GCN.ie

Lindy, you pose some very interesting questions here. I think the Pope used the word 'threat' rather than 'treat'!! I'm guessing that the premise for not directly telling children that it's okay, is the potential reaction of parents. You are accurate when you state that the majority of religious are totally supportive og gay people and do not concur with the utterances of a geriatric Pope. I would bet that Archbishop Martin would not agree with the Pope on this. If we use the bible and the gospels of Jesus, there is limited, if any, reference to homosexuality. The RCC has, over the centuries, manipulated the teaching of Christ to suit its own ends, and had forgotten the original message and the concept of spirituality. I think the absence of spirituality is at the root of a great deal of the unhappiness, depression and loss of hope in evidence today and particularly among young people. The teachings of Christ are based on love; love for one another and oneself. If each pers....

POSTED BY Peter B 10 Apr 2009

...on could realise this or reach this point, then wonders would be worked! Christ did not say, 'if you sin or are a homosexual' then you cannot be loved or are excluded from this. The comments on GCN and other gay media, lambasting the RCC, are in effect like throwing the baby out with the bathwater and are wrong. To take the comments of one man as a basis for dismissing christianity and religion, is ridiculous, although understandable. People should be open to the message of Christ - it's a powerful message. Fr Mark Patrick Hederman recently said recently that the RCC committed a blasphemy by taking the message of Christ and condensing it to a little handbook - the cathecism - he's spot on. His interview is on 'Would you Believe' on RTE1 TV. Great article Laura.

POSTED BY Peter B 10 Apr 2009

In fact Laura, this is the best article I have read on GCN. I hope people read it and consider what you are saying. I went through a period of self loathing and being depressed. I went to the best psychotherapists, psychologists, etc, and they were of no use. There was nothing outwardly wrong in my life or from my past, childhood, etc. It took me a while to realise that I did not love myself. The concepts of love and forgiveness are so closely intertwined. I spoke to one or two excellent priests along the way, and they were amazingly helpful. We need to open up to the spirituality within each one of us - it's powerful thing and we can never be happy or contented until we do so. Interestingly, I think each of us know this, but pride and other factors can present a very strong resistance. It's like we're giving in and admitting we're weak, when the opposite is the case. Let's not be put off by the Pope and just listen to The Message and to ouselves! Meditation is great in this regar....

POSTED BY Peter B 10 Apr 2009

Peter B I was a little peed tat you called me Lindy at first but I appreicate your input. There are wuite a few references to homosexuality in the Bible but the majority are in the old Testament (before Jesus). And yeah your right I meant threat not treat, although we are a treat! My biggest omg moment to date is the AMI this yeah when one act had posters Gay and Proud, Catholic and Ashamed. The two can't go together.

POSTED BY LauraD 10 Apr 2009

I don't think there is much support for the Pope's comments about homosexuality, or indeed contraception. The type of people who will support his comments, are those who are filled with hate and will hang onto anything to legitimise their hate. The majority do not support his beliefs - of that I'm confident. There is a difference between non-acceptance and hate! I also think the RCC treats women badly by precluding them from ordination, etc. I think rather than reacting negatively, gay people have great potential to contribute so many positive things to society. I thought the following blog was interesting in this context: http://muscailtaerach.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/hello-world/

POSTED BY Peter B 10 Apr 2009

Yes, you would have to question why being gay and proud, and catholic and ashamed, were put together. I think there is a lot of confusion in evidence, and the totally wrong (and ill-informed) message being peddled. As a catholic I am upset at the child abuse issues and the desperate manner in which they were handled by the clergy, but I am not ashamed to be a catholic. The church is not the Pope and the clergy, it is every one of it's members. I think a lot of gay people don't truly accept themselves and are inclined to lash out at any potential target. If there was peace 'within', there would also be peace 'without'.

POSTED BY Peter B 10 Apr 2009

My personal view is that religious people are allowed to believe whatever they like. If the catholic church wishes to view homosexuality as a sin then that's their business. I don't believe in god or give a toss about what the pope thinks so their opinions should be irrelevant to me. My worry is that the catholic church (and all churches for that matter) have zero tolerance for opposing beliefs and they want to impose their views on all of society. The way to resolve the issues you mention is for ALL parents to be encouraged to send their children to non-denominational schools and leave their religious education outside the school gates. Unlikely to happen I know but in my view worth fighting for.

POSTED BY Glamorama 10 Apr 2009

Laura - I want to ask you a question and I mean this with the best of intentions so please don't get offended. If you get a job as a religion teacher then I presume you will be working for the state - being paid by government. Unless you plan to work in a private religious school why should it be appropriate for taxpayers to pay your wages when the doctrine you are teaching is not shared by all of society? Is it now possible perhaps that you could teach about ALL majot religions equally and also teach children about atheism and other systems. That would be far more appropriate I think.

POSTED BY Glamorama 10 Apr 2009

Glamorama, almost all schools are of a religious ethos and therefore you are required to teach in accordance within the ethos. At primary level some are multi-d eg ET schools but very few are non denominational!Regardless of lauras own beliefs she will be require to teach in accordance to the ethos of the school she works in. Laura, there is not much advice a lecturer could give in that situation other than what was said. Even if the lecturer was gay themselves this is the best advice they can give a prospective teacher from a legal standpoint. If a parent was to complain/principal unhappy about your teachings being against the particular ethos of the school your job would be at stake. Equality legislation does not protect everyone in today's society. You could and people have lost their teaching positions beacuse their lifestyles did not reflect positively on the school ethos. This is why teacher LGBT groups are looking for the removal of Section 37 of the Employment Equality A....

POSTED BY dodido 12 Apr 2009

Part (b) of Section 37 Employment Equality Act 1998 states that "a religious, educational or medical institution which is under the direction or control of a body established for religious purposes or whose objectives include the provision of services in an environment which promotes certain religious values shall not be taken to discriminate against a person . . . if it takes action which is reasonably necessary to prevent an employee or a prospective employee from undermining the religious ethos of the institution".

POSTED BY dodido 12 Apr 2009

"What you are entitled to do is turn away and NOT listen. Free speech and all that I'm sure extends to free not listening." Really? I'm afraid not if as a four year old your parents are forced to/choose to send you to a denominational school then that religion will be forced on you without question. "By becoming a gay religion teacher I will be able to tell that very same student who was not given a previous answer about homosexuality being okay that YES, it is okay." No, you cannot! Whatever your personal views if you teach in a religious school you cannot tell your pupils this. Their parents have put them in this religious school and you can legally be let go if you p**s off said parents. Even in classes such as CSPE which are meant to include sexuality etc it must be done within the ethos of the school which leaves teachers in a dilema but they still are not in a position to express their personal views on the matter. This doesn't extend to religion teachers alone but to a....

POSTED BY dodido 12 Apr 2009

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POSTED BY wadeben 13 Apr 2009