I've received several requests that I post a link to Courage: a spiritual support system with a 12 Step component for GLBT persons. Courage is in conformity with Catholic teaching on sexuality. Information on Courage of Boston is available through this link.
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Alcoholism is a disease. This is why they have a 12 step program. Alcohol takes over peoples lives, and hurts family and friends,and of course the person who has the disease. It's not a "sin", it's an addiction.
ReplyDeleteHomosexuality is not a disease, nor an addiction. It's just the way people are born and react to this universe. Your post suggests they should seek help and forgiveness for what they are. Yes ... what you preach is true... Jesus loves all of us and all are welcome. But do you really think because someone is not straight .. they are sinners???
I'm just very surprised you posted this. Just saying...
People use 12 step programs for many reasons and not all are related to disease.
ReplyDeleteAlcoholism is a disease and not a sin - but look at AA's 12 steps and you'll see in them a real examination of conscience and a pledge to make amends for behavior that has hurt the self and others. The program helps an individual take responsibility for sobriety.
No, I do not believe that homosexuality is a disease or that it is a sin not to straight.
Courage (as I understand it) helps an individual live a chaste life as Church teaching defines chastity.
There are many issues on the table here and we'll all understand them better if we can, in civil fashion, examine one another's thoughts and positions.
Courage is precisely the program that those who take issue with St. Cecilia's ministry recommend. Does it not make sense for all of us to be familiar with that program?
Powerless over homosexuality and our lives have become unmanageable?
ReplyDeleteThis is what our loving Church wants us to embrace?
I have become so disillusioned by the teachings in my Church. The teachings of "Courage" are precisely what I find to be offensive and demeaning.
Emily...I agree with your thoughts, and pray that some day, hopefully in my lifetime, the Catholic Church brings it's thoughts and teachings into the 21st century. I am just so angered by the 12 steps I have just read. And, I am someone who has battled addiction and follows the 12 Step program. To make the subtle and damaging changes to the wording is unacceptable to me.
I grew up in North Carolina. Every time I return, which is not as frequently now as it once was, I go to see Maggie. Maggie is now 83 years old. Several years ago, I was shocked to find a pillow on Maggie's sofa that said "God didn't make no junk." We didn't discuss it, but I know that Maggie knew I loved her very much and wouldn't in my wildest dreams consider that she nor I would think those words pertained to her. Nonetheless, there was that pillow staring me in the face.
ReplyDeleteI have found the conversations on a number of the St. Cecelia's posts to be upsetting, because the underlying unsaid message is that some people that God created aren't quite right. They need to be fixed. God didn't do a perfect job when he created some people. So we and our methods will straighten things out.
No, you are wrong. God didn't make no junk. And we don't need to fix God's handiwork.
Rosemary
We know that God does not create junk.
ReplyDeleteBut we also know that everyone God created comes into this broken world of ours in need of healing and mending - in fact we Christians say that we come into this world needing to be saved, to be redeemed. I think it's fair to say that every one of isn't "quite right" and that every one of us is in need of some fixing. I know that my "broken parts" have to go back to the shop for repair and replacement on a regular basis.
God didn't make junk but all of God's handiwork is continually in need of healing, mending, retooling, refining, retuning, and redeeming.
It is one thing to say that all of God's handiwork is continually in need of healing, mending, retooling, refining, retuning, and redeeming. Fair enough. What is not fair is to single out certain groups of people whom we judge to be more in need of this healing, mending, retooling, refining, retuning, and redeeming than we are. It is very judgmental, very hurtful, and very unkind.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
Thanks, Rosemary. Is's so difficult to argue with someone who never thinks they are wrong.
ReplyDeleteYou found my words.
I think Austin does a courageous job of posting many sides of debate when it pertains to our Church's teachings. We have to be careful not to make assumptions about his beliefs based on articles he posts. Thank you Austin for your welcoming and respectful spirit.
ReplyDeleteMeighan