Need Some Resources Concerning Homosexuality

[S_V7]

I need some help in talking to teenagers as to why it is wrong to live a homosexual lifestyle. Any articles/links/books would be great.

[Howl]

I am going to warn you that queer teens are several times more likely to commit suicide than straight teens. I am also going to warn you that, in terms of brain development, teenagers are at a point in their lives where their brains are flooded with homosexual imagery. Fact is, if you bombard teenagers with anti-gay messages you are going to encourage suicide in some and alienate others from their church.

Teenagers need love and unconditional acceptance. Queer teens need even more love and unconditional acceptance.

My best friend in high school was queer. We went to a Catholic high school where we were bombarded with anti-gay propaganda. Problem is, that is who he was and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't run away from that. Try as he might, he couldn't pray away the gay. After high school, he got sick of living a lie and came out to everyone. His parents kicked him out of his home and forced him out into a very harsh, unforgiving environment. He got into heavy drugs, got into promiscuous sex, and, long story short committed suicide when he was 25 years old. His suicide note was rather explicit in the fact that all he wanted was for someone in authority to say that it was okay to feel the way he did. He only wanted to be accepted and loved, but from high school on, all he faced was rejection - rejection from his faith, rejection from his spiritual community, rejection from his teachers, rejection from his peers and finally/fatally, rejection from his own family.

Had he lived longer, he would have changed the world. Drew had the most insane mind I have ever encountered. We were huge computer dorks, but he always took programming to a different level than I could. He even managed to finish a four year degree in computer science in three years (with an average in the high 90s). One of his dreams consisted of going into inner-cities and teaching underprivileged kids how to build and use their own computers. In his mind, that was the best way to keep kids out of gangs, off of drugs and away from poverty.

The world would be a better place with him in it. Don't risk losing another beautiful, brilliant kid. Teach love and let God deal with homosexuality.

[Starwynd]

Here's one form Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosex...d_Christianity

A few more websites:

http://www.catholicreference.net/

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/

http://www.catholicity.com/encyclopedia/

[Exalt]

Originally Posted by S_V7

I need some help in talking to teenagers as to why it is wrong to live a homosexual lifestyle. Any articles/links/books would be great.

The only basis for an explanation on why homosexuality is wrong is a religious one. Try looking in the back of your Bible for the big quotes, and then look in your catechism.

I would really emphasize that point, and the point that no matter what your orientation, you are loved and accepted. It's not easy to grow up catholic and, in your teen years, discover a homosexual orientation. Coming from personal experience, I wish I had been given a more loving approach, rather than disdain and unqualified rejection.

[thistle]

Originally Posted by Howl

I am going to warn you that queer teens are several times more likely to commit suicide than straight teens. I am also going to warn you that, in terms of brain development, teenagers are at a point in their lives where their brains are flooded with homosexual imagery. Fact is, if you bombard teenagers with anti-gay messages you are going to encourage suicide in some and alienate others from their church.

Teenagers need love and unconditional acceptance. Queer teens need even more love and unconditional acceptance.

My best friend in high school was queer. We went to a Catholic high school where we were bombarded with anti-gay propaganda. Problem is, that is who he was and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't run away from that. Try as he might, he couldn't pray away the gay. After high school, he got sick of living a lie and came out to everyone. His parents kicked him out of his home and forced him out into a very harsh, unforgiving environment. He got into heavy drugs, got into promiscuous sex, and, long story short committed suicide when he was 25 years old. His suicide note was rather explicit in the fact that all he wanted was for someone in authority to say that it was okay to feel the way he did. He only wanted to be accepted and loved, but from high school on, all he faced was rejection - rejection from his faith, rejection from his spiritual community, rejection from his teachers, rejection from his peers and finally/fatally, rejection from his own family.

Had he lived longer, he would have changed the world. Drew had the most insane mind I have ever encountered. We were huge computer dorks, but he always took programming to a different level than I could. He even managed to finish a four year degree in computer science in three years (with an average in the high 90s). One of his dreams consisted of going into inner-cities and teaching underprivileged kids how to build and use their own computers. In his mind, that was the best way to keep kids out of gangs, off of drugs and away from poverty.

The world would be a better place with him in it. Don't risk losing another beautiful, brilliant kid. Teach love and let God deal with homosexuality.

God condemns homosexual activity. All Christians (not just Catholics) know this. It is clearly and unambiguously written in Scripture.
Those who say leave it to God (whether its homosexuality or other sins) are those who are committing sins and want to bend God to their will instead of being prepared to do God's will.

[S_V7]

Originally Posted by Howl

I am going to warn you that queer teens are several times more likely to commit suicide than straight teens. I am also going to warn you that, in terms of brain development, teenagers are at a point in their lives where their brains are flooded with homosexual imagery. Fact is, if you bombard teenagers with anti-gay messages you are going to encourage suicide in some and alienate others from their church.

Teenagers need love and unconditional acceptance. Queer teens need even more love and unconditional acceptance.

My best friend in high school was queer. We went to a Catholic high school where we were bombarded with anti-gay propaganda. Problem is, that is who he was and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't run away from that. Try as he might, he couldn't pray away the gay. After high school, he got sick of living a lie and came out to everyone. His parents kicked him out of his home and forced him out into a very harsh, unforgiving environment. He got into heavy drugs, got into promiscuous sex, and, long story short committed suicide when he was 25 years old. His suicide note was rather explicit in the fact that all he wanted was for someone in authority to say that it was okay to feel the way he did. He only wanted to be accepted and loved, but from high school on, all he faced was rejection - rejection from his faith, rejection from his spiritual community, rejection from his teachers, rejection from his peers and finally/fatally, rejection from his own family.

Had he lived longer, he would have changed the world. Drew had the most insane mind I have ever encountered. We were huge computer dorks, but he always took programming to a different level than I could. He even managed to finish a four year degree in computer science in three years (with an average in the high 90s). One of his dreams consisted of going into inner-cities and teaching underprivileged kids how to build and use their own computers. In his mind, that was the best way to keep kids out of gangs, off of drugs and away from poverty.

The world would be a better place with him in it. Don't risk losing another beautiful, brilliant kid. Teach love and let God deal with homosexuality.

I'm sorry about your friend. This is the kind of situation I want to avoid, which is why I mentioned teenagers in particular since they (well we) are rather stubborn 'free-thinkers' and, unfortunatley, heavily influenced by today's culture.

[Exalt]

Originally Posted by S_V7

I'm sorry about your friend. This is the kind of situation I want to avoid, which is why I mentioned teenagers in particular since they (well we) are rather stubborn 'free-thinkers' and, unfortunatley, heavily influenced by today's culture.

Does the phrase "stubborn free-thinker" strike anyone else as ironic?

[Howl]

Originally Posted by thistle

God condemns homosexual activity. All Christians (not just Catholics) know this. It is clearly and unambiguously written in Scripture.
Those who say leave it to God (whether its homosexuality or other sins) are those who are committing sins and want to bend God to their will instead of being prepared to do God's will.

All Christians (not just Catholics) know that our religion is based upon forgiveness and unconditional human respect. The church's actual position on homosexuality is that, while we may disagree with the acts, we must still love and respect the people.

I fail to see how spouting off disgusting amounts of hatred does anything but alienate. Should we completely alienate queer teens and then send them out into a harsh world so they can develop substance abuse problems, body image disorders, and suicidal tendencies? Is that Christian? Or how about gay bashing? Should we beat up gay kids? Is that Christian? Or should we tell them, "God hates you"? Is that Christian?

If you are intelligent enough to delve deep into Hebrew scriptures, you will discover that much of what Jesus said and did was against 'the law'. He hung out with the lowest of the low. His crew was made up of tax collectors and prostitutes. He went on a tirade in the temple. This is clear and it is unambiguous. All Christians (not just Catholics) know this - it is why Jesus angered people to the extent that they had him crucified. So, should we follow Jesus despite the fact that other parts of scripture show that he was a 'sinner'?

"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

And finally, how dare you presume to cast judgement upon my own morality. You do not know me. You know nothing of me. Only my God has the right to judge me and you are certainly not God.

[Howl]

Originally Posted by Exalt

Does the phrase "stubborn free-thinker" strike anyone else as ironic?

Not if you do a lot of work with teenagers.....:-)
If you know a whole lot of teenagers, that phrase sums them up perfectly.

[buffalo]

Here are a few places to visit for the facts.

NARTH

Courage

Stephen Bennet Ministries

Cathmed - Homosexuality & Hope Booklet




3. Guidelines for Ministry to Homosexual Persons



Our duty - True Christian Charity demands fraternal correction!

[thistle]

Originally Posted by Howl

All Christians (not just Catholics) know that our religion is based upon forgiveness and unconditional human respect. The church's actual position on homosexuality is that, while we may disagree with the acts, we must still love and respect the people.

I fail to see how spouting off disgusting amounts of hatred does anything but alienate. Should we completely alienate queer teens and then send them out into a harsh world so they can develop substance abuse problems, body image disorders, and suicidal tendencies? Is that Christian? Or how about gay bashing? Should we beat up gay kids? Is that Christian? Or should we tell them, "God hates you"? Is that Christian?

If you are intelligent enough to delve deep into Hebrew scriptures, you will discover that much of what Jesus said and did was against 'the law'. He hung out with the lowest of the low. His crew was made up of tax collectors and prostitutes. He went on a tirade in the temple. This is clear and it is unambiguous. All Christians (not just Catholics) know this - it is why Jesus angered people to the extent that they had him crucified. So, should we follow Jesus despite the fact that other parts of scripture show that he was a 'sinner'?

"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me."

And finally, how dare you presume to cast judgement upon my own morality. You do not know me. You know nothing of me. Only my God has the right to judge me and you are certainly not God.

If you read my post properly I said said God condemns homosexuality. I did not say homosexuals. We should love them but condemn their activity. It is depraved and a practising homosexual who dies without repenting such a mortal sin will go to Hell.
That of course applies to other unrepented mortal sins but this thread is about homosexuality.

My last paragraph was directed generally not specifically. I was talking about anyone who tries to twist God to do their own will.

You second paragraph about hatred is correct. I agree with it. We should not spread hatred. However we are called to admonish those in mortal sin.

I hope your rant about Jesus sinning is not what you meant because that is blasphemous. Jesus did NOT sin and I hope you publicly in this thread apologise to our Lord for suggesting this.

As for Scripture:

Lev 18:22,29-30

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination.
29 Everyone who does any of these abominations shall be cut off from among his people.
30 Heed my charge, then, not to defile yourselves by observing the abominable customs that have been observed before you. I, the LORD, am your God."

Rom 1:26,27,

26 Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural,
27 and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity.

1 Cor:9

9 Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Tim 1:8-11

8 We know that the law is good, provided that one uses it as law, 9 with the understanding that law is meant not for a righteous person but for the lawless and unruly, the godless and sinful, the unholy and profane, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,10 the unchaste, practicing homosexuals, 5 kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching,
11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

Jude 7

7 Likewise, Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual promiscuity and practiced unnatural vice, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

[KimberClare]

Cathmed - Homosexuality & Hope Booklet


The booklet can be accessed on-line at this web-site. It is very helpful in understanding the issues at hand.

Someone very close to me is struglling with same sex attraction . . .it is a monumental battle. There is so MUCH mis-information out there.

I am needing to find help for this individual and am afraid. Afraid to have this person open up his heart and soul to someone who may not be completely committed to the morality of the church . . or perhaps worse, someone who IS committed to the moral teachings of the church, but who does not understand the utter torment of a soul which finds himself in this particular struggle.

The utter despair he experiences makes suicide a very real concern. I am proceeding with great care.

[mdgspencer]

It isn't clear whether you or the others are Catholic or not. If so, one source is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which speaks of this in sections, 2357-2359. There are also important statements by the Popes, which I will look up if you think these would help.

[Joe 5859]

There was a great article in Catholics United for the Faith's Lay Witness magazine a few years ago. It is the testimony of David Prosen, who had been fully immersed in that lifestyle until his conversion back to the Church. It's an excellent article, and I think that personal stories work great for teens.

Breaking Free from Homosexuality

That's the correct link, but it looks like CUF's whole website is down at the moment. I assume that's only temporary and it should be back before long. In the mean time, here's the article as found in the google cache, and here's a link to the pdf file of the article.