Fr. Ivo, Thank you for taking the time to respond. If you feel that science is based on unverifiable opinion and unsubstantiated facts, I dont belive this discussion will go very far. Science is obviously not perfect, which is why it promotes an environment for healthy debate and self correction.
Scientific observation indicates that homo-sexuality is not only present in human beings, but also in a lot of other animals. For example, please view the following CNN video on homo-sexual behaviour in the animal kingdom. http://www.cnn.com/video/us/2002/02/19/jm.gay.penguins.cmdy.med.html Science has not made a value judgement on this issue. It is just stating the observation that it exists and is far more widespread in various life forms than imagined. Next, I am sure you have read the following verse from the bible: "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them". It is from Leviticus 20:13 and contrary to your claims, here is an example of a christian teaching that advocates the killing of homosexuals. I have not made any statement that science has given its approval to homo-sexuality. It is still an open question, which means that it cant be condemned either - which is what the bible, the church and you are doing. I fully accept your point of the existance of man and woman existing to procreate, though you fail to consider that they need not be together in the same family. If one looks at population trends, we are seeing marked declines in population growth rates the world over - be it in predominately catholic countries like Italy or countries with eastern philosopies like Japan. Many countries are now suffering from negative growth rates due to one child or childless families. Obviously the institution of marriage between a man and a woman is not a guarantee for the continued existance of humanity. Coversely, there are many homo/lesbian couples who have been able to nurture large families, thus ensuring what many hetro-sexual families have failed to do. Hence I feel your reference to Gn 1:26f is not a valid argument. I appreciate you taking the time to discuss this with us. I hope we can continue to learn from each other. Regards, Marlon --- "Fr. Ivo Da C. Souza" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > All are opinions. We are still groping. Science is > also groping. One opinion > may be better than the other. Time will tell us. > When we speak of > the "simplistic opinions of the Church", how well > rooted are our opinions? > Could you mention wrong "opinions of the Church"? > The Church does not give a moral verdict without a > previous scientific > investigation. > > Christian truths have their own logic. They > are substantiated in their > own way. Virginal conception of Jesus has its > foundation in the Gospel > Tradition (cf.Lk 1:34f; Mt 1:18). The dogma of > Trinity comes from Christian > Revelation. Ascension to heaven is the dogma of > Resurrection of Jesus--Jesus > ascended to heaven, that is, he took part in the > power of God. Jesus is God- > man. This is the realm of faith, of Christian > Revelation. Science has its > limits. Let us avoid scientism... > > What I am stating is jsut opinion. What the > scientists are trying to find > is also opinion. Science has still to go more miles. > Scientific analysis has > not come to an end. If "this issue is an open > question that is still to be > resolved", then let us not come to the conclusion > that scientifically > homosexuality is acceptable. What are the grounds? > What prevails is that God > has created male and female (cf.Gn 1:26f). It is the > process of pro-creation > that is in our human nature, in the natural order > of creation. This is the > truth about Man... Science cannot change it.
