Quote Originally Posted by DIXIE LASS View Post
Walkingdude,

Yes, I'm Catholic, and I practice my faith. Frankly, I try not to think too much about the issues you have raised. I know there's probably no way I can reconcile, justify, or rationalize both the Church's teachings and this lifestyle. So, I try to avoid thinking about it. Keep telling myself God made me this way......surely He knew what he was doing. LMFAO.....I know that's not going to get me far. Would love to discuss it with you. Feel free to PM or IM me. (And yes, it bothers me a lot.)

Dixie
ms dixie (and A/all),

Catholicism is an interesting faith. Are you aware that only Catholics are allowed to accept and simultaneously practice other religions as well?

Let me begin by saying that of all Christian faiths, only Roman Catholicism has no tenets formally condemning or discouraging sexual diversity.

I'm a published author (nothing famous, but in some academic journals and frequently in our local Catholic weekly) on topics of ethics, faith and moral dogma. I've studied comparative religion my entire adult life - and I'm nearly 50. Sadly, the hierarchy of the church and their deliberate failure to encourage average seminarians and parish priests to delve deeply into theology and ethics often results in confusion - and encourages people to feel guilt and shame over things that are not even forbidden by canon law.

For example, remember the whole sin issue? In 1963, Catholic law was changed - as before it was a complex minefield of behavioral guidelines. Now, according to a good friend who is a Very influential church theologian (Jesuit) - there is really only ONE recognized sin. Referencing the abandonment of old-testament law called for by Jesus, it makes sense:

Never deny the expression of the Holy Spirit by another person.

"Heck NO you can't help me - I don't TAKE help from homosexuals." Right there, that is a violation.

The ten commandments? Well, remember - they were Old Testament. Gone.

Do unto others as you would.... etc. That's it. End of strict moral guidelines.

The rest? Subject to debate - heated debate. This whole issue is a huge cauldron of misunderstanding in the church. Many priests and people of faith would like to think there is a strict moral code that can be used to judge people's actions, and they are always referring to Biblical imperatives against this or that.

They are the modern Pharisees, seem to need to constantly measure themselves and others against some standard or another - and can't seem to imagine ordinary people assuming individual responsibility for decisions of good v bad and having their own personal interpretation of right and wrong.

But just think for a second, that makes no sense to have all those rules - even before the changes in the 60's Catholics have always used the confessional to sin rampantly say buckets of Hail Marys in penance and still go to heaven (ooooooh the Protestants HATE that part!) - and hey we're the official religion of the Mafia, right?

So - slather yourself in expressions of wanton sexuality, but always be certain you don't harm someone's sense of self, ability to do life's duties or ability to express their good nature.

Nothing in those simple practices about BDSM, whipping a submissive until she begs for alternatives that would have horrified her previously, or soaking willow whips in crocks of salted vinegar, is there. :

Party on!

JH/FtWayne, Indiana