LGBTQ: Empowering the Right to Love Who You Choose - Research Paper

Introduction

LGBTQ is the abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, or questioning. That is the description of the individuals in society that are for the idea that there can be sexual relationships between people of the same gender. That is based on the idea that people have the right of choice to do what they feel comfortable. Moreover, there is the basis that some people are biologically attracted to the people of the same gender. They propose that the attraction is not their own making, but is because of their hormones and body structure. Over time, various groups have been championing for the rights of people that prefer a relationship with people with the same gender type. They have made notable achievements; which is in the form of equal rights, recognition and respect from other people in the society that are of the contrary opinion to their choice.

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However, various parties are against their choice; which is based on multiple stances. With time, however, some religions and people have changed their position against members of the LGBTQ community and accommodated them in their congregation (Carlin 1). The most popular stance takes the religious perspective; where they rely on evidence that it is against the order of nature and religion to engage in relationships with an individual of the same gender. That is against the beliefs and values that are upheld by their faith; encouraging them to be against LGBTQ lifestyle. In the doctrines of the catholic faith, the LGBTQ activities are termed as immoral and have no place in the faith. That is because they are against the order that God intended for human beings. When God created humans, he created male and female for a purpose. That was to enable them to have a union between two genders and not one. Thus, on that basis, the ideas and preferences of the LGBTQ community are against the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.

Christianity is based on beliefs; which are well documented; thus have a significant volume of reference material. Therefore, when one needs to act contrary to the various ideas, there is the need to study the material. After the study of the content, an individual will find the basis of the Roman Catholic's beliefs and try to justify their stand. Therefore, on that basis, some facts will be in support of their position. Apart from the literature that is published in support of the stand by the Roman Catholic, there is also the literature that touches on various aspects of life (Conference of Catholic Bishops 2). For example, there is literature that explains human anatomy, their hormones and other social attributes. Thus, when one is to take a stand that is not within the accepted beliefs of Christianity, there is the need to have a basis to justify their claims. Thus, the LGBTQ community always has a source of reference which they use to justify their preferences. Christianity and the related beliefs have a long history; which has a long history in the literature that explains their choices. The same applies to the school of thought upon which the LGBTQ community derives their justification.

Over time, there has been an enhanced review of literature that is against the traditional stand that is adopted by Christianity. For example, there is theoretical work based on philosophy; which explains the preferences of human beings and the justification of their behaviour. On that basis, there has been a deviation from the standard stand in the community. For example, it was believed that any act that is contrary to Christian beliefs is evil, and unacceptable in the society; however, with time, that has changed. People have researched on the various aspects that make up humanity, and a justification of their deviation has been found. That has led to the publication of different literature types that has the aim of educating people about the legitimacy of their stand in the society. For example, there have been studies that suggest a preference for the same gender is biologically explained. That is against the popular opinion that the choice to the same gender is just a decision that an individual makes. On that basis, the LGBTQ community has justified their stand, and have championed for their rights in the society.

The various aspects and ideas in the Roman Catholic Church that are the basis of their stand against the LGBTQ are always a subject of discussion among the parties that are in support of the LGBTQ. First, one of the core beliefs among Christians is that of love; where all people should be loved despite their stands. That is one of the core beliefs of Christianity, and religion is based on love. However, discrimination of the people that are in support of the LQBTQ idea is against the aspect of love and inclusivity in the religion (Hunt 54). That has been a basis of criticism that is directed towards the Roman Catholic Church. In the Bible, the message of love is dominant; where the idea is to include people with difference in the Christian faith so that they can be taught about the truth which the religion is based on. However, there have been various instances where there has been discrimination of the people that subscribe to the idea of same-sex relationships. Thus, the LGTQ community derives their legitimacy on that idea; that all people have the same rights, and therefore, their preferences should be respected.

As a result of the understanding of the Roman Catholic church scriptures, there has been a sexual revolution; which seeks to legitimize the idea of same-sex relationships. For example, the idea of "love your neighbour" in Christianity has been a significant basis. A neighbour can be anyone, and that includes anyone of any gender. On that basis, the LGBTQ community justifies their idea that one is free to love any person of their choice. That is because, in the Bible, they are free to love, and that does not define gender boundaries. That has been a basis of multiple attacks on the church's stand against same-sex relationships. Thus, the loopholes in Christianity literature have been used to justify the position by the gay people. Christians were discriminating against the people that do not support their ideas, then that is defined as hatred. When one is filled with hate for another person, then they are acting contrary to the basic principles that the religion is based on. For example, when your neighbour is a member of the LBGTQ community, their choice should be respected. That means that they should be treated as usual, and not discriminated on that basis.

There are various teachings in the Bible which are the basis of the Roman Catholic's stance against the LGBTQ community. For example, the Apostle Paul, states that the people embracing the LGBTQ idea are worthless, as compared to other people that are against the idea. That is because the doctrines in the Bible are against the idea. That is because, even in the order of creation, the regular order was that people should be engaged to others of the opposite gender. For example, Adam and Eve were created of the opposite gender (Tausch 4). That was on purpose so that people could continue with God's work of creation. That is only possible when people have children, which is only possible among people of the opposite gender. However, even people embrace same-sex relationships, and then the continuation of God's work of creation will not be possible. Thus, that is one of the bases that the church is against the idea of same-sex relationships. Despite the fact that people, should have their rights respected, the LGBTQ idea is considered as being against the order that was ordained by God. However, at the moment, there is an increase in the attaches against some of the core beliefs in Christianity. That is based on the freedom of people to choose what they prefer to do with their life. Thus, the LGBTQ community uses that against the Roman Catholic Church to prove their choice is right.

Based on the continued efforts by the LGBTQ community to enhance inclusion, and have equal rights in the face of religion, the Roman Catholic Church has changed the way it treats them. First, it is based on inclusion; which was the primary point of difference. Earlier, the church was against allowing them to take part in the usual church activities. However, in 2013, the pope led a change in the stance taken by the church. In a speech, he states that as long as they accept the Lord, they are all welcome to the church. He said that he is also human, and he cannot do anything that will lead to the discrimination of fellow human beings from the church. The work of Christianity is to bring more people to the Lord, despite their activities. Thus, he was of the idea that the members of the community were welcomed to the church, despite their stand. He stated that all people, despite their sexual views, are our brothers, and thus they should be accepted and included in the church.

The other basis was based on non-discrimination of people that have a different stand from the rest of the church. The church should be in a position to accept all people and be a home to all of the people. That is because, in the Bible, Jesus welcomes all people and their burdens. In this case, the responsibility is the different sexual view of the people. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; which but later that changed. That is because it was viewed as discriminating against people that are different from the rest of the community. That was not within the interest of the community as a whole because their right to inclusion was compromised. All people in the society should be treated as equal; hence it would be against the Christian teachings. In the Bible, God was for equality, and all people had the same rights, and that is what the religion is based on. Thus, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted the inclusivity of all people in the church which respected the preferences of the LGBTQ community. That was a favourable change of events for all people, because it made society more cohesive, despite their preferences.

Over time, the LGBTQ community has undertaken efforts that are meant to separate fiction from truth to make sure there is less discrimination. That is based on the analysis of the Bible and other literature that the Roman Catholic Church is based on. Based on the core religious principles, then they have been capable of finding ways of addressing the grey areas, hence enhancing their participation in the church. First, is the misconception that the LGBTQ members are disorderly and are unwelcome in the church (Rickets 1). That is false, as the church states that it is their actions that are wrong, but the people are welcome to the church. That is because they can embrace Christian teachings and embrace their values later. Moreover, there is the misconception that LGBTQ members are not welcome to the church because of their actions. However, in the Bible, God welcomes all people to him. That is meant to show them the light and enable them to change their ways. On that basis, the LGBTQ members are welcome to the Roman Catholic Church, so that they can see their truth and embrace it in their day to day lives.

The other source of difference between the Roman Catholic Church and the LGBTQ is the fact that the issue brings about a war of us, against them. That is wrong, as we are all affected by the problem. We might have close relatives and friends that are affected by the issue. Thus, any form of discrimination is against the core principles in church. That is because God never discriminated against any person, regardless of their lifestyle. Therefore, the church is encouraged to embrace the same and make sure all people are welcome and are encouraged to embrace the way of life that the church...