Oso planning to go pro
https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said during an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against the LGBTQ community, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin.” But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change to recognize the dignity of everyone.“These bishops have to have a process of conversion,” he said, adding that they should apply “tenderness, please, as God has for each one of us.”Some 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty, according to The Human Dignity Trust, which works to end such laws. Experts say even where the laws are not enforced, they contribute to harassment, stigmatization and violence against LGBTQ people.In the U.S., more than a dozen states still have anti-sodomy laws on the books, despite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling declaring them unconstitutional. Gay rights advocates say the antiquated laws are used to harass homosexuals, and point to new legislation, such as the “Don’t say gay” law in Florida, which forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, as evidence of continued efforts to marginalize LGBTQ people.The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to laws criminalizing homosexuality outright, saying they violate rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination and are a breach of countries’ obligations under international law to protect the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.Declaring such laws “unjust,” Francis said the Catholic Church can and should work to put an end to them. “It must do this. It must do this,” he said.Francis quoted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in saying gay people must be welcomed and respected, and should not be marginalized or discriminated against.“We are all children of God, and God loves us as we are and for the strength that each of us fights for our dignity,” Francis said, speaking to the AP in the Vatican hotel where he lives.
Congratulations
So, so clever
To clarify, according to the Church, simply "being homosexual" is not a sin. Or in the language in the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, having "a homosexual inclination." Committing homosexual acts is a sin.But don't get me started on how an omnipotent and loving God would bless some people with "a homosexual inclination" yet declare it a sin to act upon that inclination. Sounds kinda cruel to me, but whatever.
Mike, it’s not a gun thread, but still some good work.In before the lock.
We're all sinners, JB.
Most of us who live in American culture have two major issues with the Roman Catholic Church.First, the Church is not a Democracy. At best, it's a Monarchy with significant influence from the Lords. The only way the Monarch listens is if the Peasants (aka, the faithful) stop contributing their resources. Or, if the peasants refuse the leadership of the Monarchy, which is increasingly happening. The Church, as a monarchy, moves at a glacial pace, often with the concern that any major changes diminishes the regality of the monarch.As Americans, we think if we scream loud enough, we will inevitably get what we want. Second, we see America as the be all and end all of social progress. Why the heck can't they see things our way? Part of the answer is the Roman Catholic Church is a universal church. Its values reflect the whole world, including many places where homosexuality is viewed very differently than here.Ultimately, the church has to interpret Biblical teachings. This one involving homosexuality is suspect at best and pits the notion of a loving God and the concept that we're all God's children against traditional human "norms." My view is similar to that of a very controversial priest from the Diocese of Nashville in that I can't imagine a loving God condemning to hell a homosexual that She made homosexual. I just can't. I suspect Francis is saying the same thing.One last point about Christianity: It's got a big problem called the Millennials. They ain't going and, in that regard, they're reflecting a broader trend that has accelerated since Covid-19. If people "go," they go privately in the comfort of their home watching the Mass they want from the Parish that best suits them. They're far less likely to become part of a Christian Community, be it Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal or Presbyterian etc. In my case, we found online Mass during Covid-19 liberating, as it freed us from a very irrelevant parish in the Chicago suburbs. We really missed our Florida parish, however.
Lol at the first underlined. To the second underlined, Millennials are up to their early forties and youngest are late 20s. Time to start at least adding gen z when pointing fingers at the kids that ruin everything they're adults and a large segment of society.