Organization: Argus Consulting, Tucson, AZ
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Date:         Thu, 5 Nov 1992 10:52:44 -0700
From:         "(Gordon C. Zaft)" <zaft@CARITAS.COTDAZR.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Homosexuality

On Nov 4, 11:50am, WERLING wrote:
} Subject: Re: Homosexuality
} On Mon, 2 Nov 1992, (Gordon C. Zaft) wrote:
}
} > 	The correct term is 'homosexual'.  The Politically Correct term
} > is the euphemism 'gay'.
}
} Please do not get insulting.  Homosexual is the scientific word that
} refers specifically to sexual behavior.  Gay is the word that refers to
} something more complex, something rooted in what it means to be homosexual
} in an anti-homosexual society.

	While I mean no insult, I will continue to use the term I
feel is correct.
}
} > 	I agree that most of 'you' did not choose to be the way you are.
} > No one is telling you to 'not be the way you are' (at least, I'm not).
} > We (or I) *am* telling you to refrain from sex outside of marriage
} > (Church-sanctioned marriage).  That is what I as a single male am called
} > to, and it's what you are called to as well.
}
} It is extremely easy for you to say this, however, if your attractions are
} towards a member of the opposite sex.  Luckily, some churches are giving
} sanctioned gay marriages, yes?

	What the heck makes you think it's easy?  I have a girlfriend.
I'd *like* to jump her bones (so to speak).  She'd like it.  We don't,
though, because we know it's wrong.  Furthermore, I know several older
men who have pretty much given up on ever getting married (I think Marty
mentioned himself as one).  That's by no means easy.  It is honest.
}
} Why does God care with whom you have sex, so long as it's consensual?

	As usual, our authority is sacred Scripture and sacred Tradition.
>From your attitude, I would ask (playing devil's advocate) "why even
worry about it being consensual"?  As someone else said recently (don't
know if it was in response to you or not) this sounds like the Wiccan
'do no harm to anyone' as opposed to the Christian 'do unto others as
you would have them do unto you'.  Note that the first is a prohibition,
negative, the second is a commandment, positive.
}
} > 	All sins are equal?  I don't think so.  Some sins are mortal,
} > some are not. Isn't that in the letter to James (among other places)?
} > Rape, murder, and fornication *are* mortal sins.  That doesn't mean they
} > are 'the same', but that their effects on the soul are the same.
}
} This is what I find to be absurd.  If you're going to have punishment at
} all, the punishment should reflect the "crime."
	In what respect?  Mortal sins kill your soul.  You can only be
so dead, you know.
}
} > 	'being who you are' is not the same as 'doing whatever you want
} > to do'.
}
} Homosexuality hurts no one.  Here we are again.  I am eager to see how you
} respond to that previous post.

	As I said in my other response, you've given no basis for this
supposition.
}
} > 	Incidentally, suicides (barring last minute repentance) don't
} > enter Heaveen -- it's the ultimate rejection of God.
}
} This bothers me.  One of God's (if there is a god) creatures enters into
} an ultimate despair and can't take life anymore, so s/he gets sent to hell?
} I believe I recently wrote on the mythical compassion of you god?

	He doesn't get sent to hell for 'not being able to take life
anymore' but for rejecting God.  It's not our feelings, it's what we
choose to do with them.  Personally, when I get depressed and feel
like everything's screwed up I go and pray and meditate on the Cross.
Thinking about Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross helps me put in perspective
how small my problems are and how much I am loved.
}-- End of excerpt from WERLING



--
* Gordon Zaft     Argus Consulting  4500 E. Sunrise #N-6, Tucson, AZ 85718
* zaft@caritas.cotdazr.org | noao.edu!coyote!caritas!zaft
                 Semper fidelis Christi et Vicarii sui.
You look tired
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