The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Some
Questions for Homophobic
Catholic Prelates 12/09/2023 |
I propose some questions for the anti-gay wing of the Church: |
Since Jesus never once talked about homosexuality, it seems strange that you consider it a pillar of your faith. Where do you get your sureness buttressing your homophobia? Doesn’t your certainty about gay morality closely resemble the certainty of the
inquisitors |
“Galileo before the Holy Office.” Painting by Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury. Wikimedia Commons |
in
the 17th century who knew for certain that the sun moves around the earth? How is religion’s response to the subject of homosexuality any different from religion’s response to the Copernican and Galilean scientific discoveries? The church was proven wrong over 400 years ago, and when Pope John Paul II finally apologized in the 1970’s, he said the church had learned its lesson about listening to science. Why is the church again rejecting science when it comes to homosexuality? |
On the historic day the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, CBS Evening News aired “Evolution of gay rights from 1967 to today.” | Have you studied the document published in 1973 from the American Psychology Association making clear that homosexuality is part of human diversity and about 8-10% of any given human population is going to be gay? How can you persecute 8-10% of the human population
therefore? |
How many
among you are self-hating gays? Doesn’t this impede spiritual leadership, since Jesus taught to “love your neighbor as yourself”?
Psychologist Erich Fromm explains that the psychology behind fascism is self-hatred. Does
your support of authoritarian politicians derive from self-hatred? Do you saddle up with billionaire types because your often bankrupted dioceses (that are bankrupt because you chose to cover up sexual abuse rather than expose it) need their money? |
Why do you think your desire to limit women’s right to choose what is best for their bodies should take precedence in the presidential year of 2024 over the survival of the planet as we know it? Have you read Pope Francis’s
two |
Pope Francis urges action against global warming in his encyclical, Laudato si'. BBC
News |
encyclicals on Climate Change and the talk he gave (via a surrogate because he was ill) at the current COP gathering? Why does the future of the planet not factor as priority #1 for presidential election year 2024? |
See Matthew Fox, "The Spiritual Journey of the Homosexual...and Just About Everyone Else," in Fox, Wrestling with the Prophets: Creation Spirituality in Everyday Life, pp. 243-266. And Matthew Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society. And Fox, The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can be Saved. And Fox, A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity.
Banner image: "People upset by the passage of Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage initiative, protest at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on Sunday, November 9, 2008." Photo copyright Kelly B. Huston on Flickr. |
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Queries for Contemplation How prevalent do you think self-hatred is not only among homosexuals but among any group that dominant and domineering powers have tried to
control over the centuries? What can we do about it as individuals and as communities? How can we throw off internalized oppression? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Matthew’s weekly video reflection now appears each Monday — watch for it! |
The Pope’s War: Why Ratzinger’s Secret Crusade Has Imperiled the Church and How It Can Be Saved
The Pope’s War offers a provocative look at three decades of corruption in the
Catholic Church, focusing on Josef Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. The final section in the book focuses on birthing a truly catholic Christianity.
“This book should be read by everybody, not only for its ferocious courage, but also for its vision for what needs to be saved from the destructive forces that threaten authentic Christianity.” ~ Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope.
“In the gripping The Pope’s War, Matthew Fox takes an unwavering look at the layers of corruption in the Catholic Church, holding moral truth against power.” — Jason Berry, author of Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II |
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A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality & The Transformation of Christianity
A modern-day
theologian’s call for the radical transformation of Christianity that will allow us to move once again from the hollow trappings of organized religion to genuine spirituality. A New Reformation echoes the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517 and offers a new vision of Christianity that values the Earth, honors the feminine, and respects science and deep ecumenism.
“This is a deep and forceful book….With
prophetic insight, Matthew Fox reveals what has corrupted religion in the West and the therapy for its healing.” ~Bruce Chilton, author of Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography |
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Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox
offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
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Wrestling with the Prophets: Essays on Creation Spirituality and Everyday Life
In one of his foundational works, Fox engages with some of history’s greatest mystics, philosophers, and prophets in
profound and hard-hitting essays on such varied topics as Eco-Spirituality, AIDS, homosexuality, spiritual feminism, environmental revolution, Native American spirituality, Christian mysticism, Art and Spirituality, Art as Meditation, Interfaith or Deep Ecumenism and more. |
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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the
awesome, fantastical, cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet.
"Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ
"Matthew Fox offers a resounding affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author
of God of Love and Wild Mercy
Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout.
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
SPECIAL EVENT: 5-DAY WORKSHOP IN AQUINAS’ HOMETOWN OF ORVIETO, ITALY
WITH MATTHEW FOX, MESHI CHAVEZ, AND CLAUDIA PICARDI
JUNE 9-14, 2024
LEARN MORE HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest ” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat.Thursday, January 18, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he lectures on “What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying “ at the Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, “Emerging Spiritualities: Death and Bereavement Across the Spiritual Spectrum,” Saturday, January 20, 9:00am – 5:00pm PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Hunger for Wholeness: What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1) In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia
Delio and theologian Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned.
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