Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic Church

The United States of America was founded as a secular sanctuary for ideals like freedom, equality, and tolerance – few will argue against that. Over its history American culture has radically evolved as it strived to meet the ideals its nation was based upon, making changes like ending slavery and providing legal equality for women and minorities, changes that at the time seemed absurd but today are unquestionable merits that define what an “American” is. The quest to reach the ultimate utopian society continues today as true Americans fight the evils of ignorance, stubborn bigotry and the fear to change that still manifest themselves in a large portion of U.S. citizens, preventing this nation from moving forward. One of the outstanding minorities still left to be granted the ideals of freedom, equality, and tolerance are homosexuals trying to obtain the right to marry the person they want to spend the rest of their life with, regardless of gender. Same-sex marriages should be recognized in the eyes of the U.S. government in accordance with its responsibility to provide all American citizens equal freedoms.

In addition to the hostility and embarrassment that homosexuals face every day, they also encounter political and legal policies and practices that prevent them from living a normal life like heterosexual people. For example, there are laws that prevent people of the same gender to be legally married to each other such as proposition eight in California. Gay people just want the right to be able to be happy with a significant other, make a family, and show their loyalty in each other through marriage. There is no difference whether that significant other is of the same gender or opposite, at the end of the day they just want that chance of happiness just like everyone else. Unfortunately, there are laws in places that prevent that from becoming true. Not allowing homosexuals to marry can affect many people’s lives and can even be detrimental to one’s health. For example in the article “The Case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson: Ableism,

We live in a society today that tolerates and accepts many things Catholics would classify as “gravely sinful” or “morally wrong”. The act of fornification and homosexual acts are both mortal sins that most Catholics commit. At a very young age, the principle of marital sex between a husband and wife is instilled into the minds of children. Growing up in a religious home, I was taught that sex is an important and sacred matter that only married couples could partake in. Like many others, I rejected and frowned upon pre-marital sex. However, after reading an article about a person’s experiences, I finally understood that no one should dictate your life – specifically, what you do with your body.

Homosexuality, as defined in the Macquarie dictionary is, of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex or of, relating to, or involving sexual intercourse between persons of the same sex. There are countless arguments for and against the social acceptance of gay and lesbian couples and the morals, virtues and church teachings associated with them aren't exactly black and white. Homosexuality is an important issue as not only do numerous people of all ages struggle with finding their sexuality but they also struggle with accepting it and embracing it. Thus it is a relevant issue for everyone in society as the entire population is affected by it.

The first is the fact that it is stated in the Bible as "an abomination", and it is something the Church cannot change since God 's word is perfect. A popular passage is: "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (Leviticus 18:22) There

A Homosexual is defined as “a person who is sexually attracted to people of their own sex.”[13] The concept elicits shock, debate, and controversy in many countries and cultures around the world; America is no exception. Religious views (specifically Christianity here in America) are a large reason as to why homosexuality is frowned upon. Most people believe that the Bible forbids homosexuality (meaning it is a sin). However, upon further research of the Bible, it should not be considered a sin due to a misinterpretation of culture and linguistics, as well as mistranslations, in the following scriptures:

Ever since its conception, the Catholic Church has taken a bellicose stance against homosexuals. They either chose to ignore their entire existence or viewed them as devilish heretics, only worth being burned at the stake. Since Father Francis has been named Bishop of the Vatican, the Catholic Church appears to have softened its stance on accepting homosexuals in its community. Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had strong arguments against homosexuality such as, “All Catholics are obliged to oppose the legal recognition of homosexual unions and where such unions are given the legal status and rights that belong to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty” (Pope John Paul II, 2003) or, “homosexual

Homosexuality has had a big impact on the world based on rights and beliefs. One religion that known for not “allowing” homosexuality is: the Catholic faith. According to the Catholic Church homosexuality is a sin based on acts done (Brom, 2004), priests can be homosexual (Squires, 2014), homosexuality goes against the natural law (Brom, 2004), homosexuals are allowed in the Catholic faith under special treatment (Brom, 2004), and the not all Catholics agree with the Catholic faith being against homosexuality (Lipka, 2014). The following is the information everyone should know about the Catholic views on homosexuality. All of the following has been written from the past to the current events.

They should treat homosexuals with the same dignity that they treat heterosexuals because, like it or not, they are made in the image of God. However, this does not mean that Catholics have to approve their sin. Catholics do not have to compromise their testimony by a politically incorrect opinion which is molded by guilt and fear. However, people with a homosexual orientation are human beings with the power to decide whether to satisfy their desires. They may never change their orientation, but they can exercise the power of their will and the power of choice to inhibit such desires and not to enhance them. In that sense, “homosexuals are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterred friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. ” They have to abstain from eroticism with the same sex, just as heterosexual unmarried people should abstain from sex outside marriage. Of course, in the case of a homosexual, according to the plan of God, this abstinence should last a lifetime. Homosexuals are human beings under a complex situation. Many suffer because of their tendencies and need help. As Catholics, we try to follow the life of Jesus, and we make an important distinction between sin and the sinner. Like Jesus, we do not

America today is gripped in the controversial debate regarding gay rights; specifically, the right for two people who are of the same sex such as a man and man or woman and woman to be joined in the legal bond of marriage. The points of contention are largely separated into 4 main categories. The sanctity of the institution known as 'Marriage', the benefits gained from being married, family structure, and the growing impact of our society on a religious institution.

In the meantime, Pope Francis continues to object to accepting same sex marriage, but tolerates homosexuality by claiming we “should not be discriminated against,” and we should not “judge them” for their actions (McElwee). As the voice of God, I believe the Pope should object to any sin to include: homosexuality, murder, rape, slavery, pedophilic, sexual immorality, or marriage between homosexuals, but he takes a laid back approach. Certainly, I understand his intent to bring a larger group of sinners towards God, and Jesus also took this approach, but spoke against those same sins we face today. Throughout history, many cultures have remained very open, about shameful pleasures of the flesh, and many failed in the bible with these same pleasures.

I believe that homosexuals should be accepted by the Catholic Church and allowed to be married. Homosexuals do not choose to be the way they are. One of the main things the church preaches is love and acceptance. As long as the church refuses to acknowledge that homosexuality is something that is not wrong or sinful, people will continue to use it as an excuse for hatred and discrimination. I have chosen this particular topic, because my cousin is a homosexual. I was able to see firsthand that this was not something that he chose to be. Ever since he was a child it was obvious to all of us.

There are several religions which condemns the notion of homosexuality. Growing up in a Christian household I was taught that being homosexual is a sin in the sight of God. For example, in Jamaica my family practiced Pentecostal religion where they are very passionate about their traditions. There were unspoken beliefs that homosexuals were to be punished for their sexual practices. This belief followed me to the United States. Even though we went to a Baptist Church, the teachings were the same. I held on to this religious belief for many years and lived my life in a way that was conducive to my religion.

There are two main reasons why many religious groups are against same-sex marriage. The first argument is that people who are gay are not able to procreate. They do not have the correct corresponding body parts to make children (Waldman, 2003). Anyone who has taken sex education knows that humans can not reproduce without a male’s sperm and a female’s egg. Roman Catholics believe God created marriage as a lifetime union between one woman and one man with the purpose of having a loving relationship and for procreating, caring for, and teaching children (Charron & Skylstad, 1996). Sex that does not occur with the intent of procreation is not approved by many faiths. In Judaism, for example, there is an important Bible passage that supports this idea. The story of Onan is about Onan sleeping with his dead brother’s wife. In order to prevent having children, Onan does not ejaculate inside of his brother’s wife. Instead he ejaculated on the ground. Because

In “Gay marriage proposals destructive to society, Vatican official says,” Cardinal Ratzinger asserts that “recent legislative proposals for gay marriage are part of a larger modern rupture between sexuality and fertility.” He is stating that gay marriage could destroy the status quo of marriage. He argues that normal marriage is a man and a woman uniting as one, not a man and a man or a woman and a woman. A man and a woman are meant to be together not only for physical purposes, but also for moral ones. There is no way that two men or two women could be together morally because it is not in the Bible. He states that homosexuals are considered people who are suffering and want to find their way, but making gay marriage legal doesn’t really help these people. Ratzinger said that “this is a trend that separates us from all the great culture of humanity, which have always recognized the particular significance of sexuality: that a man and a woman are created to jointly be the guarantee of the future of humanity.”