DAY 260
CHALLENGE
“The Catholic Faith is homophobic. It hates and fears gay people.”
DEFENSE
The Church recognizes everyone, including those with same- sex attraction, as people God loves and for whom Christ died.
Sometimes homosexual activists accuse those who disagree with them of “hate.” Or they may accuse others of irrational fear—of being “homophobic.” Although some individuals may hate or fear homosexuals, these allegations are used indiscriminately to attack those who disagree and to shut down rational discussion. However, merely disagreeing with homosexuality does not involve either hate or fear.
Homosexual behavior is a distortion of the way human sexuality is meant to work, but it is far from alone. There are many other distortions, including pornography, prostitution, and adultery. People with same-sex attraction are suffering a particular form of temptation, but everyone suffers temptation. We are all tempted to do things we should not, and we must all be clear-eyed about this fact and resist temptation.
People who have same-sex attraction have the same inherent dignity as other human beings, and they must be treated with respect—so much respect that we offer them both the truth about human sin and the hope for dealing with it that is found in Jesus Christ.
For people with same-sex attraction, as for people with every other temptation, we must be “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). The Catechism states:
The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.
Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection (CCC 2358–59).
TIP
For assistance dealing with same-sex attraction, see the support group Courage International (www.CourageRC.org).