tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766538007498037282.post888442036695657643..comments2024-01-20T00:00:10.459-08:00Comments on Mudblood Catholic: An Afterthought on Gay Marriage and ConscienceGabriel Blanchardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607504369762849930noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5766538007498037282.post-66879749267754458732013-03-07T08:17:37.600-08:002013-03-07T08:17:37.600-08:00I think your commenter who described repentance hi...I think your commenter who described repentance hit on the crux of the matter: repentance means putting God first, even if we do not understand His desires for us or perceive them as unfair. I don't think it's so much a matter of honesty, as you say, but more a matter of understanding. Most feel nowadays that if we follow a rule we believe is from God but which we do not understand that we are being dishonest. In fact we may actually be exhibiting a humility which was expected in the middle ages but is disdained today. We're not judged by our understanding, but by our obedience. Better to understand, yes. But given a choice between the two...<br /><br />I was told by an apologist at Catholic Answers that the traditional Catholic theological opinion is that people really cannot be completely ignorant of the fact that homosexual sex acts are wrong. I took issue with this, until I had a conversation with a fellow traveler on the SSA highway, wherein I told him I never thought homosexual sex was wrong until I accepted Christ and the authority of what I decided was His Catholic Church. So I agreed at that time that since it was faith-based, how could I expect people without faith to know it was wrong.<br /><br />My friend seemed surprised. He asked me "you NEVER thought homosexual sex was wrong?" - No, I responded.<br /><br />"Not even the first time?"<br /><br />That surprised me. I had totally forgotten my first time. But there was a definite indication in my spirit that I had done wrong my first time. It is amazing how quickly that feeling went away however when I decided to continue the action anyway. I do not know how common this is in the experience of others. But some close friends have told me they had similar experiences.<br /><br />Going the route of the "honest seeker" means one must be honest and must seek diligently. I believe that very few people who really do that persist in homosexual behavior without some degree of culpability. My opinion of course! for what it's worth.<br /><br />Obviously there is a lot of uncertainty in determining whether or not other people are really in mortal sin or in "invincible ignorance". It is a God call. But I believe the Catholic faith gives us sufficient assurance that we can be confident that homosexual behavior is always displeasing to God, and for that reason always objectively wrong for any friend of ours who may be engaging in it. I liken it to watching a friend play russian roulette. And since it is not a small matter like stealing a ballpoint pen, but considered gravely immoral, it is perhaps more prudent than you say in your blog post to err on the side of "judgmental", even if the friendship suffers or we are perceived as unChrist-like, and if that happens to pour out our sincere love and concern in confident prayer to our God Who loves our friends more than we can ever hope to, to see how He will touch them and instruct them. If they are not seeking to do His will, perhaps He will call them in a way that is appealing or even irresistible to them...<br /><br />I feel it is important, for me in my personal situation, not to "mess up God's work" by giving the impression that homosexual actions any friend may be engaged in are ok. I mean as you say there are obviously various situations and we cannot go around always making the first move and condemning everyone we meet. Sometimes silence suffices. Everybody's individual situation and style is different and I do not dictate to others how they should live. I just remember how when I was in the gay life I simply did not allow anybody who was not gay-positive to gain any intimacy with me as a friend unless and until they accepted my homosexuality. I was very uncompromising, and I suspect this is still a common attitude among gay people. I think this might be a point that God has to make to the person. Sometimes homosexual friends actually seek you out later, after they have felt a call and decided to pursue God.<br /><br />Just another perspective. God bless!Mark 10:6https://www.blogger.com/profile/15638195819457027811noreply@blogger.com