61 percent of American Catholics support same sex marriage and 39 are opposed and 52 don't think its sinful. Thats higher than any other religious group. All the Catholic countries like Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, and Netherlands are the first to legalize same sex marriage. Now even in Mexico 52 percent support same sex marriage. When will the Catholic Church come out in support of same sex marriage?
Tim
Favorite Answer
Yes, but it may take a long time.
The Catholic Church sentenced Galileo to death (commuted to house arrest) for suggesting that the earth orbited the sun. In 1992, the Catholic church officially pardoned Galileo, and formally admitted that the earth did in fact go around the sun.
It took 382 years, but the Catholic church eventually came around.
Edit:
For those that say that the Catholic church does not sway to public opinion do not understand the history of the church very well. There are numerous examples:
First and foremost was the tacit support Hitler received from the Catholic during the implementation of the Holocaust because of the rampant antisemitism in Italy prior to and during Word War 2.
Another example is the Catholic church's support of the big bang and human evolution because of the overwhelming support by scientists. The church's official position is that Genesis is merely a parable not to be taken literally, which is a departure from the first 1700 years of Catholic dogma.
Most recently, the Catholic church has supported the use of condoms in Africa. While the church is officially opposed to birth control, they have used the loophole that condoms are OK when used to prevent the spread of AIDS. Any religion can not expect to maintain influence in a country in which 95% of the people opposed the region's positions.
That all being said, I suspect that the Catholic church will not adopt open support, but rather some sort of neutrality on the issue. Perhaps they will allow for blessing of same sex civil marriages while not allowing gay marriage in the Catholic Church. Or they might allow for different rules depending on the country in which the actual church is located.
The Catholic church as a whole has been losing influence in developed countries. It is the fasted declining religion in North America and Europe. Over two thirds of Catholics in the world are currently residing in developing countries.
If the Catholic church wants to have any influence in first world countries, they will need to change their policy on gay rights and gay marriage. A recent study from the Pew Research group suggests that by 2040, over 95% of Americans will support same sex marriage, due to the aging demographics.
sparki777
1. No, the Catholic Church will not change its position on marriage because the Catholic teaching comes from the Lord God Almighty, who doesn't change.
2. It doesn't matter if 61% of American Catholics support same-sex "marriage" or if 91% did or if 100% did. The Catholic Church doesn't sway to popular opinion, the way other churches do. (Which is why artificial contraception is still banned for Catholics even though all other Christian denominations have caved.)
3. In other words, individual Catholics are free to hold their own opinions, even if those opinions are wrong, but they have zero influence on what the Church teaches.
4. Media "spin" suggests that Pope Francis is soft on this issue, but he isn't and never has been. In the Catholic understanding, Holy Matrimony is a sacrament that amounts to a permanent, three-way bond between one man, one woman and God that is physically manifested in the conception of children. (The man's sperm/DNA combines with the woman's ova/DNA to make a new human being with an eternal soul and unique DNA). This is biologically impossible for two people of the same gender, so there is no way that two men or two women could ever legitimately marry, even if the government says they can.
?
The policy of the Catholic Church is to move forward as one unit, so while the Catholics of some counties may ready to advance, they will probably wait for the slower countries to catch up a little before they announce outright support. Given that the new Pope has been very liberal though, it could be quite soon.
SPmc
Possible, although not likely anytime soon. Honestly, I don't see it happening under Pope Francis' tenure. His agenda isn't to change the Church.
There are so many things to reconcile regarding Catholic doctrine on the sacrament of marriage if the Church decides to support gay marriage. The doctrine has been in place for a very long time. A change now might result in another schism.
sophieb
hold on there...state where you got your stats, I don't believe them. And who cares what they think, the law of the catholic church say no to same sex marriage and if they are catholic they would believe what the church says.
Maybe the stats you have said "Americans" (not american catholics) since it's against the catholic religion and if Americans say they want gay marriage then they can get that because America is not run by religion at all. We're not like other countries wherein their entire country is run by a moula or somesuch. Our country is free where religion is concerned, therefore your rant is incorrect.
Sure all those places can legalize same sex marriage if they want, that's their choice, and it is the choice of the government, but it's NOT the choice of religions. In addition Russia, India, Japan, and others have now come out against same sex marriage. The Catholic church will not and cannot support same sex marriage because of the New Testament.