Staff Editorial
Aren’t we all just looking for a place to fit in? A place to feel accepted, where any one person can choose the fate of his or her own life? We are all bound by certain people, illnesses, appearances and races. These are certain unchangeable traits that we have no control over. But what about when the topic is changed to who we love? The main barrier that stands in the way of expressing our sexuality could be embarrassment in society, or the more usual contender: religion.
But maybe the wall of religion separating freedom and ethics is beginning to thin out. It might not be relevant for all religions, but one strict faith has taken the first step in breaking down the wall.
Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church recently expressed his opinion towards homosexuality in the face of religous beliefs. Francis believes that although the Church has its power and trustworthiness, it also has its boundaries.
“Pope Francis said the church has the right to express its opinions but not to ‘interfere spiritually’ in the lives of gays and lesbians,” according to CNN.
Although Francis is against speaking excessiveley on the topic of homosexuality, he warns that if the church keeps suppressing peoples’ feelings, the roots of the church’s beliefs will begin to die out, causing it to fall apart.
Does it sound like Francis is going against the church? To many followers, yes, they believe it is diminishing the value and power of the church.
But Francis is only being realistic. He stresses the fact that religion is only a guide to life, and ultimately each human is entitled to his or her own freedom.
“Religion has the right to express its opinion in the service of the people, but God in creation has set us free,” he said, according to CNN.
But Pope Francis’s intention is to diminish the church’s condemning view on homosexuals, as this was never the basis of the Catholic Church’s belief. He quotes from the Catholic Church’s doctrine, the Catechism, that “gays and lesbians must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.”
Although Pope Francis has only created a statement on the issue regarding homosexuality within religion, acceptance of the issue has become one step closer. For him to express his opinion, looked down upon for a long time by the Catholic Church, means that only beneficial reform towards the church’s beliefs on homosexuality can come in the future.