Which is the greatest Sin?

[Darinicus]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

 

[Jase]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

Why is it a bad thing if homosexuality is legitimized and same-sex couples get the same civil benefits as heterosexuals? I find it rather funny that almost 100% of the opposition to this bill is by the black community. They had their civil rights era and are largely seen now as equals, but they are the biggest opponents of gay marriage. Very hypocritical if you ask me. Maybe we should bring back bans on interracial marriage, since apparently equality is not important in this country.

 

[Autumnleaf]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

The churches that are in favor of homosexual marriage and adoption should happily and proudly make up the difference. There is nothing that says a church should financially support something they morally disagree with.

 

[lawtonfogle]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

While I can easily see why a church would have problems with homosexual marriage, I don't see why they should have any more problems with a homosexual couple adopting than a single person adopting, or for that matter, any sinners adopting (not trying to say being single is a sin BTW).

 

[Supernaut]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

Why is it even a choice? Shouldn't everyone have marriage equality? The Church doesn't need to like it. Certainly cutting back on funding which thereby cuts back on helping those truly in need is quite sinful as far as I am concerned.

 

[selfintercession]

Homosexuality doesn't need to be "legitimized" by some random city council, it's already legitimate. It's the legalities around people's relationships that they're playing with... in any case, a church refusing funding for social programs based on something that they object to but that isn't even directly related to the funding is just childish. Luckily, I'm sure there are plenty of other perfectly good organizations in the area who can pick up the slack.

 

[Fenny the Fox]

First off, do some research and you will come to find that the city of Washington D.C. already acknowledges all same-sex marriages of other principalities (whether U.S. states or foreign entities).

Next, while the legislative body of the U.S. gov't does control the gov't of D.C., it is not correct to say that D.C. law is the same as national law. The two are separate. Just because a law is made or an allowance is set (such as the proposed acknowledgment of local same-sex marriage) in D.C. it does NOT make it national, federally-enforced law and regulation.

Lastly, could you rephrase the ending half of the OP, it made no sense whatsoever. All I can deduce from it is that you feel a church opposed to same-sex marriage would not do as much good for the area due to cuts in funding?

If so - What funding?! No gov't/federal funding goes to churches first off. And the law in question is not a forceful act to make all churches perform same-sex marriage, either.

 

[Ursie]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

Compromising truth is the greater sin. God doesn't need government money to do His work.

 

[Maren]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption.

Umm... no. Same-sex marriage does not "require" most of what you claim here. As for government money -- government money comes with strings and if you want that money, you must agree to abide by the policies of the government. Last, just because something is legal (or legalized) does nothing to make it legitimate -- otherwise you are claiming abortion is legitimate (since it is legal).

By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do.

Why are they cutting their funding? The Archdiocese itself does not receive any government funding so are they just throwing a temper tantrum?

Or is this Catholic Charities they are talking about and they want to get government money to perform charity work -- but only to people they deem "worthy". That seems immoral to me that they would insist on the ability to take money that comes from all Americans but only give it to those the Catholic Church feels are "worthy".

This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

And it is completely false that the Catholic Church would be required to accept homosexual marriage or adoption. Nothing will force the Catholic church to give their funds to homosexuals for any reason. The Catholic church will not be forced to perform gay marriages, just as they are not forced to marry non-Catholics.

From what I know of the issue, this is a case where the Catholic Church wants government money to fund their charity work but don't want to follow the rules that come with the money -- so they are threatening like a 5-year-old to take their ball and go home.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

It depends on whether contemporary Christian churches want to have anything to do with Jesus of Nazareth as portrayed in the gospels. They all claim to, but I doubt he would recognise those organisations as espousing his ideals if he were around today.

If they do, then it might be wise to look at what he says about poverty and what he says about homosexuality (i.e. nothing).

 

[BigBadWlf]

It depends on whether contemporary Christian churches want to have anything to do with Jesus of Nazareth as portrayed in the gospels. They all claim to, but I doubt he would recognise those organisations as espousing his ideals if he were around today.

If they do, then it might be wise to look at what he says about poverty and what he says about homosexuality (i.e. nothing).

 

[mpok1519]

What is the greatest good deed? Aren't all sins equal? Why evaluation of qualitative unequivocality?

 

[Blackmarch]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

what about the sin of the one who provides the funds? personally what probably needs to be looked at is the policies that regard requirements to allow gov funding.

 

[Darinicus]

1. The Archdiocese organically had contracts with the City of Washington D.C. to provide social services. The City of Washington D.C. Is not cutting the church's funding. The Archdiocese of D.C. is ending all contracts with the city because of under the law of D.C. it would be required to treat Homosexual Couples the same as Heterosexual Couples under the anti-discrimination laws. As in they would have to allow homosexuals to adopt in the same way as heterosexual couples.

 

[Sojourner1]

1. The Archdiocese organically had contracts with the City of Washington D.C. to provide social services. The City of Washington D.C. Is not cutting the church's funding. The Archdiocese of D.C. is ending all contracts with the city because of under the law of D.C. it would be required to treat Homosexual Couples the same as Heterosexual Couples under the anti-discrimination laws. As in they would have to allow homosexuals to adopt in the same way as heterosexual couples.

It's not a sin to stand up for what you believe. The church is taking a stand based on their beliefs. The church probably shouldn't be giving financial support to the City of Washington D.C. in the first place. Generally the government doesn't want the church to be involved in government. Looks like the government is alright with church involvement as long as that involvement is monetary with no strings attached. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

[Maren]

It's not a sin to stand up for what you believe. The church is taking a stand based on their beliefs. The church probably shouldn't be giving financial support to the City of Washington D.C. in the first place. Generally the government doesn't want the church to be involved in government. Looks like the government is alright with church involvement as long as that involvement is monetary with no strings attached. You can't have your cake and eat it too.

You have that backwards. The church does not financially support the city, rather the church receives money based on all of its contracts with the city. It is the church that is okay with receiving the money as long as it comes with no strings attached.

 

[Belk]

Then said he who had invited him: 'Master, which is the greatest sin?'

Jesus answered: 'Which is the greatest ruin of a house?' Every one was silent, when Jesus with his finger pointed to the foundation, and said: 'If the foundation give way, immediately the house falleth in ruin, in such wise that it is necessary to build it up anew: but if every other part give way it can be repaired. Even so then say I to you, that idolatry is the greatest sin, because it depriveth a man entirely of faith, and consequently of God; so that he can have no spiritual affection. But every other sin leaveth to man the hope of obtaining mercy: and therefore I say that idolatry is the greatest sin.'

 

[Sojourner1]

You have that backwards. The church does not financially support the city, rather the church receives money based on all of its contracts with the city. It is the church that is okay with receiving the money as long as it comes with no strings attached.

"The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care. "
Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum on same-sex marriage issue

 

[Maren]

"The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care. "
Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum on same-sex marriage issue

From the article you posted:

Catania, who said he has been the biggest supporter of Catholic Charities on the council, said he is baffled by the church's stance. From 2006 through 2008, Catania said, Catholic Charities received about $8.2 million in city contracts, as well as several hundred thousand dollars' worth this year through his committee.

Further, try this quote from the Catholic Diocease in a Catholic publication:

Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese said in a statement yesterday that they will move forward “with the resources available to us,” though the current legislation could threaten to cut government funding of faith-based organizations, such as Catholic Charities, if they do not compromise their religious beliefs.

From what I can tell, the Catholic church threatened to cut all their charity programs in DC -- that is what the articles from roughly a month ago all basically stated. It appears that the backlash has caused the Catholic Church to back off their threats, as the recent articles (such as the one I linked here) show the Catholic Church stating they will continue charity work using their money even if they no longer accept government funding.

 

[Beanieboy]

I'm sure everyone has heard whats happening in Washing D.C.. The City counsel is going allow gay marriage. Allowing gay marriage would legitimize homosexuality and require anyone who receives funding from the govt to acknowledge homosexuals, require them to provide benefits to same-sex couple, and require them to treat homosexual couples the same as heterosexual couples in terms of adoption. By refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage the Washing D.C. Archdiocese is cutting their funding by $25,000,000 (half of what they receive in a year ) and significantly cutting the amount of good they can do. This brings me to my question which is the greatest Sin? A church that accepts homosexual marriage and adoption or a church that refuses funds that could do a great deal of good to the poor because of their objection to homosexual

The US allows Muslims to worship. Does that mean that your church has to acknowledge that Jesus isn't THE way? Or does your church have to simply admit that while you have a freedom to worship as you choose, you are obligated to extend that freedom that you enjoy to Muslims because a) you are an american, and want freedom for all, and b) because you are to love your neighbor as yourself?

Does you church have to marry Muslims? No. Do Muslims care if you don't acknowledge their religion? No again. If you tell them that you don't approve, what will be their response? "Why don't you mind your own business?"

That's kind of how it is with gays and marriage. Not all gays are Christian to begin with, just as all heterosexuals aren't Christian, and yet, nonChristian heterosexuals are allowed to marry, even if they aren't allowed to marry within your church.

Does the poor not receive money because your church isn't marrying atheists?

Or is this just an excuse to blame gays for your own lack of charity?

That is probably up there as one of the worst sins - blaming others for your own lack of love.