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... The Catholic Church does not condone homosexual activity, but she also does not condemn homosexual orientation. Instead, the Catholic Church encourages celibacy with the help of various support groups. ... The terminology generally used for male homosexuality is “gay. ... ” Before one can understand homosexuality, the person must first understand sexual orientation. ... Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professional agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder, or emotional problem. Homosexuality was thought to be a mental illness in the past because mental health professionals and society had biased information about homosexuality since most studies only involved lesbians and gay men in therapy. When researchers examined data about gay people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a mental illness was found to be untrue. Then in 1973, the American Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance of the new research by removing the term “homosexuality” from the official manual that lists all mental and emotional disorders. ... There are many up-to-date sources of the Catholic Church’s views on homosexuality, but homosexuality can be found even mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. ... ” Homosexuality has been an issue since the beginning of sexuality itself. Homosexuality is also found in the animal kingdom. Unequivocally, homosexuality is an issue that is impossible to ignore. ... In 1976, the American Catholic bishops in their pastoral letter, To Live in Christ Jesus, wrote a concise, yet understandable and balanced view of homosexuality from a Catholic perspective. ... ” The Catholic Church does not condemn homosexual orientation. ... The Catholic Church encourages homosexuals to pick up their cross, despite its difficulties, and strive to live a Christian life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “ Homosexual persons are called to chastity. ... ” The Catholic Church has not always been so understanding of the homosexual condition. ... As Dignity spread it forced church hierarchy to deal with the issue of homosexuality. ... It provided the non-gay community education enabling them to learn more about the hidden minority within our Church and society. With the increase of education about homosexuals and the rise of support groups for them, there was evidence of an attitudinal shift in the Catholic Church by the 1970’s (Blumenfeld 187-189). ... The Catholic Church embraces everyone. Homosexual activity is not right, but homosexuals may still live a full life within the church.
Approximate Word count = 2596
Approximate Pages = 10.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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