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Priest in Union
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Published: 2008-11-19 16:35:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 47080; Favourites: 1214; Downloads: 206
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Description
Father John Joseph Reid and Father Lawrence Turner are Catholic priest that fell in love with each other and married in Massachusetts. They now preside over the New Devine Mercy Catholic Communities. The opening statement of their website is listed below.In imitation of Jesus Christ, we welcome all people to worship and celebrate God's all-inclusive love with us. Whoever you are, where ever you are in your life, we thank you for choosing to be here with us today. Our Mission: To Extend God's Kingdom of Justice, Truth, Love and Peace. [link]
More than 1,000 people attended a rally at Fort Lauderdale City Hall protesting the passage of Amendment 2 in Florida and Proposition 8 in California, which discriminates against LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual ) people in The United States of America.
The protests were part of the βJoin the Impactβ [link] campaign to have a synchronized reaction of outrage across the country because of the passage of laws in Arizona, California and Florida defining marriage as an institution between a man and a woman only.
Proposition 8 in California and Amendment 2 in Florida have become a symbol of the struggle for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights. It is also argued the laws will restrict rights to heterosexuals who are domestic partners and not married.
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Comments: 1285
Oh, no worries. I enjoy talking about this too xD But I don't get the chance of doing it often
Again, I agree completely xD In my European Culture course I've been studying Christianity, Judaism and the Islam, not to mention I have an entire subject dedicated to Greek and Latin culture. Or Roman, if you prefer xD I don't know much yet, since it's been my first semester studying this. But I intend on reading millions of books about them during my Winter break >_>;
And they are truly fascinating. My European Culture teacher made it clear when she said homosexuality wasn't condemned until Christianity took over Europe. I think Greeks and Romans were a million times more civilised than a lot people nowadays, especially since they didn't have concepts such as 'hetero', 'homo', and 'bi' '-sexual'. I think they only perceived love as love. We could learn so much from them, why focus on one book?
I especially liked reading about the Islam, and how they actually mention Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist in the Quran in a very respectful way. They also aknowledge the existance of other prophets. It really opens your eyes and makes you wonder how people can be so judgemental because of their ignorance. It doesn't hurt to open another book
I've also had very useful conversations with devout Christians. One of them actually helped me through a really hard time. I had panic attacks and all sorts of nasty things going through my head, and talking to this girl really helped me. I admired her faith in God, and the respect and patience she had when talking to me. I can't say she made me believe in Him, but it was more helpful than I can say.
But you have a great point there. The only way to get rid of intolerance is by getting rid of ignorance. Ignorance leads to fear, which leads to paranoia, which leads to hate. A World Religions course really should be mandatory, everywhere x__x
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Completely agreed about the Greeks and Romans as well. I forget the exact name of this tradition, but in Greece, while young boys and men were practicing for the Olympics (naked, in an outside gymnasium) older men would come to watch and then take their pick of a boy, court them, and then they would have a relationship, if the boy so chose, which was basically like a practice run before the boys became men and went off to be married. A homosexual relationship was part of their traditions! Sometimes I get the feeling that people who oppose homosexuality think that it's something new. That someone, one day, just decided they wanted to be gay. It's been around for thousand of years, though, and it's much older than these three primary religions.
Also, all religions are so alike it's almost scary sometimes. They all have the same message, really, which is why religious debates are more than useless.
Your course sounds really interesting! I was thinking of going into History of some sort when I finally get around to actually attending University, so I'm hoping I'll have my pick of really interesting courses.
I've also had very eye-opening conversations with devout christians, as well as one with a Mormon. That was actually very interesting, I have to say, especially since I find the LDS religion pretty cool. I don't agree with very much of what they believe, but I can still have a civilised conversation with them and listen to what they have to say. Wow! Shocker!
xD
PS: I just stalked your page and I can't help myself but add that I am absolutely in love with Anne Rice's Armand. You've read The Vampire Armand, right? It's probably one of my favourite books of all time. So is Memnoch the Devil, which centers mainly on religion as well, haha. I love the twist she puts on religion in that book.
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Of course! How could I have forgotten about that. I had a course of Introduction to Philosophy during my last year of high school and my teacher [who openly said once that he didn't agree with homosexuality but never made any sort of disrespectful comment] told us about a Greek philosopher who did exactly what you said. I also remember someone saying in Greece a man had to experience the love of another man... it had something to do with finding true, good love, but I can't remember the exact phrase. Personally, I think it's beautiful. Any relationship can be beautiful, but there's just something about it being two men that really fascinates me >_>;
Seeing this it's kind of hard to believe people, as you say, think homosexuality is new, and a choice. What person in their right mind would choose such a hard life?
They most certainly are. All 'modern' religious have the most important thing in common, the belief in one god. Whatever His name, there is only ONE. Why is that so hard to understand? >_> I don't get why people fight over such meaningless things. I mean... 'my god is better than yours lololol', seriously
It is 
One of my best friends became a Mormon, but sadly, she changed for the worse. When she found out I was bisexual [well, when I told her] she never spoke to me in the same way. It was saddening, she was one of my best friends and I'm afraid she just got brainwashed.
... I love Armand xD So much <3 He's my favourite character, but I haven't read that book x_x I've only read the first three, even when I kind of don't like Lestat at all 
'Memnoch', however, is in every book store here xD I never got interested in reading it though... but I might give it a chance when I have some time
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Absolutely amazing photograph in both composition and message. ^_^ I must say, I enjoyed reading the comments left and the debates spawned. Posting such a controversial image shows some major courage in all honesty. Kudos. Also, congratulations on the DD, you definitely deserved it.
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I am choosing to avoid some of the comments that have been made on here,
This is a serious subject to embroil yourself in. The matter is touching and I wanted to issue a thank you for taking this picture and putting on deviantart for all to see.
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lovely capture, and a lovely moment. You set a great point, and aside from my strong feelings on this subject, I think the image is very strong. Congrats on the well deserved DD.
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I can't imagine how they fell in love, but it must have been a right love story don't you think?
mmm they are lovely
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Not to seem mean or anything... how can they be priests, and catholics no less, be married and gay on top of all that? this happening is how arguments, fights, and even wars break out, ive nothing against gays or christians, but homosexuality is condemned so badly in christianity why would you try bringing the two entities together? i know, i know "everyone should have the right to love who they want" and "it doesn't affect me" but homosexuality was already struggling to be accepted by many as is, now its going to be a hell of a lot more difficult than ever, to me this picture and things like this just call for trouble...
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The are not part of the mainstream Roman Catholic Church. They are part of the "New Catholic" movement.
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They are part of the "New Catholic Church"
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Amazing
This is just Amazing, two Priests. . .this is huge. I feel so happy that someone of the Christain Community could support gay right so freely and even become Gay themselves.
I'm proud to support Gay and all Homosexual rights
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It must be difficult to cope with the cognitive dissonance of believing in a merciful all-loving sky fairy who just happens to despise some of his creations because of how he created them. It must be even more conflicting to be one of the professionals who help promote and propagate such nonsense.
If you just leave the metaphysical stuff in the dustbin where it belongs and recognize that this is all just biology, then suddenly it all makes sense.
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I'm going to quote you in my signature if you don't mind. That's probably the best few sentences I've read all day.
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Perhaps one of the best comments I've read here. :3
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That comment made my day man.
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.....I think I wanna steal that too...
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Unfortunately, the Scriptures do condemn homosexuality as an abomination. I know this for a fact, as I sort of inherited my sister's old Bible and I found that particular passage in there, though I don't remember what chapter it was in. 
And the two married Catholic priests would have been excommunicated by Pope Benedict XVI in short order. Benedict is an arch-conservative Catholic with no tolerance for gays from any walk of life, let alone the priesthood.
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They are NOT part of mainstream Catholicism, but a denomination called "New catholic", check out the link provided in the description
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I love how controversial this photo is. I read through the comments and things are being flung back and forth. This is how art really should be, in some aspects. It should make you stop, and think, and get mad or get happy. Or even give a realization of something new.
Congrats to them for finding love. Everyone should have a chance at.
I'm glad this became and DD.
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umm......Catholics aren't allowed to marry if they're priests....
I'm very confused.
Because this means, that they forfeited their priesthood for one another. Which is all ok by me...whatever......
But it DOES mean that they ARE NOT priests any longer.
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No it means they aren't Priests in the mainstream Catholic Church any longer. Many other denominations have priests who are accepting of Gays and marriage, like Episcopalian as an example
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Ok. Thanks for the clarification.
The under...thingy, said that they were Catholic, didn't it? Or did I read that wrong?
Oh well.
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yes it did but it's a different Catholic sect
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Mk, thank you. But which?
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New Catholic
"New Catholic Communities serve Todays Catholics in Today's up to date world. We are not under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic church and therefore not subject to the same rules and regulations. We are free to welcome all, married, divorced, gay, straight, young and old. "
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Ok. Understood. So they're not under the ruling of the Pope, which makes much more sense. Thanks again.
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This is so perfect. An amazing message.
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This is a very nice picture, and I'm glad that these two were able to be together, but I didn't know that catholic priests were even allowed to marry, like, at all.
That may just be the way it is in my church, I don't know.
Great picture though.
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No, all Catholic priests are prohibited from marriage.
Which is why their message is sorta....stupid. Sorry. Sure, I get what they're trying to say. But come on, they aren't priests anymore! They're just two men who decided to get married.
I'm actually really angry about this, being catholic. Not because they're gay, but because they're wearing the robes of a priest when they simply are not priests! It's ridiculous, and wrong.
They're using my religion to promote a message that is sinful according to its instruction manual! Ahh!
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Oh, well if they are not priests, I agree with you, they should not be wearing the robes.
I was a little confused for a moment.
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Wonderful photograph that shows a beautiful message 
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AMEN Lisa! I cant believe the closed minded here!
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Shut up.
Seriously.
Just because someone doesn't agree with you doesn't mean they're "closed minded". What a load of bull.
It means they fricken disagree!
I think it's fricken closed minded of you to consider someone else closed minded because they have a different opinion! What now?
See, it goes both ways. It's annoying, no?
Just because YOU think something's right, doesn't mean everyone else is wrong.
No, I'm not closed minded. I just believe that NO ONE has the right to interfere or try to change the rules of a religion.
I don't believe it's right for christians to try to convert people against their will. I don't think it's right for athiests to place bibles in the "fiction" centers at libraries. I don't believe it's right for all you people to try to make gay marriage legal and "socially correct" amongst churches and religions that simply don't believe in it.
Like I said, they can get civil unions. That's their choice. I respect all of my friends who have chosen this path for their life. Yes, yes...I do have gay friends. SHOCKER! I'm not "homophobic" (I bet that's another phrase you use often)? Carazy.
I am just soooo sick of people pulling this god-damned phrase out of their bums and throwing it around. Do you even know what you're saying? You are pretty much telling people that they're dumb, that they are blind to the truths of the world. You're telling them basically that you're better than them.
Which, all in all, is pretty ignorant of you. Until you truly understand a person, I seriously doubt you have any right to say whether or not they're "open minded" or "closed minded".
Everyone has their own opinions to make. Everyone chooses differently. I suggest you learn that quickly, and start treating people more respectfully.
However, when it comes down to it, I'm sorry I took this rant out on you. Really, you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I stand by what I said.
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let me quote you:
"I am just soooo sick of people pulling this god-damned phrase out of their bums and throwing it around."
you sinned, you used the lords name in vain and broke the 3rd commandment.
you see we are all sinners! it says in the bible that a sin is a sin regardless of what it is. what makes you so different than anyone else? whats makes you different than these two gay men? just the fact that you are not gay?
why can't two former priests (i am sure they both have been excommunicated) have the right to their religion, christianity? why can't these two men be married? because society says so?
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Dude, I never said that i wasn't a sinner. I sin all the time. Where in my argument did I say that I was better than those gay men. Everyone does things that are against the bible.
But I'm not a priest. I'm not a "holy man" advocating for the right of the people to swear without that being counted as a sin.
Heck yes they should be excommunicated. Not because they're gay, so much as they're married! Everyone knows that priests don't marry.
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"But I'm not a priest. I'm not a "holy man" advocating for the right of the people to swear without that being counted as a sin. "
ok but aren't you judging?
tell me, is a "holy man" a "holy man" because the church says he is one or simply because he is a holy man or a spiritual man? does a clerical collar or clergy shirt make a person a "holy man"?
did you know that, according to Eastern Orthodoxy and the Eastern Catholic Churches, men married prior to becoming a priest may still become a priest even though they are married? or if they are converted clergy from some other christian confessions and are married prior to becoming a priest, may become a priest according to the roman catholic church?
if you look in mathew, mark, luke and timothy there is reference of bishops and deacons being married. it also refers to the marriage of simon peter.
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I'm sorry, I can't respond to the first paragraph because I've forgotten my initial argument to which you are responding. I'll fix it later.
As for the second paragraph:
a) He is holy because the church says he is. However, in essence he does sort of become holy in that he has spent so much time in devotion to God. Holy is the wrong word though. I just can't find the right one for what I was trying to convey. But, all in all, I don't see how whether the church makes him holy or whatever really make a difference. if it does, please explain how.
b)Nope, I didn't know those things. But, the point of the matter is that they got married afterwards...which isn't allowed....you know? It's one thing, if you have a wife and then choose to devote time to God...it's another if you choose to devote your life to God, and then deviate from that plan and thus spend less time devoting. The only reason Priests aren't allowed marriage is because it's a distraction. You cannot devote yourself whole heartedly into something while also living with a huge distraction (not to say that a family is a distraction, but I hope you understand what i mean).
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lol wow are we a tad angry? LOL Maybe? Chill. On issues like this, it does mean someone is close minded. And look at how you respond, maybe you need to take your aggression out somewhere else instead of acting like u do in a public forum. Hey suggestion #1.
Did I say it is right? Please show me where? However I am more open minded than u and the others, know why? It is called tolerance and also acceptance.
I treat others with respect, however it is you that seems to be in the need of how to react, address, and carry on an intelligent conversation here.
Good day sunshine!
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Yeah, I am.
But I think you're the person I took the huge long rant out on, right?
I'm pretty sure I wrote an apology. Becuase yeah, it was anger-filled and negative.
But like I said, you said the wrong thing at the wrong time.
And no, I've never run into a closed minded person in an argument. Sure, people CAN be completely wrong....but I don't think that's closed mindedness as much as it is a misunderstanding. People ALWAYS interpret things differently. It's annoying for me to hear people say that phrase, evne if it's directed at an opponent, because it's one of the most untrue things I've ever heard. And it's so...condescending. It's like the epitome of "I'm so much better than you, let me rub it in your face" phrases.
And also, tolerance? I don't tolerate people, I enjoy people. I embrace their differences with open arms. But I can tell you that I can't "tolerate" that phrase any more. Why? Because when people say others are closed minded, it shows that they do not have the ability to tolerate others.
And you can't seriously be comparing people against gay marriage to the Tali Ban? We don't execute homosexuals. And there are good majority of us who are pretty accepting. The media only ever hears about the assholes, because they're the ones who are out their protesting all the goshdarned time.
......and as a final note, I can honestly say I've had plenty of intelligent conversations with intelligent people. But I refuse to put in too much effort to someone who uses that phrase, especially in such a broad manner.
It's as simple as this: Not everyone who disagrees with you is stupid.
Hell, I don't think you're stupid. I think you're intelligent. At least you sound intelligent.
But the lack of respect compounded into that one phrase will kill any argument you have. I guarantee it. If you want to convince anyone of anything, you can't be that condescending.
Whatever, I still apologize for my brutality. But I don't apologize for the meaning of my argument.
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I never said anyone who disagrees with me is stupid did I? Nope. Geeze you seriously need to stop putting words into other people's mouths...it's bad form.
I don't think it's lack of respect but more along the lines of calling a Spade a Spade. No we don't execute Gays in America, we just like to deny them the same rights as others, much as we denied people to interracial marriage in the south through the years. It is a civil rights struggle, plain and simple, and last I checked, religion and politics were separated in this country, and this IS a religious issue, plain and simple.
Tolerance. Yes, tolerance for others, in what they see, believe, and feel. Tolerance to accept others lifestyles for what they are. No one here is hurting anyone if they want to get married are they?? No. So why should they not be able to join the rest of the free world and be wed?? America is, the last country after all to not recognize these rights to Gay couples.
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