The Feld-Blog

Let me quote the Bible to you, “a man shall not lie with a man as he does with a woman for it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). These words were written thousands of years ago, but this is how the Catholic Church and far too many American citizens rationalize discriminating against gays and lesbians. Within the next six weeks, the Catholic Church will declare its new policy that gays and lesbians, even those who have taken vows of celibacy, will be barred from seminary and will no longer be ordained as priests (Actually, only gays. Lesbians have already been banned since the Catholic church is a little behind on women's rights as well). This is largely to combat the image the church has acquired as a result of the sex scandals over the last few years. It is also absurd on a variety of levels.

First of all, the catholic position on homosexuality is absurd to begin with. Forgive me for saying it, but such a strict interpretation of a text that was written, or at least transcribed by humans thousands of years ago borders on religious fundamentalism. Religions of all kinds are capable of catalyzing a great deal of good in this world, but such Christian radicalism has fostered an incredible amount of violence and ignorance towards the African-American, LGBT and other such communities.

Next lets take a trip back to that biblical quotation, “A man shall not lie with a man as he does with a woman for it is an abomination.” This says nothing about what a person feels or thinks. It has to do with action. Even if you believe the most traditional and literal interpretation of this line, a man who doesn’t sleep with anyone cannot be guilty of this sin regardless of his emotions or sexual orientation. Which brings us to: why should they trust straight males in their vow of celibacy and not gay males who have taken the exact same oath? If this is not a blatant case of ridiculous discrimination, I am not sure what is.

Religion is an incredibly powerful idea, simultaneously capable of fostering inexhaustable love and insatiable hatred. It constantly astounds me. I can only hope that humanity will find a way to turn religion into the catalyst for love and progress that it can be rather than fall back on the exclusivity and narrowmindedness it can foster if we let it.