July 29, 2003
Scriptural Basis for the Catholic Church's Teaching on Homosexuality
Just so our readers understand the reasoning behind the proclamation of the Catholic Church on homosexual unions, I've referenced the following Scripture passage, this likewise ties into the article I posted earlier on the Root of Moral Relativism:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. ... Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them." (Romans 1:18, 22-32).
That was St. Paul writing to the church of Rome back in the first century. Again I call to mind the comparison of our modern society to ancient Rome. St. Paul, more importantly the Word of God, warned them then and now warns us. Our Supreme Court has made it clear where they believe our country stands. Shame on us, America, for now we are approving the very behavior the Lord God condemns.
Posted by Joe at July 29, 2003 04:42 PM | TrackBack |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Marriage and procreation within marriage are the greatest examples of men imitating the trinity.
Homosexuality is the opposite: sex without worship, ignoring the importance of procreation and the designs of God inherent in life.
This is another article, I guess . . .
Jay
Posted by: Jay at July 29, 2003 04:53 PMTo the argument that homosexuality violates scripture, those members of our Communion counter by reminding the Church of other ancient attitudes found in scripture that have been abandoned because of new scientific discoveries and changing cultural attitudes. The suggestion that the earth is the center of the universe around which the sun rotates is one of them. So is the legitimacy of slavery as a social institution, the second-class status of women, and the idea that epilepsy is caused by demon possession. Yet each of these issues was once supported by scriptural quotations and viewed as the will of God.
Posted by: Chrissy at December 8, 2004 07:55 AMCrissy,
It's a bit naive to compare Scripture's condemnation of homosexuality with the "suggestion that the earth is the center of the universe." First, the Bible never says the earth is the center of the universe, it merely says that the sun "rose" - a term we still use today. Also, Scripture was written to guide us spiritually and morally, it isn't a science book.
In addition, Scripture may report on women as "second-class" citizens, but clearly Mary was a key woman used to bring about our salvation. According to Scripture "all generations will call [her] blessed" - this isn't said of anyone else in the Bible, whether male or female.
What this boils down to is whether you really believe Scripture or not. In the Bible, homosexual acts are condemned clearly and repeatedly in the Old and New Testaments. I would argue that your church is simply ignoring the parts of Scripture they don't agree with.
In the end, you either have to accept Scripture as a whole or simply ignore all of it. It sounds like your church is inventing a new religion by only using the Scripture your pastor likes.
God bless,
Jay
