PFLAG ‘T.H.AW.’- A Program to Make Homosexual Behavior ‘Okay’

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The announcement in our parish bulletin last spring seemed innocuous enough. A program entitled Transgender Homosexual Awareness (T.H.AW.) was being held to give parishioners “an opportunity . . . to hear the voices and to understand the experiences of our transgender brothers and sisters and their family members.”

But since our parish had already hosted an obviously skewed program/event entitled “Let’s Talk”, there were good reasons to be concerned about the true intent of the T.H.AW. Program. As it turned out, the concern was justified.  There was more to the program than simply hearing the voices of and understanding the experiences of our gay and “transgender brothers and sisters,” and helping people “better understand the issues.”

The use of the word “program” in describing what was going to take place is fitting since a program is “a plan or system under which action may be taken toward a goal.”  In this case, the goal of the program appears to be much the same as the goal of most (maybe every) secular LGBTQ organizations in existence – presenting homosexuality, same-sex “marriage,” and now transgenderism, as “normal.”

THAW was apparently developed by Tielman, a former social worker, under the auspices of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). PFLAG boasts of 400 chapters and over 200,000 members throughout the U.S.  The PFLAG website proclaims, “PFLAG has been saving lives, strengthening families, changing hearts, minds and laws since 1972.”

Unlike Courage, a true Catholic organization that ministers to people with same-sex attraction, LGBTQ organizations such as PFLAG, Equally Blessed, Dignity USA, New Ways Ministry, Fortunate Families, and Caring Catholic Families, seem to have one overriding aim – to “make gay ok” by convincing the world that God created “gay” people as “gay” people.

Even Fr. Greg Greiten, of St. Bernadette Parish in Milwaukee, WI, seems to have bought into this lie. He announced to his parishioners in December that he was “gay.”  He then followed up his announcement with an article in the National Catholic Reporter entitled “Parish priest breaks the silence, shares that he is gay.” In the article he states, “I promise to be my authentically gay self. I will embrace the person that God created me to be.”  One can’t help but feel pity for Fr. Greiten if he truly thinks that God created him “gay.”

If the THAW program is any indication, now that Obergefell v. Hodges is the law of the land, LGBTQ activists are more determined than ever to make the LGBTQ lifestyle and same sex marriage  “normal” and “acceptable” to all Catholics and Christians. Programs like THAW seem to be purposely designed to play on people’s emotions.  They are a blatant attempt to elicit a false compassion for the ‘plight’ of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.  The goal of such programs is to convince people that Catholic Teaching on homosexuality is wrong and that homosexual behavior is perfectly normal.

The T.H.AW. Program

After introducing Tielman, our pastor said that any discussion following the presentations by the panelists should not get into politics or the morality of homosexuality or transgenderism. The  focus should be on the stories of the panelists.

Tielman then kicked things off saying that in his 20-plus years of counseling young people, three LGBTQ individuals he knew had committed suicide after being bullied, teased or tormented for being different. This is what THAW is all about, he said.  We are here, said Tielman, to hear the stories of the presenters so we can learn to feel compassion for them and all of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.

The first presenter was a Catholic mother who recounted the struggle of coming to terms with the fact that her child was “gay.” The other three presenters – a homosexual young man, a young lesbian woman, and male-to-female transgendered person – all talked about how they struggled with their “identities,” and feeling different and unaccepted while growing up.  The young man and the young woman also mentioned during their presentations that once they entered into “a relationship” with another LGBTQ individual life got better for them.  So much for not talking about morality.

At the conclusion of the presentations, the two young people who said they were in relationships were asked if their relationships were chaste relationships. Tielman quickly jumped in and said that it was not proper for the panelists to discuss their sex lives, so he was instructing them not to answer that question.  And that statement summed up the whole point of the program: pity these people, feel compassion for them, accept them, welcome them into the parish community – and just ignore the fact that they are choosing to openly live immoral lives.

LGBTQ Propaganda

The usual LGBTQ propaganda was also handed out to those in attendance. The handouts included an “equality literacy” handout, developed by PFLAG.  It was a list of words and terms used in discussing LGBTQ issues and their “approved” definitions.  Also included was an old, outdated photocopy of “Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality” from the American Psychological Association.

OUTDATED Handout From the APA:

What Causes a Person To Have a Particular Sexual Orientation?

There are numerous theories about the origins of a person’s sexual orientation: most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive, and biological factors.  In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person’s sexuality. In summary, it is important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person’s sexual orientation, and the reasons may be different for many people. [Emphasis added.]

NEW APA Answer to: What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?

There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation. [Emphasis added.]

Playing on Emotions

What’s concerning here is that programs like THAW may well change some minds regarding the morality of homosexuality. As such our pastors and clergy simply cannot allow themselves to be ‘suckered’ into allowing the LGBTQ crowd to put on such programs.

These kinds of programs enable the LGBTQ activists to set the agenda regarding how homosexuality and transgenderism is to be discussed. If the focus of discussion is only on how those who “are different” are bullied and tormented as children and teenagers, it’s difficult not to feel compassion. But implying that “we” are putting LGBTQ youth at risk of committing suicide by not accepting homosexual behavior as normal is not being honest.

According to StopBullying.gov:

“The relationship between bullying and suicide is complex. Many media reports oversimplify this relationship, insinuating or directly stating that bullying can cause suicide. The facts tell a different story. In particular, it is not accurate and potentially dangerous to present bullying as the “cause” or “reason” for a suicide, or to suggest that suicide is a natural response to bullying.”

Sinful Impulses

What those clerics and laypeople who are sympathetic to the LGBTQ agenda and same-sex “marriage” will not admit or accept is that same-sex attraction is no different than any other sinful impulses, attractions, or temptations. But if we are going to accept Christian moral standards at all, they must be applied to everyone.

God did not create homosexuals any more than He created kleptomaniacs, or people who are greedy, slothful, or filled with hate. These are all learned behaviors and choices.

The unspoken message of the THAW program – that we should feel compassion for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters and ignore the fact that many of them are choosing sin over virtue – is completely misguided. We should feel pity and compassion for unchaste homosexuals and their enablers, but in the same way we pity all sinners who feel no remorse and are unrepentant.

The kind of compassion the LGBTQ crowd wants, however, is quite different. They want to “alleviate the suffering” of those who are afflicted with same-sex attraction or gender confusion by the normalizing and accepting homosexual and transgendered lifestyles. For the LGBTQ activists there is no need for repentance or remorse because there in nothing wrong with two persons of the same sex engaging in sexual relations or a male deciding he wants to be a female, or vice versa.

Catholic Teaching

The Catechism, however, offers an unequivocal response:

“2357 . . . Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.”

And:

“2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity.”

St. Paul is also very clear in Romans 1:24-27 that homosexuality is a “perversity,” and in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, that sodomy is a sin. In the Old Testament, we are told in Leviticus 18:22, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination.” And again in Leviticus 20:13, “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, they have committed an abomination; the two of them shall be put to death; their bloodguilt is upon them.”

Since we were created in God’s image we cannot have been created with a built-in perversity.

SSA is Not Genetic

And as a pamphlet published by the Catholic Medical Association entitled Homosexuality and Hope states, same-sex attraction (SSA) is not genetically determined. Even so:

“. . . the major media continue to promote the idea that a “gay gene” has been discovered. However, researchers have failed to find evidence of a biological cause for SSA, and gay activists are backing away from the claim of a “gay gene.” If SSA were genetically predetermined before birth, then identical twins should virtually always exhibit the same pattern of sexual attraction. However, a study of males in the Australian Twin Registry found that only 11% of identical twins with SSA had a twin brother who also experienced SSA. It is also important to note that a number of studies have found that sexual-attraction patterns are not stable over time. Some people spontaneously cease to identify themselves as homosexuals as they mature or receive help.”

That pamphlet also answers the question, “Can SSA be prevented?”

“Yes. Early identification of at-risk children, along with appropriate psychotherapy and parental support, are key factors leading to successful prevention and treatment of the emotional pain in these children and adolescents.”

Pastoral Accompaniment

Parents of children who suddenly announce that they are gay, or that they “identify” as a person of the opposite sex, need to keep in mind two specific verses in scripture:

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (MT 22:37)

And:

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” (MT 10:37-38) [Emphasis added.]

God and the Logos must always come first in our lives. Parents, clergy and laypeople should not allow themselves to be swayed by the false philosophy of moral relativism and a false compassion for their children or others afflicted with same-sex attraction or GID. Those who are accepting of their children’s, loved ones’, or friends’ homosexual or GID lifestyle are being led astray by the evil one.

True Compassion

As the Homosexuality and Hope pamphlet states:

“Authentic Christian charity and prayer for those with GID and SSA and their families should be features of the Catholic community life. Parents, priests, and teachers have a serious responsibility to communicate the fullness of the Church’s teaching on sexual morality, to counter false information about SSA, and to encourage people with SSA to obtain help. Catholic mental-health professionals, educators, physicians, priests, and religious should recognize that medical science supports the Church’s teaching on homosexuality. True compassion toward those with SSA requires communicating to them the scientific truth about treatment.” [Emphasis added.]

Download the pamphlet at: http://www.cathmed.org/assets/files/HH%202010%20Pages%20for%20Website.pdf. Don’t let the LGBTQ crowd set the agenda when it comes to same-sex attraction and GID.

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29 thoughts on “PFLAG ‘T.H.AW.’- A Program to Make Homosexual Behavior ‘Okay’”

  1. Pingback: A Win for Morality But the Fight Goes On - Catholic Stand : Catholic Stand

  2. The kernel of truth in this essay:

    “God did not create homosexuals any more than He created kleptomaniacs, or people who are greedy, slothful, or filled with hate. These are all learned behaviors and choices…We should feel pity and compassion for unchaste homosexuals and their enablers, but in the same way we pity all sinners who feel no remorse and are unrepentant.”

  3. Two points: 1. Why isn’t the APA consistent in the terms it uses in its new hand out. It states, “There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation.” To be consistent and accurate, should it read, “There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual orientation. Why are they afraid to use the term homosexual?
    2. When a person with SSA claims “God made me ‘gay'” simply show him the new APA handout and say that there is no scientific evidence God made him/her “gay.”

  4. Accepting gay people and acceptance of what they do are two entirely different things. The manic desire to be acknowledged without consideration of accompanying actions drives gay people to the present day demand of being treated with special defferance. People keep confusing the words “same” and “equal”. They are not synonyms.

    1. True enough. But there is no bigotry evident in this article. Just a reminder of Church teaching and the universal call to holiness which requires that we forego sin and renounce the allure of sin.

    2. Amen! Thank you Adama.
      The answer is that Jesus said nothing!

      When Christians use the Bible to support their own bigotry, they usually end up quoting Leviticus, what you know as me but usually makes me giggle as well. Leviticus is found, for those of you who don’t know, in the Old Testament and for all intents and purposes it is the Jewish book of law, not be Roman Catholic book of Law. And, God be praised, but EVERYTHING is an abomination in the eyes of God and punishable by death in Leviicus.

      Are you wearing any clothes made out of two different types of cloth?
      Did you have shellfish, or pork for dinner last night?
      Did you work on the Sabbath? BTW, Saturday is the Sabbath not Sunday!

      And MY FAVORITE one is for the gentlemen;
      If you have not been circumcised, you had better get yourself over to the temple and have it done ASAP or God’s kingdom does not await you!

      Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and He was very clear about what he wanted his legacy to be, but so many people have difficulty following things that are relatively simple . To paraphrase our Lord and Savior -The old laws are gone, they were overly fussy and super complicated, so I’m going to leave you with just TWO. Do you think you can handleTWO?
      1. Love ME, God, above everything.
      2. Love each other as I love you.

      In other words stop being such a d!@+ks to each other. How hard is that?

      I am sure Chris C is a lovely person, but this article really comes across as being incredibly arrogant, borderline hateful, and incredibly self-righteous.

      I will pray that God provides him the wisdom and courage to address his hubris, and give him the gifts of kindness, empathy, understanding and maybe a better sense of humor as he seems VERY intense.

      PS Jesus cared for us all and loved to hang out with people who were “different”, who were outcas and ostracized. He wasn’t particularly fond of the establishment and the status quo. I bet if Jesus came back today he wouldn’t choose to dine with the likes of our author, you’d probably find Him at a fabulous dinner party somewhere in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by a room full of transgendered folk, homosexuals and most of all LOVE.

  5. If gay people are not accepted for what they are, then discrimination, bullying, depression and suicide are inevitable.

    1. Except the LGBT community has all the “acceptance” it could ever dream of from our thoroughly secularized humanistic culture, and yet depression, substance abuse, suicide, health problems and diminished life expectancy are still a reality. The Church has a duty to warn of the grave consequences of sin. It stands alone in our world in doing so. It does so in the name of human dignity which regards people as more than their passions and desires.

    2. We’ve talking about Catholics who go to Mass and upon whom Church teaching has an impact. If it really “stands alone” in its insistence on pathologizing gay people, discrimination, bullying, depression and suicide are inevitable.

    3. The teachings of Christ through His Church are difficult for everyone. It shows no favoritism for sexual sinners according to the nature of their disordered passions. An adulterer for example must forego communion while indulging in his/her sins pending repentance. One of course is free to indulge their passions. But they cannot expect to do so with the blessing of Christ through His Church if they commit mortal sin by acting contrary to His will. Sin remains sin whether anyone says so or not. People, same-sex attracted or not are owed the truth, not a comfortable lie. And the Church does offer a ministry for those with same-sex attraction in the form of the vatican approved apostolate Courage. Those who are committed to living as faithful Catholics and who need support dealing with their desires are most welcome there.

    4. Well . . . “If the truth costs you nothing, it will always sound counterfeit to those who have to pay for it.”

    5. Your meaning in applying this quote is unclear. The truth, in so far as it pertains to the carrying of one’s cross, is universal. Likewise that all are sinners and face the temptation to hold on to their sin, oftentimes going to great lengths to justify doing so. If you think I’ve missed the apt meaning please clarify.

    6. As a straight man it is easier for you to follow the Church’s teaching on homosexuality than it is for a gay person.

    7. How can one possibly know who has it easier in following Christ’s teachings? And Christ our Lord assured us that it is not easy but hard to follow Him in any event.

      There is no special entitlement to physical pleasure or sexual satisfaction. Only in a world which views self-fulfillment and sexual enjoyment as “gods” or idols would we even consider that to be so.

      We are taught by Christ’s Church and the Natural Law that sex is properly ordered to certain ends which presupposes certain means. Complementarity of sex (m-f) is essential to those natural ends.

      I would note that many who have struggled with same-sex attraction have nevertheless had satisfying marriages and happy family lives. That they must forego their disordered passions is no doubt a struggle. But so is it a struggle for one whose passions incline them in other disordered ways. Some must forego adulterous passion for example and in some cases face considerable angst because of it. Should that fact prompt the Church to change its teaching on adultery?

      The Catholic apostolate Courage ministers to those with same-sex attraction. I’d strongly encourage any Catholics who find need to contact them. They are faithful to the teachings of Christ and His call to chastity.

    8. “How can one possibly know who has it easier in following Christ’s teachings?”

      Ha. You don’t mean that. I just spelled it out for you why it’s tougher for gay people and you just don’t want to admit it. Very few Catholics could listen to what you just said without rolling their eyes. You’re also saying that there’s nothing in marriage that is sensually satisfying; therefore gay people aren’t being deprived of it.

      “If the truth costs you nothing, it will always sound counterfeit to those who have to pay for it.”

    9. You’re avoiding the larger point. Following Christ isn’t supposed to be easy. Denying oneself, taking up one’s cross and following Christ, often to one’s personal detriment in the short term is usually a part of it. Need I quote scripture to you in support or can you find it on your own? And one reason it’s “tougher” for the self-identified LGBT crowd is that they’ve been sold a bill of goods; lies actually, by those radical humanists advocating on their behalf. You and others evidently have bought into a big lie; that your dignity lies in your disordered sexual passions.

      And why should sympathy be limited to your concerns in any event? Others have desires which they seek to fulfill and to whom Christ says “No. not if you wish to follow me”. Those attracted to young children, post-pubescent minors, polygamists, incestuous couples; all long for fulfillment of their desires for disordered intimacy. Would those who roll their eyes at me continue to do so regarding my resistance, in the name of Christ, to these poor individuals as well who seek the consolation for disordered desires for intimacy with as much fervor as you do for yours?

      And as for this “rolling their eyes” business. Such people, however great in number you may assume them to be, are ultimately rolling their eyes at Christ our Lord. Sooner or later, truth comes at great price. That’s why even to this very day, so very many have died painful deaths or endured prison for the sake of Christ our Lord and His Word.

      The truth never costs “nothing”. As you say at a minimum, one will have to endure the censure of others (rolling of the eyes at the very least) on behalf of Truth. In fact in our times, that censure will be of far greater impact. Witness those who have died in ISIS controlled regions for refusing to deny Christ. Or in our land those brave Christians in wedding related businesses who have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and their businesses because they would not throw a pinch of incense to the “gods” of Caesar by affirming such an unreality as “gay marriage”.

      I’ll go back to what I said in our first exchange. You seek “acceptance”. You have it. From our thoroughly secularized culture. That culture is corrupt and it’s for sale. The Sacred Word of Christ isn’t.

    10. “I’ll stand with Christ and His Church notwithstanding, as long as God gives me the grace to do so.”

      Yes, and enjoy orgasmic sex with your wife, and cuddle in front of the fire.

      Or maybe you say, during sex, or in front of the fire, “You know, I’m not really enjoying this.”

    11. It’s about Christ. Not sex, orgasmic or otherwise. It’s not about “enjoyment”. It’s about Christ our Lord. Our Savior. Our God.

    12. Ok, deny that sex with your wife is pleasurable, or even unifying and romantic. Or that cuddling is pleasurable or unifying or romantic. It seems like a strange marriage to me. If this is Catholic teaching, maybe one out of 1000 Catholic couples live it. The rest of us married folk are more down to earth and like to have fun.

    13. Our Blessed Mother can be of aid. You are in dire need of deliverance from the idolatry that is consuming you.

    14. Poor you–you’ll never get to have sex–at least not without committing a mortal sin.
      Tough. Offer it up. EVERYONE suffers something. Some people have suffering much worse than yours. Your self-pity is getting old. It doesn’t help you. And yes, I love you–as in–I want the BEST for you, for your own good, and I will pray for you, but your self-pity is just making you wallow in self-defeat. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that? It’s not all about YOU. Get over yourself already and go help someone who suffers more than you do. God will give you the grace to do what’s right. It does you no good to hyper-focus on the envy you have thinking that you’re so deprived. Stop focusing on sex and go help out in a soup kitchen!

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