[marshmallow]

A striking paradox. A man fighting the Church, yet simultaneously drawn to it.

The seed of faith struggling to grow amidst the thorns of sodomy presently choking it.

I pray that his gaze eventually ascends from his crotch to the cross.

[murphE]

You surprise me marshmallow. This is so repulsive on so many levels I don't know why you posted it. This man makes a mockery of our Faith, of the Sacraments, and of Our Lord. And the same goes double for whatever priest and or bishop allowed him to do it.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

1,000 reply BUMP

[Tired of Taxes]

He's only drawn to the romantic aspects of the Church.

Here's what's frustrating to someone like me: I was raised Roman Catholic, but, because I believe the whole concept of "God" is far too limited, I do not call myself a Catholic or a Christian. I have been active in a few different Christian groups, donated money, helped to collect for the poor for them, and so on. But, IMO, you either believe the whole thing, or you're simply not a believer.

Lately, I've been meeting a lot of people who call themselves "Christian" but only pick and choose parts of the doctrine to follow. To them, Christianity is like a buffet where you fix your own plate.

That's what this guy is doing with Catholicism.

[xJones]

He seems to be joining the Catholic Church as a form of high camp; just think of the Catholic mass stories he can now use to tell to his coterie.

Perhaps that's too cynical a view, maybe he does have some honest interest.

[redhead]

Gads. This is the ultimate "excuses, excuses" article. Sheesh. Let me up.

[Deo volente]

"Yep, that’s right — they picked the sodomite to read from Holy Scripture."

Well, at least he knows what he is.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Major GAG poofter shuck and jive, get out the Pepto ping!

[madprof98]

This is an incredible piece. The guy is openly contemptuous of an organization he just went to a lot of trouble to join. It's as if he went through the rituals in order to rub this mess into the face of loyal Catholics.

I have noticed several posters here arguing on the "Catholicism is doomed" threads that the large number of converts coming into the Church in America shows the continuing vitality of our faith. I hope they read this article.

[OpusatFR]

The nuns always warned us about flippancy. Being flip and glib is an insult.

[bornacatholic]

While you’re in that accepting frame of mind, let’s go ahead and deal with the real no-no: Jesus as a cutie...

Truth is, He was probably my first crush. Face it, countless images of Jesus throughout the centuries show that same loving, doe-eyed, androgynous face

*Good Lord, this is the Passion according to Maplethorpe.

He cited Fitzgerald to rationalize his ideas. That he doesn't experience as cognitive dissonance his attempt to reconcile his disordered sexuality and Christian Doctrine about same is not a hopeful sign

[Claud]

I have a question for Mr. Fowler. Suppose--just suppose--that you died and stood outside the gate of Heaven. And St. Peter said..."my son, you can enter into heaven...IF you leave your lust for other men behind. We only want you, not your lifestyle. But if you can't do that, then we have another place that's not so nice--not so nice at all--BUT the people there will be more than willing to accept you *and* your lifestyle."

Which would you choose?

I have a feeling this is a dumb question. And if you continue to choose the latter, then indeed that latter place is where you will end up--by your own choice.

[Unam Sanctam]

Eventually, over the last three years, I found authors who helped me realize that I didn’t have to agree with everything the church teaches in order to become a member.

Not true. One has to accept the entire deposit of faith, including the moral teachings. Those with strong same sex attraction are called to chastity. This guy was knowingly baptized a cafeteria Catholic.

[Romulus]

The reference to Flannery O'Connor is apt, as he's a latter day O'Connor character himself: Christ-haunted, toying with grace, which may yet capture him with a terrible, transforming power, or which he may ultimately resist, to his own destruction. Those who're troubled by this post should consider its purpose: not to exalt the author as a moral exemplar, but as an inquiry into the war between good and evil that rages in every human heart wounded by original sin, including ours.

[aimhigh]

Wills recounts the actions of a Catholic bishop in San Diego who forbade Christian burial to an openly gay man. “Is there any doubt where Jesus would have stood?”

Jesus said, "Let the dead bury the dead."

[Gerish]

Jesus represents the perfect boyfriend — handsome, frequently shirtless, and willing to forgive pretty much anything. If Christ had an ad on outpersonals.com, the hits would crash the system. Surely Catholic schoolgirls have had the same — though suppressed — feelings about Sweet Jesus through the centuries.

Confirms my belief that sodomites care about nothing but sex. I only read up until the above paragraph, that made me want to hurl alone. He seems very confused morally, obviously struggling between good and evil. He really needs someone morally firm to guide him.

[darkangel82]

Spewage.
Ping.