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If the latter is correct, then there are two schools of thought:
Chastity and homosexuality:2357: "Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, [140] tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."[141] 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 complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved." 2 Interpretation: Here, the Catholic church deviates from the most common teaching of conservative Protestant denominations. The Catholic church has concluded that homosexuality is define in terms of the gender to which a person is sexually attracted -- an attraction that is generally fixed. Protestant denominations generally interpret homosexuality in terms of sexual behavior, and maintain that the behavior can be changed. Here, the term "homosexuality" appears to refer to same-sex sexual attraction of persons with a homosexual orientation, and to some persons with a bisexual orientation. There is a general consensus that all of the famous six or so "clobber" passages from the Bible that describe some form of same-sex behavior condemn the specific activity being described. But some theologians suggest that these passages may not refer to sexual behavior by a loving committed same-sex couple. Rather, they condemn other forms of sex which most people would agree are immoral, namely:
Re: "The gift of life:" The Catechism also condemns same-sex behavior because it cannot initiate a pregnancy. In the same way, opposite-sex sexual behavior using NFP (Natural Family Planning) or artificial birth control could also be condemned because either approach is claimed to be 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. Yet the Church allows NFP and condemns condoms -- even if the latter are needed to prevent the transmission of HIV or other sexually transmitted disease. Re: affective and sexual complementarity: Finally, the article points out that same-sex sexual activity, by definition, cannot be grounded in a real emotional and sexual interaction as it is between two persons of different genders. This exposes a controversy over the biblical interpretation of Genesis 2:18. God is quoted as saying that It is not good that the man [Adam] should be alone. This implies that it would be good for Adam to have a partner that he could join with physically and emotionally. Adam was apparently heterosexual, because he and Eve are said to have had at least three children: Cain, Abel, and one or more daughters to continue the procreation process. If Adam had a homosexual orientation, then he could only have physically and
emotionally joined with another male. The verse is unclear whether God would
have considered such a relationship to be "good." One might argue that a
same-sex loving committed relationship is good for homosexuals and some bisexuals as
an opposite-sex loving committed relationship is good for homosexuals and
some bisexuals. Apparently, the Catholic Church believes that God would not have
considered the former to be good.
The nature of homosexuality:2358: "The number of men and 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." 2 Interpretation: The Church recognizes the findings of numerous human sexuality studies that homosexual orientation is not a choice. The implication is that a homosexual orientation is unchangeable. The church opposes "unjust discrimination" against gays and lesbians. This implies that there are just forms of discrimination that can be used to oppress homosexuals that are moral and acceptable.
Homosexuals are called to celibacy:2359: "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." 2 Interpretation: The Church teaches that only married heterosexuals and those bisexuals who are married to a person of the opposite sex can legitimately express their love physically to each other. The Church expects homosexuals to remain celibate and to remain without a partner for the rest of their life. This raises an interesting point: if sexual orientation is not chosen, then most Catholics would assume that it is determined up by God. Thus, God creates about 5% of humans as homosexuals and then tells them -- through the church -- that they must remain lonely for the rest of their life without the joy of being in a committed, loving relationship. This suggests a degree of meanness that is not normally considered an attribute of God.
References:
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