Vatican edict on gays divides U.S. Catholics

Reuters ^ | 11/29/5 | Jason Szep

[Campion]

In particular, the Church's claim that homosexuals are unable to form healthy relationships with men or women is regarded as erroneous within the medical community

Do you presumably not understand that "healthy" to believers means a little bit more than it does to medical practitioners?

Here, let me try this. As a practicing Catholic, I believe that the only healthy sexual relationship a man can have is with his wife, and then only if that relationship is open to procreation.

Think the APA would endorse that? No, probably not. The Catholic Church's definition of "healthy" is "that which helps people to become saints". The APA's definition is something else.

[sinkspur]

Your post proves that the ultimate decision will be left up to the individual bishop.

[SkyPilot]

Homosexual orientation or tendencies are NOT sinful. Only homosexual acts are sinful.

The bible says that our thoughts are accountable to God. Surely, you know this. How can you even begin to assemble this defense of homosexuality Sink?

Look at Psalm 139:2:

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

Now, tell me, if sinful thoughts were not accountable to God, are potential thoughts (if I had them) of me screwing a 12 year old girl not sinful? I tell you that they are! Your argument is baseless and not Biblical.

Don't you see that?

"The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time."

Genesis 6:5

Sink---to even think Homosexual thoughts is sinful and wrong. You must see this. I know you are an intelligent man. The only thing that would blind you is your own blindness.

Take care.

[Dustbunny]

Vatican edict on gays divides U.S. Catholics

I doubt that statement.

[little jeremiah]

Here's another article about Spitzer, with some more links in the article:

http://narth.com/docs/spitzerct.html

[megatherium]

Spitzer argued for the removal of homosexuality from the DSM in 1973, but he also advocated a new diagnostic category, "ego-dystonic homosexuality," which refers to homosexuals who are deeply unhappy with their sexuality. This was added to the DSM (but later removed, in 1981). I think Spitzer's current research about reparative therapy is directed to persons in this diagnostic category -- and he makes a good case that for some men in this category, change (at least partial change) is possible. Certainly, his main point, that reparative therapy should be available to men who seek it, is valid.

[narses]

"Your post proves that the ultimate decision will be left up to the individual bishop."

Wrong. The Vicar of Christ on Earth is the final word here, Our Lord will be the final Judge in the hereafter. Your desire for a congregationalist, protestant Church becomes more manifest with every odd claim you make.

[sinkspur]

The Vicar of Christ on Earth is the final word here

Unless Benedict intends to interview every candidate personally, the ultimate decision will be left up to the individual bishop, as it should be.