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Thursday, July 16, 2009
Catholic Church being taken to Human Rights Commission
Someone was going to mention this here, so I thought it might as well be me, as I can already predict that my name (and Terrence Watson's) will immediately come up in said post.
First of all, let me say unambiguously, that I consider this complaint to be off-side.
While I have made no illusion of the fact that I am an atheist, and anti-homophobic, I have also strongly supported the rights of organizations (including faith-based ones) to associate freely and voluntarily, up to and including the rights to discriminate on grounds such as this.
In this particular case, the church decided to disband Jim Corcoran from his eminent position within the church--despite his celibacy--because he is gay.
While I do in fact think this demonstrates the general homophobia of the Catholic Church, and speaks to the complete lack of social modernity throughout, I will be following the case extremely closely. In the pure legal sense, I support the Catholic Church's rights of free association over Mr. Corcoran's rights to be associated with. That's a no-brainer for me as libertarian.
The government has no right to get involved, and Mr. Corcoran, has no right to demand any commission or tribunal adjudicate this matter. Rather--and this is my personal opinion--Mr. Corcoran might want to re-evaluate why he wants so badly to be associated with an organization and a faith that views his sexuality as sinful.
Posted by Mike Brock on July 16, 2009 | Permalink
Comments
Well said Mike!
Posted by: Richard Evans | 2009-07-16 9:27:37 AM
I totally agree Mike. Everyone agrees that there should be separation of Church and State. What they don't realize is that this also implies a separation of State and Church.
Posted by: Doug Gilchrist | 2009-07-16 10:32:22 AM
As I have stated in the past there is no such thing as "homophobia", especially when it is a matter of people rejecting the behaviour and not the person. I can well understand the church's position considering the scandals and trouble caused by homosexual priests in the not too distant past and the determination to prevent any reoccurrence.
It is still good to see that you recognise that the state has no business getting involved and that this man is free to leave the church. He has many options but he, and those behind him, clearly have another agenda.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-07-16 10:44:29 AM
Mike expressed his opinions very well and spoke to all the issues, while adopting a consistent pro-liberty perspective.
This man is certainly free to leave the church. As a private, voluntary institution, the RC church has the rights to determine membership rules and disciplinary rules.
He has two options: leave the church or work to change the institution. He could also join a religious institution that fits his convictions and is more amendable to his lifestyle and orientation.
What royally angers me are secularists and so-called "progressives" who are so opposed to religion affecting politics, but gear up to impose the state on religion.
Posted by: Joseph Quesnel | 2009-07-16 11:45:08 AM
Mike Brock,
As an aside, I am wondering when you will post the last broadcast of the Hot Room. I find it inconvenient to catch the live brodcast, and I miss the show immensely
Posted by: Doug Gilchrist | 2009-07-16 12:39:48 PM
He would feel so much more comfortable joining the local Mosque.
BTW, I agree with free association.
Posted by: GeronL | 2009-07-16 1:23:32 PM
Yep, a private group should be able to discriminate, it's their organization.
Posted by: Scott Carnegie | 2009-07-16 1:28:41 PM
Gay man chooses not to go to church for over 34 yrs.
Gets asked to be an altar boy, to serve the church. A job that doe's not pay- so to speak.
Lies about or is not completely forthcoming about his homosexuality, which just happens to be what? A BIG No No in the Catholic faith and is what maybe only a 1000 yr old teaching?
It then comes out - pardon the pun that he is gay. He's asked to step away from said alter "boy" position but can still be part of the parish.
Somehow figures his "human rights" have now been violated.
Wants cold hard $ to sooth the pain, public floggings..I mean apologies and wants to be an alter man again.
Makes sense to me.
Posted by: ExGrunt | 2009-07-16 9:57:45 PM
Completely hilarious. Society has become such a farce its a sad joke.
Its like going to alcoholics anonymous and getting upset because drinking is frowned upon. Duh. Like he didn't know what he was getting into. And the clowns in the human rights commission will see it as a horrible prosecution.
Posted by: Marc | 2009-07-16 10:56:09 PM
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