President Obama: Homosexual Unions Equivalent to Marriage
What occurred on Saturday night is a very, very serious matter. President Obama sent the signal. He will not defend authentic marriage.
(President Obama at the Human Rights Campaign Banquet) 'I support ensuring that committed gay couples have the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country... I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act'.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) – The President stood confident at the podium when he addressed a crowd of nearly ecstatic fans Saturday night, Oct. 10, 2009. He promised those assembled for the Banquet of the “Human Rights Campaign”, the leading homosexual activist organization in the Nation: “You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.”
Lest anyone be confused concerning the meaning of his words here is another excerpt: “… I support ensuring that committed gay couples have the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country. I believe strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away and passing laws that extend equal rights to gay couples. I've required all agencies in the federal government to extend as many federal benefits as possible to LGBT families as the current law allows. And I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act. And we must all stand together against divisive and deceptive efforts to feed people's lingering fears for political and ideological gain.”
Tony Perkins, President of the “Family Research Council”, and a leading Evangelical Protestant voice, in an article entitled “Homosexual Activists Go GaGa for Obama”, described the implications of the speech in these words: “One thing was clear from Obama's speech -- his goal (like that of homosexual activists) is not simply equal legal rights. It is, rather, to overturn millennia of moral teaching that has acknowledged the harms of homosexual conduct and the unique benefits of marriage between a man and a woman. He dismissed those values as "outworn arguments and old attitudes," while decrying the grassroots campaigns to defend marriage as "divisive and deceptive efforts to feed people's lingering fears for political and ideological gain. In other words, if you hold to traditional values, the ultimate goal is simple -- to silence you. President Obama told HRC, "[D]o not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach." That's a warning the American people should heed.”
I write as a Catholic Christian to a mostly Catholic readership. Let’s be clear. The Catholic Church will not change its position on the nature of authentic marriage because it cannot. Truth is not up for grabs. However, after Saturday night, the efforts through legislation and the courts to undermine authentic marriage by expanding its definition to enforce a “legal equivalency” for homosexual partnerships have now taken a quantum leap forward. The leading voice for this Cultural Revolution is now President Barack Obama. Anyone who dares to question whether such a legal equivalency serves the common good were called “divisive and deceptive.”
That, of course, includes Catholics who really believe what the Magisterium (teaching office) of the Catholic Church teaches. By insisting that marriage remain what it has always been, we now stand in a precarious place in this Nation we love. Among the clearest summaries of the teaching of our Church was that which was set forth by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XI) in the “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons” promulgated in 1986. Here are just a few of the clearly stated insights:
“The Church, obedient to the Lord who founded her and gave to her the sacramental life, celebrates the divine plan of the loving and life-giving union of men and women in the sacrament of marriage. It is only in the marital relationship that the use of the sexual faculty can be morally good. A person engaging in homosexual behavior therefore acts immorally.”
“To choose someone of the same sex for one's sexual activity is to annul the rich symbolism and meaning, not to mention the goals, of the Creator's sexual design. Homosexual activity is not a complementary union, able to transmit life; and so it thwarts the call to a life of that form of self-giving which the Gospel says is the essence of Christian living. This does not mean that homosexual persons are not often generous and giving of themselves; but when they engage in homosexual activity they confirm within themselves a disordered sexual inclination which is essentially self-indulgent”.
“As in every moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents one's own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God. The Church, in rejecting erroneous opinions regarding homosexuality, does not limit but rather defends personal freedom and dignity realistically and authentically understood.”
What is clear is that faithful Catholics cannot accept the undermining of authentic marriage. Homosexual sexual acts, even if engaged in with one ...
Lest anyone be confused concerning the meaning of his words here is another excerpt: “… I support ensuring that committed gay couples have the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country. I believe strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away and passing laws that extend equal rights to gay couples. I've required all agencies in the federal government to extend as many federal benefits as possible to LGBT families as the current law allows. And I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act. And we must all stand together against divisive and deceptive efforts to feed people's lingering fears for political and ideological gain.”
Tony Perkins, President of the “Family Research Council”, and a leading Evangelical Protestant voice, in an article entitled “Homosexual Activists Go GaGa for Obama”, described the implications of the speech in these words: “One thing was clear from Obama's speech -- his goal (like that of homosexual activists) is not simply equal legal rights. It is, rather, to overturn millennia of moral teaching that has acknowledged the harms of homosexual conduct and the unique benefits of marriage between a man and a woman. He dismissed those values as "outworn arguments and old attitudes," while decrying the grassroots campaigns to defend marriage as "divisive and deceptive efforts to feed people's lingering fears for political and ideological gain. In other words, if you hold to traditional values, the ultimate goal is simple -- to silence you. President Obama told HRC, "[D]o not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach." That's a warning the American people should heed.”
I write as a Catholic Christian to a mostly Catholic readership. Let’s be clear. The Catholic Church will not change its position on the nature of authentic marriage because it cannot. Truth is not up for grabs. However, after Saturday night, the efforts through legislation and the courts to undermine authentic marriage by expanding its definition to enforce a “legal equivalency” for homosexual partnerships have now taken a quantum leap forward. The leading voice for this Cultural Revolution is now President Barack Obama. Anyone who dares to question whether such a legal equivalency serves the common good were called “divisive and deceptive.”
That, of course, includes Catholics who really believe what the Magisterium (teaching office) of the Catholic Church teaches. By insisting that marriage remain what it has always been, we now stand in a precarious place in this Nation we love. Among the clearest summaries of the teaching of our Church was that which was set forth by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XI) in the “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons” promulgated in 1986. Here are just a few of the clearly stated insights:
“The Church, obedient to the Lord who founded her and gave to her the sacramental life, celebrates the divine plan of the loving and life-giving union of men and women in the sacrament of marriage. It is only in the marital relationship that the use of the sexual faculty can be morally good. A person engaging in homosexual behavior therefore acts immorally.”
“To choose someone of the same sex for one's sexual activity is to annul the rich symbolism and meaning, not to mention the goals, of the Creator's sexual design. Homosexual activity is not a complementary union, able to transmit life; and so it thwarts the call to a life of that form of self-giving which the Gospel says is the essence of Christian living. This does not mean that homosexual persons are not often generous and giving of themselves; but when they engage in homosexual activity they confirm within themselves a disordered sexual inclination which is essentially self-indulgent”.
“As in every moral disorder, homosexual activity prevents one's own fulfillment and happiness by acting contrary to the creative wisdom of God. The Church, in rejecting erroneous opinions regarding homosexuality, does not limit but rather defends personal freedom and dignity realistically and authentically understood.”
What is clear is that faithful Catholics cannot accept the undermining of authentic marriage. Homosexual sexual acts, even if engaged in with one ...
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The Lord works in mysterious ways. This time it's through our President.
obama, you have nothing to say about something you had no part in creating.
I for one am all for Obama and all of his descisions i think as catholics we do believe in the equality of all people and that includes homosexuals
Homosexuality is defined by sex. Sexual intercourse that is. Heterosexuality is defined by God.
What do you expect from some one set on promoting evil in all its forms.
When two men or two woman can conceive a child i then will agree with gay marrage
Given his stance on gay issues, Constitution "expert" Obama evidently doesn't know the Scriptures any more than he actually seems to know about the Constitution. First, given that the federal Constitution is silent about gay issues and marriage, the 10th A. automatically reserves government power to regulate these issues to the states, not the Oval Office and Congress. So misguided Obama is basing his promises to gays on nonexistent federal government powers. Also, "Christian" Obama evidently does not know the following about the Scriptures. Not only does 1 Corinthians 6:9 warn against being deceived about same-sex sexual relationships, but consider this. Romans 1:25-27 tells us that same-sex sexual relations are a consequence of idolatry. In other words, such relationships are a consequence of disobeying the 1ST COMMANDMENT, a major aspect of the GREATEST COMMANDMENT, to love God with all your being. Homosexuals need to keep in mind, however, that the good news of the gospel is not about how God despises homosexuality. In fact, 1 Corithians 6:9-11 indicates that certain members of that church had formerly been slaves to such relationships but had been cleansed in Jesus' name. In other words, these former homosexuals had evidently repented and accepted God's grace to straighten their lives out.
In the beginning, man and woman was intended for each other, why then are we confronted now with this so called same sex marriage?
To Equal Rights: I don't really think it was the Lord working through the president; I think it was the other guy. And although he lords it over many he is not the lord of Lords. We must be in the last days for we gather for ourselves teachers and preachers who will confirm and affirm us in our sins, who will tell us what we want to hear. No, that was not the Lord working mysteriously through the president, that was the evil one who continues his hatred towards God and His people. Sadly, he continues to deceive many. We are so gullible and we are led astray like sheep so easily. The Lord is still in our midst though calling us out of our slavery to sins. It is up to us to respond to the gracious gift that God offers us in the sacrifice of His son. There is still time and I would invite you to consider what the Lord has in store for you if you would repent and believe the good news. If today you hear His voice, harden not your heart. Prayerfully consider the gift that is being given to you; for your eternal sake don't reject it.
Obama is a great grace for the USA. As your next President will be elected for everything he is not.
As a catholic, I also believe in the equality of all people. It is about time all of you embrace all human beings and not condemn them because of their sexual preferences. Times are hard enough to also have to deal with the judging of people with such passe thoughts. There are a lot of gays who have given wonderful homes to a lot of abandoned children, abandoned by straight irresponsible couples. Wake up to reality, it's a new era and a lot of catholics like me are not in the least bothered by giving gays the right to marry or whatever other right they deserve. If you maintain this attitude, the catholic church will keep losing followers instead of gaining a lot of good people who are now being marginized by it.
do not TELL ME for one second that President Obama is not pursuing a DEMONIC agenda. The Church had better SHIFT GEARS immediately into full scale EXORCISTIC mode - fasting, repentence, and DELIVERANCE ministry.
Great article. This so called "Christian" Obama, is leading the United States citizens into a heap of moral wrongdoing. You see how many "Catholics" agree with him? His terrible work has already started.
Thank you to "A Catholic who disagrees" Finally the voice of compassion and tolerance instead of judgment and condemnation! Open your minds and hearts to those who are different.
I hope Catholic Online is unbiased enough to post my comment.
Michael, a catholic who disagrees, and equal rights. How is it compassionate to stand by and watch someone damn themselves to hell? The compassionate thing would be to rebuke them and try to help put them on the right path to save their souls. After all, eternal life is all that is important. Open your eyes...
One more example of the attempt to destroy the family. Unfortunately, too many people think mans' laws override Gods' laws.
Michael If you get the chance go over to the Courage Apostolate website. Peace.
God sets the Laws, not man. Let us just wait for judgement day when God will give His Righteous Verdict.
America, My God in His Holy name stop this Obama from making his own laws for us to obey. WE are not obliged to hear this remark on the sacredness of marriage and sit back and do nothing. Wake up America. Get going "now " and stop Satan from trying to destroy our marriages given by God in the words of Holy scripture. What God has joined to gether let no man put asunder. Listen and heed God's word on the sacredness of marriage between a man and a woman. Please, stand up and be counted America.
Well said Deacon. My thoughts exactly. Unfortunately, many are being deceived by this folly being served on the silver platter of political correctness.
Even I think Obama went too far this time.
Floss & Others' Our duly elected president cannot "make laws" that is Congress's job. President Obama is merely upholding the Constitution. He has proposed a practical way to reduce abortions - birth control.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ in the United States. Have confidence that your Bishops are going to release a pastoral letter which affirms the eternal teaching of the Church on marriage. Your confidence should flow from the fact that the Catholic Church is not bending to secular opinion at this time. It is first and foremost within the community of the Catholic Church that the fullness of life is reached in Christ. The pastoral letter from the US Bishops on marriage is a symbol of health in the Church and something to rejoice. Marriage is a fundamental human institution and the secular rejection of this teaching is an attempt to redefine human nature. It is probably the worst path our societies could go down. However, all is not lost unless the Catholic Church is forced to accept this distorted understanding of marriage within her own walls. Read the pastoral letter from your Bishops and try to communicate their understanding of the wonderful, essential and life giving nature of marriage between a man and a woman, firstly to people open to the message through faith and then to people within your wider circles of contact in society. We are facing similar attacks on marriage in Australia at this time but by a small political party, not the leader of our nation. This is a clarion call that we have been silent for too long. I am praying for you, my brothers and sisters in the United States. Yours in Christ Andrew
i think its time to put all the differences aside. i am a catholic who believes that everyone is born equal under god. i think that if god, loves everyone this should not be any different. gay people live in fear all the time, with gay bashers and some irresponsible straight couples disown them or throw them out just because they don't like it. no one should have to live in fear for the rest of their life. its unjust. god is great god is pure. so is love. god loves everyone including homosexuals. and everyone is the same. we are all people sons and daughters of god.
Gay people should support marriage between a man and a woman. They will not be here if not for their father and mother. Same-Sex union is for the benefit of excluding the possibility of a child.. It is somewhat selfish or dysfunctional. I agree. We have to respect them as persons. We do not have to agree with their sexual acts. It is even unfortunate if they use artificial means to have a child. This is even more disordered.
May GOD Be Praised By All, Everywhere, At All Times! Dear 'everyone is equal', I would like to point out that GOD also loves Sinners, which includes Murderers, Rapists, Thieves, etc, but does that mean that GOD approves of their actions / behavior? Or at least that we should accept these people and let them continue their disordered lifestyle? Have a thought of what you've mentioned. GOD's Love for all is not an excuse for disordered sinful lifestyles, that lead to Hell. GOD's Love is so abundant that HE's forgiving and giving an opportunity to the Sinner to change their sinful path and each time that we affirm the sinful path / disordered lifestyle; we're ineffect being a very bad neighbour, as we're countering GOD's Call to repentance and change and infact asking the Sinners not to change and to continue in their sinful state (which could lead them to ultimate and final death - eternity in Hell). May we repent of ever having been part of such a thing and align our Lives in GOD's Path, a Path laid out by the Catholic Church. GOD Bless!
You cease to be faithfully Catholic if you agree with Obama on many things! Know your faith. Read the bible and your catechism. Leviticus 18:22,29;20:13. 1Corinthians 6:9-10. CCC 2358-2359. If all those claiming to be Catholic voted according to the faith, Obama would still be a junior senator voting 'present'.
Whenever I read Rome speak about Natural Law I can't help thinking about Copernicus and Galileo.
Everyone is equal What does living in fear have to do with marriage? No one here advocates (i hope) beating, killing, harrassing, or bashing of gay's. It is with LOVE that as catholics we should try to help others attain heaven.
"Whenever I read Rome speak about Natural Law I can't help thinking about Copernicus and Galileo." They both happened to be wrong. Riemann, a lover of the Psalms, found that every point in the universe is especial (space-time continuum, non-Euclidean Geometry - created Tensor mathematics to describe it that Einstein took a decade to master) and Einstein finally proved it with his energy/momentum metric of space-time curvature. Galileo's relativity is wrong as well - by the same reality. We were commanded by St. Peter to remember first "that a day unto the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day." - and that was from the Psalm of Moses. The Barycenter is the natural point of observation with the least space-time distortion, and in that system, the planets revolve around the CM - or around the preferred observer. To hold in space at any point and observe a rotational system from above for instance, requires energy for station keeping that reflects the space-time metric - and is hence an artificial point of view. The energy expended is as much a part of the observation of the reality seen as the motion of planets. Its complicated - yet very simple - the natural observation is preferable - which is why Moses gave us Psalm 90, and St. Peter the command what to remember first and that all space-time is relative to the absolute of light. But men prefer the darkness to the light because their deeds are dark....
Well Andy Im not here to argue but hopefully to give an intelligent answer with humility and wisdom if I can. The Catholic Church has already apologized and admitted it was wrong. Basically Pope Benedict is asking for Faith and Reason which is not at all unreasonable. Throwing Copernicus and Galileo is getting to be a broken record from the 'WORLDLY' view. If no longer applies at all anymore because the Church is enlightened the world just doesnt think so. Yes she has made unelightened comments in the past. We do have priests who are Physic Majors and also we do have a Vatican Observatory in Astronomics. We have come up to snuff on education. So in a good natured manner I think its time the world got some knew material regarding what the Catholic Church believes and doesnt believe. I believe Satan exists and Im sure someday with mathematics and science were going to prove he exists in material way. So this being said I think you had better cut us a little slack that maybe Mother Church has a little more Wisdom than the world give her credit for. I mean this sincerely and not as an attack but hopefully as good, sound information IF ANYONE GETS THE CHANCE AND WANTS TO BE ENLIGHTENED REGARDING OUR SAME SEX BROTHERS AND SISTERS GO OVER TO THE COURAGE APOSTOLATE. BY THE WAY OUR POPE IS AN EDUCATED SCHOLAR. I AM GOING TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HE SAYS. IT WOULDNT HURT IF THE WORLD THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT HE MAY HAVE TO SAY FOR ITS OWN GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO PEACE AND SOME OF OUR WORLDLY PROBLEMS. PEACE BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
Andy Holland, the point I think was that Galileo and Copernicus were right about the Earth revolving around the sun, not the sun revolving around the earth. I could be mistaken and I certainly don't know as much as you do about physics, but I thought that was the main thing Galileo was persecuted for. Everyone is equal, you're right, God does love everyone, including homosexuals. And having a homosexual orientation doesn't mean that a person is a sinner. But God doesn't love homosexual acts because they go against what He meant sex to be for, just like he doesn't like fornication or adultery. Am I right?
The definition of a "family?" When asked what would be his first action to save his country, a Chinese emperor answered: “I will restore the meaning of words.”
This proclamation has nothing to do with civil rights.The Gays already have them. This administration is determined to destroy Marriage between a Man and a Woman. This nation was built on the solid Judeo and Christian Principles and Morality, not a Happy go lucky Obama administration.!!
The whole everyone is equal is total bs. Once you start going down the road of sin you drift farther and father away from God. Homosexuality is a Sin period, so it is best to repent and seek the road of salvation.
I personally believe God loves everyone, including homosexuals, no matter how badly they sin.
You who suggest that a gay person can change, are you also suggesting that you decided to be straight, and are also capable of changing your sexual orientation? Would you also suggest for all of the gay people out there to live entire lives apart from love? Christ said in the Bible that it is better to marry, than burn. And to Jean, I know men who have committed the sin of suicide because they were driven to it by groups like this, and by people who refuse to treat gays with love.
The United States government is supposed to be impartial towards matters of faith. The generic dictionary definition of 'family' is a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. I'm pretty sure that doesn't have anything to do with sex. Bigots.
Again it it clear that Pres.Obama is capable of preaching their message to whatever choir he is standing in front of. Q: So is this the version of the Bible that Rev. Wright was preaching?
Hey Anon - you just said that a family is a group consisting of parents and children living together ... then you say it doesn't have anything to do with sex. Where did you grow up? Last time I checked the way you got kids was to have sex. Hello?
Richard, your friends who committed suicide did so because they were "disordered." No one in the Church says were are not to love our homosexual neighbors - on the contrary, we are to embrace them. It is the sin we hate. Again, try looking into the group Jean is always advocating but obviously none of you have looked into it - Courage. The Catholic Church does a remarkable job in outreach. If you want to look for it that is. It seems most people here just want to vent and not learn.
Heard of adoption, Liz? It's what plenty of straight couples also utilize. Or are families that adopt not real families either?
Anon I think you had better go over to the Courage Apostolate before you overeact. Thanks
Hey Richard, you still need a male and female to procreate. God did not create Adam & Steve. And if you did any kind of research you would find out that Mothers and Fathers (male and female) interact quite differently with children. Please listen to Jean and check out Courage.
I am impressed with this article and how well it is written. I have written for several national Catholic magazines (US Catholic, St. Anthony Messenger, Catholic Digest, etc.) But I must tell you I was terminated from a Catholic School in Bel Air California, for teaching what was shared in this essay and for speaking up in support of marriage as taught by Catholic doctrine---that we should love homosexuals, but that marriage by homosexuals and homosexual acts are disordered. This is because there were a number of homosexuals on the faculty at this school. In fact, when I was hired at this school I was the only straight person in the theology department out of four people. Two ex-seminarians. One ex-nun -- all gay. When I later requested to not have a performance evaluation by the ranking dean of the school who is lesbian, living with another woman (and knew I supported Church doctrine on this issue) the principal called me in within 24 hours and said my contract will not be renewed. The principal who had an EED (and called herself a psychologist) obviously sided with the APA rather than the Magisterium when it came to the issue of homosexuality being disordered. This all happened 3 years ago. Just before Holy Week. I had a wife at home with a one year old son and a daughter...I was the only married person in the theology department at this "Catholic School" in Bel Air. We filed a law suit (with donated funds from a Christian Group because no Catholic would help us)and it was a suit on the grounds of religious freedom and sexual discrimination as a heterosexual! It was filed last year in LA Superior Court. The school's Catholic attorneys demurred the suit saying on religious grounds it was not for the secular courts. So I called Cardinal Levada in Rome and told him I had spoken up about this issue because I taught young students and I felt culpable if I didn't speak up and I also come from the entertainment industry and know many young people have been indoctrinated. And there's a lot of fear in LA because major players in the media are gay, and people are afraid of losing their jobs, and parents at this school worked in the industry, etc. I told the Cardinal my culpability now rests with him. He told me to speak to LA's Cardinal Roger Mahony. It was his responsibility. Who said it was the Superendent's responsibility...who said the legal counsel of the LA Diocese should look at it... which she probably did. My family has suffered terribly. Especially my wife and even my daughter has been made fun of at her Catholic school for supporting Prop 8 (California's amendment that is currently under attack after 53% of the voters approved it). That's what's really troubling. When your kids are also persecuted or excluded because of their good values. I had to cash in my retirement to cover our expenses to live on. I am currently looking for work. We may relocate to India because my wife is Catholic from India and explains this would never happen to a Catholic in India. She grew up with Muslims, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and a few Jews in Bombay. She tells me she loves Jesus but she doesn't blame Muslims for staying Muslim, nor Buddhists staying Buddhist. Especially if this is how Catholics treat Catholics. It's nothing new. Historically we often persecute our saints and later canonize them (though I don't claim to be any saint). Reminds me of the Sanhedrin.
Thank you Greg for giving us your story. Perhaps there most be a bit more? I can not believe the Church would do this all in favor of people in this situation. Nor can I believe there are so many people involved with-in this small community in power and influence. IN FACT, the story as told lacks honesty.
Liz, I agree with Jack. And someone can be driven to suicide without being disordered in the first place, if there's enough hate and not enough love. Or do you mean that those poor souls Richard mentioned are "disordered" because they were homosexuals? As I understand it the Church teaches that homosexual ACTS are disordered, not homosexual PERSONS necessarily.
Bulbajer: someone who commits suicide is psychologically disordered. You are splitting hairs. Someone who commits homosexual acts is disordered; someone who commits murder is disordered; someone who abuses children is disordered. Please understand we are to love these people as God so ordered - we just don't love what they do. And, when they do it, they are "disordered." This is aberrant behavior - out of the norm. Psych 101.
We are as God made us. And in America you have the right to choose a religion of your own. While the rest of the world doesn't agree, we continue our way of life, be it as a heterosexual or homosexual. Either way we will never be at peace. Wars still breakout over religion, race, and political power. I think that's why we need to turn to God and love Him and each other for who we are as he made us.
Correct, homosexual relations are seen as disordered by the Church (CCC#2357-2359). As St. Augustine said: "Love the sinner, hate the sin"
All people in the world has the right to believe and have faith in their way of living and what they are. If the catholic church will stand their grounds on marriage, I respect it but we also should respect the opinion of equality from Pres. Obama's perspective. If you will look at it deeper, he wanted a simple way of treating eveyone fairly and equal which I believe would foster more respect to people, no matter what their preferences are. But that doesn't mean he is not supportive of the real meaning of the word marriage. Homosexualiaty is always a choice, and being that they know what they also deserve and they are entitled to live as normal people do. Bottomline, we as Catholics may not agree completely on this, but we should also respect these people and their opinions. It will pay off better if we invest our effort in other more pressing issues that catholics can be of help with.
Liz, forgive me; I thought you meant that the people who Richard mentioned committed suicide because they were mentally retarded. I think that tehy cmmitted suicide because they were driven over the edge by the hate and lack of love of some neighbors (and we are all neighbors called to love). But you ddn't mean that, my bad.
"they are entitled to live as normal people do"?? But I am sure what they want is much more than "normal". Everyone has the right to commit sins. But sins cannot be supported by law!
All I can do is pray the Rosary! I pray that God's Law's be Re-Established in this country we call the U.S.A.! God have mercy on us! God save your people! Peace!
The sooner people realise that deviating from nature is wrong, the sooner we can save the human race. Just because 10% of the population have homosexual tendencies does not mean we should tolerate this kind of thing - it is usually the case that minorities are wrong because the majority recognise what is right. Humans are made in the image of God, and God is definitely straight.
Of all God's Creations, it is now the humans that are neglecting the Creator's beautiful designs and plans. I wonder if the Scientists ever found any species that mated with the same sex? Barrack Obama is leveling the Most beautiful Creation of God the Humans into nothingness. Even animals respect the gender aspect in their kingdom.
I am a Christian. I base my opposition to homosexuality on the Bible. Specifically, Leviticus 18:22 (Old Testament), Romans 1:47 (New Testament). I will not go against God and sanction unholy unions of any kind.
Political objectives, I think, are often the reasons for leaders to go against what God has devised as natural. It is extremely sad to see the institution of families and marriage be broken down like this.
We pray that God will help us to overcome these crime. We need to do the will of God. Please. Brethren let us read the book of leviticus 18 & 19
America needs prayer..
During the campaign, this president promised to protect the marriage between a man and a woman. He is saying exactly the opposite now. America, we have been lied to by this immoral president. It's lie upon lie that he is propagating since he took office. He has disgraced the presidency. It's time for this man to be impeached.
"During the campaign, this president promised to protect the marriage between a man and a woman. He is saying exactly the opposite now. America, we have been lied to by this immoral president." This is not the only lie. He lied about 'no earmarks', he lied about transparency in make legislation, he promised a tax cut for 95% and has already passed and proposes multiple bills that will raise taxes and burdens on all Americans (health insurance mandate, cap-and-trade). Obama lied in september about the healthcare bills not covering abortion (they do). The list goes on. This lie about marriage was and is clear - in the last campaign, they made false comments about how their positions was no different from their opponents. It was a clear attempt to get around public opposition. Yet to gay-lesbian activists they had signalled otherwise. The Obama DOJ is radical-left on a number of fronts, and homosexual 'marriage' is just one of those fronts.
"The Lord works in mysterious ways. This time it's through our President. " Satan works in devious ways. Lying, shredding promises made before the election, acting to undermine a fundamental institution like marriage ... whose work is it?
"As a catholic, I also believe in the equality of all people. " Then you are not a catholic at all. You are a moral-relativist. mandated Equality in economic terms is communism -that theory destroys the economy. mandated non distinction ('Equality') in moral terms is moral relativism - that theory destroys the moral fabric of the society. The Leftists in America gave up on Communism some decades ago - game over in 1989. Since the 1960s they have pursued another tack - cultural marxism. They can't destroy America economically, but they can destroy its moral foundations. The consequence of this so-called 'equality' is a fundamental attack on ANY MORAL STANDARDS, since such moral standards by definition create distinctions. Any argument put forth on behalf of gay marriage is equally valid for polygamy, or *any* 'consenting relationship'. If the point of such relations is mer self-satisfaction, then the moral basis of societal recognition is destroyed ... and the institution itself is destroyed. Ergo, the sentiment that demands 'equality' is the sentiment that destroys marriage and the foundations of our civil order. We should consider moral egalitarianism as much of a danger as communism, perhaps more so.
PJ, moral relativism is indeed danerous, but does tht mean that all egalitarianism is bad? I think that the Catholic Church has a duty to protect the poor and weak, o are currentl andhave always been in society neglected and not treated as equal. It even says in our Declaration of Indpendence that all men (later rightly expanded to mean all people) are created equal.
Obama obviously will do anything to win the votes - first he sanctioned abortions. Now it's same sex marriages. Has he no moral compass?
One man's statement cannot make the Holy Roman Catholic Church change its stand on same sex marriage. It's evil, it's sinful before God and I think before man.Remember the story of the Soddom and Gommorah people.
Can somebody please tell how in the world being attracted to the opposite sex is evil or immoral even the tiniest bit?
What a shame for Obama as President of the US to consider such law, even male dogs cannot have sex with another male dog. Only humans consider such idea. While the bible said we have been created in the image God.
Can someone out there tell this guy that he is not the world's or people's spokesperson. He must keep his opinions to himself. These are things that keep the church Holy. Respect God's will. Even in computers they talk about male and female connections, never male to male or female to female, no connection there...
*sigh* Jesus taught me to love my neighbor, and my enemy. And I shall do my best to do so. If homosexuality is wrong, then God can decide in heaven. It is NOT our place to judge, didn't Christ say that himself? Let the laws of man be equal and fare, if the Lord disapproves He will work it out on his own. But I refuse to hate my neighbor simply because he has feelings I don't understand. To do so disgusts me far more than his preferences. Are we all not made by God, in his image?
From a Christian point of view suporting abortion and same sex marriage is an evil act. It's a shame and unthinkable that the President of the most powerful nation on earth supports this evil act.
Supporting abortion and same sex union is an evil act. It's really a pity and regretable that the President of the most powerful nation on earth is fully supportive of this evil practice. The evil one is really penetrating the American people. Let's us all pray for the American Christians and the American people that they be spiritually strong. God bless America
brendan, there is nothing immoral or evil about being homosexual. The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual ACTS are evil because they deny what sex is meant for. Of course, love is always important, and homosexuals are perfectly capable of love. But creating life is just as important.
The acts of homosexuality, and probably the belief of the individual that homosexuality is acceptable, clearly are not within the Word of God. Leviticus is as unequivocal on the matter as it is bestiality - and indeed other forms of sexual immorality. Jesus said that not a single jot of the Law of Moses was not abolished by his coming - and lest we be unsure, he explicitly stated that any of us who causes one of the innocents to sin it would be better that person had never lived at all. Ergo, promoting homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle before God actively promotes that the innocents should enter into sin, and patently violates a very unequivocal pronouncement by Christ. Sure, love the person of the sinner but hate their sin - and remember that Paul told us to expel the immoral and/or unrepentant brother, to not tolerate unrepentant sin in the Church. So never forget that forgiveness comes from repentance, not from promulgating sin and preaching it to the innocents.
'richard" I believe Greg Heffernen story of 10/15/2009. When i went back to school last year for computer training I found surprisingly that the professors where completely engaging in indoctrinating us into their liberal political bias. They taught that homosexuality was healthy and perfectly fine and that you were wrong if you thought other wise. It not surprising that homosexuality has been removed from the DSM (Diagnostic Statistical Manuel of Psychiatric Disorders)as a disordered precisely the professionals removing as such are themselves disorder, they are homosexuals. That fact only should make the reevaluation of this disorder illegitimate. I have learned from the Micheal Moore films that the things that permeate our society do themselves come from the top and from leaderships. Anti-intellectualism is no exception, anti-intellectualism comes from intellectuals and these institutes of higher learning, where pride is the norm and humility and suffering are seen as disordered. That is why Christ said that no one can come to the Father except me. Christ who lives in the highest exultation took humblest road. However in this intellectual circles and ironically no one listens to reason when they want what they want. Reason, itself only becomes a tool to attempt to justify their psychological and emotional appetites. That men and women are biologically complimentary and therefore are at no doubt to be the psychological norm does not persuade these people to accept homosexuality as abnormal, even in title, which is actually insane. The debates that manifest themselves are insane, we now have gotten into this practice where the most obvious theorems have become debatable, that water is 'wet' for instance becomes a debatable subject. When we acknowledge to these homosexual groups and their supporters that we never agreed on this re-designation of homosexuality as being psychologically normal, we are ourselves castigated as psychologically disordered. We are 'homophobes' and bigots. I can not even justify this new disorder of homophobia. I cannot believe that is a legitimate psychiatric disorder and even if it is we do not all share that disorder because we do not believe that homosexuality is psychologically healthy. On the contrary homosexuals have become a political force and we have a right to disagree with their position and their ambitions for our lives in this country. Is it not a fact that medical community here in America is in a catastrophic state both in terms of American access to health care and in terms of the philosophical approach to the health care that is presently being provided? Abortions, euthanasia, cancer treatment with neither cure or compassion for the chemotherapy patient and of cousre the state of psychiatry in America. The American health care system has been as staunchly defended by many Americans as 'the best in the world' similarly to the American military to the point where it has not gone under series evaluation on philosophical basis for years. I do not say it in any way to slander our military but from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan not mention Vietnam we have witnessed the limitations of our armed forces and perhaps the fault lies in how the military is being used. However, it is not this infallible ghostly power which can cure and shape the world in any fashion it sees fit and neither is the medical community here in America, it can be infected and it can it can go bad and can have errors. I think that homosexuals are de-facto a subversive community who want to harm society which is why they try to make all these social destabilizing changes and currently they are rooted in our Institutes of higher learning our medical communities and even in the Church.
David, the term "homophobia" is frequently misused, but it does exist. Examples are the Ku Klux Klan, the Westboro Baptist Church, and some more radical paleoconservatives. These people hate/fear homosexuals simply because they are different. To them (although they'll never admit it) anything that's different is immoral.
Dont forget to go over to the Courage Apostolate brothers and sisters. Thanks God Bless.
The name Marriage is not unlike the name Champagne; however Champagne is legally protected in the Treaty of Madrid (1891) and in the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. Legal protection now worldwide with recent protection in Canada, Australia and Chile protecting the term "champagne" for products of the Champagne region. The U.S. acknowledges this and bans the use of such terms for U.S. wines as of 2006. Pity the DOMA protection is gone (it would never happen to Champagne).
How is gay marriage equivalent to heterosexual marriage?
I remember Obama debating Sen McCain and he told the world that marriage was with one man and one woman.
the Nation may call it Legal right, to my worry it may not be legal to God!Who is the hero on Earth and in the Heavens?That is whose advice do we take and follow! remember we shall take nothing with us when we leave this Earth but where we shall go, we shall find self answered statements not even qestions. Shall we answer them correctly hence corresponding to our healthy relationship! and what do YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL CALL HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP?!!!...
Mr. Obama has a very clear agenda, and this agenda is not favorable to Catholics, Christians and families. I hope everyone is taking notice, we as a country are in very deep trouble.
"Judge not least ye be Judged"
It also says in the bible to rebuke your brother or sister when they are erring or in error as well.
Where did the Great Theologian Obama got his ideas and beliefs from? Does he know that in holding homosexual "marriage" equal to his union in marriage with his wife, is degrading his marriage? Let the gays call it marriage and all believers in One Man One Woman union call it a Sacred Union,to which the gays have No right!!
This will destroy the country
President Obama said “I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act.” I am not sure I understand what he is doing. Is the President saying marriage (between one man and one woman) is NOT that important even though this marriage sustains civilization? Civilization is maintained because children are born. Is he also saying that American society is obliged to extend benefit to homosexuals because they are NOT capable of having children. America will disappear without children!! Civilization that support traditional marriage will survive. Can gay union equal to heterosexual marriage? It can never be equal!! Gays will not have children while heterosexual do. That's a big difference. May God bless America.
obama is a disgrace to his country...watch & see the effects of his programs which are all anti-christianity...americans are divided...is this what washington, jefferson, roosevelt etc fought or stood for - "You will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman"???