catholicsphere

R.E.M had a song, Shiny Happy People, that contained the lyric Shiny happy people holding hands. But, something happened to the “happy people” …

A number of “happy folks” have rallied to show their unhappiness with Italian Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco. These “happy citizens” have left graffiti threatening the archbishop because he opposes same-sex unions in Italy. He even received a bullet in the mail. Pope Benedict XVI is supporting the archbishop.

Reports are that he equated homosexuality with incest and pedophilia. Not exactly true, when you read his comments:

Why say no to forms of legally recognized cohabitation that create alternatives to the family? Why say no to incest? Why say no to the ‘Pedophile Party’ in Holland?

The archbishop simply pointed out a logical problem with the argumentation for same-sex unions. That makes people angry; especially when they lack a strong answer to such questions.

What can be said? “Those things hurt children.” But, researchers have noted that there is no clear consensus, and politics skew the results of many studies. Perhaps its appropriate to look at adoption to understand the issue a little better — after all, these children do not typically know one or both of their biological parents.

It would seem that the position of the Catholic Church, based on scientific data, that children fair better in life with their married, biological parents (intact families).

So, the answer from the “happy folks” is not sufficient.

That aside — moving back to the archbishops statements — it should be clear that the archbishop is asking questions which could be summed up: where’s the standard? If decisions are based on people “loving” each other, then what’s to stop other forms of “relationship” from employing the same logic? What if an “incest” or “pedophilia” gene is found, leading people to say “God made me this way”? Does that suddenly make it alright?

Before you answer, think about the question of a “murder gene”, or some other thing deemed “mental illness”; keeping in mind that homosexuality was once listed officially as a “mental disorder”. Should murder or theft or rape suddenly be allowable for those who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder? Who’s to say they weren’t “created that way”?

No. The standard must be different. We all are prone to sin. Yet, God tells us to turn from our sins. “Deny thyself”, Jesus says, “and come follow me”. Believe, and follow, and you shall inherit life that is true life. That is not discrimination; that is true love.

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