Every action that is selfish (not loving another) is somehow attached to death. Love is not a feeling. It is the intentional self sacrificing for the other. It is not doing anything for what you get out of it. It is doing it just for the sake of the beloved. Contraception, Homosexual acts, abortion, etc. are all opposed to this. Contraception prevents the possibility of the transmission of life and makes it possible not to have to give all of yourself to the other. If the Contraception fails, as all at one time or another do, there is abortion. That is in no way a loving act. Homosexual acts are all about self. Selfishly fulfilling your own disordered sexual desires. That is not love either. The love of God is His life.

 

[Lancer]

First…who knows the human person better than anyone…me…you…Oprah…or the Catholic Church? …who do you want to put your “money” on…go ahead…"…place your bet…".

Second…for your perusal….Catechism paragraphs:

891 “The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of his office, when, as supreme pastor and teacher of all the faithful - who confirms his brethren in the faith he proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals. . . . The infallibility promised to the Church is also present in the body of bishops when, together with Peter’s successor, they exercise the supreme Magisterium,” above all in an Ecumenical Council. When the Church through its supreme Magisterium proposes a doctrine “for belief as being divinely revealed,” and as the teaching of Christ, the definitions “must be adhered to with the obedience of faith.” This infallibility extends as far as the deposit of divine Revelation itself.

2332 Sexuality affects all aspects of the human person in the unity of his body and soul. It especially concerns affectivity, the capacity to love and to procreate, and in a more general way the aptitude for forming bonds of communion with others.

2361 “Sexuality, by means of which man and woman give themselves to one another through the acts which are proper and exclusive to spouses, is not something simply biological, but concerns the innermost being of the human person as such. It is realized in a truly human way only if it is an integral part of the love by which a man and woman commit themselves totally to one another until death.”

Tobias got out of bed and said to Sarah, “Sister, get up, and let us pray and implore our Lord that he grant us mercy and safety.” So she got up, and they began to pray and implore that they might be kept safe. Tobias began by saying, “Blessed are you, O God of our fathers. . . . You made Adam, and for him you made his wife Eve as a helper and support. From the two of them the race of mankind has sprung. You said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; let us make a helper for him like himself.’ I now am taking this kinswoman of mine, not because of lust, but with sincerity. Grant that she and I may find mercy and that we may grow old together.” And they both said, “Amen, Amen.” Then they went to sleep for the night.
​

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2337 Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. Sexuality, in which man’s belonging to the bodily and biological world is expressed, becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman.

The virtue of chastity therefore involves the integrity of the person and the integrality of the gift.

2353 Fornication is carnal union between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of persons and of human sexuality which is naturally ordered to the good of spouses and the generation and education of children. Moreover, it is a grave scandal when there is corruption of the young.

Lastly…from Blessed Pope John Paul II, The Great:

“A person’s rightful due is to be treated as an object of love, not as an object for use.”
― Pope John Paul II, Love and Responsibility

“…if desire is predominant it can deform love between man and woman and rob them both of it.”
― Pope John Paul II, Love and Responsibility

“Take away from love the fullness of self surrender, the completeness of personal commitment, and what remains will be a total denial and negation of it.”
― Pope John Paul II, Love and Responsibility

goodreads.com/work/quotes/692465-love-and-responsibility

“When freedom does not have a purpose, when it does not wish to know anything about the rule of law engraved in the hearts of men and women, when it does not listen to the voice of conscience, it turns against humanity and society.”

catholicfire.blogspot.com/2006/04/john-paul-ii-my-favorite-quotes.html

Pax Christi

 

[sw85]

Obviously, we must assume the “Body as a temple” based on the passages in the Bible, but what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

In an extremely reductive nutshell:

“Goodness” is “being.” The goodness of a thing is it’s being according to its nature, such that a good human is an exemplary human (i.e., a person who most fully instantiates “humanity”). Human nature includes a reproductive system which is ordered toward, err, reproduction. Therefore a good human will use his reproductive system in a manner consistent with this end, i.e., intravaginal, ejaculatory, noncontraceptive sex in the context of marriage.

God designed human nature the way He did for a reason. To intentionally act contrary to human nature is to act contrary to God’s will. It is an act of rebellion against God.

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from?

“Wrong” (i.e., sin) is always an act of the will. Otherwise it’s just a disorder. Sin is disorder willfully acted upon.

A good example. Blindness isn’t “wrong” (i.e., sinful), but it is disordered. If I pluck my eyes out of my head so as to induce blindness then I have sinned, i.e., I have intentionally acted in a disordered way. See the difference? Just being blind isn’t a problem. Intentionally making myself blind is a problem.

Did the Pope say this ex cathedra?

I have no idea. That doesn’t matter, though. It is a product of the ordinary and universal magisterium which is also infallible.

If a gay man is attracted to another gay man, the attraction in and of itself is not sinful according to the Church. But at what point does it become sinful? When a gay man holds hands with another gay man? If a gay man kisses another gay man on the cheek–the mouth? If a gay man has intercourse with another gay man?

Since the entire attraction is itself disordered, any entertainment of the attraction is sinful. Not removing oneself from a near occasion of sin is itself a sin, so presumably not removing himself from the man to whom he is attracted would also be sin, unless circumstances, for whatever reason, forbid it. This includes even, in my book, merely spending an unnecessary amount of time around him.

 

[1ke]

Obviously, we must assume the “Body as a temple” based on the passages in the Bible, but what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

The Church cares about sexuality because God cares about the proper use of our sexuality, and He has given us his commandments.

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from? Did the Pope say this ex cathedra?

If a gay man is attracted to another gay man, the attraction in and of itself is not sinful according to the Church.

Correction. It isn’t sinful, but it is disordered.

But at what point does it become sinful? When a gay man holds hands with another gay man? If a gay man kisses another gay man on the cheek–the mouth? If a gay man has intercourse with another gay man?

Assuming it’s not sinful for a gay man to hold or touch another man’s hand, why is it sinful for a gay man to have sex with another gay man? Why is so special about the penis, as opposed to fingers or toes or elbows, that it is the forbearer of sin?

I assume this is a rhetorical question.

 

[guestgue12]

Because sexuality is an integral part of who people are. It can be misused and abused. To misuse or abuse one’s sexuality is to commit a sin.

http://www.50centloseweight.com
Good job

 

[Ignatius]

what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from?

Homosexual behavior is unambiguously declared as sinful throughout Divine revalation from the beginning.

 

[Dakota_Roberts]

Obviously, we must assume the “Body as a temple” based on the passages in the Bible, but what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from? Did the Pope say this ex cathedra?

If a gay man is attracted to another gay man, the attraction in and of itself is not sinful according to the Church. But at what point does it become sinful? When a gay man holds hands with another gay man? If a gay man kisses another gay man on the cheek–the mouth? If a gay man has intercourse with another gay man?

Assuming it’s not sinful for a gay man to hold or touch another man’s hand, why is it sinful for a gay man to have sex with another gay man? Why is so special about the penis, as opposed to fingers or toes or elbows, that it is the forbearer of sin?

Sex that is divorced from procreation is intrinsically wrong.

Holding hands isn’t wrong. Kissing may be wrong, a peck on the cheek is fine, but making out is not (it is sexually stimulating and so qualifies as foreplay. Whether either of them is gay is irrelevant.

See my first line.

 

[presidentjlh]

The nature of sexuality is such that it is among the most powerful aspects of the human psyche. Think about all the songs, poems, books and such that have been written about romantic love, the paintings and sculptures…the words and conversations we have, from little boys giving little girls flowers to a man proposing marriage to his beloved girlfriend, sexuality is nearly omnipresent in life.

Sexual activity binds the two individuals involved mentally, emotionally, and physically, and if it is in the proper setting, spiritually. Without all 4 of those, the sexual act is not fulfilling its true purpose, thus, it is a broken nature. A relationship based purely on the act, out of a love of pleasure, can lead to one-sided emotional bonding, causing conflict. A relationship that involves the act without marriage misses the spiritual aspect of it. Sexual activity involving only the self misses out on all 4 parts of the proper bonding.

Such a powerful act is deeply important to not just our bodies, but to our souls. And it is the duty of the Church to guide souls to Christ.

It is not uncommon for this to be something many individuals struggle with. None should think they are inherently bad if they struggle with sexual sin. It’s a very difficult sin to fight, because, due to our fallible nature, we so easily confuse lust with love. Many sins like murder, theft, and such, have an obvious negative impact on those we hurt, and so they are obvious to us. But sexual sins don’t “seem” so bad, because it seems like it’s a good thing. But in the end, it causes conflict, sadness, and misery between individuals.

Part of me wishes to avoid sexuality for this reason. I am a young heterosexual male, so the temptations are everywhere. Much of me wishes I just had no longing at all. I do not see the priesthood in my future, I honestly do not feel I am good enough for it. In my life, sexuality has caused nothing but pain to me, mostly due to loneliness and such. I want to attempt to find the one God has planned for me, but I worry that I would go about it in an improper or sinful way, thus, I remain in solitude, partially involuntarily, partially voluntarily. I cannot find a young woman that has the mindset that is in accordance with the Church that isn’t already taken! I do feel that, for my life, I am cursed to a very lonely life, certainly I will have friends and such, but I will always feel alone at heart.

 

[JacarandaPurple]

Why does God care about which apples we eat? And yet, to their chagrin, Adam and Eve found out just how much He does care.

God made the apples, so He makes the rules about them.

God made sex, so He makes the rules about it.

The Church’s job is to teach us God’s rules so that we can understand and follow them. This helps prevent damnation and makes salvation possible.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Why does God care about which apples we eat? And yet, to their chagrin, Adam and Eve found out just how much He does care.

God made the apples, so He makes the rules about them.

God made sex, so He makes the rules about it.

The Church’s job is to teach us God’s rules so that we can understand and follow them. This helps prevent damnation and makes salvation possible.

That is the biggest problem of out time.

• to acknowledge that God exists.
• to acknowledge that He ha a say in the world.

 

[white_sheep]

Obviously, we must assume the “Body as a temple” based on the passages in the Bible, but what is the thought process behind how the Church defines proper sexual behavior?

Regarding homosexuality, the Church teaches that homosexual inclination is not wrong, but acting on homosexual desires (sodomy) is. But why? Where does this come from? Did the Pope say this ex cathedra?

If a gay man is attracted to another gay man, the attraction in and of itself is not sinful according to the Church.

Unless he harbors it.

But at what point does it become sinful?

Upon acting on it or having impure thoughts, or putting himself into an occasion of sin.

When a gay man holds hands with another gay man?

Yes.

If a gay man kisses another gay man on the cheek–the mouth?

Yes.

If a gay man has intercourse with another gay man?

Yes.

Let me leave the realm of homosexuality for a minute. If I’m married is it ok for me to be attracted to another woman, like for instance my secretary? Sure. However, I am not to entertain sinful thoughts. What do you think my wife would say if she dropped in and saw me holding hands with and talking to the secretary? Might not be too happy, and for good reason.