IKEA’s Polish Catalogue Introduces “Ian and Steve” as a Model of the New Family

[drpepper101]

Many of them could rattle off more litanies, prayers and quotes than I as their teacher could, but they were wearing midriff baring tops in december unaware that they even had the option of dressing modestly or chose a lifestyle that did not involve hanging out in the new Polish disco's in Antwerp with guys that would turn into drunken husbands. (Yes, it's a charicature, but it comes pretty close to the truth)

Why do people feel it's okay to engage is this sort of over the top racism with eastern Europeans? I hate to break to you, but I spent enough time in the military in western Europe to see that generational alcoholism is pretty common there as well. The Poles haven't given us some lovely innovations like drive up harlot houses like the Germans have, that's for sure, but like most human beings they are still human beings. You wouldn't come here and post "I used to teach black kids and I'll be danged if every stereotype about them n***ers didn't turn out to be true." So why not extend the same to all human beings and avoid posts that even you acknowledge contain charicatures?

 

[MoNiCa4316]

HAHAHAHAHA. Are you kidding me? I have no need to see a priest for this one.

This store does not proclaim to be Catholic and therefore has no obligation to Catholic view on marriage. However their ability to see that society is made up of more than just the traditional American family should be applauded. If however they proclaim to be a Catholic organization then there is a problem. People like "Steve and Ian" exist all around us. While I don't condone their marriage from a Catholic perspective I do also recognize that they are also citizens in countries that give them the right to love whomever they should fall in love with. Therefore why should a secular organization not recognize that right for what it is?

because it promotes the view in society that gay marriage is alright.

I have been teaching Polish immigrant Children in Belgium. I would not advertise Polish Catholicism as a model to follow. They are were the European Church was before the sixties, with Catholicism a set of rules and traditions and less of a living faith.

Many of them could rattle off more litanies, prayers and quotes than I as their teacher could, but they were wearing midriff baring tops in december unaware that they even had the option of dressing modestly or chose a lifestyle that did not involve hanging out in the new Polish disco's in Antwerp with guys that would turn into drunken husbands. (Yes, it's a charicature, but it comes pretty close to the truth)
Much of the faith barely touched their life unless in the traditions. And these were wonderful girls in and open to faith in themselves, but many had grown cynical about the Church as an institution (while clinging to certain traditions at the same time) because they saw priests ride around in brandnew cars, preaching hell and condamnation from the pullpit without being an example of a Catholic lifestye themselves.

Seriously... my way of looking at the Church in Poland has undergone a big change since I taught these children. I know a daughter of Catholic immigrants to the US who is changing faiths to a Christian denomination because when she asked her parents and grand parents about reading the bible they said: "what for? The priest reads it to us every week." which is clearly NOT the official Church teaching as to how consider Scripture.

I clearly do not want to say that this goes for all Polish Catholic people, or that there is no good in the Polish Catholic Church, but like in most of the European countries (like Belgium) that have a long Catholic tradition, many problems have seeped in over the centuries, from outright abuse, to obscuring of true teachings. In much of the rest of Europe, the great emptying of the Church in the sixties was a consequence of these. After that there was an almost desperate: "let's adapt, everything goes" reaction to keep people at least somewhat connected to the Church which only facilitated the emptying, since if Faith is not a big deal, it really isn't worth the demands on time and conscience that it gives. Only now, and very, very slowly, are there sparks again and you can see something beautiful growing again, though we will still deal with the aftermath of what happened for several decades.

whenever a faith is a part of the national identity of people, it has the danger of becoming a mere tradition for a number of them. This happens with Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism too - in some countries.

But I think that this is not true in all cases...

I have some Polish friends. A couple of them were raised in nominally Catholic families and are now sort of agnostic..never go to Mass.. one other became a non denom. Protestant. But other ones are very strong Catholics.. one girl and her family, they immigrated to Canada from Poland.. she was raised in a strong Catholic home. She's a strong believer and it's not just tradition for her, she really knows the Lord. Another young man is from Poland and is becoming a monk. So I think it really varies!

It is important to resist the degradation of society. Things like this serve to 'normalize' homosexuality and further their agenda. It makes it just that much harder for people outside of Our Lord's Church to find their way to Him. It is against God. We are His creation and we are to follow His natural laws, not encourage others perversion of it by commending things like this.

true.

It is also important to remember, especially in the US, that our country was founded on a principle which prevents citizens from having to submit to the teachings and beliefs of an individual religion. Also, and much more importantly, God created all people whether straight or gay.

yes God created and loves all people, straight or gay, but He doesn't support gay marriage. It doesn't matter much what is politically correct and what isn't. Truth comes before political correctness.

which is why it hurts him when they sin;and why we shouldnt encourage or accept sin.

agreed.

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Your Catholic faith and belief should come before your country; to hell with what our country condones; if something is against Christ and his Holy Catholic Faith, Like say, the condoning of Same-sex couples/civil-unions/marriage, then it is your, mine, and the rest of our fellow Catholics to condemn such an error with compassion and charity; one should exercise compassion and charity in encourage Homosexuals to live celibate lives unto our Lord God. As Holy Writ saith:

amen.

if my country supports something that the Church doesn't support, I'm not going to follow it. "Our citizenship is in Heaven". When people unquestioningly support whatever their country says, they are giving to 'Caesar' what belongs only to God: themselves. (paraphrased from CS Lewis).

God and His Church should always come first before country.