SEXUALITYHOMOSEXUALTIY

Aris Villena Angelica Capistrano Jhennebeth Tolentino Jade Magtibay

What is sexuality?

Sexuality is a fundamental component of personality, one of its modes of being, of manifestation and communication. Sexuality characterizes the entire structure of the person.

As Gods gift, it is the sign, place and language of love, and a fundamental modality of the manner in which we relate to ourselves, to all the people and to God. It includes both the physiological, spiritual and psychological grounding of ones capacity to love

Homosexuality

Is a predominant and persistent psychosexual attraction toward and preference for persons of the same gender. Acts may involve to either greater or lesser extent, even in the case of a fixed inversion Homosexuality goes beyond genitality encompassing the totality of the persons affective response for others.

The etiology of sexual orientation whether homosexual or heterosexual remains a matter of speculation and continuing scientific research. Theories range from genetic and biological causality to learned behavior resulting from parental influences or early childhood experiences.

Approaches
a)

Homosexual acts are always sinful in themselves.

-This position follows the approach of St. Thomas Aquinas. -sexual union between persons of same sex is unnatural because procreation is impossible. -The true expression of genital love can take place only in the union of a man and woman married to each other. -Homosexual persons must not be blame for their homosexual condition or orientation. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity and are not to be subject to unjust discrimination.

b.) Homosexual acts are morally neutral

-Here, the morality of the sexual act depends upon the quality of the relationship. -This neutrality view argues that the basic moral norm for sexuality whether for heterosexuals or homosexuals, is love, and that sexual relations can be justified morally of they are a true expression of human love.

c.) Homosexual acts are essentially imperfect

-Keane accords a priority of or normativity to heterosexual acts and relationships and holds the homosexual acts always involve a significant degree of ontic evil because of their lack of openness to procreation and to the man/woman relationship as it functions in marriage.

Morality of Homosexual Acts

The morality of homosexual acts, like that of all human acts, must be determined by the principles of Christians ethics and moral theology. We must seek to integrate with our Christian faith and its ideals the data offered by science so as better to evaluate the moral status of homosexual acts.

We must understand attitudes about homosexuality and deal with the prejudices or assumptions that may be present. What are some of these? That assumptions that all homosexual are child-molesters That all male homosexual are effeminate and all female homosexual are masculine That all homosexual are promiscuous That all homosexuals need to overcome this problem through the help of the grace of God.

Homosexual persons are aware of being a minority group. They have a sense of being different, alienated, deride, lonely and without much self esteem. We should realize their need for support, friendship, community and association. Homosexual persons seek love, intimacy and relationships as do heterosexual persons.

They need freedom of conscience and free access to the Sacrament of Penance and the Eucharist. They should be given equal treatment so that unjust social conditions and job prejudice might end.

As far as continence is concerned, continence is a grace from God that is not given to all on demand. Thus, homosexual persons need to be assisted to be creative and seek an integrated personality.

Richard Mcbrien list down some Christian values on homosexuality:

a) b) c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

The goodness of procreation. The personal dignity of every human being. The need of every person for love, friendship, even intimacy. The inviolability of conscience and the responsibility to act on an informed conscience. The existence of many internal and external impediments to full human freedom. The right and responsibility if the Church to teach on matters of this sort. The duty to take such teaching seriously.

Resources

Ethics by Pastrana-Nabor