Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic Church - 2078 Words

Equivalent Love, Acceptance and Justice Today the topic of homosexuality is often a controversial one around the world, but one that arises frequently none the less. It is becoming more and more socially acceptable for people all over the world to be open about their sexual orientations towards people of the same sex. It is now very clear and apparent that homosexuals worldwide come from all walks of life and take on nearly every single occupation and career. Many homosexuals have even come to make life long commitments to a single partner and raise families. However, homosexuals are repeatedly refused equal rights as heterosexuals, and are often discriminated against because of their sexual preferences. As an America, same sex marriage is†¦show more content†¦Because two men or two women are physically incapable of procreation, homosexuals cannot enter into marriage according to the Catholic Church. Therefore, because no sexual act is to be performed outside of marriage, no homosexual acts can be accepted, or eve n go uncondemned according to the church. Thus, despite the facts that homosexual orientations are not sinful according to church doctrine, homosexual acts are. The church considers homosexual acts sinful and immoral, and the church considers the free decision to engage in such acts intrinsically evil. Homosexual acts are condemned for the same reason the church opposes contraception, abortion, cloning, stem cell research and the death penalty. All the above-mentioned things are in strong opposition with the church’s belief in natural law - as set forth by the great philosopher Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas stated that God orders, directs and governs the entire universe and all the ways of the human community (Yip, 1997). Naturally, the church believes that man and women were made by God to engage in sexual activities not simply to bring pleasure to them, but for the pleasure of bringing new life into the world. The church believes homosexual acts to be inhumane, and animal like be cause such acts are performed simply to bring pleasure to individuals. The Vatican sees no distinction between homosexual sexual acts and such things as bestiality and masturbation, which it alsoShow MoreRelatedEssay about Gender Issues in Religion1633 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Christian religion, the Roman Catholic tradition can be seen to take the most extreme position where sexism is concerned. Catholicism, being the first known branch of Christianity, began the first Christian teachings that did not originate from the Bible. 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However, it is important to consider why people still view Pope Francis as an open-minded PopeRead MoreThe Relationship Between Religious Institutions And Society1456 Words   |  6 Pagessense of resolution within the Catholic Church about homosexuality has also reopened the original debate on the propriety of a coexisting homosexual Christian. This has been a concern in not only the Catholic Church, but sub-religions within the entire Christian community. It is interesting to comprehend the relationship between religious organizations and society—mainly how one influences the other in doctrines, values, and beliefs, specifically in regards to homosexuality. Regarding the relationship