hmmm well i've always thought about this topic. i would have to say that while i disagree with what Pope Benedict said, i'm not exactly with you either. i guess he's just trying to say that homosexuality is a sin, and that's why he disapproves of it, just as he would disapprove of any other sins. i don't think he's trying to imply that we're 'less perfect' than others. as for the 'man was created perfect in God's image', i've always interpreted it as we're all created 'perfect/beautiful' in his eyes. so in that sense, even those born without limbs... ... are perfect in his eyes.

that being said, i guess the Pope also doesn't have much choice on whether to accept same sex marriages or not. could you imagine if he actually approved of it? it's like akin to saying that hey, it's alright to sin. like it's perfectly normal to engage in extramarital affairs. it's true that we all sin, but as a religious leader, he has to discourage it.

And that's the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever.

Just out of curiousity, what exactly is "God"?  Is it a name for whoever created the universe and so on or is it whoever fits all the attributes? With other words: assume that Someone created the universe and the world like the bible (or other texts) says and that that Someone isn't perfect, merciful and loving. Would that someone still be God because they created everything and did the things people say God did, or not, because if they're not prefect and so on, they're not God?

Sorry, bit off topic, was just wondering.

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~The blue sky reaches so far that none can escape it~

:) the pope is not saying that same sex marriage is a sin. he’s just sticking to the tradition. he doesn’t have a choice not to accept same sex marriage because from generations to generations it’s been a clear command that marriage should only be between a man and a woman (Genesis 24:1-4). the purpose of marriage under the catholic law is in order the husband and wife to bear children. So WE SHOULDN’T BY ANY CHANCE CONVINCE THE CHURCH TO ACCEPT GAY MARRIAGE BECAUSE IT”S NOT STATED IN THE BIBLE. :(

To “see the light” too often has meant rejecting the treasures found in darkness. ~Adrienne Rich

Hmmm. I'm bisexual but really really Catholic and I suppose no matter how much people begin to accept that homosexuality is fine and most of all not by choice, it doesn't change the fact that the bible pretty much condemns homosexual behaviour...which is worrying to me because obviously I can't help being attracted to women - but people's reply to that is that being gay itself is fine, just don't practise it.

In any case, the fact that the Pope can just suddenly decide that a concept like limbo (also mentioned in the Bible) doesnt exist and never has shows how sort of unimportant all the smaller "rules" of Christianity are compared to the huge one - which I interpret as just being to love others...

I do believe God is loving and merciful  - even if He does condemn homosexual behaviour I believe he is merciful and forgiving enough to understand that some people can't help it - all humans sin! - and thus I doubt all homosexuals automatically go to Hell. Also I can't imagine God would send anybody to Hell simply for loving...

http://www.goldensufi.org/5-AudioArchive.html

What the bleep do we know?

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808578904/info

Its very different from traditional GOD of Bible and Koran where we understood God sitting far away from us and taking notes of our actions to be put us in HELL later.

Here you will see HE/SHE is seated deep into your heart.I cried a lot afer seeing "What a bleep do we know?"

the bible does NOT condemn homosexual behaviour. if you look at the original bible; as it was first written...there is nothing in it about homosexuality. most of the supposed religious "laws" and ideas came from men who interjected their own ideas into new versions of the bible that THEY published.

if you also consider the very nature of the bible - a book written by men who heard stories that were passed down by generations - you would know that there is NO way any of it should or could be taken as historical or theoretical fact.

the bible is a book of well told, moralistic stories that came about from a myriad of human interpretations.

lastly, if "god" does exist as we know it...he/she/it would never condemn anyone. you only struggle with your sexuality because it's what society has taught you to believe. there is no right or wrong sexuality; only sexuality that is PERCEIVED and CONDITIONED to be right or wrong.

the more we educate and fight such ignorance and misperception...the better off we as a society will be.

What are you talking about when you say "original" bible?

My gosh this is too deep for me:)

~Becky

it'll take me years to study everything about all religions.. what can be true to others may not be true to some. that's why there are many religions and religious sects..

perhaps we can simplify everything.. overcome evil and promote love.. i guess this is what religion is all about (to improve human condition, save them from falling into darkness, sanctify souls...) and it is possible for all humanity - athiests and believers of god(s) - if we really want to.

i just can't accept that homosexuality or same sex sex is a sin.. what's wrong about sex or kissing between two lovers? i believe that what makes sex a sin is the bad intention - rape, incest, lust, pedophile, etc..

* complex as it seems, life is simply amazing *

Catholics don't take the bible literally as the religious fundamentalists, they believe the Bible is to be taken figuratively. You don't see the Catholics using the Bible for their opposition to homosexuality. Their position is that homosexuality isn't wrong, but putting it into practice is. The old circular argument. Now you ask, why can't I practice homosexuality? Because my child, it involves sex outside of marriage which is wrong. Ok you say, when can I set a date to get married. Oh no my child, marriage is only for a man and woman because they can produce offspring. Well you say, what about the man and woman who are at an age when they can't produce or a man and woman who have some sort of physical problem that they can't, but want to married? I'm still waiting for an answer to that one myself. LOL

When the religious say that you're made to the image and likeness of God, they're referring to the soul and spirituality. One can't see a physical image of God because God isn't a physical being so he doesn't have limbs etc.

As far as the Bible is concerned, there is no proof that it consists of books which were inspired by God. My child, where is your faith? Don't you know that when we can't explain anything, we always resort to that good ole standby... faith?

I believe in God, but not religion.

"If we follow the Creation story that man was created perfect in God’s image, then there must be another God/Creator for those born without limbs, the Siamese twins, those born with congenital defects… in fact, all the imperfect ones. In the same manner, there must be a higher intelligence equally powerful to “God” — the one who created the gays and the lesbians.

Ergo, there has to be more than one God which will make the Catholic teaching a lie –there must be more than one God and the Catholic God must be a very elitist one indeed."

I truly respect all opinions,,, but what you just said doesnt make any sense at all..

there is only one GOD...thats it. There is no other GOD for gays and lesbians,, no mam.

hmmm i got this quote from a book review and i thought it was pretty interesting.

"You see, I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God." ~ Paula Brook

then again... there's a lot of different type of love and paradoxically, good love and bad love.

And that's the day I knew there was this entire life behind things, and... this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever.

thanks for the explaination....but IMO you can never show too much LOVE...because LOVE is ALWAYS good... However, yes...some people are overwhelmed by love or loving others and that emotion turns into something other than love..for example it becomes OBESSION or INFATUATION and those emotions are indeed "unhealthy."

Maybe I'm just stuck on semantics...but I truly understand what you mean. Keep LOVE alive :)!!