Incoherent E-mail

So I just wrote up an entry and my computer died.  In the entry, I posted a message I got from a "friend" who was upset with how I was handling the issues of homosexuality.  Considering the atrocious spelling, punctuation and lack of coherency, God was probably being kind by deleting my work.  I took it as a sign that I shouldn't post the actual message out of compassion for the author.

Anyway, for those of you who have found me through Blogger, WDTPRS or even Google, you haven't gotten to see the fantastic threads these entries have spawned on Facebook (which my blog is connected to).  Unsurprisingly, the homosexuality entries (and, oddly enough, ones on female ordination) have gotten quite a bit of traffic.  As a result, I've had friends call me out on being all sorts of fun things.  I've been accused of being hateful, malicious, bigoted, upset over being "dumped" by a homosexual, angry, and even racist (I seriously have no idea how that one came up). 

This last e-mail, however, was SO ridiculous that I really wanted to share it.  For charity's sake, however, I'll simply give you the gist.  I do this not only to publicly defend myself, but also to call out the foolishness of the person who obviously hasn't read (or at least understood) any of my posts.  I also do this so that others who are facing the same type of foolishness feel as though they're not alone in staring down this tornado of folly. 

1.  I do not hate homosexuals.  On the contrary, I have plenty of family and friends who are homosexual, and I love them very much.

2.  I do not teach that homosexuality is wrong.  Folks constantly try to lump homosexuality and homosexual sex together.  They are NOT the same thing.  Homosexuality is not sinful.  The act of homosexual sex is sinful.  Those are two different things.

3.  I do not teach that homosexuals go to hell.  In fact, I don't think I've stated anything even remotely close to that.  Stop being silly.

4.  I am not upset or angry that I was "dumped" by a homosexual.  First of all, we didn't "dump" each other.  Secondly, I was pretty darn happy to be out of that relationship as it was unhealthy for both of us.  Thirdly, I met and fell in love with my wonderful husband within a couple months of breaking it off.  Can't exactly say I'm disappointed with the end of that relationship, especially when I made out like a bandit with my husband.  :)

5.  I have never made malicious statements about the homosexual community.  They, too, are decent, wonderful, loving people deserving of respect and dignity.  Much like any other "group" of people (be it religious, political, economic, cultural, etc) they are human beings at their core... made in the image of God. 

6.  I've never said that homosexuals cannot be priests.  Seriously - where did that even come up?  Considering the priesthood is meant to be celibate, it doesn't matter to me WHAT sexuality you are so long as you follow the vows of your ordination and live your life in as Christlike a way as possible. 

7.  I've also never said homosexuals can't recieve Communion.  I've said that ANYONE in the state of mortal sin cannot partake of the Eucharist.  If homosexuals are abstaining from homosexual sex, they're not in the state of mortal sin.  They are more than able to participate in accepting the Body of Christ into themselves.  Again, please actually read what I write instead of drumming up crazy accusations in your mind.

8. Explain how I am either a bigot or a racist.  I'm really curious (and have no doubt I'll be highly entertained) to hear your reasons for these statements.

9.  I am not "judging" folks in my posts.  I'm explaining the Church's stance (and hence, my stance) on these issues because there is so much confusion among Catholics.  There was plenty of confusion on my part, too, until I started to teach myself what the true positions were.  You might be a little less willing to rile yourself up if you understood this yourself.

It is incredible to me how much ire is being tossed up, but it's not due to the posts... it's due to the misunderstandings (or flat out ignorance) of those who "read" the posts and then shoot angry laser beams my way without actually processing the posts.  Ah well.  This just let's me know I'm doing something right.  Ha ha.

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