Expert: Griff Ruby - 2/23/2005

Question
what does it say in the bible about homosexuals cant go to heaven? is it on the ones that actively practice it?

are these actively  practicing homosexuality
to dwell on thoughts about 2 people having sex is this practicing it actively?
what about fantasising about 2 people having sex?
how bout masturbation?

Answer
Homosexuality is always a tragic thing to have happen to one.  While no one is actually born that way, events in one's life cause this situation, often without much real control or consent in the person't life.  Without getting into all of that, the key issue is one of where to go from here once one has this condition.
Obviously, any acting on such desires is always gravely sinful and unnatural.  Thinking about them is also wrong, though one must distinguish between those thoughts a person willingly permits or chooses, versus those which the enemy of our souls injects into our minds, which we reject and wave away or turn aside from.
The Devil will always put pictures in our minds of something that tempts us, words, or ideas as well, and if our response to them is to reject them all completely we have not sinned.  Indeed, it is of great merit to avoid any willing acceptance of such thoughts whenever confronted with them.
But if we begin taking pleasure in them, allowing them to go their length, even though they remain only thoughts, then we make ourselves party to the temptation and evil has taken root in us.  To masturbate on such thoughts is as much to sin gravely and commit an unnatural act as the homosexual acts with a partner themselves.
What the Church commends people in this situation to do is to practice the virtue of chastity.  Therein alone lies the cure.  If nothing else, at least the physical sexual frustration can build up to the point that a gay guy could even find a woman attractive, and that of course is in accord with nature.  But I also believe that the grace of the sacraments and frequent confession can work wonders for one's soul, and some really do overcome this condition and go on to live a normal life, even perhaps a normal married life.
Heaven isn't simply some reward one gets for being "good enough" but rather the honor that comes with living justly and honorably.  We set the tone with our decisions for the content and meaning of our lives, and thereby either fulfill our Divine purpose or else squander our lives in useless and dishonorable dissapation.  We all know the contempt we would feel upon meeting someone who can only amuse himself by torturing small animals - who would want or choose to be like that?  and that is what going to Hell is all about - becoming just like that.  But Heaven is about the very opposite, of becoming someone who is rightly and justly respected and admired, and an example to follow, someone rightly and truly worthy of praise.