Homosexuality In The Catholic Church

2616 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Homosexuality and the Roman Catholic Church

The topic of homosexuality has stirred up an abundant amount of social controversy throughout history. Within the Catholic Church, it is hard to say how this issue should be dealt with. Many believe that reforms within the Church will become necessary, however the current pope, Pope Francis, does not believe this to be so. This has stirred up a debate among members of the Church. Traditionally, homosexuality in itself is viewed within the Catholic Church as morally evil and it has never been accepted. Pastoral counseling has been offered to allow members of the Church who identify themselves as homosexual to assist them to remain good members of the Church. A reflection on the Church’s history and influences in terms of the development of prejudices against homosexuality may be necessary in order to determine the real root of the issue. Some individuals believe that a change in doctrine is necessary in order to fix the problems regarding homosexuality within the Church, while others stand by Pope Francis and believe that progress can be made without having to undergo such a drastic change. As gay rights continue to become a more apparent issue in today’s global society, the Catholic Church does not need to consider a change in doctrine, however the members if the Church do need to consider following the suggestions of Pope Francis by becoming more open to and tolerant of the idea of homosexuals within the Catholic community.
The Christian views on sexuality were not developed based on Christian beliefs alone. The Hellenistic perspective became one of the greatest influences on the development of Christian theology because of its opposing views to what the Catholic people believed to be morally correct. Homosexuality was not cons...

... middle of paper ...

...conformed to a life of heterosexuality in order to remain a member of the Church. Others believe that as long as the individuals in question lead a life of complete abstinence, they should be allowed to follow their faith freely. Since becoming pope, Pope Francis has instilled a more accepting atmosphere within the Church. He believes that as long as an individual puts their faith first and understands that the Church does not permit them to have any sexual relations with their partner he has no right to judge their personal views. Shifting the focus of the people onto God has been Pope Francis’ main goal since beginning his papacy. If this idea were to be more widely accepted the Church as a whole would be able to focus more on the basis of their faith rather than on social issues, allowing the Church to be seen as a welcoming community of people worshiping God.

Show More
Related

  • The Homosexuality Debate: Conference of United States Religious Leaders and Ministers

    2080 Words  | 5 Pages

    The lecture hall filled with the audience members’ conversations in the gymnasium-sized room, which the microphone on the podium in center stage amplified. Through the double door entrance to the hall walked a conference attendee named Adam Moore, who found his seat in the last of many perfectly aligned rows of folding chairs. He began reading the brochure handed to him as he arrived and “homosexuality” being on the list of discussion topics intrigued him because he is an openly homosexual member of the Episcopal Church. After all the discussions had concluded and the ministers and clergy answered every question, Moore approached Father McAllister and asked him to explain some of the Catholic Church’s teachings to him. Father McAllister happily agreed and they both returned to the lecture hall to have their conversation. Father McAllister sat next to Moore, who reclaimed his conference seat. Moore explained that although there were many topics he did not fully understand in Catholic Church teaching, there was only one he wanted to discuss with him. He sought to understand what the Catholic Church taught on the topic of homosexuality and what the Church’s opposition was to homosexual relationship...

    Read More

  • Better to Marry Than to Burn: Clerical Celibacy in Modern Times

    1883 Words  | 4 Pages

    Described as a “precious jewel” by Pope Paul VI, a vow of celibacy, abstaining from marriage and all sexual activity is required for those choosing a life of service in the Roman Catholic Church (Frazee 108). Perhaps one of the most long standing debates within the Roman Catholic Church is the issue of clerical celibacy, in particular for priests. Many ask, does compulsory celibacy for priest have any place in today’s modern world? Some will argue that compulsory celibacy for priest is essential for priest to adequately serve their parishioners as well as to faithfully serve God. While others suggest that this is an antiquated unnatural practice that is harmful for not only the priest but for the Roman Catholic Church. However, in order to adequately answer this question, it is imperative to understand the history of compulsory clerical celibacy in the Roman Catholic faith, as well as the reasoning for the implementation of this practice among clerics.

    Read More

  • We Must Teach the Homosexual About Christ

    1459 Words  | 3 Pages

    No doubt deviant sex is almost as old as the race. There are few innovations in moral weakness. What is new is the homosexual ideology which has made devastating inroads into the Church from the ambient culture. One is made to believe that recalling the Church's teaching is an uncharitable act and that the Christian thing to do is to act as if sodomy were as normal as marital sex. Of course it is scarcely a defense of homosexuality to point out that many people commit sexual sins. The tu quoque here is singularly inappropriate. We began with the observation that we are all sinners. The question is, what next?

    Read More

  • Views of the Episcopal Church

    1294 Words  | 3 Pages

    First of all, the laws of the church where some of the most modern of its time even in prior years. The subject of homosexuality in the Episcopal Church began in the early 1970’s and took center stage by 1976. The General Convention speakers of the Episcopal Church declare...

    Read More

  • The Christian Debate on Homosexuality

    2508 Words  | 6 Pages

    The American debate on homosexuality reveals an unquestionable, though awfully uninvited, fusion between religion and politics, revealing a dangerous lack of separation between the church and state. The concern is not about the presence of spirituality in American politics, but the implications institutionalized religion has on the lives and rights of human beings. Nothing hinders the political and social progress of lesbian women and gay men quite like the complexities of religion. Dating back to the beginning of literature itself, homosexuality is far from modern. Nonetheless, homosexuality is currently the most divisive and fiercely debated topic in recent religious discourse. While most Christians maintain allegiance in labeling same-sex relationships as morally wrong, the church is dramatically divided on the proper place for gays and lesbians in American society and of course, American politics.

    Read More

  • The Bible and Homosexuality

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fag. Poof. Fairy. Homo. Dyke. Those are all words that are used on a daily basis to put down those who do not fit into the Bible’s supposed cookie-cutter, straight sexual orientation label. Homophobia has been around since the eleven hundreds, but before then homosexuality was viewed as healthy, normal, and at times it was even worshipped. However, society’s view of homosexuality has somehow been warped into a violently negative opinion. How did this happen? The main perpetrators of homophobia are the Bible and those who preach its word, or at least their version of its word. Which brings up the translation issues scattered throughout the Bible. The New Testament was written in Greek and there are not always direct translations of each word in English. The messages in the Bible that are said to condemn homosexuality can be interpreted in a more accepting way than they are usually preached.

    Read More

  • Catholic Church Stand on Stem Cell Research

    1266 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...away from the old conservative position to a relatively more liberal one. The Pope declared that “condom use could be justified in some cases to stop the spread of HIV” (Donadio 2010). The Church went from a zero tolerance policy to one that allowed their use at least in certain situations. Though their use was not accepted in all cases, by suggesting that some condom use was acceptable here and there, the Pope hoped that it could “be seen as the first step in the direction of a moralization, a first assumption of responsibility” (Donadio 2010). That’s because for the Vatican, apart from abstinence, the key to stopping diseases from spreading “can really only lie in a humanization of sexuality” (Donadio 2010). If condom use is the first step towards helping people become more sexually responsible, the Pope and other Church leaders are willing to allow for their use.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Martin Luther's 95 Theses

    535 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the beginning of the sixteenth century church theologian, Martin Luther, wrote the 95 Theses questioning the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church. In this essay I will discuss: the practices of the Roman Catholic Church Martin Luther wanted to reform, what Martin’s specific criticism of the pope was, and the current practices Pope Francis I is interested in refining in the Roman Catholic Church today.

    Read More

  • Authority in Lisa Cahill’s “Homosexuality"

    1158 Words  | 3 Pages

    Cahill sees Scripture as having three dimensions, which she defines as “the specific texts on the issue at hand, specific texts on related issues, and general biblical themes or patterns” (64). For specific texts, she mentions Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, the Romans, and Timothy. Citing the historical and social contexts of the Old Testament texts, she dismisses them as not easily applicable to modern society (65). When she considers Paul, she questions whether his lists of sins translate well into modern moral discourse because of Paul’s primary concern with idolatry and because of the Greek model of homosexuality, which greatly differs from modern homosexual relationships that resemble marriage (65). Though she does not specifically state it, implicit in these references to historical context is doubt about the Spirit-inspired nature of the Scriptures. In questioning the ability of the Scriptu...

    Read More

  • Homosexuality In Romans Essay

    445 Words  | 1 Pages

    In ancient Rome there was no stigma per se against homosexuality, but rather against males who took the more submissive role. There in fact, were no words to describe homosexuality as a lifestyle as there is today. Instead, ancient Romans paid attention to behaviors, and it was one’s behavior that was either applauded or punished. There was a law to cover this called Lex Scantinia that stated that a Roman male of high status, and or freeborn could be penalized legally for taking a submissive

    Read More

  • Debasement and Dissent in the Catholic Church - 1540 to 1559

    920 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is clear that between 1540 & 1559 that the Catholic Church became increasingly intolerant of debasement and dissent. This is mostly due to the leaders that came to the papal throne within this period. Between 1540 & 1559 there was a variety of pope’s with very differing views on how to contend with the issues of Protestantism, debasement and dissent.

    Read More

  • The Church and Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues

    621 Words  | 2 Pages

    "[I]t seems appropriate to understand sexual orientation (heterosexual or homosexual) as a deep-seated dimension of one's personality and to recognize its relative stability in a person. Generally, homosexual orientation is experienced as a given, not as something freely chosen. By itself, therefore, a homosexual orientation cannot be considered sinful, for morality presumes the freedom to choose. The teachings of the Church make it clear that the fundamental human rights of homosexual persons must be defended and that all of us must strive to eliminate any forms of injustice, oppression, or violence against them"(Pastoral).

    Read More

  • Why Shouldn’t Tommy and Jim Have Sex? An Essay by John Corvino

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although Corvino is commonly persecuted by for his beliefs, he continues to justify his reasoning for gay sex by arguing against societies inconsistency in condemnation for sexual acts. By this he means that society condemns sexuality that does not aid in assisting what natural law theorists find most important, reproduction. However, he disputes that non-reproductive homosexual relationships are immoral and unnatural, because the Catholic Church allows sex with sterile, pregnant...

    Read More

  • Gender Roles in Ancient Greek Society

    1385 Words  | 3 Pages

    This passive encouragement of homosexuality further strengthened ties between the separate genders and emphasizing the differences. Human society does not really change. The roles each gender plays in society has not changed drastically since the time of the ancient Greeks, and this goes to suggest that these roles are deeply rooted and possibly genetic. However, chauvinistic Greek myths are telling the truth, which explains why they have influenced modern culture to the extent it has.

    Read More

  • What Is God 's View Of Sexuality

    1940 Words  | 4 Pages

    Like many people in our time, Christians are studying and discussing issues related to human sexuality over many years. What is God’s view of sexuality? How are the pressures from a broader culture and the development of technology affecting God’s role in regards to human sexuality in tomorrow 's society?

    Read More

More about Homosexuality In The Catholic Church

Open Document