There is an online petition making headlines this morning which asks the White House to designate the Catholic Church as a hate group for its views of marriage (not inclusive of homosexual unions). The petition aiming for 25,000 signatures by 24 January 2013 has collected 1,640 signatures on the White House website as of 03 January 2013.Surprise surprise, but in my view, presenting the Catholic Church or any other group as a hate group just because of their viewpoint on gay "marriage" is simply ridiculous because it shows no evidence for hatred...which would be something required to label a group for hatred. The evidence for this hatred is of the same proportion that Green Peace is an oil company hate group or that pro-choice advocates hate traditional Christians. Conflict of ideas does not automatically = hatred...sorry.
Moreover, logic tells us because one or two members of a group are hateful, does not make the entire group hateful. Because one or two Democrats oppose ObamaCare, does not mean the Democrats oppose ObamaCare. Not only do I have a hard time finding a single recent, or even past example, of a Catholic hating a homosexual for their homosexuality, but also I have a hard time thinking of anyone at all doing so (except perhaps the Wesboro Baptist and other groups in the south who are off their rockers).
If Green Peace started getting organized to burn down the oil wells or bishops started organizing events to promote violence toward individual homosexuals or to a group as a whole, then we would be in hate group territory.
Maybe what's even more ridiculous is that I (and others) are spending so much time writing about a puny petition which may or may not gain further public attention. Either way, I find things like this dangerous because in the end, if a certain slogan or phrase is said enough times it makes its way into the consciousness of the public. This is social marketing. How is it that within two decades, smoking went from the cool thing to do, to completely digesting? Our generation had the same message beaten over our heads.
If the message "The Catholic Church hates gays" is said enough times, either directly or indirectly, people start wondering...and believing, even if they've never taken the time to hear what the Church actually does have to say about homosexuality. Its more convenient to go with passively acquired knowledge.
A new petition has been started to request that those who sign this be designated a hate group. Sign here if you wish.
The White House petition don't have much credibility though. I started one to limit the number of episodes of "Law and Order" that can show on basic cable daily.
ReplyDeleteI should start one to shut down the silly petitions on the White House website...
Katy I agree with you, it is very minimal and has almost no credibility as something to motivate change. For me, its importance is merely titular: the phrase "Catholics hate gays" only has to be punched in on Google to lead you to the "serious" advocates of change and social marketing. Something like this is a reason to report on the iceberg.
DeletePerhaps the marketing of this idea is far more advanced in England than in the United States.
Excellent point on the social marketing front- you're right, often times, if something is said enough people tend to believe it whether it's true or not. It IS important to squash misconceptions like this as they can be very (or become even more) damaging in the future. And we know, the truth shall set you free!
ReplyDeleteHow many people have been turned off to the Catholic Church simply because of misconception (supposed attitudes towards women, contraception, life issues, etc.)? If we set it straight, others will come to know the tender mercy and care of the Church and will see how much love the Church has for all, including those with homosexual tendencies. Mother Church wants the best for all her children, whether they accept that or not. When we abide and live in her wisdom we can live lives to the full, as The Lord wants for us! That sure doesn't sound like "hate" to me...
Which makes me think, here we go again with subjectivity and relativism. What IS considered "hate?" Just because a group of people think something is hateful, is it truly? If a parent encourages a child to eat a balanced meal instead of candy for dinner, does that make that parent hateful just because the child may feel upset towards his/her parent?
It's so unfortunate that the Catholic Church has to face more of this injustice, especially when all she wishes to do is give life and freedom! But we know our Lord's promise, the gates of Hell shall not prevail. May this persecution be another source of grace and may we follow Saint Francis in sowing love in the face of hatred. My hope is that those who feel this "so-called" hatred will experience the true love of Christ instead!
Exactly. What really gets me is when people bark about how the Church hates homosexuals. Or maybe they aren't even barking and saying that the Church hates homosexuals. Maybe they are saying something much mi, the Church just doesn't understand the times and how gay people are people too. At that point I politely ask, "Have you read a primary source on the topic?" Anything,,, anything at all that is not already second hand/ interpreted? The answer is almost always "No, but I don't have to".
Deletehttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html