|
|
|
|
|
A Word From Our Associate&
Sexual Purity Rediscovered
Part IV: Homosexuality (Cont'd)
Q(#3): "What does healing mean for a homosexual person? What are your hopes and goals?"
Bob: "I don't use the term 'healing' as much as I would have in the past. More and more I use the words 'growing in holiness,' and 'becoming Christ-like.' I do believe that changes can take place in this area. I believe the condition is largely a product of environmental factors. No study has ever confirmed a genetic basis. Maybe someday there will be some confirmation, but there isn't at this time. There maybe some temperaments more disposed to developing a homosexual orientation within an environment, given certain conditions."
-
"Conditions such as?"
Bob: "Sexual abuse, abandonment or alienation from the same sex parent. But I would add here that we're talking about a complex issue. Many people think it is just genetics, which is totally deterministic, but this has not been determined."
Q: "Is it your goal to have change, towards heterosexual experience?"
Bob: "When we say change, some
think it means all or nothing. I prefer to use the word,
'changes." And I have seen some changes take place."
-
"For example?"
Bob: "Oh, let's see. Stronger attraction to women. I'm more alive to a woman's anatomy. And sexual fantasy used to be, the majority, towards men, but now the majority is about women...(slight pause) very masculine women (laughs)... I'm just kidding...no actually very feminine. Regarding changes...I think the Catholic Church as a beautiful perspective on this: that is, there is no guarantee that if one pursues a specific course of therapy, it will result in modifications to one's sexual orientation. Consequently the Church does not demand of the individual that they work to try to bring about such changes."
Q: "What would be your word of hope of those individuals then, who may not experience such changes?"
Bob: "Well, first, pursuing change may bring about other positive results: for example, working through childhood trauma, or insecurities about your gender is very valuable. It's not lost time; it's not wasted effort; it has its 'value.'
Bill: "I agree with Bob's assessment. I myself have gone through years of focused therapy. What I'm left with is a greater understanding of this condition in my life. I see it as a cross to carry. I continue to live a chaste life, in service of the Lord. I haven't seen changes like that [Bob's]; more what I've seen is healing in relationships with family members, and I understand more deeply the environmental factors leading to this condition& self-knowledge too."
Bob: "You know, I'm not interested
in replacing homo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sexual lust with heterosexual lust. You can go to hell just as easily as a heterosexual, as a homosexual. Satan is an 'equal opportunity destroyer' (smiles). I have friends, heterosexual, who I would never trade places with, if I had to deal with the kind of sexual difficulties they deal with."
Brenda: "I think the goal is to help people find healing for their woundedness, and if they experience change in the process, great. Many people aren't willing to go as deep with their woundedness, and it is indeed hard to go to, but that is the way of healing. We must all come under the authority of God and the Scriptures. Genetic predisposition won't change what God says. And it won't change the reality that some people can change. We know that there are some genetic factors for sociopaths and alcoholics, but that doesn't mean it's ok. God desires to touch our woundedness."
(Homosexuality cont'd next week)
Fr. Michael
Faith Formation&
SEEKERS: Adult Theological Book Club
The next SEEKERS book club meeting will be Thursday, September 14 from 7:00--8:30pm in the Parish Center The book to read for September is TELL ME YOUR NAME by Arthur E. Zannoni (Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago). Join us. The only prerequisite is that you read the book beforehand.
FAITH FORMATION CLASSES
Classes begin September 12/13 (for students registered by August 25). On those days, all parents/guardians, students and teachers will meet in the school gym for the first half of class. Home study students and their parents can pick up their materials at this meeting. Registered students will find their names/class day/time posted on the west church entrance bulletin board the weekend of September 2/3. Teachers will begin calling on Sept. 5/6 to advise classroom number.
information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
