What would you do if your child told you he/she was gay?

[AdamPeter]

Originally Posted by MidnightSun12

I would encourage my son/daughter to carry the cross that God has given him/her and become a beacon of light for other gay people.

With the state of affairs in today's society, a gay person who outwardly promotes chastity could become a very holy Saint and help to save the souls of many gay people!

This is about right...

[hannajomar]

I voted "other" because my actions would depend on the age of my child when told me. If they were a minor and/or still under my direct care, I would choose the " Take him to a pastor (or therapist)" option. I would hope to bring him to a therapist and a priest, and I would do what I could to encourage him away from a homosexual lifestyle.

If they were an adult and living on their own, I would hope to do the "Keep contact with him; make sure he knows you love him, but you don't approve" option. I can't imagine ever disowning a child because they chose a lifestyle that I don't like.

[Kenny Kamel]

I voted for the option, "Tell him, as long he doesn't engage in sinful acts, it's okay."

I must ask, what do you mean when you say gay? That is what I would have to determine, whether they had same-sex attraction (which is perfectly natural and acceptable) or if they have actually performed homosexual acts (which are intrinsically disordered and most assuredly gravely/mortally sinful).

Aside from that I agree with the member MidnightSun12's sentiments, a person experiencing same-sex attraction could be a powerful witness for chastity so long as they stay on the straight and narrow (yes I did say straight for lack of a better phrase).

[Nelka]

The age of the child changes things.

They may not even know what it is.

Never heard of 'pray away the gay'.

[andrewstx]

Originally Posted by MidnightSun12

I would encourage my son/daughter to carry the cross that God has given him/her and become a beacon of light for other gay people.

With the state of affairs in today's society, a gay person who outwardly promotes chastity could become a very holy Saint and help to save the souls of many gay people!

AMEN

[Crescentinus]

Originally Posted by Nelka

Never heard of 'pray away the gay'.

I'm not surprised.
The "pray away the gay" thing is more prevalent within some Protestant circles than with Catholicism. o:

[Catholic80]

Of course I would continue to love my child. If my son or daughter were a hardened criminal I would still love them.

I would try to understand and be compassionate towards them. I also would be praying really hard and pleading with the saints for their intercession.

I think the dilemma many people arrive at with the homosexual debate is they see gays in society and they are nice, caring, loving people. So then the question arises, "if they are nice, caring, and loving, their lifestyle must be okay." But we forget that people are good... sin is not.

The apostles and disciples were all sinners. Judas was a thief and a betrayer. Mary Magdalene (at least the woman at Bethany) was a prostitute. Peter was aggressive, prideful, and was also a coward. Paul tortured and killed Christians. Most of them turned out to be saints.

Just because a person sins does not mean that they are not good people, or even potential saints. What's wrong is when people who oppose the homosexual lifestyle put up signs saying "God hates fags" That destroys charity and leads people further away from the truth. People who show hatred towards gays only lead people on both sides further into sin.

So, when we truly love someone, and we find out they are gay, we see the two most vocal sides... the pro-gay side that is accepting, and tolerating of their behavior, and the anti-gay side with it's hateful propaganda. If we only look at the surface, the pro-gay side seems to be acting more Christian than the anti-gay side. So, if we love the person, on the surface, it seems to make more sense to side with pro-gay. But, it's not about being "pro-gay" or "anti-gay." Christ was not "pro-prostitute" or "anti-prostitute" He LOVED the prostitute, but He told her very clearly, "Sin no more."

We shouldn't be pro or anti human being, no matter the scenario. But, we can still love the person and hate the sin. In fact, it is truly loving to hate the sin, because we want the eternal destiny for that person. Christ longed for our salvation, which is why He despises sin. "Jesus looked at him and loved him." - Gospel of Mark. Loving is NOT tolerating sin. Jesus didn't condemn the prostitute (as the "God hates fags" signs do) "Neither do I condemn you." But he also added this, "Go, and sin no more"

[Corki]

Originally Posted by Crescentinus

I'm not surprised.
The "pray away the gay" thing is more prevalent within some Protestant circles than with Catholicism. o:

Some "gay" activists use the term to describe organizations such as Courage which take an approach of prayer and support to help avoid immoral actions.

[livingwordunity]

I would still love them, and I would still tell them the truth.

[chadair]

I didn't vote, but as a father of 4, I hope I never hear it. Can't say how I would react. I just hope I never have to find out. Not that I'm anti gay, I have no problem with it when it doesn't concern my family

[Crescentinus]

Originally Posted by Corki

Some "gay" activists use the term to describe organizations such as Courage which take an approach of prayer and support to help avoid immoral actions.

Those activists are generalizing, which does not surprise me at the slightest.
For them, any religious organization that dares stand up to them, their enabling behavior and their bullying is like the Westboro Baptist Church.

In reality, the Catholic Church is the opposite of the WBC regarding the teaching on homosexuals and homosexuality.

[Rocky24]

I would be really sad and dissapointed but I would tell them that as long as they fight, ignore and do not act on those sickening thoughts and temptations, it would all be fine. Bringing them to a priest would be a good idea as well.

[raaucoin]

I would first educate myself on what the church actually teaches .then I would educate myself on WHY she teaches it.-I've never met a gay person(Catholic or other) who did not know what the Church teaches on the subject. And I never met a gay person who truly understood Why. It is in the "why" that hearts and minds can be moved. At least that was the case for me and others I know.

[bejonama]

I did tell him I loved him no matter what, he was 17, I asked that he learn not just what the church teaches on ssa but why she teaches it. I asked that he speak to a priest. He agreed to both but only followed through, very reluctantly with one 40minute chat to a priest. He is now 18, still living at home but living another life as well.

It is the most constantly painful thing I have ever experienced to see my beautiful boy, instead of becoming the man I know he has potential to be, become a self obsessed, unhappy and often nasty shadow of that man. I cry, I pray and I am learning the knack of redemptive suffering. St Monica is my friend!!!

I will continue to love him forever, part of that love will be never accepting his lifestyle, because that wouldn't be love, it would be easier, but love ain't easy!!!

[Publisher]

I would love him....I would ask him to be careful and take precautions. I would pray for him as the way society as a whole treats gay people is terrible....but it is getting better.....I would encourage him to become involved in MCC or Integrity or Evangelicals Concerned and find a partner who shared his values. I would hope he continued attending Meeting and when the day came he wished to enter in marriage after the manner of Friends, I would speak for him before the Meeting to bring his parter and he under the care of the Meeting.