27/05/2008 Update:
I would just like to say here to my readers, I am not attacking religious institutions for their teachings, nor do I intend disrespect or disobedience to the Catholic teachings. I am simply raising the fact of unfair discrimination and hatred towards people just because they are homosexual. This is not what Jesus would do. And we have history to show it is not right: Treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany, Slavery and violence towards African Americans, even the genocide in Bosnia. I think the same Christian attitude of love, respect and tolerance for the person should be shown towards homosexual people too.
I am writing this post after having read many religious discussion boards and other articles on the internet.
I am hugely concerned at the language and tone when used to discuss homosexuality. It seems people like to tar homosexual people with the same brush, used for criminal acts such as rape, pedophilia, murder and the like.
Words such as vile and disgusting are commonly part of discussion on the topic. Generalisations and assumptions are made. There is a lot of hate and prejudice out there. There is a lack of the respect, compassion and sensitivity called for by the Catechism, and a lot of the unjust discrimination is taking place. Even as far as 9/11 being blamed on homosexuals. There is a lot of sin in the world, much more abhorrent than simply being homosexual. This is sheer madness.
The recent child sex abuse scandal has likewise led to a witch-hunt, conveniently labeling the perpetrator of evil as homosexuality. I am not defending the actions of the offenders, on the contrary it is heinous to harm a child in anyway.
It is such bigotry and ignorance that lead to assumptions of homosexuality, and judgements made on people who are SSA. Is this not similar to the way Jews were portrayed as the evil in Germany? And the “black” people in the world? Anyone who is different, for whom we make no attempt to understand.
I seem to have had the misfortune of being born SSA, something which I had no choice over. Does this imply that I was also born evil? Do not all men have the capacity for evil? Why is it that Church’s are not hunting down men who commit adultery against their wives and families? Or those that have free sex with many women, even prostitutes? Or all the men who masturbate and view pornography? What about all the Catholics and Christians who download computer programs, CD’s and DVD’s from the internet? This is theft after all. Somehow being a homosexual is heinous, to be equated with rape or paedophilia.
I am not saying I am perfect, but I am not inherently evil. I have a strong faith in God, and am a very spiritual person. I participate in my church community, and give my time to help anyone who needs it. I have been celibate for a while now. If I am trying, why should anyone look at me differently, and judge me to be evil, or more capable of evil than anyone else?
Ultimately God is the Judge, and he can see into our hearts, and read our minds. He knows what is inside.
I know, I am a person full of love, faith, and tolerance for the diversity of God’s creation. I am human, but I am trying hard, and praying that I can live out the truth and values of my faith.
I am hoping that over time, people will learn, and that the words in the Catechism of the Catholic Church are understood and practiced by all Christians. I hope that bigotry, ignorance, intolerance, hatred and violence towards homosexuality will be replaced with love, compassion, support and understanding. It is a lonely path to walk, and SSA people need all the help we can get.
Dear Josh (did I get it right? Finding names in a blog can be confusing),
I stumbled upon your blog by surfing ‘gay catholic’ and I felt I HAD to respond to this entry. I am well old enough to be your dad (52) and like you (though MUCH longer
) have been seeking to follow Christ and live our Catholic faith as a gay man. This entry about scapegoats resounded within me and my fraternity with you as a gay male Catholic could not let me ignore a reply. Coming from a different era and cherishing my privacy I am not out publicly, only to my best friends and close associates. Yes I have been active sexually but not, I have not been now for quite some time since embracing the faith in a more whole-hearted life (especially since seeing The Passion of the Christ in 2004).
Yes, it HURTS deeply to hear fellow Catholics (with a big C, orthodox, etc) talk about us gays as something “less than”…even from clergy. and it will hurt even more and you grow in your understanding as yourself as a beloved son of the Father, brother of Christ, and male human being with the same dignity and sacredness as any other person. And yes, it HURTS to see str8 couples enjoying their relationship and walking hand in hand…wishing we could enjoy such simple pleasures (distinct from actual sex) without condemnation or discrimination. Being unable to change hearts (that’s God’s work) I accept the present situation as a special blessing from Christ, a kiss of his cross, an emotional/spiritual suffering that he asks me to bear in this moment of history (including church history). And I offer myself with this cross for conversion of hearts (beginning with my own) and in a special way I offer this inevitable unavoidable suffering for the deceased souls of those who in this life were gay and sturggles to follow Christ and for those now living, especially clergy and married men, who are gay and their situation in life makes is particularly difficult to have ANY freedom to express their gayness even in moral and appropriate ways.
I hope this little bit from me helps. And I dont want you to get discouraged or worse…to turn in hatred upon yourself or upon the Church. Listen and remember, the Church is both at once human and divine. In its human side it is a community of sinful selfish scared human beings (us included!) who do not always – or even mostly – do the right thing.
PAX, brother.
Dante
Hi Dante
Every bit helps
Your post is beautiful, especially in remembering those who have passed from this life and have struggled, and those who are in this life struggling each day.
Your post helps to reaffirm that we are not alone.
Thank you for taking the time to share with us.
Peace and God Bless,
Josh
I agree that there is a higher level of concern about homosexuality as compared to other sins. All sin is sin. The church and believers in general have a much higher fear of homosexuality than other comparable sins. However, Christ is bigger than anything we face and came help us overcome it.
As far as being born SSA, even if someone is born with the genetic tendancy towards homosexuality, it doesn’t make it moral. A person could be born with the alcoholic gene. Does that mean God wants him to drink himself into oblivion? No. The Word gives us what is moral and immoral. However, God offers grace, forgiveness, and strength to overcome any sin – even homosexuality – if a person is open to Him.
I wrote a recent article about a fictional conversation between Ray Boltz (who just came out) and Jesus. If you’re interested, you can see it here http://shawnbarr.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/ray-boltz-talks-to-jesus/