tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post5591411231713106258..comments2024-03-22T14:46:37.849-04:00Comments on A Fly on Our (Chicken Coop) Wall: Explaining a Few Things to the Best of My AbilityChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-39058172625378680292015-10-30T10:25:54.563-04:002015-10-30T10:25:54.563-04:00You may. :)You may. :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-62351855295001388672015-10-28T23:23:08.292-04:002015-10-28T23:23:08.292-04:00excellent post, Christine. Can I share this on the...excellent post, Christine. Can I share this on the Association of Catholic Women's blog? I post there once in a while and would love to share this there.Marianne (Mare) Baker Ballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03663143060069193124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-82611535260942651932015-07-04T22:20:18.443-04:002015-07-04T22:20:18.443-04:00I really valued the theme of your post. This is a...I really valued the theme of your post. This is a voice of clarity not often heard now days. While I am by nature fairly liberty, e are being force-fed by the media and society to accept anything and everything as ok, even if it falls outside our beliefs. I do not judge others, or I try hard not to, and I love without condition, but I am not willing to say that it's all ok, because really I don't believe that it is, and it doesn't make me a bad person to feel that way. Tolerance and compassion are extremely important, so is respect for other's beliefs, whether they are ours or someone else's. I am proud of you for stating exactly where you stand, and why. I can respect that. Josie Two Shoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18388032819905416258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-33557110048760960392015-07-01T17:58:27.382-04:002015-07-01T17:58:27.382-04:00No need to be nervous, Christine. You have a stron...No need to be nervous, Christine. You have a strong grasp on Church teaching and you explain it well here and do so with compassion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-43528288171643000132015-07-01T17:57:35.930-04:002015-07-01T17:57:35.930-04:00Jumping in here for just a second... David and I a...Jumping in here for just a second... David and I are an interfaith couple. He is Jewish, I am Catholic. We were married by a Catholic priest (his Rabbi and Cantor would not participate, but that's another discussion). We have answered questions about the Jewish/Catholic combination in our marriage often over the years. I'm happy to talk with anyone who has questions, wants info, etc. NFP as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-82513122782241731002015-07-01T17:48:39.110-04:002015-07-01T17:48:39.110-04:00Christine, I've read this about five times now...Christine, I've read this about five times now. This is perfectly stated and so much of what I am feeling right now and just have not put into words myself. (Mostly because I have a cold and am ignoring the world.)<br />The thing that pains me most in all of this is the opinion you summarized at the start of your post - that those who oppose same-sex marriage must be bigots, homophobes and full of hate. That thinking is just as oppressive and just as hurtful as any other. It bothers me is that there is an expectation of acceptance, but in many instances that is not being done in return - it's a case of accept what I believe or you're wrong. And that's wrong. <br />I'm with Sandee - this goes much deeper that what it appears to be and the whole thing is far from resolved. And you know what? It never will be. I don't say that to be negative or defeatist. As long as humans have breath to do so, this and so many other things will continue to divide. <br />I'm sure I have many more thoughts on this discussion, but like you said here, too, there are far too many points to cover it all in one place at one time.<br />I am glad that you found words for what you (and many others) are feeling and thinking. And you are a fine example of how more should behave - your opinions and beliefs are stated clearly, without hate or judgment, and you are open to the debate that inevitably follows things such as these. And if I'm rambling, forgive me - still have a horrible cold. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-61128262989916013982015-07-01T16:37:28.382-04:002015-07-01T16:37:28.382-04:00But then his behaviour, which was decidedly NOT in...But then his behaviour, which was decidedly NOT inherently aiming towards any kind of moral object (its attainability or lack thereof being almost inconsequential by that point) would have voided the marriage? Or can you have a sexless marriage and it still be valid, because there IS no act which is inherently directed towards procreation, therefore it doesn't matter?<br /><br />*I* didn't think it was valid, for the record. And it appears nor did he.Lizzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17480448062269641320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-39132557641863794482015-06-30T22:46:32.882-04:002015-06-30T22:46:32.882-04:00Oh, and I walk the best I can. I trip and fall a l...Oh, and I walk the best I can. I trip and fall a lot.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-57933564864051483012015-06-30T13:02:11.187-04:002015-06-30T13:02:11.187-04:00Excellent post! I am glad you asked Sarah to clar...Excellent post! I am glad you asked Sarah to clarify some of her statements. I can see how such a discussion could get heated and I'm not sure I would be able to stay quite as calm and charitable as I should be. Your discussion with her was enlightening and respectful. Thanks! Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09098975442897816678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-45462334783587842212015-06-30T10:30:00.836-04:002015-06-30T10:30:00.836-04:00I applaud your honesty and your convictions. This ...I applaud your honesty and your convictions. This is a difficult time to stand firm in faith, but your response--IN LOVE--is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. Speak truth in love. This was a wonderful post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-51152367395459839092015-06-30T06:59:14.628-04:002015-06-30T06:59:14.628-04:00I have a great deal of respect for your beliefs an...I have a great deal of respect for your beliefs and just as others are allowed theirs, I'm hoping that everyone will offer you that same grace. These subjects are always very polarizing. I learned quite a bit about the Catholic faith in this post and I'm always grateful for an opportunity to learn. Good for you for standing strong in your faith and your beliefs and raising your family to do the same. <br /><br />As a side note, I haven't been here in a really long time and I need to change that. I always left your blog feeling a certain kind of way....lighter, happier....I miss that. AND I love the new look! <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544185213746159372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-82805153998214922482015-06-29T22:16:56.274-04:002015-06-29T22:16:56.274-04:00No, thank you. :)No, thank you. :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-37491827732049926372015-06-29T22:00:47.779-04:002015-06-29T22:00:47.779-04:00Thank you, Dyanne.Thank you, Dyanne.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-68980982556123115822015-06-29T21:54:48.178-04:002015-06-29T21:54:48.178-04:00First off, I am sorry you felt belittled by the ra...First off, I am sorry you felt belittled by the rabbi. Catholic priests can and do marry interfaith couples. Many of our married friends have one of the spouses who are not Catholic. We recognize (I don't know if that's the word) the baptism of other churches. I don't know specifically about Jewish/Catholic marriages, as I don't know anyone personally, but I can research it if you want me to.<br /><br />This is a difficult conversation, but I'm glad we can have it. As I told Lizzi, discussing things with others, including people who believe differently than I do, helps me nail down what I really believe about things. It helps me figure out WHY I believe what I believe. It's important.<br /><br />So, let's talk rights. :) <br /><br />I think you and I have different thoughts on what a right is. We see few things as rights, but many as wants. As an example, I will speak specifically to birth control. As far as the Church and Catholics are concerned, birth control is not a right. It is a want. No matter how much a woman wants it or thinks she needs it, it isn't something all people are guaranteed. An employer or doctor won't stop a person from using it (like he/she could anyway), but he/she couldn't help the person get it or pay for it. Instead, a Catholic doctor would teach the couple all about Natural Family Planning. (If you have not heard of this and are interested in what it is, let me know.)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-62115551943816831462015-06-29T21:50:30.448-04:002015-06-29T21:50:30.448-04:00Written with grace and charity for all. Thank you...Written with grace and charity for all. Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09551005149997186970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-50392717469883581452015-06-29T21:26:47.151-04:002015-06-29T21:26:47.151-04:00You did a lovely job of explaining your position. ...You did a lovely job of explaining your position. I enjoy and respect points of view that are different from mine when the person offering that point of view can do it as well as you. You talk the talk AND walk the walk of the Catholic church; I don't know very many people who say they are Catholics who do more than just talk. Thanks for sharing, my friend!Dyanne @ I Want Backsieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04946323852124525597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-42060654193033401472015-06-29T21:23:13.452-04:002015-06-29T21:23:13.452-04:00Thank you, Ivy.Thank you, Ivy.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-74298347546501777522015-06-29T21:19:10.046-04:002015-06-29T21:19:10.046-04:00Lizzi, I'm sorry that I didn't explain thi...Lizzi, I'm sorry that I didn't explain this properly. Your marriage would not be "voided". (There isn't such a thing.) The Catechism says it better than I can:<br /><br />"If a husband or wife are infertile, due to old age, or injury, or illness, the natural marital act remains moral because it is still the type of act which is inherently directed toward procreation (even if procreation is not attained). The essential moral nature of any act is determined by its inherent ordering toward its moral object, not by the attainment of the moral object."<br /><br />I hope that helps. <br /><br />Pretty sure most people are always learning. I question my faith all the time. Discussions with both Catholics and non-Catholics alike help me to nail down exactly what it is I believe. My questions always lead me back to Catholicism, but I've learned something along the way.<br />Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-11840696433552594112015-06-29T21:09:11.827-04:002015-06-29T21:09:11.827-04:00Kelly, thank you for pointing this out. Between yo...Kelly, thank you for pointing this out. Between you and Lizzi, I realize that I didn't explain this fully enough.<br /><br />The Catechism says it better than I can:<br /><br />"If a husband or wife are infertile, due to old age, or injury, or illness, the natural marital act remains moral because it is still the type of act which is inherently directed toward procreation (even if procreation is not attained). The essential moral nature of any act is determined by its inherent ordering toward its moral object, not by the attainment of the moral object."<br /><br />And just so you know, I do sin, and I appreciate it when people help me avoid it.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-21300141951038045102015-06-29T20:22:41.919-04:002015-06-29T20:22:41.919-04:00"Any sexual act that prevents or is incompati..."Any sexual act that prevents or is incompatible with the making of a baby shouldn't be done."<br /><br />So, once you go through menopause, you don't plan to have sex, right?<br /><br />Just mentioning this out of love and concern. I wouldn't want you to sin. kellygnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-17781727716188008092015-06-29T19:36:05.166-04:002015-06-29T19:36:05.166-04:00I'm glad you wrote this. It was done well and ...I'm glad you wrote this. It was done well and respectfully and with not a jot of hate, but with lots of love and compassion. My views are constantly evolving, and I've never been Catholic, and I think the fact that a medical diagnosis could have voided my marriage is not really very loving, so I get tangled there, in thinking it's a rule for a rule's sake. Song of Songs doesn't seem to be just about babies. It's all tricky, I guess.Lizzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17480448062269641320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-48124532844055941522015-06-29T16:12:58.525-04:002015-06-29T16:12:58.525-04:00Nicely done Christine. Although my beliefs may dif...Nicely done Christine. Although my beliefs may differ, I was trying to help someone understand this exact premise (of it comes from a place of love and concern vs bigotry) the other day. I dont think I did it nearly as good as you just did.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11630958840521397718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-18101794934407762582015-06-29T15:02:37.279-04:002015-06-29T15:02:37.279-04:00Let's see...I believe abortion should be rare ...Let's see...I believe abortion should be rare but legal because I cannot decide for others what is right. Or, I think providing insurance for birth control is the moral choice since some people do not have the economic means to have children. <br />When I married Brian (Brian is Jewish), the rabbi at the reformed synagogue in our town would not marry us. I found this beyond offensive as if he thought I was "less than" for not being raised Jewish. So, theoretically I can accept that a priest would choose not to marry an interfaith couple, but from a person perspective, I found it deeply hurtful. We found both a rabbi and a preacher who felt their call was to minister to all of their faith no matter their choice of spouse. I am more comfortable with this practice. <br />As for the doctor situation, I'm not sure. Clearly, I don't have a clear line here. :) <br />What a difficult conversation. I'm so glad we can have it as friends. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03624509801901211108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-17229459819485985932015-06-29T13:52:17.058-04:002015-06-29T13:52:17.058-04:00Man, all of these people telling me I'm brave ...Man, all of these people telling me I'm brave is making me more nervous! <br />I'm glad you found the explanation helpful. I have found that many, many people don't know much about Catholicism, so you aren't alone. <br />And we will still be friends. :)Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209807996463889703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329563580023354380.post-14853801273890387142015-06-29T13:26:55.498-04:002015-06-29T13:26:55.498-04:00Oh,no, it looks like my computer is back to double...Oh,no, it looks like my computer is back to double-commenting! Sorry about that. (And I'm crossing my fingers this only goes through once.)Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com