From: kasab@luther.che.wisc.edu (Haig Kasab) 
Subject: Re:      Re: Homosexuality
Organization: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Date: 8 Nov 92 21:13:16 CST
Originator: kasab@luther.che.wisc.edu

In article <...> Eric James Ewanco <ewanco@MLO.DEC.COM> writes:
>Excerpts from catholic: 5-Nov-92 Martin Barry@UTS.MCC.AC. (886)
>> In article <...> zaft@CARITAS.COTDAZR.ORG ((Gordon C. Zaft)) writes:
>> >	Well, homosexual acts hurt the person involved by putting him
>> >in the state of mortal sin, thereby alienating him from God and making
>> >his soul spiritually dead.  As for society, society is hurt by mortal
>> >sins of this kind because it encourages and leads others into mortal
>> >sin (and potentially their condemnation).
>
>> No, that won't do. It's an entirely circular argument: "why are
>> homosexual acts sinful? Because they hurt the person. How do they hurt
>> the person? By leading them into sin."
>
>What Gorden I think neglected to mention is that homosexuality leads one
>into _further_ sin.  Take Jeffrey Dahmer.  A man who struggled with
>homosexual inclinations, though he probably felt guilt for them.
>Nevertheless he indulged in them.  It is very possible that it was by
>this indulgence that he because more and more depraved, so that he
>desired to kill and eat his victims.  One seemingly minor sin led him
>into other sins, which eventually caused his downfall.

Eric, your argument is wrongheaded.  Jeffery Dahmer is an abberation of the
human personality.  Jeffery Dahmer is a VERY SICK MAN.  Jeffery Dahmer may
also have been homosexual, but the reason he killed and ate people was
because he was a SOCIOPATH, not a homosexual.  [note: a sociopath is a very
disturbed person who does not recognize the validity of the rules of
society, and sees other people as objects to use.]

I am very angry with you for even insinuating that your "average"
homosexual is like Jeffery Dahmer.  *Very* angry.  (Note: I live in
Wisconsin, and I have been following the case.)  Dahmer did not regret
what he has done, Dahmer does not regret what he has done, Dahmer will
not regret what he has done.  I do not consider myself a vindictive
person, but Jeffery Dahmer should _never_ be let out of prison, unless
he's going straight to the morgue.

>I am not saying that homosexuality will necessarily lead you into
>cannibalism or the depravity of Jeffrey Dahmer.  

So then, what *are* you saying, Eric?  Why did you feel it was necessary to
send this all over the world on the Bitnet?

>Case studies show the psychological, emotional, and spiritual damage
>suffered by homosexuals who indulge their inclinations.  [...]
>I believe that homosexuals can only find peace by rejecting the
>homosexual lifestyle (i.e. homosexual sex) and living either celibately
>or in a marital relationship with a member of the opposite sex, if that
>is possible.  (For some, it is; others are revolted by the thought.)

Eric, it sounds to me as if you are quoting the early versions of the DSM,
in which homosexuality is listed as a clinical psychological disorder.  The
current DSM-IIIR does _not_ make any such mention.  My personal experience
with homosexual acquaintances leads me to believe that, in general,
homosexuals are no more or less happy or sad then their heterosexual
counterparts.  If anything, they are hurting because our society does not
nurture and accept homosexuals for the people that they are, and instead
look at the labels that are involved.

This is not a loving, Christian attitude, Eric, is it?

-- 
  Haig Kasab                             Arpanet: kasab@cae.wisc.edu
"Even the Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose"  
        _The Merchant of Venice_ I,iii,99
      The NSF and UW--Madison don't speak for me, nor I for them.
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic