The Pope's Support for Gay Marriage

“Homosexuals have a right to be part of the family.  They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it.”

-- Pope Francis

It is what it is until it isn't. But, if it isn't, what does that tell us about what we thought it was? God forbid I accuse the Catholic Church of leading us down a shaky path, with some hidden agenda, for the past 2100 years. Is this an admission that the Holy Scripture really doesn't have any leg to stand on when it comes to gay relationships, true love between two consenting adults of the same gender?

I will admit there is much to say about just sleeping around, but the Bible really does not address true and honest love between consenting members of the same sex. Even clergy are getting behind this move. A "prominent" Jesuit priest, Rev. James Martin, said, "I think it’s a big step forward. In the past, even civil unions were frowned upon in many quarters of the church. He is putting his weight behind legal recognition of same-sex civil unions." But, the Pope is also trying to satisfy naysayers by only recognizing "civil" unions.

Personally, I have been fighting this battle for gay rights for as long as I can remember. I grew up just south of San Francisco, on the Monterey Peninsula, deep among them. I learned to be tolerant and understanding, and this was not always in keeping with the contrarian ideas of my friends. There are good and bad in every group, just as there are sick and twisted. The good ones always seem to get the raw end of things. One of the reason's I became an ordained minister was to perform civil ceremonies for those in the LGBT community who were unable to find anyone else. True love is hard enough to find, even among straight couples.  I also became ordained to stand up for peaceful Islam and preach tolerance toward one another. Life is all about learning, tolerance, learning tolerance, and being happy always.  We tend to forget this.

To the LGBTQ etc. etc. community, I can only say, change is a slow process, but we are getting there.  The best thing some of you can do is lose the perpetual "chip" on your shoulder and work with us to accomplish the goal.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as a chaplain at the regional medical center.