Other gay Catholics, of course, come to the same crossroad and are not so quick or able to equate the reasoning behind the church’s teaching on homosexuality with the “reasoning of God.” Tushnet never does present a compelling case for the teaching itself, but that is not the point of her inaugural book: “I lack the patience and academic temperament to do more than throw out suggestions, criticisms, and provocations.... I no longer think that a major part of my work as a queer Catholic is illuminating the philosophical and theological underpinnings of the church’s teaching on homosexuality.” Fair enough. Provoke, suggest, criticize—these are indeed her best moves. And who better suited than an adult convert to make them?
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Amor vincit omnia …
… Gay and Catholic | Commonweal Magazine. (Hat tip, Dave Lull.)
Ah, more evidence that the teachings of Christ (rather than other authors of the Bible) are not necessarily the same as the teachings or doctrines of the Church. Flannery O'Connor -- like millions of others -- was troubled by such contradictions. Perhaps that is part of the wondrous "free will" that God has given each of us; we must each make choices.
ReplyDeleteJesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you" lends itself to sentimental interpretation, but there is nothing sentimental about genuine love. After all, he also point out that greater love than this no man hath than that he lay down his life for his friends." Nothing sentimental about that. Nothing easy about it, either. Luv is sickly sweet. Love is hard.
ReplyDelete