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Opinion: Why the Catholic church is wrong about gay marriage

September 21, 2012 @ 1:05 pm (Updated: 11:21 am - 9/24/12 )

cedargrove
Archbishop Peter Sartain says the Catholic church is not "against" anything. It is "for marriage, for husbands and wives." (AP image)

Seattle's Catholic Archbishop Peter Sartain has released a video detailing the church's opposition to gay marriage.

Personally, I'm steeped in Catholic tradition, but my family happens to come from the more liberal wing of the church. This liberal wing is not happy with this church's adamant stance against gay marriage.

First off, the Archbishop (of Seattle) talks about how harmful it would be, but I think he fails to demonstrate what the harm really is.

Now he suggests that somehow gay marriage would upset the very foundation of society and this man-woman bond is most fundamental to all of civilization. No, I would argue if anything, it's family that's what's most fundamental. And I know many gay couples who are doing just that: raising families.

And then finally, somehow to suggest that overturning centuries of common law is somehow on the face of it a bad thing? That holds no water for me. We've had centuries of common law that have allowed for slavery, discrimination, racism, and sexism. You know tradition only goes so far for me. I just have to say 'Sorry Archbishop, I dissent.'

Transcribed by Josh Kerns

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Comments (26)


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  • BeenThere wrote...
    What part of Scripture does the Catholic church get wrong, Tom?
    September 24, 2012 6:29 pm
    Picking and choosing what you want to believe based on what is culturally acceptable isn't faith based on Biblical teaching. Too much of the Church today caves under societal pressure. That doesn't mean society is right or just. With freedom comes responsibility. The Bible shows over and over what happens to societies that rely on their own wisdom and self serving beliefs. The Bible shows how we are all flawed. Even Gods chosen people paid the price for their selfish desires by following false gods. If we don't learn from it we are destined to repeat it. I believe God wants what's best for us and makes it clear in His inspired word. Not to supress people, but to free them, as the Old Testament continually points forward to the person of Jesus Christ. Believing in the Truth of the Bible means standing up and speaking out, often times in unpopular ways. But it's easy to go along with the current trends, especially if one views themselves as "Progressive" and dismiss that which is supposedly irrelevant and outdated, all the while missing the most important teaching about the human condition. Of course you will disagree if it means going against the politically correct bretheren. You can choose to deny the truth and warnings of the Bible, you have free will. You can also believe the lies that a self serving culture preaches, you have the "right" to do that. I'm willing to trust a Book that shows the truth of what happens when we give in to our own desires and stray from God's will, because He loves us. God states that marriage between a man and a woman should be like the relationship Jesus has with His bride, the Church, giving Himself up for her, sacrificially. As sure as Jesus existed on this earth I will trust Him, His Father and His Word more than anyone claiming to have more knowledge or wisdon than the One who created them. Do you know why Jesus Christ come in the first place?
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  • Forrest wrote...
    BeenThere, obviously you pick and choose what you want.
    September 24, 2012 8:24 pm
    Leviticus 19:19

    Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

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  • BeenThere wrote...
    Forrest, I'm glad you chose wisely with your quote.
    September 24, 2012 9:42 pm
    If you chose the other decree in that verse, "Do not mate different kinds of animals", I'd have been confused. Cheers.
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  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    @forrest..
    September 25, 2012 5:33 am
    The kind of person who blindly supports thier church/religion is going to tell you tha
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  • BeenThere wrote...
    Do not wear clothing woven of different kinds of material.
    September 25, 2012 7:19 am
    Might this apply to Mr. Tangney?
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  • SMarti018 wrote...
    How harmful it would be?...
    September 24, 2012 9:18 pm
    But church leaders having sex with under age boys is somehow swept under the rug... See two can play at this game... I cant stand Hypocrites and religion of all sorts has a bulls eye bigger then the ego of religious leaders when it comes to being hypocritical.
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