Christianity in the Queer World

[Diva]

Ozio and Bob....

Of course, You are both SO right and I am SOOOOOOO wrong.....what was I thinking? I won't even bother to play the sleep~deprived card. I was clearly wrong.

Of course, marriage won't change a pediphile's stripes. I'm trying to remember what in heaven's name I was thinking......

Please accept my apologies for my lame comment.

And yes. It was a shame that the Catholic church (and any other church who seeks to cover up such heinous activities) covered up the abuse and didn't fire them on the spot.

[Andrew, Jr.]

I am struggling to understand all of this thread. It is quite confusing to be honest.

I never knew that sharing the simplest things could be so much fun and rewarding. Today I feed the homeless, hungry, and gave out a few gifts of personal care products that they could use. Things that you and I take for granite. The joy it gave me, I can't even begin to measure.

If you take out the politics of any and all religion, and focus on the problems, then I think we all would be so much better. I really don't believe that God would want us to be suffering like we are now.

I was being driven by a neighbor to the city, and there was a billboard with a sign up on it saying that if you had a good day today (Christmas Day), you didn't have to thank God (higher power, whatever you pray to). It was advertised by an atheist (sp?) group in Baltimore. I was a bit taken back. I think they have a right to advertise anywhere they wish too, however, I think it is wrong to say that their rights trumph mine. And I just wonder if business' are now feeling the pressure of this group and are now stopping employees from answering phones Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and so on and on.

Now Joseph had a pregnant girlfriend/fiancee, gaveup getting his diploma, and made the ultimate decision to be a disciple. He put God in front of everything. And instead of making a home for Jesus, he had his bastard son in a manger. So, who am I to say someone is right or wrong. I am not a judge here. I will let Jesus judge.

Namaste,
Andrew

PS: Merry Christmas to All!

[Andrew, Jr.]

I am Roman Catholic, someone asked.

[dark_crystal]

Originally Posted by Bob

The incidence of pedophilia among clergy in the Catholic Church has nothing to do with their inability to marry.

Celibacy debate re-emerges amid Church abuse scandal

Tue, Mar 9 2010 By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor

PARIS (Reuters)
"Just because one doesn't live out one's sexuality doesn't mean it's been turned off. No, I must see how I react sexually and learn to deal with it," Hamburg Auxiliary Bishop Hans-Jochen Jaschk explained on German Radio on Friday.

Kothgasser told his interviewer he sometimes wished he had a family, especially when he met "beautiful people," and called this a "very natural" human feeling.

CELIBACY ATTRACTS PEDOPHILES

Jashke said celibacy was not the reason for sexual abuse but added: "The celibate lifestyle can attract people who have an abnormal sexuality and cannot integrate sexuality into their lives. That's when a dangerous situation can arise."

[Glenn]

Originally Posted by dark_crystal

Celibacy debate re-emerges amid Church abuse scandal

Tue, Mar 9 2010 By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor

PARIS (Reuters)
"Just because one doesn't live out one's sexuality doesn't mean it's been turned off. No, I must see how I react sexually and learn to deal with it," Hamburg Auxiliary Bishop Hans-Jochen Jaschk explained on German Radio on Friday.

Kothgasser told his interviewer he sometimes wished he had a family, especially when he met "beautiful people," and called this a "very natural" human feeling.

CELIBACY ATTRACTS PEDOPHILES

Jashke said celibacy was not the reason for sexual abuse but added: "The celibate lifestyle can attract people who have an abnormal sexuality and cannot integrate sexuality into their lives. That's when a dangerous situation can arise."

I strongly disagree with this statement by Jashke. Pedophilia has nothing to do with any Church, the priesthood, or a celibate lifestyle. Rather, it is the Catholic Church that attracts them to the Catholic Church or any other religion for that matter that does not punish this abnormal sexual drive. They should be put on a list like any other pedophile, and not be supported by a wait and see attitude. Many pedophiles are NOT involved in any religious organization.

[Starbuck]

Let me begin by saying,

1. Yes, I believe it is okay for clergy to be homosexual because I do not believe God would create a love that is sinful in nature.

2. In Oklahoma, we do not have same sex marriage. Thus, if my pastor were to be openly gay/lesbian, I would prefer they be married in a state that recognizes same sex marriages, even though it is not legally recognized here...just for the simple reason they are not living together as an unmarried couple. Just because the government doesn't recognize a union (and I don't mean a civil union) doesn't mean God will not.

3. For lack of true knowledge, so many people mis-quote the Bible it's not even amusing. A lesbian friend of mine has a bible that is a direct translation of the original scriptures and would you believe there is NOT ONE instance where the word homosexuality comes up? Now it does say that it is wrong for men to lay with men as with a woman, and it says it is wrong for women to lay with beasts...but no where does it say it is wrong for women to lay with women! And why does it say that it is wrong for men to lay with men? Because it is "detestable," (Leviticus 18:22) a waste of seed (sperm), just as in male masturbation (semen was considered an unclean discharge...Lev 15:16). The book of Leviticus is the one I am referencing throughout. This same friend also has a 1950s bible that has the word homosexuality in it; it has been added.

4. The bible also talked about the right to have slaves. Now we all know that that is morally wrong and that's why we do not practice it today. Also, true to biblical times, when a woman was on her menses, that which she touched had to be burned and she was "unclean for seven days" at the end of her period. Just as in the previous example, what was practiced in history is not necessary today. Why? It was a matter of cleanliness, something we do not have to worry about nowadays.

Now, it is now 0920 am and I have literally been up 24 hours so I hope this post makes sense and doesn't confuse or irritate people. If it does, please allow me to apologize in advance and plead sleep deprivation by means of not taking my night medication (oopsie ) On the other hand, I hope this may have helped others as well. Take from it what you will and please don't bash me, I'm too tired for it!

[MsTinkerbelly]

Our Church website has been upgraded...you can listen to sermons, and interact in a bunch of new ways. Our Pastor says to get the word out (LOL), so the site is threecrossesministries.org Sorry---it goes live early this week.