Out of the closet

[KnightofChrist]

2 hours ago, xSilverPhinx said:

Would you have preferred "you Catholics"? 

How is wanting to physically harm themselves different from spiritually harm themselves in your perspective? Wouldn't embracing atheism or having any views that diverge from the official doctrine be enough to cause that kind of self harm?

 

A more polite way of addressing the question would be something like "I am curious, what would Catholics here think if their child revealed that they where gay or an atheist? Would it cause you to be afraid and if so which would be the greatest fear?"

Physical harm would be a more imminent threat. Spiritual harm while a great danger can possibly be overcome with love, outreach, and discussion.

Edited June 14, 2016 by KnightofChrist

[xSilverPhinx]

25 minutes ago, KnightofChrist said:

A more polite way of addressing the question would be something like "I am curious, what would Catholics here think if their child revealed that they where gay or an atheist? Would it cause you to be afraid and if so which would be the greatest fear?"

I apologise, saying "you people" seemed ok in Portuguese. 

[WhoamI]

Not likely that I will ever have children, but if I did, I hope that my children would trust me enough that they would be willing to come to me with anything. I have friends who are gay or atheists (or both), and while their sexuality and beliefs are part of them, it is not the whole of who they are. First and foremost, they are human beings, and as such I am called to live them. Then, they are my friends, for whatever reasons, we have ended up close to each other. I am honest about my beliefs, and we have great conversations-even debates. I desire their good.  Do I wish they were Catholic, or not living a homosexuality lifestyle? Yes. Do I love them where they are? Yes. 

I hope that I would react in a similar way to my children.

[AngelofJesus]

The fact that your child came to you to talk about this is in itself a victory.  A discussion has been opened.  It's now up to you to either chastise and push them away or welcome them with love, humility and continued discussion.

[Anomaly]

20 hours ago, xSilverPhinx said:

I'm curious to know which is worse to you folks, being an atheist or a homosexual?

If your child came to you and said, "Dad, mom, we need to talk", what would be your worst fear in this context? 

It's hard to know until it happens.  Based on personal experience as a parent and close friend, whatever your opinion may be beforehand, it probably will change afterwards.  

Edited June 15, 2016 by Anomaly

[FilleDeStFrancois]

Not sure if this has already been said, but...

 

I guess I would prefer my child claim to be atheist because I believe that atheists can be converted, but I really think that homosexuals can never change the way they feel, just respond appropriately to sin, like all us sinners do.

Edited June 15, 2016 by FilleDeStFrancois

[franciscanheart]

It's so sad to me that so many would rather see their children without faith in Jesus than to be attracted to persons of the same sex. No matter how you spin it to justify the answer, the reality is the same: you're saying you'd rather your child come to the conclusion that Jesus is not real than to suffer with Jesus, as you would hope. To believe that your child would not suffer as an atheist is silly, if you're truly Catholic. If truly Catholic, would not you want anything for your child to know God, the same way he or she is already known by the Lord? I would absolutely prefer my child be gay than without faith.

I guess I should say, though, that I don't see homosexuality as anything near the cross of no faith. My child coming to me as gay would not scare me. I might be sad for a moment -- because I know what it means to come to that conclusion -- but I would not be afraid, and I would not be devastated the way I might if my child revealed to me that he or she did not have faith.

[dUSt]

On 6/14/2016 at 3:03 PM, little2add said:

both lifestyles are okay and acceptable,

Can you clarify this? It goes against Church teaching, so, since your label says "Catholic", I'm going to have to give you a Phishy tag if this is what you are promoting.

20 hours ago, franciscanheart said:

I guess I should say, though, that I don't see homosexuality as anything near the cross of no faith. My child coming to me as gay would not scare me. I might be sad for a moment -- because I know what it means to come to that conclusion -- but I would not be afraid, and I would not be devastated the way I might if my child revealed to me that he or she did not have faith.

This.

[Guest]

[little2add]

59 minutes ago, dUSt said:

Can you clarify this? It goes against Church teaching, so, since your label says "Catholic", I'm going to have to give you a Phishy tag if this is what you are promoting.

This.

 Doesn't  the Catholic Church teach us to respect and love the  atheist and/or homosexual person the same as it does the heterosexual. Catholicism teaches that homosexual people must be treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every act or thought of hatred, violence, or persecution toward the homosexual is condemned.

 I do not condone sexual activity outside of marriage as it is sinful and immoral. Masturbation, fornication, adultery, pornography, and artificial contraception are all sins in the eyes of the Catholic Church. 

I believe that marriage is the permanent, faithful, and God-willing fruitful union of a man and woman who have entered the covenant relationship of husband and wife. The sacrament of Matrimony is a sacred bond that imitates the love between Christ and his bride, the Church. The Church believes that because God instituted marriage, neither the Church nor the secular state (civil government) has the authority to redefine or substantially change the nature of marriage.

 My brother is gay and he's one of the best people I've ever known, he is also an atheist.  

He's not heavy,  he's my brother and I will not condemn him 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oT57tjz9py8

HOLLIES
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"

 

(B. Scott and B. Russell)

The road is long

With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother...

Edited June 17, 2016 by little2add

[dUSt]

13 minutes ago, little2add said:

My brother is gay and he's one of the best people I've ever known, he is also an atheist. He's not heavy,  he's my brother and I will not condemn him

I think there is a difference between not condemning a person and accepting a lifestyle. You said the lifestyle is "acceptable", which to everyone reading, means that you condone the lifestyle (which is the act). One does not have to condemn a person to condemn the act.

[Gabriela]

On 6/14/2016 at 3:03 PM, little2add said:

both lifestyles are okay and acceptable, but my kid ever decided to become a democrat and died in that state he or she will be in hell for all of eternity

so...

 

24 minutes ago, little2add said:

 Doesn't  the Catholic Church teach us to respect and love the  atheist and/or homosexual person the same as it does the heterosexual. Catholicism teaches that homosexual people must be treated with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every act or thought of hatred, violence, or persecution toward the homosexual is condemned.

 I do not condone sexual activity outside of marriage as it is sinful and immoral. Masturbation, fornication, adultery, pornography, and artificial contraception are all sins in the eyes of the Catholic Church. 

I believe that marriage is the permanent, faithful, and God-willing fruitful union of a man and woman who have entered the covenant relationship of husband and wife. The sacrament of Matrimony is a sacred bond that imitates the love between Christ and his bride, the Church. The Church believes that because God instituted marriage, neither the Church nor the secular state (civil government) has the authority to redefine or substantially change the nature of marriage.

 My brother is gay and he's one of the best people I've ever known, he is also an atheist.  

He's not heavy,  he's my brother and I will not condemn him

These two statements do not address the same issue at all. Do you believe the homosexual lifestyle is "okay and acceptable"? Do you believe the "atheist lifestyle" is "okay and acceptable"?

One of my best friends is homosexual and he's also one of the best people I've ever known. But I would not say that his lifestyle is "okay and acceptable". I'd say it's a tragedy, particularly in such an otherwise good man.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Gabriela

[little2add]

10 minutes ago, dUSt said:

I think there is a difference between not condemning a person and accepting a lifestyle. You said the lifestyle is "acceptable", which to everyone reading, means that you condone the lifestyle (which is the act). One does not have to condemn a person to condemn the act.

 I apologize,  I misspoke 

 Some of the comments that have been made about the Orlando shooting have been hateful and  unchristian like. 

 My comment was a knee-jerk reaction to the hatred or what I perceived as hatred  expressed (  not mentioning any names)  in some of the treads  about their subject 

6 minutes ago, Gabriela said:

 

These two statements do not address the same issue at all. Do you believe the homosexual lifestyle is "okay and acceptable"? Do you believe the "atheist lifestyle" is "okay and acceptable"?

One of my best friends is homosexual and he's also one of the best people I've ever known. But I would not say that his lifestyle is "okay and acceptable". I'd say it's a tragedy, particularly in such an otherwise good man.

 I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church in Jesus Christ. 

11 minutes ago, Gabriela said:

 

These two statements do not address the same issue at all. Do you believe the homosexual lifestyle is "okay and acceptable"? Do you believe the "atheist lifestyle" is "okay and acceptable"?

One of my best friends is homosexual and he's also one of the best people I've ever known. But I would not say that his lifestyle is "okay and acceptable". I'd say it's a tragedy, particularly in such an otherwise good man.

 I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church and in Jesus Christ 

Edited June 17, 2016 by little2add

[Gabriela]

14 minutes ago, little2add said:

 I apologize,  I misspoke 

 Some of the comments that have been made about the Orlando shooting have been hateful and  unchristian like. 

 My comment was a knee-jerk reaction to the hatred or what I perceived as hatred  expressed (  not mentioning any names)  in some of the treads  about their subject 

 I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church in Jesus Christ. 

 I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church and in Jesus Christ 

I understand your knee-jerk reaction given the public rhetoric of late. I agree much of it has been hateful and unchristian. 

[little2add]

1 hour ago, dUSt said:

I think there is a difference between not condemning a person and accepting a lifestyle. You said the lifestyle is "acceptable", which to everyone reading, means that you condone the lifestyle (which is the act). One does not have to condemn a person to condemn the act.

so my i remain a "Chummy Commoner", at least until i put my foot in my mouth again, Boss?

 

1 hour ago, little2add said:

HOLLIES
"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"

what do you think about the song? 

"i always liked it"

Edited June 17, 2016 by little2add

[Guest]

Just now, little2add said:

 I apologize,  I misspoke 

 Some of the comments that have been made about the Orlando shooting have been hateful and  unchristian like. 

 

You guys keep saying I've made hateful comments yet haven't quoted one of them. I'm waiting. Quote what I said that was hateful. The closest thing I posted that could be considered hate was the verse from Leviticus. And it got removed by a Mediator of Meh I'm guessing. I can't help that God is crystal clear how he feels about 2 guys hooking up. That's not going to change no matter how many Catholic Churches project the rainbow colors over themselves.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Guest

[Gabriela]

7 minutes ago, Josh said:

You guys keep saying I've made hateful comments yet haven't quoted one of them. I'm waiting. Quote what I said that was hateful. The closest thing I posted that could be considered hate was the verse from Leviticus. And it got removed by a Mediator of Meh I'm guessing. I can't help that God is crystal clear how he feels about 2 guys hooking up.

Some of the memes you posted in the Orlando thread were really hateful. And unnecessary. I try to live by the rule a lot of Catholics use:

1. Is it true?

2. Is it kind?

3. Is it necessary?

If what you have to say doesn't meet at least 2 of those 3 criteria, don't say it. 99% of the time, it's better to say nothing at all anyway. It's taken my whole life to learn that one can participate in a discussion just by listening (/reading). And usually that's the safest way to remain sinless.

[Guest]

I don't think the memes were hateful at all. Perhaps poor judgment to post them in THAT thread and that could come off as hateful. But as far as what each individual meme said it's complete truth.

Edited June 17, 2016 by Guest

[Gabriela]

1 minute ago, Josh said:

I don't think the memes were hateful at all. Perhaps poor judgment to post them in THAT thread and that could come off as hateful. But as far as what each individual meme said it's complete truth.

Was it also necessary or kind? 2 out of 3.

Seriously, mate, that rule helps.  

[Anomaly]

1 minute ago, Josh said:

I don't think the memes were hateful at all. Perhaps poor judgment to post them in THAT thread and that could come off as hateful. But as far as what each individual meme said it's complete truth.

Josh, 

Most of the time I think I understand you as passionate, and come off as stronger than you intend.  I also have utmost respect and appreciation for your sobriety.   Sometimes what you post is like me going to an AA Meeting and telling everyone they are stupid idiots and just need to stop drinking after one.    While generally true, it's not kind or helpful, and probably much more hurtful than I intended.