Topic category:  Politically Correct Insanity

I appreciate the lessons in biology and theology the newspaper shared from its woman contributor. “Gays and lesbians are gifts” and “the dignity of individuals who did not choose to be gay, but were chosen to be gay.”

There is no argument from me that people with the burden of same sex attraction are special and have a role in “The Body of Christ.” In fact, it is apparent that men in religious life aren’t necessarily the most macho guys you’ll find – nor are the women in religious life anywhere near being femme fatales – perhaps a clue that their challenges might lean toward the homosexual side. Not a condemnation by any means – we all have our “thorns.”

Notable exceptions would be Maria in “Sound of Music” or my wife when she was a nun. When she was a Catholic School Principal she required her teachers to dress professionally – you know, suits, skirts, tasteful dresses, nylons - a far cry from baggy jeans, wrinkled shirts and severely stressed Spandex that seems to be standard attire today setting terrible examples for the young. I’ll never forget the parade of slovenly faculty at a UNLV commencement I attended – Sheesh! (I’m going to catch hell for this!)

“Progressives” have re-defined or strictly limited the definition of diversity in the name of political correctness. True diversity is the uniqueness of each individual and his/her God-given gifts and talents that require “educere” – to be drawn out for personal fulfillment and ultimate service to others. The United States of America has provided the ideal environment for drawing out these gifts and being able to apply them and rise above one’s station in life.

It is a stretch to claim that “gays and lesbians are gifts.” A newborn baby blessed into the life of a covenanted husband and wife is a gift for themselves and the continuation of the species. Is that still celebrated today as it once was? To say any of us is a gift misses the point. To say we are all endowed with gifts would make more sense. Along with those gifts comes counter-acting tensions – temptations. This is allowed by God, because we never accomplish much without struggle in our training process.

We were all chosen to be special in the way we were gifted. For the macho guy or the femme fatale, one temptation is sexual relations outside marriage. For the feminine male or the masculine female, the temptation is same sex attraction. In either case, giving in to that temptation is never justified under God’s laws – not the Church’s. We all sin and come way short of the glory of God. Sexual temptation is pretty basic in the human drama, but certainly not the only one. For the homosexually tempted person, men are surely greatly blessed with a powerful sense of beauty and creativity – women for serving others. Giving in to the sexual temptation only lessens the value and quality of their contribution. Look at the sewer our art and artistry is in today as is service constrained by the outright evil of political correctness.

The subject of the Op-Ed author’s missive is LGBTQ rights. We could explore all levels of gifts and talents from one end of the spectrum to the other – from macho to queer. By far, most are tempted by heterosexual attraction. That is why the Catholic Church and all other religious persuasions place limits on sexual license without which no society can survive. Even California voters twice and those of 38 other states know better, only to be overwhelmed by corrupt judges claiming some special constitutional knowledge.

St. Paul put it in simple terms in 1 Corinthians 10:12 NSV “12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Gerald V. Todd

Biography - Gerald V. Todd

Jerry is a retired engineer with strong experience in environmental innovation which he still applies today with 2 clean water and energy saving technologies. His life avocation in writing and study of philosophical and biblical themes as they apply to the body politic's spiritual warfare. He survived stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2006; now in excellent health. A graduate of the University of Illinois (1958, Industrial Engineering), Jerry had post graduate studies at both the University of San Francisco and the University of Santa Clara in California between 1961 and 1963 (Logic, Marketing). As co Founder and seminar presenter he was awarded a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Valley Christian University operating under California private-post secondary statutes for mid career student, VCU was the pioneer external degree school for mid career students. Its course structures were picked up by several well known Christian colleges. Hosted local broadcast radio and TV shows, "Religion on the Line" and "The News Firm" (jointly with wife, Joanne), respectively. Jerry has published several books that are available at Amazon. Jerry is available to speak as a visiting lecturer at the high school, college or community organization level. Jerry is married 55 years to Joanne Dean Todd – 3 children, 8 grandchildren.