Gays, Lesbians and the Catholic Chruch...

Reflection:

I am giving a hug to my friends brother, as I have just met him.

He is a Catholic priest and is on vacation with his two brothers.

Father Tom has been a priest for under a year.

I was looking forward to having some interesting conversations with Father Tom.

For the most part I agree with his overall philosophy. He focuses on love and forgiveness. In his three parishes Father Tom does his best to teach love and acceptance.

He also does his best to educate people to the positives of the Catholic Church. He does his best to dispel misconceptions of Priests who preach the whole fire and brimstone.

As I asked what do they do with Priests who are unruly and not presenting this positive image. Father Tom told me that they try retraining first and if that does not work, then they move them to much smaller parishes where they will have less of a negative impact.


Since I was finding out what the Catholic Churches stands were on many issues.

I brought up a big one :-)

I made the statement " I just don't get why we even have labels of gay and lesbian for people" "If people can find love then who cares if it's with a woman and man or a man and man or a women and women"

And then predigest rears its ugly head...

Here is the official stance of the Catholic Church "If you are gay or lesbian. We accept you into our Catholic churches with open arms, as long as you do not act on being Gay or Lesbian (No kissing, intercourse and such). For to do so, is to sin."

I reply "That is not acceptance at all!"

Father Tom "Yes, we would never turn them away"

I reply "Yes, but you are not accepting them as they are at all! That's bullshit! That's not even close to acceptance."

Father Tom "No, we do accept them"

I reply "OK, let's take Jesus and Mary Madeline.

Somehow I don't recall Jesus saying you're a prostitute and you need to repent.

No, Jesus praised her for the faith that she had in front of all who would Judge her.

Jesus taught never to judge anyone.

Love your neighbor as yourself, forgive everyone.

He even said love your enemies.

In fact if Jesus were right here, right now at this lunch table he would explain what acceptance really is, because you're missing the picture."

Then the subject got changed as there was no reply to the last statement.

Personally I feel it would be completely absurd to think that just because I am only attracted to women, that all men could only be attracted to women.

I really don't care for Country music, but I don't expect the rest of the world to dislike it just because I do. That would be really silly!

Just in the U.S. there are approximately 4.3 million people who are gay or lesbian. That figure is really low as it reflects just the number who are freely admitting that they are gay or lesbian.

So let me get this straight, are going to tell me that 4.3 million hard working, life loving Americans Citizens are wrong, or bad just because they should believe and do just as you believe and do?

An unruly two year old comes into mind...That is about the age you are behaving like if this is your belief...Their not just like me, so I can't play with them...wa wa wa....

Jesus Christ and I do not believe in double standards, or predigest in any form.

So I will go ahead and agree with the Catholics churches stand that no Gay or Lesbians should be allowed to kiss, hug, or have sex in public or private - as long as the catholic church passes the very same laws for each and every heterosexual on the planet.

And when their religion is no more for they have become extinct, maybe, just maybe they will look back and reread the words of the spiritual leader of the church - Jesus Christ

And as the last member of the Catholic church takes their very last breath, they may exclaim "Father please forgive us for our judgments against our loving brothers and sisters..."

But then, it will be too late...

The time is now...

The time is now to start paying attention to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ...

I propose a challenge to each and every Catholic and Christian church a crossed the globe.

I challenge you to make 2009 the year of Jesus Christ's life...

I challenge you to teach the teaching of Jesus and really focus on why he taught, what he taught...

Jesus gave each and every one of you the keys to Gods kingdom, the kingdom of unconditional love and acceptance, and sadly you dropped them on the floor and stepped right over them.

You cannot enter your birthright, the kingdom of God, with predigest and judgment in your hearts...

Reread the teachings of the master, our lord and savior Jesus Christ...

Teach his true word...the word of unconditional love, and of true acceptance...

Live his teachings....share his peace, his love, and his laughter with your brothers and sisters...

Uplift every person you come in contact with...Talk to them, share with them, teach them and learn from them...

For that my brothers and sisters is living Christ, that is teaching Christ, that is knowing Christ...

Begin...