The subject is in the subject much these days - so I believe it's necessary to give a Catholic understanding of the matter.
The Bible is clear, of course, that homosexual ACTIVITY is sinful, gravely sinful. We know that. We've all heard the passage from Leviticus "If a man lies with a male as with a women, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives." (Leviticus 20:13 NAB) But, that's not the whole story. You'll notice, this verse says "for their abominable deed". It does not condemn anybody for their thoughts, for their feelings, for the ways in which they are tempted.
Listen, I'm a heterosexual male, and it is just as sinful for me to have relations with a woman to whom I'm not married as it would be for a homosexual person to have relations with a person of their own sex. And that brings us to the crux of the matter. Sexual relations are, from a biblical perspective - and from a scientific perspective - geared towards reproduction. Yes, it's enjoyable - why shouldn't reproduction be enjoyable? Now, until the 1960s, it was understood that this was the case. Yeah, people tried to get around it, but even those committing adultery or indulging before marriage understood that, if you do it, there's a good chance there's gonna be a baby around in 9 months. What changed it? Two things: Contraception, and Abortion. Contraception made it possible to engage in an act without worrying about the natural result of that act. And then, abortion made it possible to engage in that act and eliminate the natural result. BOTH are a denial of God's plan, and that's why both are mortal sins. So, once sex had no consequences, society began re-evaluating the question of who can do it with whom - and promiscuity, adultery, and homosexual activity all became much more common - and accepted. Well, that's why it's all sinful. But what does Jesus say about the homosexual?
There's a bit of propaganda on the web, urging the person to click and find everything Jesus said about the matter; and when one clicks, all that is seen is a blank page, implying He said nothing. Well, that is not. Quite. True.
"For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it." Matthew 19:12.
Now, what is a eunuch who were made so by man? One who is incapable of reproducing. One who is born that way is, of course, one who has no desire for the act of reproduction (i. e. , who has sexual urges for the opposite sex - one who is either asexual or homosexual). And one who is a eunuch for the sake of the kingdom? One who has taken a vow of celibacy (priest, monk, or nun).
So, Jesus is saying that there is no sin in same-sex attraction.
And that does not contradict the passage from Leviticus. Why? Because Leviticus doesn't talk about feelings or attraction; those things are temptation. There is no guilt in temptation. No. Leviticus doesn't deal with sexual orientation. It deals with action. It prescribes execution under the Law of Moses (which we are not bound by) for acting in a manner openly defying God's plan for creation. It mirrors - in the physical - what happens to us spiritually when we oppose God's plan. Certain sins are so heinous that participating in them cuts one off from God - we die, spiritually, by engaging in them. That is why they're called "mortal" sins.
No, the Bible doesn't say that "being gay" is a sin. It is not. In fact, there are thing associated with being gay which are far from sinful (or, at least, associated with the stereotype). The sense of fashion, color; the sensitivity. Again, these are stereotypes, but the "gay community" doesn't seem to object to the picture. And there's nothing inherently wrong with these things.
But - homosexual activity is another question. It is defying God's plan for creation, just as contraception is defying God's plan, just as murder is defying God's plan, just as racial discrimination is defying God's plan.
What makes it sin is that we choose to do things OUR way, rather than God's way. Sin is that - judging God's way as inferior to OUR way. It is making ourselves "better" or "wiser" than God.
Isn't that the lie that the serpent fed to Eve? "Your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as God"?
Now, the question of "gay marriage". If sexual activity is geared primarily towards reproduction, then it logically follows that marriage has, at its primary purpose, reproduction and nurturing of children. Seen in that light, is it a cogent proposition to assert that two individuals, whose physical relationship is contrary to reproduction, have a right to enter into a covenantal/sacramental relationship the cornerstone of which is reproduction? It doesn't make sense, does it?
Thus, one cannot consistently be both Catholic and pro-Same Sex marriage. Of course, non-Catholics may disagree, but this piece is on the Catholic understanding.
This was a Facebook note, originally published 3/31/13
Great explanation. I'm going to print this out and keep it as a handy reference in arguments. However, "Thus, one cannot consistently be both Catholic and pro-Same Sex marriage" needs clarification. Aquinas would say, distinctions are important. Catholics can't support sacramental same-sex marriage, but if a same sex couple get married at Town Hall that may be for legal reasons. That marriage certificate allows the spouse hereditary property, a say in medical treatment, responsibility for debts, etc. So for legal reasons, same sex marriage is understandable, but never marriage in a Catholic Church. One of the vows, Catholics make is to be open to procreation--that disqualifies same sex couples.
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