Marriage Changes May Shake Churches' Tax Exemptions

CNS News ^ | 2/23/04 | Robert B. Bluey

[TruthNtegrity]

Bookmarking.

[sarasmom]

Just how much furthor do the courts have to go????

[sarasmom]

And PC tolerance has been around for decades, it is now a hate crime to call a sexual pervert a pervert, and the concept of homosexual "acceptance" is now taught in elementary schools.

BACKLASH TIME!

[NYer]

Way back in the 1960s, Pope Paul VI wrote in Humanae Vitae that separating fertility from sexuality would result in legitimation of all sorts of wrongful uses of sex and sexuality.

A prophet - no; prophetic - yes!

"Homosexual unions are totally lacking in the biological and anthropological elements of marriage and family which would be the basis, on the level of reason, for granting them legal recognition. Such unions are not able to contribute in a proper way to the procreation and survival of the human race. The possibility of using recently discovered methods of artificial reproduction, beyond involving a grave lack of respect for human dignity,(15) does nothing to alter this inadequacy."
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS

"Though it is true that sometimes it is lawful to tolerate a lesser moral evil in order to avoid a greater evil or in order to promote a greater good," it is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it (18)—in other words, to intend directly something which of its very nature contradicts the moral order, and which must therefore be judged unworthy of man, even though the intention is to protect or promote the welfare of an individual, of a family or of society in general."
HUMANAE VITAE

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[johnb2004]

Contraceptive heterosexual sex is no better than homosexual "sex". Both are a faux marital embrace. Both violate the natural law. I think many who endorse or tolerate the gay agenda do so because they know they can't say gay "sex" is wrong if they are committing grave sin themselves.

[.45MAN]

Going after someone's tax exemption... look at it this way, would anyone go after the tax exemption of an orthodox synagogue, a Catholic Church, or a Mormon Church if the clergyman refused to perform an interfaith marriage?

If you don't believe that this would happen you need to take your head out of the sand..

If we do not pass a federal law on marriage this WILL happen. Just look around at all the times that someone has said Ohh!! that will never happen.. Ya!..

[old and tired]

Contraceptive heterosexual sex is no better than homosexual "sex".

That position seems a little extreme to me. Don't you know couples who conceived and bore children in contracepting married relationships?

I'm not so sure I would mind if our church lost its tax exempt status. I am sick and tired of all the things not being done in the name of "tax exemption". I would think the big expense would be property taxes as most Catholic Churches spend plenty on tax deductibles like education, food pantries, etc.

[Cronos]

Other faiths, including the Roman Catholics and Southern Baptists, aren't likely to change their ways anytime soon, he said.

Maybe when lucifer complains of frost-bite.

[Cronos]

NEWSFLASH: Woman marries dog in EpissCopalian building.

[Cronos]

There's nothing that the left likes more than to champion minority rights, and churches have never been forced to perform interracial marriages against their teachings.

And which church forbids interracial marriages? Where does it say so in the Bible? Where does it say so in any of the church teachings??

[johnb2004]

That position seems a little extreme to me. Don't you know couples who conceived and bore children in contracepting married relationships?

Yes, what does that prove? Those people who intentionally frustrate the act are violating the first commandment. They make themselves God. They had no intention of being open to life. They engage in mutual masturbation, just like homosexuals. My position is the Church's position. For too long, too many have embraced contraception and the gay movement to day is possible in large part because of the contraceptive mentality.

[Protagoras]

Government involvement in anything always comes with strings attached. Religion and charity are included.

[old and tired]

They engage in mutual masturbation, just like homosexuals.

I assure you, if the result of a sex act results in a child, it was not mutual masturbation, just like homosexuals.

I am not denying that your position is the Church's position, but I think trying to convince an audience that includes non-Catholic people that homosexual sex equates to contracepted married sex is the equivalent of trying to convince non-Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent.

[johnb2004]

Sexual Hypocrisy
by Chris Beneteau

---

Recently, my wife was speaking to a married friend of ours about natural family planning. As the conversation progressed, the topic of abstinence was discussed. At this point, the friend said something to my wife that was quite eye opening. It went something like this:


"Well you know, there are other ways in which a husband and wife can experience sexual pleasure without having intercourse."
The acquaintance then went on to vaguely describe some of these ‘alternative’ behaviours. My readers can use their imaginations as to the nature of these alternatives. As my wife relayed this story to me, I have to admit that I was quite surprised, because I had assumed that an NFP couple would fully understand the church’s teaching around sex within marriage. Apparently I was very wrong. Most married Catholics who are faithful to the Church’s teaching on sexuality are aware that the periods of abstinence can be very difficult. We realize, however, that God’s grace is sufficient to get us through these times and that developing self-control will only make our marriages happier in the long run. This was the first time, however, that I had ever encountered an NFP couple who were practicing illicit sexual behaviours within the context of the natural spacing of children.

For obvious reasons, this incident made me think about the sexuality immorality of our culture and the role that Catholics must play to promote and develop a culture of life; one that fosters a respect for the dignity and sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. It made me think that the culture will never change as long as Catholics continue to practice behaviours (willfully or out of ignorance) that the Church has always maintained are intrinsically evil. For example, let’s look at the issue of homosexuality or even homosexual marriage. Even the most bare bones apologist like myself can rhyme off a few scripture references condemning homosexual sex acts (Cf. Romans 1:24, 1 Cor. 6:9). I could even demonstrate how homosexuality violates the natural law. The question that springs to mind, however, is this: would it do any good? In a few cases, the answer would surely be yes, but in most cases however, the answer is obviously no.

Why is this the case? Well, the answer is really quite simple. Why should a homosexual want to change their behaviour? After all, most of our society including Catholics, engage in sexual behaviours that, in all honesty, are not much better than the prototypical homosexual sex acts. For example, suppose two homosexual men engage in an act of sodomy while a married Catholic couple, use a barrier method of contraception during sex. Is their behaviour really that much different? Both couples are closed to life and are committing acts that violate Gods law. Aren’t they both just engaging in acts of mutual masturbation? My point is that homosexuality will continue to be encouraged, promoted and eventually elevated to a position equal to heterosexual marriage if Catholics do not practice what the Church actually teaches.

How do we change the culture that has elevated homosexuality to an almost exalted position in our society? For starters, we have to ensure that young Catholic couples clearly understand what the Church actually teaches. To be brutally blunt about it, it is absolutely essential that young married Catholic couples understand that semen must only be deposited in the vagina. Anywhere else is a violation of Catholic teaching. Contrary to what my acquaintance believes, there are not other ways of sexually stimulating one another during the fertile times of a woman’s cycle. Stimulation in the form of foreplay is perfectly acceptable as long as its completion is an act of vaginal intercourse that is open to life. This means that all other sex acts outside of this one are strictly prohibited.

It is imperative that faithful Catholics gently correct our wayward brethren, who may, through no fault of their own, be doing things that are ‘homosexual’ or non-life giving in nature. Faithful Catholics must model the joy of family life and, if possible, be generous in the size of their family. We should also not forget to emphasize the importance of being chaste even in marriage. Encouraging Catholic men to have ‘custody of their eyes’ is a good place to start.

With all of this in mind, how then should a Catholic apologist approach the issue of homosexuality? Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against citing scripture, tradition and the natural law, I just don’t believe that this will carry much weight with your mainstream homosexual. Besides, most homosexuals can access materials that put a more ‘gay friendly’ spin on homosexuality. While most of the readers of this site, will have undoubtedly read that some so-called Christian scholars actually teach that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for being inhospitable. When faced with this sort of biblical revisionism, what is an apologist to do?

Ultimately, I believe that we can serve homosexual persons much better if we put the spotlight squarely on ourselves. What exactly do I mean by this? When confronted by one of our homosexual brothers or sisters, we have to make it very clear that we do not, for example, tolerate sodomy whether it is committed by homosexuals or heterosexuals. This is but one example, but you can clearly see where I am going with this. Other illicit behaviours such as masturbation and fellacio (oral sodomy) may also get some attention and thus it is imperative that homosexuals understand that there is not one set of rules for them and another set of rules for the rest of us. Sexual hypocrisy is clearly a problem for the church right now and until it is addressed, our society will fall further and further into the abyss of sexual depravity.

Canada’s famous "sex educator", Sue Johansson, has said that sodomy is the new taboo that is being broken by the heterosexual community. If this is true then you can be sure that our battles to defend traditional marriage in the media, the legislatures, and the courts will become more and more difficult.

Chris Beneteau
The Catholic Legate
April 20, 2003

[american spirit]

It's obvious to anyone paying attention that the IRS approved 501C-3 tax exempt status has effectively emasculated and removed mainstream churches from this cultural war. Nowadays, many pastors are so concerned with "not offending" people (and interrupting their cash flow) that they absolutely refuse to take a public stand and denounce satanism, homosexuality, gaia or earth worship, corruption in gov't. and the continued erosion of our God-given constitutional rights. Far too many have become ordorless, colorless and tasteless and so is their message.

[Protagoras]

It's obvious to anyone paying attention that the IRS approved 501C-3 tax exempt status has effectively emasculated and removed mainstream churches from this cultural war.

Which is to let them off the hook too easily.

I think you trying to agree with me, but I disagree with that particular aspect of your comment. I don't think they have turned away from chistianity because of tax laws.

They are going the wrong way for other reasons as well. They are what they are but not because of the tax laws, IMO.

[american spirit]

Yes, I do agree with you and was trying to amplify the point about strings attached. Essentially, when a church acquires 501C-3 status they effectively become a corporation or a creature of the state. Since this is a privilege granted by the state, rest assured the "deal they make with the devil" includes the fact that pastors cannot devote any more than a small fraction of their sermons criticizing the aforementioined issues or risk losing their privileges. This makes for congregations that are well intentioned but very ignorant of critical issues and unprepared to "put on the full armor of God".

[HostileTerritory]

Why, then, hasn't the government gone after the tax exemption of churches that won't perform interfaith marriages?

[Kahonek]

"And which church forbids interracial marriages? Where does it say so in the Bible? Where does it say so in any of the church teachings??"

Oh, come on now. It's becoming less common, but there are still very conservative churches and pastors that won't perform interracial marriage -- and they aren't forced to by law. Matter of fact, it was only in 2000 that Bob Jones University finally started to allow interracial DATING. Some churches stretch things and base it on the concept that couples should not be unequally yoked. Some just don't like minorities and don't require scriptural bases for it. When BJU was asked to defend their position, they had to admit, "Although there is no verse in the Bible that dogmatically says that races should not intermarry, the whole plan of God as He has dealt with the races down through the ages indicates that interracial marriage is not best for man. We do believe we see principles, not specific verses, to give us direction for the avoidance of it."

[Kahonek]

Incidentally, if you want to see someone make a really tortured case against interracial marriage from a Biblical, Christian perspective, you might check out the following:

http://www.cgca.net/coglinks/papers/RaceQuestion.htm#why_isnt