I Don't Get It

[wlotus]

The new archbishop of New York says he will oppose Governor Patterson's same-sex marriage bill. I understand and respect the fact that the Roman Catholic church does not support same-sex relationships. I am not asking them to change their stance. Neither does the marriage bill. The Roman Catholic church would not be forced to perform same-sex marriages. All the bill means is that the state would give same-sex couples marriage licenses and would consider such couples married in the eyes of the law, with all of the legal protections offered any other married couple. It wouldn't affect the Roman Catholic church in any way. So why the opposition?

It's interesting that while those of us who support same-sex marriage are quite happy to allow those who oppose it to peacefully live out their private lives according to their convictions--live and let live--those who oppose it intend for the rest of the world to live under the weight of laws that support their opposition. That doesn't seem at all "righteous" to me.

Comments

[acoustics1220.livejournal.com]

You know, for me, this is a hard topic to really be decisive on. For one, I believe all human beings deserve equality and respect and natural rights. On the other hand, I think I know why the Catholic church makes a statement against this: if same sex marriage is given leeway, to make it an 'acceptable lifestyle', than that's condoning it, and vaguely, from what I can remember from 'the book,' is that homosexuality should not be condoned.

But even I have issues with this, because I'm such a pro-human rights person. I believe that all human beings should be given equal protection, I believe homosexuals should be allowed the rights that a wife and husband receive. But I guess I could say I 'see' why the Catholic church stands against it. Heck, my church stands against it too, because giving rights to homosexual couples condones it. Condoning it further propagates that homosexuality is 'normal' or 'natural' or completely fine.

I can't judge though. I really can't. I just wish that they weren't persecuted. I wish things were different.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I guess they feel they owe it to God to speak out against what they believe is wrong. I would be more understanding, if they took the stance that said, "The government can give the rights if they wish; we are just glad we are not obligated to marry same-sex couples, as that is against our beliefs." Those words would send a "live and let live" message while the current messages of "abnormality/abomination/sin" do not.

[astragali.livejournal.com]

Actually, there are those who argue that the New Covenant includes the prohibitions against same-sex relationships; the prohibition is part of the Mosaic covenant, like keeping kosher.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I have heard the same thing. I have also heard that the one NT scripture used to justify prohibitions against same-sex relationships was talking about something entirely different than loving, committed couples, based on the language used in the original writings. The best I can say, though, is that it never made sense to me why a supposedly just, loving God would tell people who are same-sex loving to either remain celibate or suppress their natural inclinations and enter into opposite-sex relationships. That seems neither just, nor loving. I struggled with the idea until I came to the conclusion that a just, loving God would not be so callous.

[astragali.livejournal.com]

When I went to confirmation class in the Episcopal church, we were told that the New Testament reference was about the tendency of men at the time to have a wife and family, while also having a male lover. The verse was meant to instruct men that their wives and families should not suffer because the man was using family resources for his male partner.

It makes sense to me, at least.

[acoustics1220.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to say - I don't understand. New Covenant? As in, after the Mosaic covenant, right? I'm so, so very rusty with scripture. It's sad.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

You've got it right, don't worry. :-)

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

I'm equally annoyed by this as well. If it doesn't interfere with you, then why does it freakin' matter?!

With Prop 8 here in CA, the churches were convinced that the government would force it to acknowledge same-sex marriages and perform them, which as I understand it wasn't the case.

Separation of church and state, people. *sigh*

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

It chaps my puss that is perfectly okay for them to force their conservative convictions on everyone else, but it is not okay for everyone else to live according to their progressive convictions while leaving them free to live according to their conservative ones. In the Bible, Jesus didn't force his beliefs on the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, when his disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume a town that did not welcome Jesus, Jesus rebuked them for it.

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

*presses fingers together* Very interesting...

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

Because the Catholic Church still believes that it should rule the world, of course.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I forgot about that.