Friday, April 5, 2013
Priests being Married
Recently the argument that priests should be married has been raised by many non-Catholics. With many sexual abuse scandals, people are wondering if priests being married would lessen the likelihood of this happening. The Catholic Church says that marriage is not an option for priests because the priests have responsibilities for their parish and cannot take on the responsibilities of both a family and a parish.
The Dark Deeds of the Church
Now probably all of you have heard the arguments against the Church and God like this one. Well the Church caused the Crusades and Inquisition. And Jesus can see into the future as God why didn't he stop them? Yes at one time these policies were acted out by members of the Church. But these people failed to fulfill Christ's command. Jesus never once says to do this. He teaches only about Love and redemption for us. If he did say to his disciples one day you will kill and torture and go to war for horrible reasons would anyone believe him? Would that stop the corrupt from doing it anyways. The Church is full of sinners to. Even the pope sins all the time. The best part of the Church is despite these deeds in its past it has grown stronger and fixed those flaws and gotten back onto the path of God.
Gay Marriage
As by now almost everyone knows the issue of Gay marriage may be heard in the Supreme Court over the summer. The Church has always been firmly against gay marriage. The problem is even Catholics do not understand why that is. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved."
God made man and women capable of sharing a unique love with another and be paired in the sacrament of matrimony. It goes against the plan of God to condone gay marriage. The question then becomes did God ever come out against gay marriage in scripture the answer is yes. Paul write about the crime of homosexuality in three places, Romans 1:24-27; 1Corinthians 6:9-10; and 1Tim 1:10. All writings included in the Bible are considered divinely inspired and speak the truth therefore God through Paul speaks against homosexuality.
The next big misconception is that we should hate gays. This could not be more untrue. They deserve the same love and respect we owe any human, as God commanded us to love one another as we love ourselves. Christ came to save the sinner not condem the sinner. He chose among his closest companions the most hated and sinful people of his time and saved them, and treated them with kindness and love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says
"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."
So treat gays as you would anyone else. But remember marriage is reserved for one man and one woman.
"2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved."
God made man and women capable of sharing a unique love with another and be paired in the sacrament of matrimony. It goes against the plan of God to condone gay marriage. The question then becomes did God ever come out against gay marriage in scripture the answer is yes. Paul write about the crime of homosexuality in three places, Romans 1:24-27; 1Corinthians 6:9-10; and 1Tim 1:10. All writings included in the Bible are considered divinely inspired and speak the truth therefore God through Paul speaks against homosexuality.
The next big misconception is that we should hate gays. This could not be more untrue. They deserve the same love and respect we owe any human, as God commanded us to love one another as we love ourselves. Christ came to save the sinner not condem the sinner. He chose among his closest companions the most hated and sinful people of his time and saved them, and treated them with kindness and love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says
"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."
So treat gays as you would anyone else. But remember marriage is reserved for one man and one woman.
Love
Is love subjective?
Honestly I don't know the correct answer to that. Love is a complex idea that truly has no definition. Is love subjective is a question some of the greatest thinkers can struggle to answer but I'll give it my best shot. Quick disclaimer I could very well be wrong about this so don't just assume I'm right. I believe love is subjective. Or at least love between humans is. God's love is objective. But between us humans since are love is not perfect what we define as love can very much be subject to change. God loves us with a perfect love that is the same regardless of who you are. But say Joe and Jane love each other. Maybe Joe had abusive parents and has no idea what love feels like. His love may not actually be love but what he calls love. This is just my opinion of course so do your own research. Don't be lazy. The only thing I can say for sure is that God loves us objectively as His love is perfect and equal.
Honestly I don't know the correct answer to that. Love is a complex idea that truly has no definition. Is love subjective is a question some of the greatest thinkers can struggle to answer but I'll give it my best shot. Quick disclaimer I could very well be wrong about this so don't just assume I'm right. I believe love is subjective. Or at least love between humans is. God's love is objective. But between us humans since are love is not perfect what we define as love can very much be subject to change. God loves us with a perfect love that is the same regardless of who you are. But say Joe and Jane love each other. Maybe Joe had abusive parents and has no idea what love feels like. His love may not actually be love but what he calls love. This is just my opinion of course so do your own research. Don't be lazy. The only thing I can say for sure is that God loves us objectively as His love is perfect and equal.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Sanctity of life
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.
The Catholic Church has always been opposed to abortion since the beginning. This is because of the Church's teaching that life begins at conception. The Church teaches that all life must be protected. Many people complain that it takes freedom from people. The Church will not change its teachings which has caused people to leave the church.
2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.
The Catholic Church has always been opposed to abortion since the beginning. This is because of the Church's teaching that life begins at conception. The Church teaches that all life must be protected. Many people complain that it takes freedom from people. The Church will not change its teachings which has caused people to leave the church.
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