Church Inconsistencies Regarding Homosexuals

Church Inconsistencies Regarding Homosexuals

The call for justice is not a new phenomenon, but is sometimes even an action that is used rather oftenly. Almost everywhere, some people are getting more than they should from others. There is usually a distinction between powerful, less powerful and even powerless human beings. People are oppressed as others gain wealth and power. It has, unfortunately, become a tolerated system in society in the modern world. There is always injustice, and people always try to protest and set things straight. It is a battle wherein the end cannot even be visualized at present.

In the Church's attempt to contribute to the call for justice, Justitia in Mundo , a Synod of Bishops in 1971, was issued. The synod practically called for structural change to address the different problems of injustice in the world (Dorr). It dealt with many injustices, how to view them, and even gave suggestions on how to avoid them.

Although the synod was talking generally about all forms of injustices, its specific points seemed to be directed towards the issue of injustice to women (McNeill, 1988). By looking at the development of the Church's reaction to homosexuality in McNeill's book, it seem apparent that the Church was not prepared to deal with the issue. Even up to now, the Church's stand on homosexuality is rather vague, and different representatives of the Church have very contrasting opinions about it. This leads to an inaction on the problem and leaves a hanging injustice for homosexuals.

Justice

The Church's participation in the lives of people becomes controversial when it talks about justice, a matter that almost always directly affects the government. In these situations, the Church becomes a political figure, a reality that politicians refuse to accept, especially if they are the perpetrators of injustice. That is why the Church came up with a synod that speaks mainly about justice.

Justitia in Mundo

In 1971, the Church produced JIM, a synod of bishops putting an emphasis on structural injustice. This indicates that so much of the injustice in the world is cause by the defective systems in society (Dorr). The social structures are actually placing obstacles to hinder the conversion of hearts; thus, personal conversion becomes very difficult. The following are some key areas of the synod, which will be used in discussing the thesis.

JIM sees the Church as having a mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation (JIM: 6). The Church may not always have the right to meddle, depending on the government's laws, but the Church feels the need to always protect its people. When there is injustice, and the cause is something political, the Church cannot just lay back while people are suffering. There is a moral issue being dealt with, so the Church must perform its duties.

Merely acknowledging the presence of injustice is against the plan of God (JIM: 5). People should not be passive in dealing with injustice, may we be the victims or totally unaffected. We cannot be mere spectators when people are being oppressed. The Church has a vocation, and the members of the Church must share in that mission. We must be moved to action to help the oppressed, bring joy to the afflicted, and be able to proclaim the Good News through our actions, through our lives.

Action is demanded from the Church. In the Old Testament, God reveals himself as the liberator of the oppressed and defender of the poor (JIM: 30). As human beings who are made in the image and likeness of God, we must also be as such. His revelation demands from us that we have faith in him and show justice towards one another, in order to truly recognize God as a liberator.

The responsibility of keeping justice is not exclusive to the Church, but it is still a responsibility. The Church's specific responsibility in the issue is to give witness before the world of the need for love and justice, which is seen in the Gospel messages. In the New Testament, Christ had a mission, and his mission does not end with his death. He made it a point to find successors, and his successors found their own, and the mission is being passed on up to present. The Church has carried this mission through the ages. In this mission, it is the Church's duty to proclaim justice from the social to international levels and actively denounce instances of injustice, when the people's rights and their salvation demand it (JIM: 36). The Church--its officials, members and related institutions--must do something.

As members of the Church, members of our society, we all have the same fight and duty to promote the common good as everyone else. As Christians and humans, we all have temporal obligations with fidelity and competence (JIM: 38). From small acts to big acts, we must maintain a sense of justice in order to make society a more harmonious organization to be part of. In our day-to day life, it is our duty to be able to proclaim the Gospel through our actions (JIM: 49). Our commitment to God is our commitment to promoting justice in the world.

JIM also stresses the need for justice because we are all creations of God and that we ideally see God in each other. Jesus' commandment of love for all of us implies and absolute demand for justice (JIM: 34). There is a responsibility to keep our relationships with our neighbors harmonious and just, and inner fullness in this can only be attained through loving. Thus, there should be an open mind in trying to understand the situations of others n order for us to be just. We are all equal in God's family, so our human rights should be all the same.

The Homosexual Situation

Homosexuality is an issue that has been present for a very long time, but has been avoided by so many generations (Mc Neill, 1988). It is considered as taboo, so the desire to liberate homosexuals in parties concerned grew in intensity in its underground existence.

The Homosexual

Fleras (1998) said that sexuality is believed to be a continuum. For example, gay men are somewhere in between the really "straight" men on one extreme, and the transsexuals at the other extreme. They can move through that continuum--they may look very stereotypically macho and straight one day, but become more in touch with their feminine side on the next. However, being gay is not just about what you do, but it is about who you are (Fleras, 1998).

Homosexuals are individuals who are emotionally and erotically attracted to people of their same sex (Hyde, 1990 cf. Ofreneo,