Protecting humanity from homosexuality is as important as protecting the rainforest

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Is the WHO the Pope?

[HAL 9000 96]

It's just that as a Catholic who tries REALLY HARD to live according to my faith, I get really tired of people nit-picking certain aspects of the Church. I am still a practicing Catholic because of the social teachings of Catholicism. There is so very much good the Catholic church has done in the world that is not praised or recognized. The people who do this work don't seek praise or glory, but sometimes I just can't take how only the bad is noticed.

That being said, Pope John Paul II was, IMHO, an amazing man. My jury is still out on this current pope, but I think JPII's shoes were some pretty darn big ones to fill, so maybe I would have felt this way about anyone taking over. I just remember the days leading up to the election of this pope and the disappointment I felt when he was chosen. There were quite a few other candidates who might have continued the work JPII had started.

Again... well said sister.

It should be noted that there are pretty good ways of making it to Heaven and then there are the sugarcoated, make-excuses-way of justifying all kinds of things to get to Heaven too as long as we can be hypocrites about faith and being good to each other.

You just summed up everything I said very nicely. Maybe you should be my spokesperson? You can summarize all my lectures into soundbites My students would love you for it!

You'll owe me royalties for my HAL 9000 voice though. Call them HAL 9000 notes.

I do think that homosexuality has a genetic component. Therefore, if that is the case, and we want to get technical about God designing the species and all... then as the Master Molecular Biologist that he is in his infallible design of properly a functioning gene combination, his earthen representatives on Earth should but out of the logic game in this matter and stick to making declarations of faith and in avoiding sin- as well as earning our place as lab assistants in the Heavenly lab.

[Fandango 1,440]

Lisa, the Church's history over homosexuality and it's teachings are complex. For example, my father, who is an ordained Deacon for over 30 years, pondered in a conversation with me one time, whether at some point in the future, the Catholic Church would eventually bless gay marriages. The Church has struggled with the notion that on one hand, it believes that homosexuality itself is not a sin, but on the other hand, homosexual activity is. If one took that further though - so is all sexual activity outside of marriage. So what does the Church do about gay monogamous couples who remain faithful all their lives? Is that a sin? What is sin? Turning away from God? These are difficult questions for the Church to grapple with.

Hi that has sweet fa with anything I said. I'm just trying to show you that you seem to be riding both sides of this fence with what you're 'Amen'ing....

As an aside, I do find it strange that you actually excluded 'the Church does great things' bit from what you were agreeing with. But whatev.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There comes a point where the Pope's dictates and that of the Catholic Church end up being counter productive in real terms. In particular, the CC has attracted a lot of criticism from the World Health Organisation over many years - in regards to the CC's position on contraception in the developing world.

Pontificate is not dictating. Jesus didn't dictate - he preached and lived by example. The Pope should be doing just that....and nothing more.

[jundp 191]

Lisa, the Church's history over homosexuality and it's teachings are complex. For example, my father, who is an ordained Deacon for over 30 years, pondered in a conversation with me one time, whether at some point in the future, the Catholic Church would eventually bless gay marriages. The Church has struggled with the notion that on one hand, it believes that homosexuality itself is not a sin, but on the other hand, homosexual activity is. If one took that further though - so is all sexual activity outside of marriage. So what does the Church do about gay monogamous couples who remain faithful all their lives? Is that a sin? What is sin? Turning away from God? These are difficult questions for the Church to grapple with.

Yes, and there's a difference between acknowledging the teachings of the church and acknowledging that the Pope is at least following those teachings, and fully supporting his words.

Even JPII suggested that as Catholic Christians we question and learn rather than blindly following his words.

As well, we cannot just pretend there aren't complex aspects of the Church's teachings. When all is said and done, the foundation is "love God, love your neighbor, love yourself" which is fully represented in "The Life and Dignity of the Human Person."

[HAL 9000 96]

There comes a point where the Pope's dictates and that of the Catholic Church end up being counter productive in real terms. In particular, the CC has attracted a lot of criticism from the World Health Organisation over many years - in regards to the CC's position on contraception in the developing world.

Pontificate is not dictating. Jesus didn't dictate - he preached and lived by example. The Pope should be doing just that....and nothing more.

And give up all that money and power? Blasphemy!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Lisa, the Church's history over homosexuality and it's teachings are complex. For example, my father, who is an ordained Deacon for over 30 years, pondered in a conversation with me one time, whether at some point in the future, the Catholic Church would eventually bless gay marriages. The Church has struggled with the notion that on one hand, it believes that homosexuality itself is not a sin, but on the other hand, homosexual activity is. If one took that further though - so is all sexual activity outside of marriage. So what does the Church do about gay monogamous couples who remain faithful all their lives? Is that a sin? What is sin? Turning away from God? These are difficult questions for the Church to grapple with.

Hi that has sweet fa with anything I said. I'm just trying to show you that you seem to be riding both sides of this fence with what you're 'Amen'ing....

As an aside, I do find it strange that you actually excluded 'the Church does great things' bit from what you were agreeing with. But whatev.

I'll try to be more careful with my 'Amens' then.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The Pope hasn't actually posted yet.

So far, his words have only shown up on the first post.

The rest ... just a buncha wannabes.

None of youse are the Pope.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Lisa, the Church's history over homosexuality and it's teachings are complex. For example, my father, who is an ordained Deacon for over 30 years, pondered in a conversation with me one time, whether at some point in the future, the Catholic Church would eventually bless gay marriages. The Church has struggled with the notion that on one hand, it believes that homosexuality itself is not a sin, but on the other hand, homosexual activity is. If one took that further though - so is all sexual activity outside of marriage. So what does the Church do about gay monogamous couples who remain faithful all their lives? Is that a sin? What is sin? Turning away from God? These are difficult questions for the Church to grapple with.

Yes, and there's a difference between acknowledging the teachings of the church and acknowledging that the Pope is at least following those teachings, and fully supporting his words.

Even JPII suggested that as Catholic Christians we question and learn rather than blindly following his words.

As well, we cannot just pretend there aren't complex aspects of the Church's teachings. When all is said and done, the foundation is "love God, love your neighbor, love yourself" which is fully represented in "The Life and Dignity of the Human Person."

Amen, sister. (for those watching my 'Amens'...that's for the highlighted part in red)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think people are just wanting to be outraged instead of understanding the logic behind his statement. Hypothetically, if everyone were to turn gay, there'd be no natural procreation. Yes, it's hyperbole, but I think that's what he was gettin at.

And yes, Jesus died. But He arose 3 days later. Amen!

There isn't much logic behind his statement though. Asking what would happen to the human race if everyone became gay is about as meaningful as asking what would happen if the sun didn't come up in the morning. Its about as relevant.

Of course there is. As far as the Catholic church is concerned, contraception is wrong because marriage is for procreation. So if procreation is the point, then homosexuality in its very basic nature threatens that.

Really, it's not that hard. And I already said it was hyperbole, so I don't know what else you're after here....

Its a fairly dumb point he's making though. The way he describes it - anyone would think that humanity is teetering on some sort of sexual/hedonistic/moral abyss, and that if we're not careful we might all get addicted to being gay, bisexual or what have you - and forgo having children.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Catholic priests probably love them some eric, so they are rightly concerned that the addiction may catch on.

[chri'stina 190]

AJ, I don't believe homosexuality is a choice, so I cannot believe it's a sin.

And I would take it further to say that homosexual activity is no more a sin than any consensual sexual activity between two adults who are not married - that would be consistent with the Catholic viewpoint, IMO.

I don't intend to start a debate because we both know pretty much where we stand. But I, as a labeled "fundamentalist", don't agree with what you are saying in the quote, well unless you are trying to say you think both are sin(doubt you are), or neither. I think the bible makes these issues crystal clear. If people ignore that, fine. I am not going to.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Parivar CSK

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't intend to start a debate because we both know pretty much where we stand. But I, as a labeled "fundamentalist", don't agree with what you are saying in the quote, not only about homosexual activity but adult consensual activity outside of marriage and know it's a controversial view I have because it's not popular. I think the bible makes these issues crystal clear. If people ignore that, fine. I am not going to.

The Pope is on your side.

You're in good company. He is, unlike all the pontificators on this thread, da freakin' Pope!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

There comes a point where the Pope's dictates and that of the Catholic Church end up being counter productive in real terms. In particular, the CC has attracted a lot of criticism from the World Health Organisation over many years - in regards to the CC's position on contraception in the developing world.

Pontificate is not dictating. Jesus didn't dictate - he preached and lived by example. The Pope should be doing just that....and nothing more.

It shouldn't be - no.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

AJ, I don't believe homosexuality is a choice, so I cannot believe it's a sin.

And I would take it further to say that homosexual activity is no more a sin than any consensual sexual activity between two adults who are not married - that would be consistent with the Catholic viewpoint, IMO.

I don't intend to start a debate because we both know pretty much where we stand. But I, as a labeled "fundamentalist", don't agree with what you are saying in the quote, not only about homosexual activity but adult consensual activity outside of marriage and know it's a controversial view I have because it's not popular. I think the bible makes these issues crystal clear. If people ignore that, fine. I am not going to.

Come on, Stina...let's debate!

Seriously though, I thought that for most evangelicals, a sin is a sin is a sin, in the eyes of God? You believe someone who is in homosexual relationship is committing more of sin than a heterosexual couple who live together?