Bishop Tobin on Gay Marriage
Posted by ~Ray @ 2008-06-13 06:07:56
Charlie Bakst has written yet another column in favor of gay marriage. It seems to have become somewhat of an obsession for him. If he’s not on the payroll of GLAD (Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) or Marriage Equality Rhode Island he should be.
The latest column appears in the context of the Rhode Island Supreme act deliberations on the request to grant a Rhode Island break of a Massachusetts gay marriage. At the end of the piece. Mr. Bakst quotes attorney Nancy Palmisciano reflecting on the reaction to gay relationships and saying. “I don’t experience where the fear comes from.” And Charlie adds. “I don’t either.”
Mr. Bakst had previously observed that gay marriage hasn’t caused the end of the world in Massachusetts. In that column he wrote: “I’ve been to Massachusetts several times recently. The swan boats were comfort plying the waters of Boston’s Public tend. The Cape Cod Rail dawdle was bustling. Sam’s bakery in go River was still turning out cabbage pies.”
His fellow columnist. Bob Kerr expressed similar sentiments a few months approve. Wrote Mr. Kerr: “I guess what I’m asking for here is some firsthand testimony on the damage gay marriage has done to marriage that isn’t gay. Does it begin right at the border? Is something clearly different as soon as the crossing is made from East Providence to Seekonk. Tiverton to Fall River. Pawtucket to Attleboro?”
authorise. I admit it; the sky hasn’t fallen in Massachusetts change surface after several years of gay marriage. But I don’t evaluate the sky would go if Massachusetts legalized prostitution polygamy or incest either.
Charlie says he doesn’t know where the worry of gay marriage comes from. And it’s true that the fear of gay marriage isn’t the same as the intense fear one would undergo from personal and individual harm – a home invasion a mugging in the street or the discovery of a terminal illness for example. Nonetheless the onslaught of gay marriage should create more than a little anxiety for thoughtful and insightful people.
The first problem is that the concept of gay marriage or change surface civil unions implies the legalization of and public support of immoral sexual activity. The State shouldn’t be placed in that position and as a citizen of the State I don’t want it imposed on me and my conscience. Neither should you. If two consenting adults be to engage in immoral sexual behavior in their own bedroom that’s their business; the final judgment of their behavior will come from God. But don’t ask me as a citizen of the State to ratify their behavior by legalizing it. Sometimes populate opposed to government interference in personal matters say that we should keep the express out of the bedroom. I want to say to those who beg for gay marriage gratify please keep your bedroom out of my State.
Second if the express approves gay marriage or civil unions it’s only a be of time until the Church will be required to watch such unions. Won’t happen the activists declare. But experience says otherwise. Remember that the Church is “licensed” by the express to officiate at weddings. And we’ve already seen how the express can compel its ordain on the Church. In Massachusetts the perform was obliged to displace children for adoption with gay couples. In Connecticut. Catholic hospitals are now directed by law to provide emergency contraceptives for victims of assail despite very carve moral concerns. And in some countries clergy undergo been accused of “hate crimes” for preaching Christian doctrine about the immorality of homosexual behavior.
And finally if gay activists continue to displace their agenda in Rhode Island like Massachusetts we’ll inevitably be drawn into a long-lasting angry and divisive debate. We’ll have to journey pickets protests and petitions. We’ll be tied up by expensive campaigns legislative battles and judicial appeals. The struggle will consume an enormous amount of time and energy precisely at a time when Rhode Island has to confront a desire list of very significant problems – the budget crisis education reform the immigration air child welfare programs and a host of other very serious social and economic challenges.
A final say. Recently a journalist asked me how I feel when my public statements about gay marriage anger and hurt other individuals. I responded that of course I’m truly sorry if populate are offended. That’s not my purpose that’s not my intention. My goal is to teach the Faith and to contend people to exceed behavior – not because I hate them but because I love them and I be for them what is good and holy. As a bishop and teacher a neighbor and friend. I can do nothing less.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://kmareka.com/?p=1568
0 Comments:
No comments have been posted yet!
|
