From: ewanco@MLO.DEC.COM (Eric James Ewanco)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic
Subject: Re: Homosexuality
Date: 11 Nov 92 14:39:19 GMT
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Excerpts from catholic: 8-Nov-92 Re: Homosexuality Haig
Kasab@LUTHER.CHE.WI (3561)

> 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:
> >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 that I _explicitly denied_ that I was making a generalization about
homosexuals.  I am certainly _not_ saying that your "average" homosexual
is like Jeffrey Dahmer, but I am simply pointing out that often one sin
seemingly minor sin leads to other more serious ones.  Dahmer's
homosexuality certainly was not the reason he did what he did.  Yet, I
think that in Dahmer's case, it is very possible that his homosexual
indulgences inflamed latent depravity in him and exacerbated his
sociopathic tendencies.

> >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?

I am saying that in Dahmer's case, I believe that homosexual behavior
was partially responsible for inciting his sociopathic behavior.

Therefore homosexual behavior has dangerous consequences.

> >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.

No, I am basing this on personal experience and the teaching, including
the recent letter from Rome, of the church on homosexuality.

> The current DSM-IIIR does _not_ make any such mention.

The DSM is not infallible.  The Catholic Church is.

> 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?

This is based on personal experience and contact with homosexuals.
Believe it or not, not all homosexuals believe that homosexuality is
natural and to be encouraged.  Some homosexuals actually agree with me
here.  Some homosexuals have given these matters a great deal of thought
> and do not agree with the more liberal, activist homosexuals.

Eric
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.catholic