Keep Calm and Stay Catholic

Reprint from May 31, 2013 - It is still valuable and fitting today.

I'm Gay, but I'm Not Switching to a Church That Supports Gay Marriage
With so many options for gay Christians, why stick with the Catholic church?

The article is about Eve Tushnet, the author, consciously choosing to stay within the Catholic Church, even though she is gay. Her insight goes beyond the immediate topic of being gay.  She presents her reasoning in such a way that its effect is universal.  For example, I am a single heterosexual and I am faced with the same teachings on living the celibate life, as gay folks are faced with - and, like Eve Tushnet, the author of the article above, I am sticking around.  Not only am I sticking around, I am joyful to be living by the Church's Teachings. 

A lot of folks are sticking around even though they are faced with tough situations:
- Folks who cannot have children naturally and are tempted by In Vitro Fertilization. 
- Folks who are tired from being a parent and want to get vasectomies or use artificial contraception.
- Folks who are overwhelmed by an unexpected crisis pregnancy and are tempted to abort the baby.

All of these folks choose to remain Catholic and use their Faith to overcome their temptations, instead of abandoning the Faith to avoid them.  That is what love and charity are about.  That is what it means to live the spiritual life.  That is what Eve Tushnet is role modeling for the rest of us.

images - http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-stay-catholic-7/
http://www.stjoeparish.org/youth/YEvents.html

Keep Calm and Stay Catholic

I'm Gay, but I'm Not Switching to a Church That Supports Gay Marriage
With so many options for gay Christians, why stick with the Catholic church?

The article is about Eve Tushnet, the author, consciously choosing to stay within the Catholic Church, even though she is gay. Her insight goes beyond the immediate topic of being gay.  She presents her reasoning in such a way that its effect is universal.  For example, I am a single heterosexual and I am faced with the same teachings on living the celibate life, as gay folks are faced with - and, like Eve Tushnet, the author of the article above, I am sticking around.  Not only am I sticking around, I am joyful to be living by the Church's Teachings. 

A lot of folks are sticking around even though they are faced with tough situations:
- Folks who cannot have children naturally and are tempted by In Vitro Fertilization. 
- Folks who are tired from being a parent and want to get vasectomies or use artificial contraception.
- Folks who are overwhelmed by an unexpected crisis pregnancy and are tempted to abort the baby.

All of these folks choose to remain Catholic and use their Faith to overcome their temptations, instead of abandoning the Faith to avoid them.  That is what love and charity are about.  That is what it means to live the spiritual life.  That is what Eve Tushnet is role modeling for the rest of us.

* Changed photo

images - http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/p/keep-calm-and-stay-catholic-7/
http://www.stjoeparish.org/youth/YEvents.html

Jason Collins - Will We Christians Ever Get It Right?

Ok, so Jason Collins announced today that he is gay.  Everybody in the world is doing it these days, so it's somewhat anti-climactic to me, but I am sure it is a big deal for him.

The big deal for me is the misrepresentation I hear in the media on the Christian views on homosexuality.  I listened to some Christian (Protestant) folks give their take on the situation on NPR radio today.  I heard, "'Homosexuality is a sin,' so I am against it."  Oh boy. 

If by homosexuality one is referring to the person's being, then, no, homosexuality is not a sin.  It is what a person with Same Sex Attraction does with their homosexuality that determines whether they are sinning or not,  i.e., behavior determines sin, not personal trait.

Please see Separating The Sin From The Sinner - Part 2, which goes into more detail about this concept relative to homosexuals.











This is important.  It causes so much confusion and anger and hurt that can be avoided for and with homosexuals who might otherwise pursue the path of Jesus Christ.


image - http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/does-god-really-hate-gay-ppl/question-118395/?link=ibaf&imgurl=http://avoicenoecho.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/god_loves_gay_people.jpg&q=love%2Bhomosexual%2Bhate

Reflections on Going NUTS in BEANtown

Divide and Conquer

A popular strategy of the Devil is "Divide and Conquer".  We all know it, and we all know how effective it can be.  Unfortunately, the Devil is fast at work within the Catholic community with this strategy.  One example is a recent video clip on RealCatholicTV, by Michael Voris on the topic of the Church's stance of people with same sex attraction (SSA). If you haven't already watched it, here it is. 

It is causing a rift among several of my Catholic friends right now.  Since Michael Voris' overall approach is sensationalistic, and his apostolate is not approved by his Diocese, I tend to be cautious with the content of his presentations.  I have found though, that very often his ideas are spot on, but his approach is offensive.

In this case, Going NUTS in BEANtown, his ideas may not even be spot on.  As one friend wrote:

Voris didn't point out these statements of Cardinal Sean:

On Homosexuality from Cardinal Sean's Blog

Cardinal's statement on recent events at St. Cecilia Church in Boston

A teachable moment


This disunity needs to be cleared up.  St. Thomas Aquinas, please pray for us.


image - http://www.pera.net/Ind_intro.html

Sean Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop Of Boston, Blogs About Homosexuality

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Cardinal Seán O'Malley

Divine Providence is at hand.  Sean Patrick Cardinal O'Malley, O.F.M. Cap. Archbishop of Boston, Massachusetts, just blogged about some of the same things I did in Part 2 of my series, Separating The Sin From The Sinner - and on the same day.  :-)

Here are some excerpts:

"I want to begin this week addressing a very important issue. [emphasis mine]

Some say that the Catholic Church hates people with same-sex attractions. This is not true. In fact, if there are any members of the Church who hate people because of their sexual orientation, they need to go to confession..."

"As Catholics, we must oppose the hatred and rejection of homosexual persons that exists in our society. We do not want them to be the object of discrimination or violence. We believe, however, that God’s law is written in our hearts [natural law] and that to lead a fully human life we need to embrace His commandments."

"The Church’s efforts to defend the institution of marriage has been interpreted by some as an indication of the Church’s hostility toward homosexual persons. The way that the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts framed the issue is unfavorable to Catholics or others who do not oppose anyone, but rather support an institution which is the cornerstone of society."

"It is encouraging that a number of Catholics who are homosexuals have expressed to me their conviction that marriage between a man and a woman is important for children and therefore for society." 


"Sometimes we are told: 'If you do not accept my behavior, you do not love me.' In reality we must communicate the exact opposite: 'Because we love you, we cannot accept your behavior.'”


It is worth reading his blog post in its entirety.

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images - http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/
http://www.imarksweb.net/642/written-on-the-heart-the-case-for-natural-law
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Separating The Sin From The Sinner - Part 2

Yes, God loves gay people, He certainly does, but He does not like their immoral sexual behavior, just as He does not like the immoral sexual behavior of men and women living together without being married, or the immoral sexual behavior of spouses who cheat on their wives.

He loves the gay person, He loves the cohabitators, and He loves the adulterers, but He does not like their illicit behavior.

For those who don't believe in God, this topic can be considered from the angle of natural law instead.  Here is a series of recent articles that may be helpful.  What Does it Mean to be a 'Political Animal'?, Moral Absolutes and the Humpty Dumpty Fallacy, and Who’s Afraid of Metaphysics? by Matthew O'Brien and Robert C. Koons.
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Every now and then, I hear statements about Catholics discriminating against homosexuals.  When that happens, I take the opportunity to clarify things.  This is what I wrote recently:

"...you mentioned to 'discriminate against homosexuals in the confines of your religion is your right.'  If you meant to use the word discriminate, pejoratively, you have it wrong, from the perspective of the religion anyhow. Catholicism does not discriminate against homosexuals. Catholicism believes homosexual behavior is immoral, and therefore, does not condone the behavior. The persons are welcome, just like anyone else. The behavior is not, just like any other behavior that is considered immoral in the religion's eyes, e.g. lying, stealing, gossiping, adultery, etc. All people are welcome, all sins are not. Some behaviors are considered venial sins; some are considered grave. All can be reconciled with confession and true contrition. I will say, though, that Catholic individuals themselves are human, and do discriminate against homosexuals perjoratively, that's for sure, but again, it's a love the sinner, hate the sin kind of thing. All sinners are welcome. Thank God there is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, i.e. Confession, to help people try to get back on track."

Like all other humans, Catholics err when it comes to this, but I doubt it is any more than teachers in public schools, athletic coaches, parents, prisoners, etc.  The bottom line is that we try to get back on track when we sin in this area, and in every other area, at least those who seek spiritual direction or go to Confession regularly.

It is unfortunate that people misinterpret applying consequences for immoral behavior as discrimination against a person.  If that were the case, all parents would be guilty of discriminating against their children, since they must point out and not allow their immoral/bad behavior. 

Separate the sin from the sinner.  Hate the sin, love the sinner.  These are the proper attitudes and behaviors for not only Catholics, but for everyone.  As mentioned in Part 1, how to live these concepts out is not always easy, but we must start with it as our intention, and hold steadfast to love.

Some gay people believe it too, as they realize heterosexuals are human and deserving of love, despite any errors on their part. >>>


Kathleen




image - http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/does-god-really-hate-gay-ppl/question-118395/?link=ibaf&imgurl=http://avoicenoecho.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/god_loves_gay_people.jpg&q=love%2Bhomosexual%2Bhate
http://toppun.com/Specials/GAY-PRIDE-BUTTON-SPECIAL-Love-the-Heterosexual-Hate-the-Sin.html.