Homosexuality and the Natural Law -- Catholics only, please.

[Asimis]

Greetings,

I have been trying to reason with a couple of homosexuals in another board trying to make them understand that their behavior is wrong. But it is kind of difficult to make them see why it is. Anybody got a few tips on how to talk to them?

Thanks

 

[marianservant]

Greetings,

I have been trying to reason with a couple of homosexuals in another board trying to make them understand that their behavior is wrong. But it is kind of difficult to make them see why it is. Anybody got a few tips on how to talk to them?

Thanks

Telling them they are wrong and "corrupt" or immoral will only make them angry, hurt, and usually they blame it on the church or christianity and turn their back. Crusading against them is wrong. Be a good example correct them if they are wrong about a church teaching or reading of the bible but don't go around telling them are "wrong" or "Sinful" it will only end with them hurt as a person.

"Preach the Gospel at all times...if neccessary...use words"

 

[Skripper]

**Bump**

(I'm just checking to see if a post here bumps the thread up back in OBOB, where I left the link.)

 

[Skripper]

Unfortunately, it didn't. I hope this thread doesn't get lost in here, since this is a new forum and not many people know about it yet.

 

[Skripper]

Asimis,

Since posts in this new thread here in this forum do not *bump* the old thread in OBOB up, I'm going to make a suggestion, to possibly prevent this thread from getting "lost" in here. I suggest you make another new thread in OBOB, consisting of a link to this thread. Then, from time to time, you can *bump* the new thread, to keep it on the first page in OBOB. Hopefully then you will get the responses you would have gotten had the thread remained in OBOB.

 

[Asimis]

Just did it.

Thanks.

 

[pax]

Greetings,

I have been trying to reason with a couple of homosexuals in another board trying to make them understand that their behavior is wrong. But it is kind of difficult to make them see why it is. Anybody got a few tips on how to talk to them?

Thanks

I do believe that the reason more people with homosexual orientations aren't seeking chastity within in the church is that members of the Church are too quick to judge and condemn them. I would recommend proceeding with the most charity you have (and that charity includes wanting the best for their souls).

Many times people with homosexual tendencies feel God hates them...try to make them understand the depth of God's love and mercy. Conversion is a gradual process...it's probably best to find out what they believe first and work from there to try to get them to see the depths of God's love. That doesn't mean encouraging their sin or approving of it, it's just a little more of an indirect approach. Telling them it's wrong and quoting the scripture passages that say how much it offends God probably wouldn't be a good first post. Try to explain the holiness of human sexuality first and then proceed to its abuses.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

You're going to have a hard time. The reason is becasue homosexuality is seen, even by the church, as an disoder over which the individual has any control.

Its like being left-handed, its not something you did its just something that happened to you.

When lefthanded ness was seen as a undisirable thing that would cause you social and workplace problems, then people could be movitated to be forced to eat, write, shoot, and work righthanded.

Now, it just means that you have a better shot of making it into the big leagues (lefthanded pitchers and fielders are highly convented.) and you couldn't get a lefty to go righty for anything.

Same thing with homosexuals. Its not seen as a moral or religion failling as much as it is a structural brain thing and how homosexuals veiw themselves changes.

Now they're just alternately oriented individuals who have the same needs for intimacy and partnership as any of us breeders and why shouldn't they partake in normal relationships, after all, God made them this way ?

You want my advise ? Don't try. I really thing this is something God;s got to bring them to, unless you've got a compelling reason (to them) as to some what they should do with the lives since the can't have a normal intimate relationship.

 

[Asimis]

Dear Charlie,

I undersatnd what you mean and I agree with some of your points. But you see, they are pushing for same sex marriage and have sex, this go directly against what The Church teaches. The Church calls them to a life of celibacy, ignoring them and wishing it to go away won't do, they are pushing for things contrary to our faith, so we need to try to reach them.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

 

[Cosmic Charlie]

Dear Charlie,

I undersatnd what you mean and I agree with some of your points. But you see, they are pushing for same sex marriage and have sex, this go directly against what The Church teaches. The Church calls them to a life of celibacy, ignoring them and wishing it to go away won't do, they are pushing for things contrary to our faith, so we need to try to reach them.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

I understand what you want and what you are saying. My point is: good luck with that because I don't think you have much to work with from their point of view.

 

[Cat59]

have been trying to reason with a couple of homosexuals in another board trying to make them understand that their behavior is wrong. But it is kind of difficult to make them see why it is. Anybody got a few tips on how to talk to them?

This is what the catechism has to say on the subject:

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them 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.

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.

I would say, like Charlie, that you are going to get nowhere fast arguing with them that they have to live celibate lives. I certainly don't argue this with my gay friends who are Catholic anymore than I consider I should tell my married friends to stop taking the pill. It's not for me to tell them how to live, it's between them and their confessor. If we were to have a discussion about it, I would give my views in principle, but not related to their behaviour. It's not my place to condemn, as I have yet to have a clean sinless slate myself. I agree, these individuals are on a message board and hence are asking to debate it, but I would suggest you stick to the subject at hand, not their personal behaviour.
But the catechism does stress some things we should do- not to discriminate, to treat with respect, compassion and sensitivity. I would suggest in your interactions with them, you allow that to be your guide.