Homophobia: Or, why gays are like spiders.
In my search for an apartment in LA, I came across a Craigslist posting for two people looking for a third roommate. In their rather lengthy advertisement, they mentioned—in bold caps—NO HOMOPHOBES.
First of all, this displays a disgraceful lack of sensitivity towards someone’s mental issues. Phobias are serious. Phobics deserve respect. Would they have written NO ACROPHOBES? Second of all, this violates the Craigslist discrimination clause. What other phobias do they discriminate against? If I told them I disagree with the homosexual lifestyle but don’t scream and run from homosexuals—but do have a touch of arachnophobia…would that be a problem?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines phobia as “an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.” Other definitions include, “a strong fear or dread of a thing or event, which is out of proportion to the reality of the situation.”
Apparently, people with certain religious beliefs are irrationally afraid of homosexuals. By this definition I, for example, am literally frightened of gays. I am afraid of them just as I am afraid of monsters under the bed. I—because of my religious beliefs—have the same reaction to a homosexual mentioned or being in my presence as I do when a spider crawls in front of me. I scream, tantrum, run in terror, and throw shoes at spiders and homosexuals alike.
If we accept the premise that religious beliefs that contradict someone else’s belief system or lifestyle are phobias, that would mean I have multiple phobias (besides the usual arachnophobia and coulrophobia). Allow me to exhibit:
Because I don’t believe in sex before marriage: I’m erotophobic.
Because I don’t eat meat on Friday: I’m carnophobic.
Because I don’t agree with contraception: I’m contraceptiphobic.
Because I don’t believe in universal healthcare: I’m healthcareaphobic.
Because I don’t think cannibalism is right: I’m canniphobic.
Because I think murder is wrong: I’m scelerophobic and necrophobic (minus the bad men and the in general death parts).
Okay, sue me. I made most of those up. The point is, just because I believe that something is wrong does not mean I am afraid of it. I, like many Catholics, have gay friends. I have gay co-workers. Am I constantly running screaming from my office?
No. Because I am not homophobic.
I am, however, stultophobic. Stupidity makes me sick. When I read something stupid like, NO HOMOPHOBES, I want to run away screaming in terror because I am convinced the world is going to end.
Oh, wait. That’s not an irrational fear. I have a strong dread of something that is in proportion to the reality of the situation. Stupid people are ruining the planet.
Saint Kateri , Canada’s Protectress
This was the title given to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, by Pope Benedict XVI, when he canonized her on October 28th, 2012, along with six others, in Saint Peter’ Square (she had been beatified by Pope John Paul II back in 1980). With Saint Joseph as our protector, along with the Canadian martyrs, we seem to[…]Continue reading→
Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk
(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→
My Name is Bernadette
April 16th is a propitious day, for besides the anniversary of Father de Valk’s death, who founded Catholic Insight in its print form decades ago, and the commemoration of the ‘two Benedicts’, mentioned in accompanying posts, today we also recall Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the young visionary to whom the Virgin Mary appeared numerous times at[…]Continue reading→
Canonizing Sister Faustina and Divine Mercy
HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER MASS IN ST PETER’S SQUARE FOR THE CANONIZATION OF SR MARY FAUSTINA KOWALSKA Sunday, 30 April 2000 1. “Confitemini Domino quoniam bonus, quoniam in saeculum misericordia eius”; “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his steadfast love endures for ever” (Ps 118: 1). So the Church sings on the Octave of[…]Continue reading→
Divine Mercy Sunday – An Echo of Every Mass
Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe’… ‘My Lord and my God!’ (Jn. 20:18)). Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, and as we celebrate the end of the Easter Octave, we contemplate the wounded side of our Saviour, the Church’s source of life. On Good Friday in the[…]Continue reading→
First Holy Communion: Sermon from May 16, 1943
Here is a sermon from the good old days by +Rev. Msgr. Vincent Nicholas Foy (August 14, 1915 – March 13, 2017), from 1943. Readers may recall that Pope Saint Pius X, by the decree Quam Singulari in 1910, lowered the customary age of reception of Holy Communion – after the rigours of the plague[…]Continue reading→
In the Glorious Light of Easter, Alleluia!
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory (Col. 3:3-4). The Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour[…]Continue reading→
An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday
The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→
Europe’s Long Descent
(As we meditate on this day on Christ’s burial, and His descent into hell, it is fitting to ponder here with contributor Peter Marcus how the world seems to be heading there as well. The difference is that, although God cannot ‘redeem’ hell, nor those therein, He can and did redeem the world. There is[…]Continue reading→
Pope Saint John Paul II’s First Good Friday Homily
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS AT THE COLOSSEUM Good Friday, 13 April 1979 When we make the Way of the Cross from one station to the next, in spirit we are always at the spot wherethis journey had its “historical” place: where it[…]Continue reading→