Conservative Catholic celibate gays in Providence, R.I., say that if God allowed it, they would like to be in monogamous relationships.
But a Nov. 23 Providence Journal story (free subscription required) describes the local Courage chapter as a “12-step program” in which participants say the rising acceptance of gay marriage and civil unions only makes their sexual struggle harder.
“It’s wrong,” a participant named Richard said. “These people in the gay agenda are trying to rationalize, legalize, and make a certain lifestyle choice look good and even holy.”
Separation from, and opposition to, gay couples and gay-affirming celibates seems to be an underlying theme among interviewed group members.
The group’s spiritual director, retired priest John F. Randall, emphasizes the separatist sentiment.
“Their struggle, their life, is not easy — to lead a chaste lifestyle,” he said. “They are like men and women without a country in a way … they must hold firm to a strong faith or they don’t make it.”
He said the men and women are bombarded with different messages in society. “The culture is trying to make homosexuality like a civil right. These people don’t believe that.”
Not that co-existence would be easy for opposing groups of religious activists.
They were told by picketers that they were victims, and the Catholic church was to blame. God loves you, someone shouted, even if you’re gay.
A member of Courage recalled that he told her, “we’re not just living for today, but for eternity.”
Interesting article. Although truly I think the protesters should have picked elsewhere. Not a good political stance picking against a group that beliefs in celibacy when there are so many other groups that have beliefs that are far more hostile and are working as hard if not harder against gay rights. I think my main criticism of the RC is the extreme value that is placed on celibacy. I think celibacy is a good thing when it is self-chosen but when others prescribe it as the only way to satisfy God then trouble starts.
My experience is that most Gay RC throw the expectation of celibacy in with other statements of the church that they do not believe in and move on. I have meet a few others who seem to be unable to abandon the believe in celibacy but unable to be unquestionably celibate and so they dance around in legalisms about what is celibate (i.e. It’s not sex if we don’t do this or that.) A rare few claim celibacy but have Boyfriends, which is not surprising considering that people want more than just sex from a relationship. Not sure if you could start/keep such an arrangement totatly sexless but then plenty of married folk seem to do just fine with sexless relationships.
I’ve heard that “we’re celibate, so you have to be celibate too” crap more often than I can stand. They made their choice; they ought to leave others’ to them.
Reading that just made me soooo sad.
“They made their choice; they ought to leave others’ to them.”
That would be contrary to conservative religion.
Yeah, but I’m talking about secular law; they can do what the hell they want in their churches.
Yes, I know. Many fundies don’t grok that they should not control secular law. But just because they are getting away with it does not make them right.
I know this stance well having tried to live it for several years. Thank God that he led me to a partner that I love deeply and have for 22 years. The Catholic Church is wrong in its teaching that homosexual relationships are immoral. Their sexual ethics are based on inadequate Scriptural exegesis and an incomplete view of natural law.
I would like to get in touch with Courage. I do not know if my E-Mail address will suffuce. My postal address is [address deleted by moderator].
I am not permitting people to post personal data about themselves or others.
If Anthony sincerely seeks to contact Courage, I encourage him to contact the antigay U.S. group Courage, or the gay-tolerant British group Courage, directly.
It is just as likely, unfortunately, that the writer is an imposter seeking to embarrass the real Anthony. I will maintain a reasonable effort to prevent XGW being used as a tool for antigay or anti-exgay harassment.
Hi, I like to chabge my live, I don’t like to be gay, I feel my life so bad, please prey for me, and contact to me
Ok, the message above makes me very sad. Alberto, we can’t contact you with no information. If you come back, please post a valid e-mail address.
I know there is a bit of a language problem but the word “prey” is especially telling when it pertains to ex-gay programs.