Gay Marriage and the End of Christian Civilization

Human Life International ^ | 8-13-10 | Fr Thomas J. Euteneuer

[mlizzy]

Back in the 90s when Fr. Paul Marx, founder of HLI, was asked his opinion about the efforts to legalize "same-sex unions" he commented in his usual forthright fashion, "When they do that," he said, "it's the end." He meant "the end" of the Christian civilization whose values used to form the basis of American common life. Fr. Marx, in a prophetic sense, saw rightly that a society cannot survive the perverse manipulation of the very structure of reality that God Himself has revealed to us, one very fundamental element of which is the institution of marriage. When we allow that to be changed-"It's the end."

In 2009, 52% of the voting population in California endorsed Proposition 8 which ratified the constitutional protection of marriage as between a man and a woman. One might argue that even 52% was shockingly low on something so important, but the people won that battle despite the veritable war of the homosexual militants to sink that Proposition. In fact, Christian decency won and the structure of reality stayed intact, at least in this aspect of law in California, until this week when a single judge just nullified 7 million votes and the will of the people and lifted the "ban" on gay marriage. There was rejoicing in Sodom on the Bay, but how sad for our nation and even for our poor, misguided world that will weaken in its opposition to the homosexual lifestyle as a result of this decision.

So why, you ask, is gay marriage wrong? Let me count the ways.

First and foremost is because it violates the revealed Will of God as seen in Scripture. There are few things as clear in God's revelation as the sacred institution of marriage between a man and a woman. From Genesis 1 (the marriage of Adam and Eve) to Revelation 21 (the marriage of Christ the Lamb with His Bride the Church) God has had only one model of marriage, and it is not gay marriage. Even polygamy and divorce was done away with in the Christian Church, as Our Lord reminded all of the essence of marriage as it was "in the beginning." This Christian view of marriage became the norm of Western society and its most basic societal unit, undoubtedly allowing the West to flourish.

A close second to this is that gay marriage distorts the very concept of parenting as well as marriage. Even if you overlook the fact that gay marriage is by definition sterile, every child of a gay marriage has to be adopted or artificially inseminated, and that in itself is a violation of the whole concept of family. In the 80s the Vatican actually said that the adoption of children by homosexuals "does violence" to the child. Pretty strong language, but true nonetheless. In its simplest terms, kids need a mom and a dad, and are forever stigmatized by being the child of a gay marriage. Kids model their lives, their concept of family, their morals and oftentimes their whole worldview on their parents' attitudes and values. These kids get a totally distorted view of all these basics.

Third but by no means the last reason, all of society suffers because of the public endorsement of an intrinsically disordered lifestyle and practice. Yes, "disordered" is what our Church calls both the homosexual orientation and lifestyle, and gay marriage simply ratifies that disorder on a social level. In recent debates, the term "human right" to describe gay marriage and the charge that anyone who stands against it is guilty of "discrimination" are examples of these fundamental distortions. Fr. Marx was right: a society cannot long survive this kind of violence done to its basic values, and history surely shows many societies like Ancient Greece, whose rapid decline was preceded by the proliferation of the gay lifestyle and its public acceptance.

While we respect all people as they are, we don't have to respect such a wholesale assault on everything that is sacred to us and good for our society; no, in fact, we must fight against it with our very lives. The question is not whether or not we can win the battle; the question is whether we will join it. Will we accept the challenge to defend the sacred or not? We are called to be faithful and obedient to the Plan of God for our world, and within that, God will bring forth the victory. There is no doubt that, if it is not already there, gay marriage will be coming to your state soon. If we don't fight it, our souls, our families and basically, our very civilization, will find themselves at "the end" of the line in very short order.

Sincerely,

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer
President, Human Life International

[GOP Poet]

"When they do that," he said, "it's the end." He meant "the end" of the Christian civilization whose values used to form the basis of American common life. Fr. Marx, in a prophetic sense, saw rightly that a society cannot survive the perverse manipulation of the very structure of reality that God Himself has revealed to us, one very fundamental element of which is the institution of marriage. When we allow that to be changed-"It's the end."

He is right. Notice he said when not if. Sad. Very sad. I have read the bible and know how this all ends.

[whattajoke]

That depends on what you think the "strategy" intends to achieve. What do you think was Stephen's strategy in Acts 7? Do you think he succeeded, or failed?

That is an excellent question. I don't usually venture into the religion forum, as I do not subscribe to a religion so I want to put that out there. The mods know I stay away.

But, Stephen's martyrism is, to me, one of the best stories in the Bible. My name is Stephen and I've always been proud to have that name as it relates to my biblical namesake.

Martyring oneself is always dependent on one's point of view of course. Stephen never killed anyone (if my memory serves), and merely stuck to his guns. Which is what the post I responded to said as well, but again, it's all perspective. While the fight might be valid to some, it won't play that way across the nation or the world and the martyr in this case will not acheive the ends which he wishes.

Stephen, OTOH, perhaps added a spark to what became the world's dominant religion, so in light of that, in retrospect, yes, his death was "worth it" for Christians everywhere.

[BigGaloot]

I’m married, and I’m sterile, have been since I was a kid. Does that make my marriage worth any less than yours?

[marshmallow]

I'm talking about marriages where the procreative process is deliberately and repeatedly obstructed by artificial means. Where the objective is to stymie new life and prevent it.

God blessed man and woman with the words: "Be fruitful and multiply." Hence, true married love and the whole structure of family life which results are directed to disposing the spouses to cooperate with the love of the Creator.

As to your question, no, your marriage is not worth any less than mine. Spouses to whom God has not granted children due to sterility for instance can, as the Catechism teaches ...."nevertheless have a conjugal life full of meaning, in both human and Christian terms. Their marriage can radiate a fruitfulness of charity, of hospitality, and of sacrifice. (CCC, #1654).

Impotence is a barrier to Catholic marriage (Can. 1084 §1, states: "Antecedent and perpetual impotence to have intercourse, whether on the part of the man or the woman, whether absolute or relative, nullifies marriage by its very nature") but sterility is not (Canon Law 1084 §3 states "Sterility neither prohibits nor nullifies marriage, without prejudice to the prescript of Can. 1098.")

[Nosterrex]

Homosexual marriage is a blatant example among other blatant examples that Christendom is dead. Christianity is not dead, but the religious beliefs that influenced the morality of nations has been totally rejected by our society. We are living in a secular and a Neo-pagan ethical era. If you are a Christian, especially if you are a clergyman, it is vitally important to understand that we cannot be friends of this society and friends with God. The two are antithetical to one another. The liberal mainline denominations have decided to follow the secular culture in hopes that the world will love them and join them. The world loves its own.

[BenKenobi]

Why are you confusing issues of the will, homosexuality and contraception, with issues of the flesh, disability and incapacity?

[mlizzy]

They want a culture war? Let’s give them a culture war. Let’s fill their jails to the rafters with singing, victorious Christians. Let’s show them we can’t be broken, cajoled, compromised with, or enslaved. Let’s show them that, like Jesus, all they can do is kill us.

You must have a special devotion to Maximilian Kolbe. I've got three sons whom I wish to continue to suffer and pray for (back to the pews), so I know they will be able to handle what lies in their future. If I get that far, I'll take whatever comes next ... :)

There is only one tragedy in the end, not to have been a saint -- Leon Bloy.

Pray the Rosary for Peace!

[ArrogantBustard]

In that case we might have to learn to tap out the prayers of the Rosary in Morse Code on the cell walls. I wonder if that's ever been done before?

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rosary or other prayers have been done in tap code.

[mlizzy]

If you are a Christian, especially if you are a clergyman, it is vitally important to understand that we cannot be friends of this society and friends with God. The two are antithetical to one another.

Very true. St. Michael the Archangel, pray for Fr Euteneuer, and all priests/clergy ...

[353FMG]

Any Catholic who listened to today’s gospel would have immediately noticed Jesus’ condemnation of gay marriage. He made it clear that marriage is between man and woman and not between Adam and Andy or Eve and Ethel.

[353FMG]

And certain federal judges are letting them in.

[fwdude]

I’m married, and I’m sterile, have been since I was a kid. Does that make my marriage worth any less than yours?

That depends on whether you're married to a qualified individual, an adult of the opposite sex. In such a way, you model the ideal culture-enhancing combination which is marriage, sterile or not.

Homosexual relationships are not even "sterile" in the proper sense of the word - sterility implies at least the ability to reproduce were it not for some defect in a component or a deficiency which would otherwise allow for natural reproduction by design. Men and women were designed to reproduce together. And marriage bridles this purpose to society's benefit.

[massmike]

Made for Each Other: A Catechetical and Educational Aid
on Sexual Difference and Complementarity

http://www.usccb.org/marriageuniqueforareason/

[NYer]

Catholic ping!

[garybob]

I hope that refusing to acknowledge homosexual “marriage” becomes a crime. I look forward to going to jail for this. That’s where a Christian belongs in a pagan culture anyway — in jail, or in the Coliseum. If they don’t hate you, you’re not doing the job Christ sent you to do.

I think that should the day arrive that allows "them" to criminalize opposition to homosexual marriages and allows Christians to be sent to jail is the day that "they" become the outlaws. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian values and to allow them to take away the rights of Christians in a country founded by Christians is to allow the sacrifices of millions to be in vain.

And don't be deceived into thinking that passive resistance is the way to go. Passive resistance only works when the oppressor has a moral framework to begin with. Had the Japanese reached India, Gandhi's ideas of passive resistance would have ended with his beheaded, bayoneted body floating down the river. The people who we are dealing with have no moral compass and will stop at nothing to silence (permanently) their opposition.

[steve86]

I expect to lose nearly all of them — and a good part of my livelihood as well

I don't have any friends nor income to lose so I'm willing to go whole hog into this.

Very nice, pithy, and sincere comments you made above, thanks.

[Flying Circus]

We don’t get to go to war when we are ready, the war has come to us.

[francky]

Sorry for my post~

[B-Chan]

“We are living in a secular and a Neo-pagan ethical era. If you are a Christian, especially if you are a clergyman, it is vitally important to understand that we cannot be friends of this society and friends with God. The two are antithetical to one another.”

Brilliant summation. Do you mind if I add your words to my homepage? (I’ll credit you properly for them of course.)

[cookcounty]

The argument needs to be made for CIVIL marriage being between one man and one woman:

http://stumpedagain.wordpress.com/marriage-not-so-gay/

Fundamental question: Why do we have civil marriage?

Answer: For the protection of women.