Thursday, October 9, 2008

Why Do We Bless Animals So Freely But Not LGBTQ Couples and Families?

In today's News and Observer: Faith and Life Section there was a photograph of the blessing (with oil) of the animals at a nearby Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh. I know that Duke Chapel also blesses the animals after one of the worship services, as do other Catholic and Protestant churches, some using oil, other water, usually with a hand on the head or the body of the animal. No doubt St. Francis of Assisi inspired some of this habitual ritual. And as the owner of two dogs (and in the past numerous cats), I understand that our pets are part of God's glorious creation...

LGBTQ people are also part of God's glorious creation...

LGBTQ couples are also part of God's glorious creation...

While I fully understand that there is a difference in some people's minds between blessing an animal--which is O.K.--and blessing a LBGTQ couple--which is deemed not O.K.--within the current politics (and thus theology) of the Church, I'm having a harder time understanding or comprehending the distinction. If we are blessing animals/pets for simply "being" in an ontological sense, why can't we do the same with those of us who are LGBTQ in our committed relationships?

Because God doesn't approve?

Really?

Pace, B

2 comments:

manxxman said...

Maybe it's because anamils don't talk back........

Brett Webb-Mitchell said...

My dogs talk!