Homosexual Intercourse vs. Suicide

[cmudd]

A serious question for serious-minded people… Please refrain from any invectives or “hijacking” of this thread.

Given the inherently sterile nature of the homosexual act, could one legitimately argue that the homosexual act is more entropic than suicide?

We can state that the homosexual act - in a singular instance - necessarily frustrates our natural design to be prolific. Each act not only eliminates the singular transmission of one life, but it eliminates the possibility of any future generations that may have proceeded from that one act; had it been performed in its proper context.

Could one argue that because the homosexual act frustrates the very act meant to propagate the species it is, as a singular act, more entropic than suicide, given that suicide is devoid of any sexual context?

I have been pondering this question for some time and need some outside commentary as I have hit something of a wall: Suicide could be seen as the ultimate entropic act as it totally precludes any hope of further progeny, but the homosexual act thwarts the only natural means by which we may transmit life. The transmission of life, from a certain biological perspective, is the primary objective of every living organism.

Therefore, which is more disordered: purposely inhibiting one’s ability to effectively implement one’s primary animal objective or speeding up the inevitable?

Thanks for your help!

[vern humphrey]

Given the inherently sterile nature of the homosexual act, could one legitimately argue that the homosexual act is more entropic than suicide?

Why would we want to argue that?

[cmudd]

Originally Posted by vern humphrey

Why would we want to argue that?

You may not wish to do so... please refer to the bold-faced intro.

[kristie_m]

An interesting topic, so I'll offer my own perspective, which may or may not be in line with church teaching.

I would have to say that while both are considered mortal sins, suicide would be the greater of these as it removes the possibility of temporal redemption. In other words, while someone who engages in a homosexual act does in fact deny the potential for procreation, there is nothing stopping that person from later having heterosexual sex. Whereas, if you commit suicide (or kill someone else for that matter) there is no turning back.

I'm not sure if that answered your question properly...if not, I'm afraid I misunderstood what you were asking.

[cpayne]

Dear Kristie M: Exactly.

As a rabbi once said, suicide destroys the universe.

[Formosus]

The thing is though, if you make the argument that homosexual intercourse is as bad as sucide, then you have to make the argument that any sexual action that is not procreative is as bad as suicide.

As Kristie stated though, suicide takes away all chance for forgiveness, homosexual sex does not. Therefore they are not equal. Suicide is much worse then homosexual sex. In homosexual sex, you are preventing new life from entering into the world which is bad. But with suicide, you are actively taking away life that already exists and rejecting one of God's greatest gifts.

[Starwynd]

Okay, now I'm confused, the only reason why homosexuality is wrong and a sin is simply because there's no procreation of the human race? That's it?

If so then doesn't that mean that sex and marriage is only for procreation?

[BlaineTog]

Homosexual acts are mere sexual sins, which aren't as big a deal as everyone makes them out to be. Suicide, on the other hand, kills someone. The two aren't on the same level in any way except for both being mortal sins.

[AndyF]

kristie_m;

But if you recall that along with the OT command against homosexuality, God indicated it's seriousness and stated it was an abomination. Suicide although very serious, isn't.

Andy

[BlaineTog]

Originally Posted by AndyF

kristie_m;

But if you recall that along with the OT command against homosexuality, God indicated it's seriousness and stated it was an abomination. Suicide although very serious, isn't.

That doesn't mean Suicide isn't an abomination, and it certainly doesn't mean homosexuality is worse. It could just mean the Bible found it necessary to point out that homosexuality is a no-no in this way whereas it didn't feel that it was necessary to do so in the case of suicide.

[cpayne]

Originally Posted by Starwynd

Okay, now I'm confused, the only reason why homosexuality is wrong and a sin is simply because there's no procreation of the human race? That's it?

If so then doesn't that mean that sex and marriage is only for procreation?

Well, not exactly. It means that homosexual activities are not ordered in line with the intrinsic nature of sex. PART OF the intrinsic nature of sex is procreative. Sex and marriage are not "only for" procreation, but that seems to be the number one reason for their existence. Affection, companionship, human completion, etc., are also reasons---which, come to think of it, would also make casual sexual relationships immoral, even if those relationships were procreative in nature.

[davidv]

In addition to the comments regarding the potential for repentance, I offer the following.

Since both acts are gravely disordered and have the potential for keeping one out of heaven, any distintion is one with no practical difference.

[kristie_m]

Originally Posted by AndyF

kristie_m;

But if you recall that along with the OT command against homosexuality, God indicated it's seriousness and stated it was an abomination. Suicide although very serious, isn't.

Andy

Well, I don't believe homosexuality is directly addressed in the ten commandments, either, but killing certainly is.

[mercygate]

Originally Posted by Starwynd

Okay, now I'm confused, the only reason why homosexuality is wrong and a sin is simply because there's no procreation of the human race? That's it?

If so then doesn't that mean that sex and marriage is only for procreation?

Sex and marriage are PRIMARILY for procreation and by extension the good of the couple and the building up of society for the Kingdom of God.

Homosexual sex, as a lifestyle is certainly socially suicidal. As is contraception.

[BlaineTog]

Originally Posted by mercygate

Sex and marriage are PRIMARILY for procreation and by extension the good of the couple and the building up of society for the Kingdom of God.

They're actually for both reasons equally. At least, that's what the Catholic Church teaches.