Does the Catholic church believe that all races are equal as well as sexual orientations?

Question

Though the RCC teaches on the fundamental dignity of human kind and that all are to be treated with compassion, respect and fairness. Does it believe that all races and social groups (black, white, yellow, straight, gay) or equal. It seems to seem that in the past and to some extent today, that whenever science or socialogy researchers conflicts with its beliefs especialy when it comes to Homosexuals the RCC denies theyre findings. . What I am saying is that not that they neccassarily racsist or homophobic but rather that its teachings on homosexuals is in conflict with the findings of ALL the major studies from credible researchers. A letter in 1987 from Ratzzinger said that homosexual people should not suffer from UNJUST discrimination but it also said that discrimination against them in housing and a host of vocations is just. (Teaching, Coaching, military and housing as well as the religous life)

The letter is the one referred to by Imacatholic II The researchers I am talking about are the American Physcological association and the American Phsyciatry Association. RThe letter talks as if Gays are the same as those rapists and idol worshippers. They have said that Homosexuality is a normal variation as well as a naturaly occuring behaviour. As for race the church may not have officialy believed that other races were inferior but they certainly did nothing to combat that school of thought. And what about its past murderous attitude towards Jews? That prejuduce was based on a misinterpretation of scripture as well as a cultural prejuduce. Its the same thing with homosexuals and homosexuality. It is not about just a sexual thing, many folks of the same gender do actualy fall in love with each other. I am only drawn to Chinese and they are in my sex fantasies as well as romantic feelings. Can they (the church or APA explain that? (I am a white fellow from California)

Answer 1

No, of course not. Its Christian. Thats what they do.

Answer 2

Yes, the RCC believes that all races are equal, as all people are equally made in the image of God.

Let it be remembered that racism had wide scientific support in the late nineteenth through early twentieth centuries. I certainly hope that was no reason for Catholics at the time to deny the doctrine of the imago dei.

As for contemporary science on homosexuality, as far as I can tell, there is no conflict with RCC doctrine. What I know of contemporary science seems to suggest that homosexuality is largely a genetic affair. Well, if that's true, there's no conflict with Church teaching, which denies that homosexual inclinations are in themselves sinful.

"Disordered" does not mean "sinful." Nor does "disordered" mean "attained by choice rather than by genetics." "Disordered" means "ordered improperly." If I have a hormonal imbalance which leads me to become a slavering sex beast who wants to ravish every woman I meet (i.e., how I was in puberty), that would be "disordered" as well, even though it were completely genetically determined.

[Please note that my above comparison is NOT intended to imply that homosexuals are ipso fact "slavering sex beasts." The point of comparison lies in the genetic determination of a wrongly ordered desire.]

Answer 3

Yes.

Created in the image of the one God and equally endowed with rational souls, all men have the same nature and the same origin. Redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ, all are called to participate in the same divine beatitude: all therefore enjoy an equal dignity.

The equality of men rests essentially on their dignity as persons and the rights that flow from it:

Every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God's design.

The Catholic Church believes there is nothing sinful about being homosexual. But homosexuals like all unmarried people are called to celibacy.

The Church specifically says that homosexuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."

Equal dignity does not mean that people are equally capable of fulfilling every vocation. God has given each of us different gifts, different talents, and even different challenges.

A blind person has equal dignity to a person who can see but a blind person should not be a taxi driver.

A mother can be an ideal mother but she cannot be an ideal father. A man can be an ideal father but he cannot be an ideal mother. Mothers and fathers are equal in dignity but God has given them different gifts, talents, and challenges.

Here is the text of the document, On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons (1986): http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_df86ho.htm

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2357-2359: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art6.htm#2357

Are "ALL the major studies from credible researchers" the same ones that say that abortion and euthanasia is not murder, the death penalty is a good thing, the Iraqi War is a just war, and the poor are just lazy?

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

officially, the Catholic Church teaches that all human beings, regardless of race or sexual orientation, from the moment of conception, were created in the image and likeness of God, and are therefore dignified and worthy of respect.

What findings, of what credible researchers, are you referring to, and how are Church teachings in conflict with those? What 1987 letter by Ratzinger are you referring to?

Answer 5

You are mixing apples with oranges here.

Every one is equal despite skin color because skin color is merely a physical attribute, nothing more nothing less.

BUT, when you get into things like homosexuality, we are no longer talking about superficial details of one's body. We are talking about behavior. When it comes to behavior, some of it has socially redeeming value. Some behavior does not have socially redeeming value. Homosexual behavior lacks socially redeeming value because it is in violation of the Natural Law.

The Author of Natural Law is nature's Creator - God. So anything that is contrary to the Natural Law is contrary to the Will of God.

Some people are homosexuals, no doubt about it. But merely being homosexual is not sinful. It's when this inclination manifests itself in sexual acts that involve two people of the same sex - this is where sin comes into play.

I haven't read all the other responses to your question but someone has probably cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church's teachings as it pertains to the dignity of the human being as it relates to homosexuality. In case I am wrong, here you go:

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

2396 Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices.

A homosexual's dignity as a human being is no less or greater than the human dignity of a heterosexual. However, when it comes to behavior, immoral behavior does have it's consequences.

Answer 6

I'm a Roman Catholic and here is how I understand it. RCC does believe in the equality and dignity of all races. Persons with homosexual tendencies and behaviors are humans and are all of that same dignity and equality. However, classifying individuals as homosexual is a contridiction since homosexual acts are against human nature and are sinful. It is not possible for God to create an individual in a way that they are inclined toward sin, although some individuals may be more tempted then others. This is not possible because it is evil to expect a behavior yet make it impossible to not follow. God could not do that.

So classifying individuals as homosexuals is not a possibility to the RCC in that sense in my opinion. And to treat sinful behavior or those who engage in sinful behavior as a special class is misguided. So although these individuals are to be treated equally and have the same dignity the sin would not. That is where the idea of "love the sinner and hate the sin" comes into play. To approve of homosexual lifestyle is not possible for the RCC. To approve of dignity and equality to those who engage in this activity is. How this plays out politically as in public policy, is by and large up to individual conscience.

Edit: To the respondent below:
I understand the question as being how could the RCC church be speaking as the church that Jesus founded if it was actually organized after he died. This is my own wording which I hope is a fair re-statement.
I was not addressing that issue in my answer but intended to state what I understood certian RCC positions on homosexuality and races. But I do believe it is a correct position and hope that it can be understood for what it is rather than a claim to being the true Church or beyond what it is.

The way I understand the organizing of the Church after Jesus died is that Christ intended the Church to grow in members after he left the earth and beyond his 12 apostles of whom he gave special attention and teaching. Later came more disciples and then more leadership beyond the apostles as with St. Paul. St Peter in the Acts of the apostles had the first council of Jerusalem and after his death there were many others. An example is the Council of Nicea in 325 where the Nicene Creed came from and is now used in various forms by many Christians. You may also refer to the list of popes below who succeded Peter immediatly after his death. There is a definate apostolic succession which came immediately after Jesus left the earth. Also, organization of some sort is needed in any human institution as the bride of Christ is both of divine origin as well as human. It was founded both in spirit and body. Christ came to us as man as well as divine and to me it makes sense.

Also, it is sometimes misunderstood that the claim of apostolic succession and a line of Popes since Peter confines Christians to only those who have some sort of formal membership to the RCC. All who believe in Christ are part of his Church. The unity that individuals have is not always ideal, but anyone who hears the Gospel and follows Christ teachings are still part of that one true Church. To me, Christ would not have it any other way since his arms are open to all people.

Answer 7

The Church was organized by Jesus, a radical egalitarian who welcomed tax collectors, women, criminals, occupation soldiers, prostitutes, and every manner of sinner, including homosexuals.

But those who were welcomed must repent of their sins. "Go and sin no more," he told the woman taken in adultery.

CCC 2357: "Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved."

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 8

well all are welcome at mass where i live & attend mass so i think all are equal. in scriptures there are those that are given different gifts - some lead, teach, follow, serve, etc. not all have the same gifts. they do not approve of homosexual acts or condone gay marriage. i've never heard of problems with people who teach or coach as long as their sexual life does not interfer with the teachings of the church.

Answer 9

To previous respondent:

how could Jesus have 'organised' the church when Christianity did not develop until after he died?

Jesus was a Jew, and his religion never changed.

As for the question:

No, I don't think the Catholic church does genuinely believe this. I speak only from my own personal experience of being a Jewish person often lectured on how my religion is 'in error' and how I 'must' and 'will' embrace Jesus.

Answer 10

You wrote, "A letter in 1987 from Ratzzinger said that homosexual people should not suffer from UNJUST discrimination but it also said that discrimination against them in housing and a host of vocations is just. "

Please provide proof of this "letter". Otherwise delete your "question"

Answer 11

All races are equal and all people of all sexual orientations are equal but not all sexual behaviors are equal,moral and live-giving.