Is the Church 'homophobic'?
I observed part of the Europride 2006 march and rally today as part of my research and took quite a few photos. Thought I'd post a couple on my blog and see what response I got!
(Incidentally I have put 'homophobic' in quotation marks because I actually think the term is not very useful and obscures the issues). Anyway here are some of the photos;
TRAFALGAR SQUARE - Mayor's address . Placard reads, "God is Love Not Hate".
St Martin-in-the fields - Anglican Church in Trafalgar Square displaying rainbow flag
I also managed to interview a few people, starting with the guy holding this poster!!!!
posted by Katrina @ 5:17 pm
9 comments
9 Comments:
Just read yur blog Joe and thought I'd post up your last comment (point 3) here;
3) The Church doesn't say that those with homosexual tendencies are to be lynched and shown a militant "homophobia". So what does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say?
Those with homosexual tendencies "must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."
- Paragraph 2358 Catechism of the Catholic Church
Joe's full comment can be found on;
http://catholiclondoner.blogspot.com/2006/07/gay-pride.html
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Even though I know nothing about Christianity, I've always found the Christian / gay debate quite interesting.
Does it not just come down to the fact that the bible contradicts itself? That Sodom and Gomorah (probably not spelt like that) contracts the nice Jesus hippy stuff about loving thy neighbour and turning the other cheek? Personally, I think that the New Testament updates the Old one, so that's the one that Christians should listen to. I don't believe for one second that Jesus would have been a homophobe - he was far too groovy for that.
"I don't believe for one second that Jesus would have been a homophobe - he was far too groovy for that."
Are you being serious Meg?????!!!!!
2 things I think I have to emphasise at this point,
1). I think the word 'homophobia' is highly problematic which is why I put it in inverted commas. A phobia is an irrational fear, and as an institution the Catholic Church does not have a phobia of gay people. It is critical of homosexual practices but this is not the same as homophobia. Hate the sin but not the sinner and all that. The Church's attitude towards homosexuality needs to be set in the context of its wider teaching on marriage and the family. The only sexual union the Church recognises as sacred is that between a husband and wife - homosexuality is one example of a departure from this, as would be sex outside of marriage, adultery etc etc.
2). I don't think the Church would agree with the groovy hippy image of Jesus you have painted!!! There are critical references to homosexuality in parts of the New Testament too so it doesn't contradict the OT. And whilst there is no record of Jesus preaching against homosexual relations it is evident from his teachings on marriage that both he and his audience are taking the heterosexual relationship as the norm. He was preaching to the Jews primarily after all!! There's only cause to preach against something if the something in question is actually taking place as Paul notes when writing to the Romans for example (see 1 Romans 26-28).
I could go on...but think I'll stop now!
That's all really interesting. There's so much more to it than I know about. I've always seen Jesus as a bit of a hippy but then I only know about the bible from Year 9 RS lessons!! I always assumed that Jesus would be quite groovy about that kind of thing because he seemed to like the underdog. (And I may be a orthodox atheist, but I still see a lot of sense in the bible. I also see a lot of nonsense too, of course!)
Hey joee blogs, don't quote from the bible (pronounced bib-lee), it makes all of us folk who don't believe in it look at you with even more eye rolling than before!
Anyway, surely the 'holy book' is just a guide for those who choose to follow someone else's design of life, rather than make up their own?
Re: "Anyway, surely the 'holy book' is just a guide for those who choose to follow someone else's design of life, rather than make up their own?"
You forget that Christians believe that that 'someone else' is God! and not simply a human being. Sure, the Bible was written by human hands but believers regard it as a record of God's revelation to Man and his relationship with his people throughout the ages which culminates with his incarnation on earth as Jesus Christ in 1st Century Palestine. But the Bible is more than simply historical record, it is also regarded as being inspired by God, and so it is the Word of God.
In a way you hit the nail on the end in your last sentence because as Christians believe the Bible is the Word of God, it is God's design of life they are trying to follow. After all they believe that He is THE Designer of life!!! Therefore Christians believe we are morally obliged NOT to make up our own design!!!
Hope this helps!
P.S. For example Christians believe that God designed human nature for heterosexual relationships not homosexual ones, that God has communicated this to Man and that this has been recorded in what we call the Bible. Therefore most Christians believe we are not at liberty to ignore God and say homosexuality is simply a lifestyle choice!
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