I've come into this discussion a bite late, but I thought I'd put in a word.

I was raised and still am Catholic and very religious. I also don't believe homosexual == pedophile. I am, however, sad for what the Church authorities have done. The Church isn't just the priests and nuns and other officials, but it is also the lay people. Without the people, the Church doesn't exist.

One thing I learned in parochial school was that the officials of the church, the priests and the nuns, are people too and thus fallable. Yes, this even means the Pope. We all make mistakes. None of us are perfect.

I'd like to think, in generally, the Church is a decent organization. We have problems with close mindedness, but that exists everywhere. Conservativism exists. But, another thing I learned was do not believe something is true just because someone in power (like a priest) said that This Is The Truth(tm). Instead, question the belief. Examine it. Is it true for you? Do you feel it is right? If so, embrace it and make it your own. If it isn't, voice your questions and have it explained. The answer "Just because" is not an answer.

Admittedly, it's been tough at times. I had a hard time coming to grips with my own sexuality (I'm bi) and other things going on in my life. I've worked through them and ultimately, I gained strength and purpose.

What's funny is that I'm still a pretty conservative person. I was even a founding member of the Young Republicans at my University. :P But I am also quite liberal in many aspects. I'm a person so not one thing defines me. To grow, is to also change and adapt.

I once had a conversation with my husband about gay marriage and I thought he had an interesting solution. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends on how you view it) Marriage is both civil and religious. He thought that that instead, it should be seperated. He believes that all Unions should be civil and thus form of contract between two individuals. Thus, gay-straight-whatever, at a state and federal level, would always be a Union and thus laws, such as divorce, inheritance, and medical, would be the same for all.

But, if you wanted a Marriage, then it would strictly be religious and have no bearing from a civil standpoint. It would thus be up to that religion if they would allow gay marriage, but all such marriages would have no legal standing, only a religious one.

I hope I made some sense in all of this.

Mel