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- Tuesday, 8 July 2008
A discussion about homosexuality on the World Youth Day internet site xt3 was shut down at the weekend.
Many of the posts in the Ask A Priest discussions were deleted by the administrators, where Father John Flynn had directed same-sex attracted Catholics to the support group Courage to help them live a life of chastity. Homosexuality was one of the most popular discussions taking place on the site.
While we can always seek God’s forgiveness, the Pope makes it clear that we cannot invoke mercy and love and then just use it as an excuse to sin, Flynn advised the WYD attendees.
He added the church viewed sexual orientation and acts are two distinct things, and would not be subject to the fads of the day.
But the debate showed Catholic youth were not unanimous in support of the Pope’s position on homosexuality as intrinsically disordered.
I will more than likely get hammered for saying it, but I sometimes think that the church’s view contributes to the pain that these people feel about their sexuality, which is real and undeniable, WYD attendee Christian wrote.
The strongest response was directed at Catholics who admitted their own homosexual feelings.
How can you believe in God and then go about committing disgusting sex acts with other men? If you were living back in the Old Testament days you’d be stoned to death, one post, which was removed but is still accessible, stated.
Others responded by suggesting homosexuality could be cured with faith, and HIV was part of God’s plan.
New threads with these claims were created almost as quickly as the existing ones were being locked, but are only accessible to xt3 members.
Melbourne writer John Heard said hundreds like him, both same-sex attracted and happily Catholic, would be attending World Youth Day.
We all struggle [conforming to Christ]. However, at World Youth Day, same-sex attracted Catholics can strive to overcome that pride, and come to celebrate the faith with the rest of the world, Heard wrote. “Acceptance members are invited too!
July 8th, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
I tried to create a more supportive group for gay Catholics but it was deleted several days later, labeled a “protest group”… so much for free debate.
It’s really sad the church has to resort to censorship to get its message across.
July 9th, 2008 @ 7:59 am
“HIV was part of God’s plan” – I’m starting to think God doesn’t like straight black people in Africa & wants to exterminate them all with HIV :) ???? Fair comparision!
July 9th, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
Whatever your sexual orientation, as catholic you have a very clear guidance in the Revelation as given by Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the catholic church: all sexual activity outside of marriage is morally not acceptable because as we can read in Theology of the Body by JPII, sexual activity must be free, total, faithful, and fruitful – something that can be only achieved in the sacrament of matrimony.
I think this whole discussion here is missing the point.
July 9th, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
Until I am proven otherwise, without a shadow of a doubt, that these words were spoken and written by God and/or Jesus I will continue to live my life the way that I see fit, relying on my intuition, instinct and my own moral compass. Principles such as these dogmatically thrust upon us MUST be questioned. I find it hard to see the difference between the behaviour of a dictator, to the preachings of a religious denomination. Yet people will happily follow like sheep, in faith, to teachings from thousands of years ago (subject to Chinese Whispers mind you) but wont listen to a community of people who are at their very core, made the way they are GAY! It’s not a choice! We’re bound to this orientation whether God’s involved or not. I’m baptised Roman Catholic…a load of good that was huh? And I wont be told that I’m wrong.
July 10th, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
As a response to Dan about censorship. The group you created must have had something in it that was offensive. There is a growing group on the site specifically for gay Catholics. http://www.xt3.com/group/view.php?id=472
July 12th, 2008 @ 10:15 pm
We can read in the Bible about homosexual behaviour, its consequences, and that it can be cured by God: -œDo not deceive yourselves: no fornicators, idolaters, or adulterers, no sodomites … will inherit the Kingdom. And such were some of you; but you have been washed, consecrated, justified, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1Cor 6:9-11)
The Catholic Church is not inventing anything, it witnesses what the Lord wants himself, and this is demanding and challenging.
Have a look at the interesting story of Stephen Bennet, who recovered from homosexualism: http://www.sbministries.org/
July 18th, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Boycott WYD I say!!