The Catholic Church's opposition to abortion, homosexuality and masturbation is complex. From a free-thinking point of view, one can simply write it off as out of step with the times. From another point of view, the Church's apparently anachronistic viewpoints serve a purpose. One might well pause and reflect on the many issues of emotion, meaning and values before going ahead with an abortion. If there is a feeling of concern about masturbation, wouldn't it make sense to give a hearing to the inhibition rather than slide past those feelings because of an ideology of open-mindedness? If our response to the Church is reactionary liberalism, then we are playing the fool by being the mirror opposite to what we criticize. We remain part of the problem. Better to speak for the subtleties, complexities and paradoxes in these life mysteries.
I do think the Church is insensitive on all these issues, especially in its authoritarianism, sexism and general anti-sexual attitudes. If the Church wanted to give moral leadership, in my view it would be more effective by first shedding its Roman imperialism and pyramid authority-structure, getting over its extremely detrimental sexism, and lead by wise counsel and example rather than by edict and punishment.
The Church would certainly change if it decided to be sexual rather than anti- sexual. But this change would give it life. From what I can see at this point, the Church is quickly becoming fossilized. It has lost the holy sense of mystery that once made it truly religious. Now it seems to be more interested in moralism and psychology than in serving the great mysteries. Sex is one of those mysteries, and by helping to keep deep human values in our sexuality, the Church could make an invaluable contribution. But by merely countering the excesses of a materialistic culture in a negative way, it doesn't offer the positive leadership we need.
Our complacent, materialistic society for which medical researchers are the new priests and brightly lighted machines the new objects of ritual needs to be stunned by happy celibates and long marriages and cloistered mystics and close-knit families. We have to rediscover the joys of sexual purity and modesty and restraint. The problem with our sexuality is that often it doesn't have a soul. Even pornography can have a soul. Who but the churches will turn this situation around? Not pop psychologists. The problem is not therapeutic, the problem is spiritual.
I would recommend that if you are a Catholic, live your own values and vision. Be guided by the Church traditions and the great saints and rituals that are the real core of the religion. Be fully sexual, in the way that seems best at this moment in time. If you are confused by celibates who don't seem to be neurotic, then maybe your views on sexuality are limited. Become a complex person in your Catholicism, and don't give Catholicism away to a leadership that seems always to speak from anxiety.
Kissling responds
|
|
