US Bishops may ease up on changing gays.

[donco6]

Hallelujah! :sarcasm:

"While continuing to stress that same-sex relationships are immoral, America's Roman Catholic bishops may approve new guidelines this week that absolve gay Catholics of any obligation to try to alter their sexual orientation.

The guidelines for ministering to homosexuals, to be reviewed when bishops convene Monday in Baltimore for their annual fall meeting, also will urge clergy to baptize the adopted children of gay couples who agree to raise them Catholic."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0611130181nov13,1,6639791.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

Wow, if this is an example of how far the Church has moved in its condemnation of gays (as referred to in the Elton thread), color me unimpressed.

At least we don't have to change ourselves from gay to straight anymore, even though we're still all going to hell. But at least the kids won't, since they can be baptized now.

[Vorta]

1. Aren't they amazing?

The Bishops that is. Amazingly arrogant.

As for the gay people pounding on the door of The Church, I don't know how to feel about them. I admire perseverance in the pursuit of justice, of course.

[donco6]

2. But how long do you fight for a seat at a table . . .

. . . when everyone else can walk in the door with whatever baggage they're carrying, but YOU have to strip your soul to the bones to be allowed in?

Personally, I have no use for organized religion of any stripe these days.

[theHandpuppet]

3. Well put, donco6!!

But how long do you fight for a seat at a table when everyone else can walk in the door with whatever baggage they're carrying, but YOU have to strip your soul to the bones to be allowed in?

Couldn't have said it better.

[seabeyond]

6. i told two different fundy friends, christianity, your religion

i was blaming hte repug party for the hate, but it couldnt have been done without christianity and the bible. i dont blame the repugs,.... it is christianity.... i am soooo pissed. i struggled to own my share of christianity the last couple years. wrestling my right to be a christian and vote dem. after this last election, it was YOU christians... i know longer felt a desire to hold a piece. my son raised an eyebrow, what about god. i told him, god and jesus are always mine..

but i am with you donco.... i cannot look at christianity the same. it created the nation of hate. it took the bible and used it for hate. the very exact same that others took the koran and used it for hate.

because of christianity (not repugs) christianity, .... you have families breaking up like we have never experienced before. a divide like never before

in the name of the lord

[donco6]

10. The only verse I can think of for this is . . .

"Jesus wept."

Seriously.

[seabeyond]

12. i hear ya.... i so hear ya. yes n/t

[Vorta]

7. Some people see a future for organized religion

Many people have noted, positively or negatively, that certain churches are evolving into a "civic fellowship". Most often mentioned in this category are the Episcopalians, Unitarians, and the renewed interest in Quaker fellowships. By some accounts, Buddhism is wandering into the ranks of Anglican and Catholic priesthood at significant levels.

I think the church evolving to a true civic fellowship is pretty far down the road. Of course, there is the problem of figuring out how to fill the hour once spend in worship of a deity, though there are those who say that this is simply a metaphor for understanding amongst many of the faithful.

[donco6]

11. How to fill an hour.

That's a good and amusing point. You know though, think of how much time we spend pounding keyboards here on this board. Why is that so important that we actually make the choice to do it? Is it because we are among likeminded souls? Is there not an attraction there? I think this evolution of civic fellowship could be a very good thing.

[seabeyond]

4. AFTER working up a whole nation of rw christians into frenzy of HATE

F* yawl

[Beer Snob-50]

5. the mention of not allowing communion

is just as bad as the gay language in my opinion. rw priests will be able to worp the minds of their flock by making a show of disallowing communion to those who support abortion rights while not disallowing it for those who support this war (definatly not acceptable by christian standarts) and the rw view on the poor.

[Vorta]

8. I have never understood why Catholics tolerate this

In my hometown we had a couple of Catholics who were barred from accepting communion due to divorce. I couldn't understand why they didn't just come over to the Episcopal church where they would be accepted, though perhaps requiring a chat with the Bishop first. It wasn't like being a Catholic was a social advantage in that place and time. But they tolerated this second class treatment.

I'm usually a supporting of staying and fighting rather than running, but because of my bias regarding god-based religion I can't truly be objective.

[Beer Snob-50]

9. the catholic church teaches

that communion is transformed into the body and blood of jesus and as such is held in high regard. in most other christian religions, it is just a symbol of this body and blood.