Worldwide Ancient Institution Supposed to Change For the Jollies of a Few

It's an article that really another call for the Roman Catholic church to change on the issue of homosexual behabvior. These kinds of articles always start with a focus on a person whose feelings have been hurt, and are meant to tug at our heartstrings and forget about critical thinking, history, and the larger world. Mitchell Landsberg of Los Angeles Times reported. I am not a Roman Catholic, by the way.

Twenty-five years ago, John Schaefer was a young gay man who led the singing on a momentous night at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood.

Speaking of Cardinal Mahony’s words about reaching out to care for those with HIV/AIDS:

"It was bold," Schaefer recalled Saturday night after singing at a Mass celebrating the 25th anniversary of the gay and lesbian ministry that Mahony established on Feb. 2, 1986. "I'm very grateful to Cardinal Mahony for doing that."

Much has changed in the intervening quarter century — and some things not at all.

Yes, some things haven't changed. God, His Word, the Biblical and traditional sexual morality.

Mahony is retired as archbishop. HIV infection is no longer an automatic death sentence. Society is far more tolerant of homosexuality. Same-sex marriage is legal in some states, a development that was scarcely imaginable in the mid-'80s.

Neutered "marriage" licenses are issued to brideless or groomless couples, who had long been free to have ceremonies and share their lives together.

Some Christian denominations ordain clergy who live openly in same-sex relationships.

Some "Christian" denominations don't really believe in Christ, too.

And the Catholic Church? Its position on homosexuality was clarified in October 1986 by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. Homosexuality, he wrote in a letter to bishops, is an "objective disorder," and "a person engaging in homosexual behavior … acts immorally."

That is still official church policy.

"Still". Like the Pope is supposed to stick his finger in the air and make decisions based on what homosexuality advocacy organizations say.

At the same time, he said, there is little theological difference between gay sex and heterosexual sex outside marriage.

Who is clamoring for an official policy that heterosexuals openly fornicating be ordained?

Talk at the Mass wasn't so much of living up to church doctrine as changing it.

Oh, of course. The Bible and the Church need to be changed to suit the feelings of a tiny minority.

Look, we have freedom of religion in this country. You don't have to be a Roman Catholic. So, either you believe this is the best church for you, or you don't.

If you don't, you should find the best. Or start one.

If you believe it is the best church for you, you should accept the church's claims to authority and truth.

Why should everyone else in the church, the Scriptures, and the traditions all have to change for you? Do you really believe in a God and that this is His Church, and that the Church is following His will in just about every area except that stuff about men not sticking their genitals into each other?

You may want to check out these articles:

The Bible and Homosexuality

Answering the Gay Christian Position