Church Treating People Differently

[AureateDawn]

Why is it that the Church only helps certain people? It's like certain groups of people are chosen to be helped, and the rest are hung out to dry. The Church has ministries for the hurting homeless, the hurting hungry, the hurting poor, the hurting alcoholics, the hurting couple on verge of divorce, etc.... The Church takes so many measures to help these select people, and others, who are commonly viewed as needing the help. And they do. I am glad the Church helps these people who need it. But why not the hurting homosexual? There are no programs, no ministries. It's just a one-on-one thing between the person and the priest, and oftentimes the priest or other spiritual father have many misconceptions that are hurtful that are held by right-wings, and they do not deal with the issue as it should be dealt with and treat it with sensitivity. The Church fails to see these people as hurting and needing of help. If the gay/bi/trans community who seek the Church doesn't like what is taught, they are told, "Tough."

So why pay special attention to some hurting groups, but casually regard other hurting groups? They are all hurting, just in different ways, and none is necessarily worse hurting or less hurting than the other. Just hurting differently.

So why help only certain people and give them the special assistance?

 

[ArmyMatt]

I dunno what to tell you man, other than maybe if you feel that there is a lacking for a ministry to help the LGBT people deal with the Church's teachings, that you should talk to you priest to see if there is one (because there could be). I guess if this feeling persists and you don't find a ministry to help out there, maybe someday you could start one. aside from that I don't know man.

prayers for you

 

[GarnetRose]

That's what I was about to say, ArmyMatt beat me to it. Start one yourself is there is none!

 

[gzt]

The Church has ministries for the hurting homeless, the hurting hungry, the hurting poor, the hurting alcoholics, the hurting couple on verge of divorce, etc....

Meh, I've seen as much (or as little) for those as for homosexuals. Part of the problem is numbers.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

Truth be told, there are a lot of holes in Church ministries. I don't really see a lot of real help for the poor and homeless. I see a lot of band-aid measures like soup kitchens, clothing drives, etc. I don't mean to disparage this type of charity because it does help, but the causes and effects of poverty run so much deeper than that.

I also don't see a lot of help for drug addicted people. I mean people who have been doing drugs for 20 years or more. We might have AA meeting in our parish halls, but nothing like what the Salvation Army (a Protestant church if you didn't know) or Catholic Charities offers with detox and long term counseling.

Most surprisingly to me is the lack of visible ministries for refugees, immigrants and victims of human trafficking. I mean, there are numerous, well documented cases of Orthodox people or people for historically Orthodox countries who fall into these categories. As a social work student, I am particularly feeling called to this type of work. We'll see what God says.

I don't say this to fault the American Orthodox. Our forebears in the Faith had a lot to deal with what with the Turkish yoke and Communist persecution. But perhaps, people who see and feel the need for more in depth ministries for hurting people can begin praying and studying.

M.

 

[Barky]

Why is it that the Church only helps certain people? It's like certain groups of people are chosen to be helped, and the rest are hung out to dry. The Church has ministries for the hurting homeless, the hurting hungry, the hurting poor, the hurting alcoholics, the hurting couple on verge of divorce, etc.... The Church takes so many measures to help these select people, and others, who are commonly viewed as needing the help. And they do. I am glad the Church helps these people who need it. But why not the hurting homosexual? There are no programs, no ministries. It's just a one-on-one thing between the person and the priest, and oftentimes the priest or other spiritual father have many misconceptions that are hurtful that are held by right-wings, and they do not deal with the issue as it should be dealt with and treat it with sensitivity. The Church fails to see these people as hurting and needing of help. If the gay/bi/trans community who seek the Church doesn't like what is taught, they are told, "Tough."

So why pay special attention to some hurting groups, but casually regard other hurting groups? They are all hurting, just in different ways, and none is necessarily worse hurting or less hurting than the other. Just hurting differently.

So why help only certain people and give them the special assistance?

Justin, a lot of people in the big minsitries lament the lack of one on one support for people. Getting one to one help with a priest is probably the greatest blessing you could ask for.

I know you struggle, I know this is hard, it seems like you simply looking for reasons to leave the church sometimes. God be with you Justin, you have a lot to offer to everyone in Church.

 

[English Augustine]

This could be your apostolate.

To quote St. Josemaría:

Don't let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love.

With your apostolic life, wipe out the trail of filth and slime left by the corrupt sowers of hatred. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart.

 

[Blonde]

If a priest is taking the time to individually help a person I don't think that should be disregarded. That may be the better path for the soul.
You're going to have to learn humble submission to God and to His ways. He knows the best path for the perfecting of your soul.
Beware seeking the occasion for self pity and complaint.

 

[Michael G]

If a priest is taking the time to individually help a person I don't think that should be disregarded. That may be the better path for the soul.
You're going to have to learn humble submission to God and to His ways. He knows the best path for the perfecting of your soul.
Beware seeking the occasion for self pity and complaint.

Remind me to rep you tomorrow. You are exactly correct!

 

[Blonde]

Thanks. I've done my share of kicking and screaming so it's a fresh lesson.

 

[xenia]

Personally, I do not think it is a wise idea to form a group or club or whatever type of gathering for homosexuals, even if the stated goal is to help each other overcome the sin. I think it would offer a venue for temptation and more harm would come from it than good. I think one-on-one with one's priest is absolutely the best form of spiritual therapy for this type of sin.

 

[Michael G]

Personally, I do not think it is a wise idea to form a group or club or whatever type of gathering for homosexuals, even if the stated goal is to help each other overcome the sin. I think it would offer a venue for temptation and more harm would come from it than good. I think one-on-one with one's priest is absolutely the best form of spiritual therapy for this type of sin.

 

[E.C.]

Personally, I do not think it is a wise idea to form a group or club or whatever type of gathering for homosexuals, even if the stated goal is to help each other overcome the sin. I think it would offer a venue for temptation and more harm would come from it than good. I think one-on-one with one's priest is absolutely the best form of spiritual therapy for this type of sin.

Ditto.

 

[AureateDawn]

Personally, I do not think it is a wise idea to form a group or club or whatever type of gathering for homosexuals, even if the stated goal is to help each other overcome the sin. I think it would offer a venue for temptation and more harm would come from it than good. I think one-on-one with one's priest is absolutely the best form of spiritual therapy for this type of sin.

Why not? How is it different from having an AA? The alcoholics are just as likely to cave in and go drinking together.

 

[nutroll]

Why not? How is it different from having an AA? The alcoholics are just as likely to cave in and go drinking together.

You are right, except that with an AA meeting, alcohol (which is the thing that everyone is trying to avoid) would not be brought into the meeting. With a club or group for homosexual men, the object of temptation (other homosexual men) would be present.

 

[xenia]

Why not? How is it different from having an AA? The alcoholics are just as likely to cave in and go drinking together.

Would you hold AA meetings in a liquor store?

 

[Bessie]

To be fair, this is a bit like saying that unmarried men and women shouldn't mix socially or do ministries together either. There is always a temptation, homosexual or otherwise.

 

[AureateDawn]

What Bessie said, though you all do have a point. Just because the temptation is there, doesn't mean it shouldn't entirely be avoided (as with Bessie's example). I for one can feel very lonely. I got in touch with an Orthodox Christian through some priest conversation who is gay and lives in California... across the country! It has done wonders for me knowing I am not... alone... Imagine if, in a larger cathedral or something, there was a group that met in person! That would be incredibly helpful.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I think though that like everyone has stated before (including myself), you need to talk to your priest about this.

 

[Michael G]

Would you hold AA meetings in a liquor store?

No, BUT, Eric Clapton did do drug and alcohol rehab in Antigua and if any of you have ever been to the Caribbean you know that rum is more readily available in the Caribbean than drinking water is!