Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 4/15/2009

Question
I have a question, to be clear, not from a legal perspective but strictly your opinion and thoughts both pragmatic, or secular if you prefer, and scriptural, regarding same sex marriage.

Personally I disagree with same sex marriage (civil unions, religious unions, etc) because, pragmatically, we are formed in the womb with a preponderance of X or Y chromosomes which makes us male or female and imbues us with male or female tendencies.

I have also noted certain psychological dynamics in the backgrounds of homosexuals such as the absence or insufficient interaction with a father role model. Not that this is the sole causation of homosexual tendencies but I have noted that it seems to be a prevalent theme in those who are homosexual, not name but one.

Also, to be clear, I am not talking about ostracizing or discriminating against any group of people but merely looking at what is natural and what is not, what is scriptural and what is not.

I am interested in hearing your opinions both scriptural and secular on this.

Thank you!  

Answer
Peace


dear R-

  Morally speaking, I am a Catholic. Politically, I am an American with strong conservive leanings.

  Below is view as a Catholic can be summarize by quoting the Catechism approved by pope John Paul (II) the Great, starting with paragraph 2357:



2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,[140] tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."[141] They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
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Politically, I am generally ok with anything that does not conflict with the above.

                    your servant in Christ
                             George