Something to Think About . . .

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Studies indicate same-sex-attracted young people may be several times more likely than heterosexual young people to attempt suicide. . . . It strikes me as obvious that church teachings on sexuality are wildly complicit in this shocking statistic.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexuality is "objectively disordered", that homosexual acts are unnatural and sinful. Since for most of us sexuality is inseparable from the essence of who we are, the church is teaching adolescents (at a time when their self-image may be particularly vulnerable) that they are in some way rotten at the core. The church's unhealthy, misguided teachings and attitudes infiltrate and stain families and communities, conjuring up ancient, ignorant prejudices within us and validating them.

– Will Day

"Don't Tell the Cathedral"
Casey Weekly
May 28, 2012

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
The "Ratzinger Letter" of 1986 as "Theological Pornography"
The Pope's "Scandalous" Stance on Homosexuality
Listen Up, Papa!
The Blood-Soaked Thread
What the Vatican Can Learn from the X-Men
Beyond the Hierarchy: The Blossoming of Liberating Catholic Insights on Sexuality
The Non-Negotiables of Human Sex
Stop in the Name of Discriminatory Ideology!
The Challenge to Become Ourselves
Dave Navarro to LGBT Youth: "We Need Your Voice"

Related Off-site Links:
Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth – American Psychological Association.
The War on Gays – Chris Hedges (TruthDig.com, May 28, 2012).
Vatican Criticizes US Theologian's Book on Sexuality – Jerry Filteau (National Catholic Reporter, June 4, 2012).

Image: Mr. Fish.