tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294294294975883770.post1568389794701308568..comments2024-01-23T21:51:59.450-05:00Comments on The Gary Baumgarten Report: The Catholic Church's Obsession With Gay MarriageGary Baumgartenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16665260595151901802noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294294294975883770.post-34726059404903734462009-11-30T01:48:37.969-05:002009-11-30T01:48:37.969-05:00You are right, the Roman Catholic Church does have...You are right, the Roman Catholic Church does have its right to preach its opinion from the pulpit on biblical issues, but as of late, It has been crossing the line when it comes to secular politics, and attempting to extort politicians to bend to their positions. Not all people follow the Catholic Church's point of view. Many faiths, as the Episcopal church of which I am a member, historically have fundamental differences on marriage equality, divorce, and women's rights. I was married to my partner in Mass. and blessed by a Priest, so we do have same sex marriages in this country, and it has made no difference to the Catholic Church what so ever.<br /><br />I think the issue is a greater one, The Church's hierarchy of Liberal Bishops have been replaced by Conservative Bishops as appointed under John Paul II. The major hang-up they have is about sex, only to be used for procreation, and their loss in dictating the beliefs of society and in general their influence in politics. They have been seeing their positions diminish and lately are attempting to use this debate as a tool to re-assert themselves into society and the political system. <br /><br />Gay marriage, as well as the health care debate in regards to woman's rights, is that cause they can rally their conservative faithful behind and sure up support. What makes it wrong is that they are using their position in politics which is legally wrong, it is also ethically wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294294294975883770.post-52340064128663659862009-11-30T01:10:11.653-05:002009-11-30T01:10:11.653-05:00That point didn't elude me. My main point was ...That point didn't elude me. My main point was with regard to your last sentence: 'But that doesn't mean they are right in doing so.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294294294975883770.post-72901725818670692732009-11-29T15:49:09.288-05:002009-11-29T15:49:09.288-05:00If you read more carefully, anonymous, you would s...If you read more carefully, anonymous, you would see that I said the church has the right to speak out. But that I don't believe it is right in doing so.<br /><br />It's a distinction that may have eluded you when you read the piece.Gary Baumgartenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16665260595151901802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294294294975883770.post-20667499789378322092009-11-29T14:15:36.867-05:002009-11-29T14:15:36.867-05:00Who are you to say whether the church is right or ...Who are you to say whether the church is right or not in speaking out? The church doesn't live in a bubble. They have every right to have a say on social issues like gay marriage and abortion that affect the larger society.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4294294294975883770.post-41165533252764986692009-11-29T09:25:25.089-05:002009-11-29T09:25:25.089-05:00in the Holy Bible the Lord considers male on male ...in the Holy Bible the Lord considers male on male or female with female in a sexual relationship as an abomination, For Man was made for women for procreation, as well as sexual gratification. In the Catholic church until very recently, priests who had perverted sex with little boys were just sent to other churches, in or out of the diocese, Today they are written up by the church abd their indescretion is made public. there was a period in Catholic history , that priests were allowed to be married. if that was embraced by the church today, as a natural path for man. perhaps there would be more satisfied clergy and also those who could really relate to family life. Just my opinion. this would make a good discussion for network news, thank you Gary. for your comments here and for Daniel's as well. Barbara ErbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com