What do 'real' catholics think about gay people?

[MrsNorthman]

I only ask because I am Catholic and my brother is gay. I've never asked anyone what they really think as I'd feel silly doing it face to face and people are sometimes not that honest to your face.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

sorry for incoherence, must learn to preview b4 posting

op, i think the bible was put together by a powerful man to weild power and influence over the people. it has been used thus ever since.

jesus is love? god is love? SHHHHHHhhhhhh (except for them gays) it doesn't make sense

god loves everything, god made everything all the little insects ...all things bright and beautiful SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhh (except for them gays)

when the bible was written it was a time where gay marriage wasn't about, a time where gay adoption wasn't about, a time where - if you had anything to pass onto the next generation, you had to do so by marriage - ergo shufting someone up the arse aint going to get you children - so, to ensure that inhertitance was passed down from father to son, some powerful man wrote 'thou shant shuft up the arse'

, now i am not a theologian (clearly!) however what i have read about Jesus - he seemed like a decent chap - he was a bit pissed off at them market sellers in the house of god on sunday - and well thats when i shop at tesco so i reckon im in for a bollocking, but he generally seemed to help people that other people cast out, people that were made to feel inferior becuase of their religeon, place of birth or gender - i reckon gays would be right up his street.

and if anyone doesn't agree with me and my assertions 9above) then let me leave you with this.

god judges - you shouldn't. a good christian would treat everyone the same regardless of ...well bloody anything actually.

Just thought this article from the BBC website was interesting in the context of this thread

Wow agalaxyfaraway thats really interesting.

One previous poster was so right in saying that not all muslims are extremists and not all jews are .... but thats the way I feel about my catholocism. I just am a catholic I was baptised and educated that way and its something I just am. My views are very liberal but I feel I am still allowed to worship under the catholic faith because I like it and feel comfortable within it.

What mariagoretti said.

Besides, gay sex is no greater a sin than any other sexual activity outside of marriage. I don't know why anyone gets more het up about that - from a Catholic point of view - than about premarital sex, sex after divorce etc.

Even skipping mass is a mortal sin.

But in the end it's for God to judge. We are all of us sinners, because we are human. But we are all commanded to love one another, and to "let he without sin cast the first stone". Sexuality is a small part of it that has a knack of making headlines where other teachings don't.

Also, to be fair, it's not just the Catholic church which considers homosexual acts to be a sin. It is just generally a stricter church than some other denominations so it is more likely to lay down the law than just vaguely disapprove. The vast majority of Anglican bishops believe it to be "incompatible with Scripture", see also all their rows about gay bishops.

However, I do believe the C of E and some other protestant churches do a far better job of making gay people feel like they are still a welcome and valid part of the church. I think the media treat the Catholic Church unfairly, but I think there is a lot the Church could do PR wise that they just don't bother to, or they don't care enough to because the current leadership perhaps favours a smaller but more devout membership. I don't think the Church should have to bend to suit contemporary mores, but I also think it has a far wider message to spread which it is currently hiding under a bushel while on the defensive about all the hot-button sexuality issues.

(don't know why I stuck that "Besides" in when mariagoretti has already said the same thing. Sorry, Maria.)

I am Catholic (although one with serious issues ATM) and have no issues with homosexuality.

I participated in a sex and relationships education training day, where an ethical dilemma was brought up by a nun. How to present the Church's teaching on marriage, sex, then babies... without giving any upset or hint of stigma to children of samesex couples.

Not what the daily mail would expect....

My almost godfather (I was never christened but he would have been) is Catholic, very traditional, still goes to Latin Mass etc. He is gay and with his partner of 50 years. He has never felt alientated from his church and goes to Mass twice a week. He has lots of priest mates who would be gay too if they weren't busy being celibate. Have hung around with lots and all the ones I know are lovely old boys with very compassionate non judgemental views. The joy of nipping to confession and geting absolved. God can take care of the rest. Phew.