Is Homosexuality a Sin?
by Ruby and Coral
Hi. I'm a young Catholic. I have been having constant arguments with my friend, who is also a Catholic and just out of his teens, who feels that homosexuality is alright. He, himself, is very attracted to another man and he feels he should not deny his feelings. Is this right?
Ruby: Let's talk about the physical attraction first. Any thing that runs contrary to the natural inclinations that have been programmed into man is unnatural and considered a deviation. Biologically speaking, men and women are made for each other. They are the perfect 'fit', its their union that conceives children. Not a same sex union. God created men and women for each other because their function was not only for sex but also to raise a family have children and nurture them.
Coral: In such a climate love flourishes. God loves families, that's how he designed the human race. He is the master of all creation and He knows best. The clay pot cannot ask the potter: "Why didst thou make me thus?" Though it is possible that men and women may be attracted to members of their own sex, it runs contrary to the natural law.
Ruby: Here's what the Church says on this issue:
Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex... Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained...tradition has always declared that 'homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.' They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarily. Under no circumstances can they be approved.
The number of men & women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. (Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2357-2358)
Coral: The Church respects the tendencies of the homosexually oriented. They are not to be condemned, for the Lord came to save 'everyone'. As people, they are just like any other and deserve to be treated with compassion and sensitivity any unjust discrimination would be a violation Jesus commandment to "Love your neighbor as yourself". Everyone has a right to be treated equally and the Church stands by him or her.
Ruby: However, the Church also advises:
Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. (Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2359)
The Church calls such people to accept their 'heavy burden' as a challenge and practice self mastery with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Sacraments conferred on her children. Certainly, our Lord has this to say today, "Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more."
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© 2004 Coral and Ruby. All rights reserved.
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