tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post4747674272912906132..comments2024-03-23T12:05:23.537-05:00Comments on The Wild Reed: Sister Jeannine Gramick Asks: "Who Speaks for Catholics?"Michael J. Baylyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03087458490602152648noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-28642120044144541652010-05-18T22:04:44.155-05:002010-05-18T22:04:44.155-05:00I can see where Aaron is coming from in regard to ...I can see where Aaron is coming from in regard to the term "homophobia." Some would see it as a fear of homosexual persons. But many people don't want to be referred to as "homophobes." What would be a better term towards those who are not really afraid of homosexuals but just have a strong dislike for them and think them disordered and inferior human beings?Mareczkuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13122584421854834046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-38844197156262148812010-05-18T11:44:40.733-05:002010-05-18T11:44:40.733-05:00Hi Aaron,
Thanks for your observation and questio...Hi Aaron,<br /><br />Thanks for your observation and questions. They're very important, and I appreciate you sharing them here.<br /><br />Contrary to what "Anonymous" said, I doubt that Cardinal George referred to actual "homophobia" as a "central aspect of church teaching."<br /><br />Nevertheless, what is central to church teaching on homosexuality are ideas and words and actions that are experienced by many people - regardless of gender or orientation - as extremely negative, hurtful, and inaccurate. These ideas, words, and actions on the part of the official church undoubtedly result in the perpetuation of fallacies and stereotypes, discrimination, and even acts of violence.<br /><br />Given this, I believe it is indeed correct and appropriate to label the official church's understanding of homosexuality and homosexual relationships as homophobic - especially when one takes into consideration the definition of homophobia.<br /><br />According to the organizers of the <a href="http://thewildreed.blogspot.com/2010/05/prayer-for-international-day-against.html" rel="nofollow">International Day Against Homophobia</a>, homophobia comprises:<br /><br />"All the negative attitudes that can lead to rejection and to direct or indirect discrimination towards gay men, lesbians, and bisexual, transsexual or transgender people or toward anyone whose physical appearance or behaviour does not fit masculine or feminine stereotypes."<br /><br />Of course, homophobia can manifest itself in different ways. Some of which are outlined <a href="http://www.homophobiaday.org/default.aspx?scheme=1280" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />A discussion on the term "homophobia" and its use can be found in the comments section of <a href="http://thewildreed.blogspot.com/2007/08/tragedy-of-homophobia.html" rel="nofollow">this previous</a> <em>Wild Reed</em> post.<br /><br />Finally, for the purpose of clarification and for the record, I think it's important to note that Sr. Jeannine Gramick did not use the word "homophobe" to describe Cardinal George, or the term "homophobic" to describe church teaching. The term "homophobia" was introduced into this discussion by "Anonymous" in his comment.<br /><br />Peace,<br /><br />MichaelMichael J. Baylyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03087458490602152648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-86972987206408968192010-05-18T11:07:40.301-05:002010-05-18T11:07:40.301-05:00First an observation and then a couple of question...First an observation and then a couple of question.<br /><br />I honestly am confused and somewhat frustrated by the use of the term "homophobia". <br /><br />My understanding of a phobia is that it is an irrational fear of someone or something that leads to avoiding that someone or something. I honestly don't believe Cardinal George or most others of his reasoning actually have an irrational fear of homosexuality. <br /><br />Why then is this term thrown out as an insult against persons or positions that disagree with legalizing or normalizing of homosexual actions? Is it not possible to disagree with Cardinal George, et al. without resorting to name calling? <br /><br />In my experience the use of terms like "racist", homophobe", "socialist", etc. in a debate are only thrown out when there is nothing else to back up an argument. It attempts to shame one's opponent into submission or docility.Aaronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-88813198391308525472010-05-17T18:00:35.119-05:002010-05-17T18:00:35.119-05:00"[It was] worlds away from what we moderns ca..."[It was] worlds away from what we moderns call 'democracy.' "<br /><br />Perhaps. but the democratic impulse was there. One thing's for sure, the structure and spirit of the early Christian community was worlds away from the imperial/monarchical caste system that now passes for leadership within the church.Michael J. Baylyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03087458490602152648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-46578445139256833992010-05-17T17:47:17.443-05:002010-05-17T17:47:17.443-05:00Thank you for sharing this wonderful article by Si...Thank you for sharing this wonderful article by Sister Jeannine Gramick. She is so on target with her observations. Did Cardinal George actually refer to homophobia as a central aspect of church teaching? I find this difficult to believe. What did he say exactly?Mareczkuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13122584421854834046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-71906510670386881162010-05-17T17:35:42.331-05:002010-05-17T17:35:42.331-05:00"[I] it is clear from Scripture that the earl..."[I] it is clear from Scripture that the early Christians were intensely democratic and communal in all things."<br /><br />What ever St. Paul was, he was not a Jeffersonian Democrat. The ancients had a particular view of community based on family, but that is worlds away from what we moderns call "democracy."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-89843159345297904932010-05-17T09:11:36.954-05:002010-05-17T09:11:36.954-05:00In his denunciation, Cardinal George referred to h...In his denunciation, Cardinal George referred to homophobia as "a central aspect of church teaching." That is perhaps the most disturbing aspect of his actions. Does he really believe that? What else is "central" for him, and what isn't?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27612445.post-76200546474673161732010-05-17T02:36:20.487-05:002010-05-17T02:36:20.487-05:00Michael, thank you for your observations on church...Michael, thank you for your observations on church democracy. As you point out, it is clear from Scripture that the early Christians were intensely democratic and communal in all things. For centuries, communities chose their ministers and elected their bishops.<br /><br />When I hear the old refrain, "The Church is not a democracy", I answer, "Why not?"<br /><br />On Sr Grammick's own observations, I will come back to those later I'm pressed for time right now.Terence Weldonhttp://Queering-the-church.com/blognoreply@blogger.com