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 A series of recent conferences have cast a light on gay Catholics and their families.
November 8th, 2011
12:22 PM ET
My Take: Why good Catholics are challenging church line on homosexuality
By Patrick Hornbeck , Special to CNN The Roman Catholic Church has long been a reliable source for one-dimensional storylines: Victims of sexual abuse call for justice. Parishes close as numbers of clergy plummet. Rosary-clad Catholics protest outside abortion clinics. Perhaps nowhere has the storyline seemed more clear-cut than with regard to the church’s treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their relationships. Official Catholic teachings describe gay or lesbian orientation as “an objective disorder” and tell those who love their same-sex partners that they possess a “tendency… toward an intrinsic moral evil.” Catholic bishops have been public advocates for laws banning same-sex marriage, and some have sought to prevent LGBT Catholics and their allies from fully participating in the Church’s rituals and activities But neither formal teachings nor bishops’ statements tell the whole story. A series of recent conferences at American colleges reveals the breadth of Catholic approaches to issues of sexual diversity. The conferences, part of an effort called More than a Monologue, have happened at two Catholic universities and two non-denominational divinity schools The events conclusively show that American Catholics are hardly of one mind, nor in lockstep with their bishops, when it comes to same-sex marriage; to rights for LGBT people at home, at work, and in church; or to the ongoing campaign against anti-gay bullying in schools. At Fordham University in New York, a Catholic school, a proud mother of a grown gay son drew a standing ovation when she told a story about discovering the effect of church teachings on her child. Here’s that mother, Deb Word, who has founded a group Fortunate Families to help Catholic families with lesbian daughters and gay sons, in her own words: Fast forward to a family vacation in the Gulf. There were five of us floating—Sean and his wife, Chris, and his dad and me, holding onto each other’s rafts. And I said, ‘I think this is what Heaven is like.’ And Christopher said quietly, “except I won’t be there with you.” “Son, where do you get this stuff?” “Mom, it’s your club. You know the rules.” And if my cradle Catholic child, growing up in a loving family, got this message, then what does Catholic mean in more conservative homes? … And I wonder, why do I stay in a club that my son says is dangerous to his soul?” Another panelist at the event described the freedom she feels as a result of living, within the church’s rules, as a celibate lesbian. A third, a physician in New York City, praised the Catholic tradition for its emphasis on human dignity and social justice, but added: “I am troubled by the fact that I find greater acceptance of myself as a whole person in my professional community as a physician, than I do in the official hierarchy of the church of my family, my childhood, and my life.” At the same time, he refused to let the church off the hook for the part he accuses it of playing in tacitly condoning the bullying of LGBT youth. Last month, at Yale University, a Catholic layman who teaches psychiatry spoke movingly of his attempt to offer church leaders the wisdom of his scientific field, and of his bitter disappointment when his offers were met with silence. And at Connecticut ’s Fairfield University, scholars, clergy, and lay Catholics recently discussed the implications for the church of having many gay and lesbian people, both in and out of the closet, in roles as priests and ministers. These public events have brought into the light the struggles, compromises and choices about meaning and love that many Catholics experience daily. Poll numbers show that while many of their bishops have been stepping up their rhetoric on the issue, only one-in-three American Catholics describe opposition to same-sex marriage as “very important.” Seventy percent support legal recognition for same-sex couples. All of us, Catholic or not, LGBT or not, owe it to ourselves and our fellow citizens to keep these new conversations going. Let’s not to settle for only part of the story. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Patrick Hornbeck. soundoff (2,880 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Patrick Hornbeck is an assistant professor and associate chair for undergraduate studies at Fordham University.
I find this picture totally offensive. It is not an accepted way of life amongst the majority of the world. Children do NOT need to see this! The article could've been published without such a graphic picture. What's next... intercourse because they have rights even more so than straight people? here's another idea – go into any assisted living facility & ask the residents there if they think this is acceptable. The older generations will speak the truth!
It's a wonderful picture. You are sick. Why did you click on the link? Are you another republican gay closet case?
"The older generations will speak the truth!" Now which "truth" would that be? The "truth" that most of the older generation thought that it was "acceptable" to live in a segregated society where individuals were discriminated based on the color of a person's skin? Maybe it's the "truth" that the older generations at one time probably believed (or still do believe) that it is quite acceptable to use the N-Word? So which "truth" is it? The older generations (that you obviously belong to) will speak discrimination and hate! Grow up! Hate is hate, it doesn't matter if you try to frame it in a religious context or you try to flower it up with such notions as "love the sinner; hate the sin." Be aware of the "truth" that the older generations will speak....they have been wrong in the past, and on this issue they will once again prove to be dead WRONG!
Are you planning on keeping your children in the dark of what is the reality of the world?
What a pathetic excuse for a human being. I hope you enjoy being slammed by everyone. Can't you figure it out that most of us don't give a crap what people like you "sick" think! Go find a rock somewhere and crawl under it.
SO funny that you are offended! I love it!
"The older generations will speak the truth"
yeah....the truth about their own twisted ideology...and BTW...it was the "older generations" who used their power wrongfully and basically put us in the mess we are currently in...yeah, ill continue my disrespect of older generations.
Sick- The "truth"? Uneducated Opinion.
Cody: RE: "The older generations will speak the truth!" Now which "truth" would that be? The "truth" that most of the older generation thought that it was "acceptable" to live in a segregated society where individuals were discriminated based on the color of a person's skin?" Excellent example of how people fear what they don't understand, hate on what they can't relate to and hide behind GOD's word.
How about even farther back in time? There was once when everyone thought the world was flat.
Until they found out it wasn't.
Uneducated opinion, not truth.
They were born that way... we are not to judge...
Wrong, no more than men were made to want to molest children or animals. It is a vile disgusting CHOSEN sin!
'Really"s here to try and change everyone's minds by being completely unreasonable.
oh what if god was one of us, just a stranger on a bus – waiting to you and follow you home, then steal your soul!
weed, crank, crack?????
What if God smoked cannabis/hit the bong like some of us/drove a tie-dye microbus, and He subscribes to Rolling Stone?
Sodom and Gomoarrah is no longer a city because of this act. The flood came because of this act. God said be holy, because i am holy. clearly it's in the bible. these people live in sin, and the bible says that wages of sin is death. so christians are not being judges, just relaters of what the law says, which is Gods law.
and god's law also says you can beat your slaves, kill your neighbor for working on the sabbath, etc etc. must be nice to pick and choose which rules you follow
"Sodom and Gomoarrah is no longer a city because of this act. "
Wow are you brainwashed or what....did you read. Ezekiel 16:49 “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy."
It's wasn't about gays moron!
sin is sin...and whether you believe it or not, doesn't change a fact that it's truth. it stinks one day all people will be judge because of thier arrogance and pride. hope you know the lord my friend. sin can not go unpunihed. not my rules, thats Gods.
acctually it was. the people wanted to have relations with the angels..not the daughters. so wrong. haa
"sin is sin...and whether you believe it or not, doesn't change a fact that it's truth."
what truth? you are quoting a book written by men, who according to them, were under the influence of god...blah blah blah.
Ezekiel 16: Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
well than if you want to go thier...how do you explain that 25% is prophetic, then it happened? or even how it talked about a country, dispersal of a country, then bringing back of a country...being Israel? sounds pretty good to me. God bless you guys
"For some are enuchs because they were born that way from their mother's womb" Jesus, Matthew 19:12. Do not associate "the act" with the person. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, that's why we have a Savior. Jesus came to save ALL.
go read Genius.
he also told Marry to go and Sin no more.
helives – so, you REALLY think we should base 21st Century social policy on Bronze Age Palestinean mythology, do you?
absolutely. God doesn't change and nither does he word. i'm not saying these people are bad, i've sinned as all of us. but ti is wrong.
helives, - You most likely wouldn't buy a used donkey from this Ezekiel guy if you met him today.
"sin is sin."
What sin exactly are you referring too?
2Tom 4:3-4, 3. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
And A GREAT country will fall.
That's 2Tim 4:3-4. Sorry!
Why stop at two men kissing when you can show two men banging?
True!!!
I'm sorry but we are not here to Judge,Only Jesus can judge us,but is the Bible and all the Bible God Breathed,then read it all and it tells you that it is wrong not matter whether you are a catholic,Baptist,Pentecostal or any other from of Christianity.Get real folks!!!
"all the Bible God Breathed,then read it all and it tells you that it is wrong not matter whether you are a catholic,Baptist,Pentecostal or any other from of Christianity.Get real folks!!!"
You need to get real, no where in your bible does your god condemn the saved loving partnership of a gay couple. It's why there are gay churches now, gay pastors, etc....
HahaHa. you got your name write cause you are a joke!
If I try hard enough, I'm pretty sure I can find something in the bible that'll make it sound like using more than one exclamation point after a sentence is a sin. So, no dice, dude. You get real.
Your bible also says that you are to kill gay folks. It also says that virgins who are rap ed have marry their rap ists. Why aren't these being done?
"HahaHa. you got your name write cause you are a joke!"
Prove me wrong moron.
Phil Bloggs = herbie
Thanks for indulging me, CNN. I have a strong urge to be a peeping Tom whether it is photos like this one, or other folks' bedroom scenes on TV. The two guys in the pic: I wonder if they'd mind if I watched them in their bedroom.
How can one claim a faith that they do not agree to its doctrine?
Seems to be more of an attempt to implode or redefine the faith rather that to sustain it.
I was asking myself the SAME thing. I commented earlier, "What if I said, "I'm a Hindu, but I reserve the right to eat beef. That doesn't mean I'm not a Hindu!" That wouldn't make any sense, right?
Try Jesus Christ and you won't have to second guess yourself.
Last time I checked, if you live an innocent life ,helping rather than harming others, and always put God above all then you're a good christian. The first thing my pastor taught me in Sunday school was that you can't take the bible 100% literally. You have to live your life by Jesus' and God's message. You can't the let archaic and out of touch semantics and little details of the bible dictate your entire faith. The bible also says that you should be stoned to death if you get tattoos, wear more than one piece of clothing, or eat shellfish... You can't take it all seriously
Why don't you ask all the muslims that "believe in the teaching of the Qurran" about their stance on non-violence.
Same thing.
http://exodusinternational.org/
This site is excellant, thanks for sharing.
Let God be the judge and jury and nobody else.
He expects us to speak out against lies and false teachings.
@Really – so who, here, exactly, are you trying to convince? I don't believe for a moment that you're here to 'speak out'. You're coming off like a disgruntled jacka$$, not someone here to turn anyone away from sin. I'm sure the bible has something to say about being annoying, doesn't it?
You know, I think we can all have "flawed thinking", but I just can't argue with my gut. That pic left me with a nauseous feeling. It just don't set well with me. And religion has nothing to do with it.
I imagine a picture of you would leave me with a nauseaus feeling as well. That feeling in your gut you have is a deep seeded fear or hatred of gays. Nothing more, nothing less. You'd better check yourself because your comments prove you do not have an open mind or heart.
If you can't get over the initial shock of two men kissing after a couple of seconds/minutes then you are a textbook closet bigot or you just don't have an open mind/heart.
C'mon, people, just because it's not someone's cup of tea doesn't make them hateful. So, don't like guys kissing. So what? Don't watch guys kiss.
This is GROSS and my kids do not need to see this.
Welcome to the real world,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
YOu mean the exclusionary verdict is GROSS????
Or do you mean gay people are????
Which one is it?
I disagree. This does not happen around me. At the WBA games if women or men were doing it, they were asked not to that in public or told to leave. Its not excepted by the majority.
Gay people are ok. But 2 guys kissing is GROSS!
Afraid they will catch it? Get a life and stop worrying about what other people are doing. The only sick thing is your narrow minded view point! You are a total moran and a bigot!
So i am a bigot. You wont say that to my face. NOBODY WILL SAY THAT TO MY FACE.
Gay people have the right to kiss each other, but I have the right to think and say it's GROSS.
If this were a straight couple you'd be A-OK with it. Its not like its a huge violation of PDA, its just a picture of them on vacation. PDA to the extreme is bad gay or straight, but what does this have to do with your kids? Its fine for them to see a couple just innocently kiss each other goodbye going to work or soething like that, so whats wrong if its a gay couple? Better for them to learn that its acceptable now than try and understand it years from now.
Charles, your kids have probably done worse. Get over your fear of gays. The world is changing and you will be left behind.
Well, then, don't show it to your kids. Or look at it.
"Gay people are ok. But 2 guys kissing is GROSS!"
What the hell does that mean? Gays are okay as long as they don't do anything gay? Idiot.
But violence is ok.
How sad.
This is a very sick picture our society is doomed.
I agree 100% GROSS!!
You are an ignorant moran! Are you afraid you will catch it? Get a life and stop worrying about what other people are doing in their personal lives.
You just need to come out of the rock you have been living under. 2 people who love each other shouldn't be afraid to show there emotions to each other. Good for them.
We can't it's in our face!
Yes, there's something utterly sick and gross about two people loving each other and showing affection!
But yet, you couldn't wait to click on the article to see the bigger version. LOL
Society is just fine.
You, however are doomed if you cant handle love.
God bless America.
Religion is a corrupt SHAM designed by neanderthal for the weak minded. I'm tired of listening to people hide behind GOD's word as they sit in judgement of others. Live your life in the now; love with all your heart, being true to yourself, kind to others and respectful of all. That is the shortest route to happiness and peace.
I like how you start with the insult then say love with all your heart and be true to yourself. lol
Totally! I have no problem with a good fight when it comes to people using religion as a means to judge others. I see the bible as a book of fake rules and a weapon used to hurt others who choose not to comply. I respect those who follow their own path, practice religion to benefit themselves- not those who use it to convert or shame those with different beliefs.
And the fastest road to hell.
Previous nations have been punished severly for committing this kind of grave sins...there is god and believe in his commandment ....he knows what is best for human beings...that,s the way it is..he is the supreme one with no children or parents
Read Islamic teachings to find the truth.
"Read Islamic teachings to find the truth."
Please!
Really? - Islamic teachings are closer to yours than you think - and just as wacky.
"And the fastest road to hell."
LOL more fear mongering by uneducated christians....unreal...time to come up with another way to trick people into religion.
"Live your life in the now; love with all your heart, being true to yourself, kind to others and respectful of all."
@ REALLY?? That is the fastest road to hell? That is a disgraceful statement. It's difficult to take you seriously.
Now hold on here a moment, let us be logical. I don't think you can rationally say Christianity is a sham. I agree with you in the sense that religion can be used as a weapon, and that judgment is all too prominent in religious people. However, there are such thing as rational Christians who do a great amount of good in the world. The Catholic Church, for example, has done much for human rights, and I'll specifically cite the Catholic teachings regarding immigration reform in the U.S. and its stance against the death penalty. Catholicism also played a noticable role in the downfall of oppressive communist rule in Eastern Europe by inciting the Solidarity movement in Poland. Has Catholicism, and Christianity in general, done some bad things? Yes. No one's going to deny that people have done some terrible things in the name of God and the Church. But these are abuses, and they are the exceptions, not the ideal. Catholicism has a vision for a better world, just as you and many others do. Is it a different vision than most? Yes. Is it controversial? Absolutely. Ultimately though, Christianity seeks the good for all people, that they be happy, that they have something worth being joyful about, and that Love and Truth prevail in the world. Not totally damnable goals, I think. What do you think?
I'm lost... I don't know anywhere in the Bible where it even says that being ho-mos3xual is a sin. I read repeatedly that the *act* of ho-mos3xuality is a sin (intercourse with someone of the same gender). This is easily explained because the Bible only justifies intercourse between one man and woman (determined by how the Bible repeatedly depicts married couples as one man and one woman) that are married to each other. Any other act of intercourse is considered against God's Word, as is deemed as a sin – but it is NO DIFFERENT than lying, cheating, etc... No problems with any ho-mos3xual people here, some of them are relatives and close friends... They often tell me about how they "love" some people of the same gender. I try to gently explain to them that "love" (being the ability/decision to put another's needs ahead of your own) is a *choice*, not a feeling. What they are experiencing is *desire* or even lust. You can't fall in and out of love. A person can stop being desirable to you, but you make the choice to stop loving them. Even if someone doesn't love you, you can still love them.
Christians: make a choice now to start loving ALL of God's creation (including those that have the desires for someone of the same gender). We don't have to condone the act of marriage between them, but we do need to "love God, love man."
The Bible has no praise for monogamy and nothing but praise for polygamy. Whenever God wanted to reward a good and faithful servant, He provided the man with many wives.
Your definition of "love" is purely your personal opinion. I would define it very differently, but it would be pointless to debate what 'love' is. 'Love' is a hundred things.
learn to read
Well said. by calling out the sin, everyone keeps claiming Christians hate them. Truth is, every Christian on the planet today is a sinner just like everyone else. All of us fall short. And to be a Christian you have to accept that and accept Him. But, we can not expect non-believers to understand this. It is not yet revealed to them.
CNN-
Do people go around kissing like this in your offices?
If no, then why was it it Okay for this picture in front of the Cross?
Explain CNN
come on,,,,,,,,,,,these kids just want to play cool,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
cnn probably has a code of decorum for offices and does not extend that courtesy to the religion.
Deplorable!
They should feel free to kiss anywhere they want. It looks like this couple is on vacation in Italy and there just happen to be a cross there. There wouldn't be a comment if they were a man and a woman.
becasue the article is about gays and religion.....and of course you're offended because you grew up learning someone else's morals and never think for yourself when it comes to religion
if people can kiss anywhere they want in front of anyone then tonight cnn will air two of their anchors kissin. I suppose, to prove their point.
I hope you don't have a cross on your bedroom wall. I'd hate to think of you using the missionary position in front of it.
vinobianco
-the times have change excuse is pathetic. Since the beginning of time,there has been immorality, murder, lies, stealing, infidelity, etc. Time may have gone by, but man still suffers from the same sins.
The laws of God and nature are there for a purpose–to keep order and to benefit man and the universe. You mess with that, everything will (and is already starting) to turn to sh it, since so many poeple are abandoning right from wrong.
Ask yourself–Would you say it's OK for poeple to never stop at red lights? Would you say it's OK to take whatever you want from others? would you say it is OK to drive drunk? would you say its OK to give children cocaine? - Think about it–there is a purpose to having laws and rules–If we did whatever we wanted earth would be more of Hell than it currently is....
Hmmm...I don't seem to remember believing in God.
Good for you Teddy.
Lets go back to living in caves.
There is no room for progress in human history.
that's just sick.... nasty, and repulsive.....
don't forget tacky!!!