http://youngandcatholic.net/2011/07/catholic-and-gay/
[My Response]
Of course! Always glad to engage in some informed discourse on issues.
It seems this article has two aims; the first is to debunk the myth that all catholics and religious people are intolerant of gays, and the second is to provide a perspective on the catholic teachings through the eyes of a celibate gay catholic.
In response to the claim that catholics are accepting of gays as people, I would have to agree. From theology class as well as personal experience with catholics, I haven’t seen the same sort of intolerance that I have witnessed from other religious groups. The idea that you can “cure” gays and that it is a sin to BE gay isn’t something catholics agree with. For the most part, I have seen an acceptance and openness toward homosexuality as far as orientation goes.
When it comes to homosexual acts being a sin, that is where I differ in opinion. The doctrine that it boils down to is the idea that 1) marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman, and 2) sex is meant to be unitive, procreative, and within a marriage setting. Since gays can’t marry in the church and also can’t biologically have children, gay sex doesn’t fit into the picture. This logically makes sense to me. However, the root argument in these two main doctrines is found in “God’s teaching” in the Bible. It is a question of God’s design for humanity… and if you don’t consider the Bible to be uncontested truth, the argument has reached an impasse and both sides just have to agree to disagree.
One of the main reasons I disagree is that I don’t find gay sex to be a violation of design and human worth. In my opinion, the fact that gays have an attraction to the same sex is enough to show that they were designed to desire a different kind of expression of love than straight people. Not worse or perverted, just different. Catholics see this desire as a negative temptation, whereas I see it as an inherently different type of design in God’s plan that is equally valid and beautiful. To me, the fact that procreation is out of the picture doesn’t discount the mutual expression of love and union between two people. Relationships and commitment and family are so fulfilling to be a part of, and in my opinion, gender is completely irrelevant when it comes to all of it.
One of the comments in response to the article really aligns with my thoughts, especially in reference to the sand analogy:
LOVING someone nourishes the soul, regardless of gender. Sand perhaps could be a representation of sex outside of any loving, trusting relationship. But the argument is not for reckless sexual acts. We are asking for the ability to be accepted as two adults; joining as one family. That is not destructive.
Overall, I really do “get” the Catholic viewpoint on all of this; I can appreciate the author’s choice as a celibate gay because he DOES see truth in God’s teaching and in his mind, his love for God is stronger than his “temptation” to engage in sinful homosexual acts. I just don’t really see how homosexual acts are a violation of any inherent value we have as humans… I think it’s just as possible to be in a loving, committed, and fulfilling gay relationship/family as it is to be in a straight one.
Thanks for the article—Just thought I’d give some feedback about the thoughts I had and where I stand
Courtney
