Catholic Church: 12-Step Program to Stop Being Gay
The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs is the latest to launch a 12-step program to help men with unwanted homosexual thoughts.
The Catholic Church's "Twelve Steps of Courage" has been around since 1980, and has 110 chapters worldwide.
It borrows from Alcoholics Anonymous, requiring participants to admit they are powerless in overcoming same-sex attraction, ask God for help, and make amends to those they’ve hurt, among the other steps.
“It’s not about therapy and not about activism,” said the Rev. Larry Brennan, the Colorado Springs diocese director of priest formation. “It’s about support.”
Brennan said the program is not for people comfortable with their gay lifestyle. “The people we want to reach are those who experience this as a burden,” he said.
The Church views homosexual relations as a sin, but not homosexual thoughts. It expects people with same-sex attraction to be celibate.
“The exercise of sexuality is reserved for marriage, and that can only happen between a man and a woman,” Brennan said.
However, Jim Fitzgerald, executive director of the national progressive Catholic group Call to Action, is skeptical of the program because he contends homosexuality isn’t sinful.
“It restricts people’s freedom to be the kind of person they were created to be,” Fitzgerald said.
To read more, go to 12step.com
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"The Church views homosexual relations as a sin, but not homosexual thoughts. It expects people with same-sex attraction to be celibate."
This guy is not the sharpest tack in the box.
The Catholic Church does not have the best track record when it comes to celibacy....
not the sharpest tack, but that really is the Church's view of homosexuality. Because attraction isn't something you can really control, you can't really be condemned for your thoughts, but you can if you choose to act on them.
This was the reason given to me by a priest a few years ago when I was exploring different religions. At the very least they don't think you can 'choose' who you're attracted to.
Not being able to control thoughts, only actions (in some wording or another)....is interesting trend religions are taking, and yet another inconsistency within religion considering the 10th commandment (or 9th & 10th for certain sects)
our kids to fit a mold designed by the church. Whether they like it or not. Girls are moms boys are dads. I find it sad that homosexuality is such a major issue to begin with.
Why not have a 12 step program to stop being heterosexual.
their view is that heterosexuality is natural, whereas homosexuality is unnatural.
I agree that it's sad - part of the reason I don't prescribe to any particular religion is because of their stance on homosexuality. I'm gay - I don't want to be constantly told I'm wrong or sinful.
Everyone is too worried about what someone else likes, may like, or prefers. Instead of worrying about maintaining the lifestyle or life you have chosen. What is it to you if someone else is gay? Or if that someone else is not? Or whether they can be cured.
If I found myself liking men, and I felt I did not need to or want to. Isn't that in itself a contradiction that can cause problems in and of itself? Instead of having groups attempting to "help" you deal with being gay, they should have groups attempting to help people "be" gay if that is what they really like.
Nothing like the christians trying to "help" you fit into the very mold they created which also happens to be the very thing that makes a gay man or woman uncomfortable.
Who gives a flying F*** if someone is gay. Stop discriminating against gay people and the very pressure they feel will be removed. Simple, seems to me like christians need the 12 step program to learn to stop meddling.
Being gay isn't a disease that you cane "cure." Being gay isn't an alternative lifestyle that you can choose to embrace. Being gay is a matter of brain structure and a mutation on the X chromosome.
This program by the Catholic Church is a despicable example of religious bigotry and hatred towards people who aren't hurting anyone or doing anything illegal. It is simply outrageous.
You have no proof of your claim on the origin of being gay.
If you're fine with being gay these people don't want to try and change you. If you have those thoughts and feelings and DO NOT WANT them, then you're welcome. Its about choice. As much as people want to make the rest of us believe it humans are not animals. We have the ability of self determination and that is all this program is around for.