Catholicism: Annotated Bibliography
Austin, Henry. “Pope Calls for Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples, in Major Departure from Vatican Doctrine.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 22 Oct. 2020, www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/pope-calls-civil-unions-same-sex-couples-major-departure-vatican-n1244137
The article summarizes main ideas that Pope Francis brought up in a recently released documentary, “Francesco.” In the documentary, the Pope brings up the idea of creating civil unions supporting the LGBTQ+ community, as well as discussing his beliefs on such topics. Compared to past Popes and common Catholic beliefs, Pope Francis sheds light on accepting homosexuals, as they are children of God as well, giving hope that the church has potential to come around.
In regards to the blog, the source proves to be resourceful, as it contains ideas and thoughts from the Pope himself, and how he publicly voices these opinions. Both the Pope himself and the documentary hold potential to shift gears of Catholicism. It was a real media example, as the article spreads Pope Francis’s new ideals, as well as word about the documentary, which holds so much more insight on the topic itself.
Gehring, John. “The Case for Why Catholics Should March in LGBT Pride Parades.”The Washington Post, WP Company, 7 June 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/06/06/case-why-catholics-should-march-lgbt-pride-parades/.
This source discusses religious involvement in PRIDE celebrations, specifically, the Pride Parade. This article primarily discusses a controversial tweet posted by Bishop Thomas Tobin that sparked a social media debate on whether Catholics should attend events, such as Pride, given the church’s opposition to same-sex marriage and homosexuality. The article gives others views on said controversial tweet, as well as gives both sides of the “argument” of whether Catholics should or should not embrace the LGBTQ+ community.
For the sake of this blog, I believe this source can prove to be quite resourceful, as it contains a real tweet from the media that provoked strong emotions from many. The authors point of view on the topic also shows what one who may be in support of the LGBTQ+ community would feel. On top of that, the article allows me to click on the tweet and explore it further, as I was able to look at comments from people around the world to further deepen my understanding on how others were affected by such a controversial message.
Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
The Holy Bible is a collection of religious texts, passages, and scriptures that are considered sacred to Catholics and Christians around the world. It tells fables of Jesus’s time on Earth, as well as his teachings, and the stories held within it can and have shaped the ideas of Catholics globally.
The Holy Bible can be used in support of my blog due to the many passages that are included in it. Some passages can be interpreted as hinting at he idea of homosexuality, and as the book that shaped Catholicism, it shapes their brief system as well. There are some passages, especially in the book of Leviticus, that many interpret as saying homosexuality is a sin and cannot be accpeted. Others may interpret these passages , and many others, in different ways. Either way, whether the passages are seen positively or negatively, the Bible is a piece of media (being it is the most read book in the world) that holds a large influence in Catholicism, which can further enhance the ideas within my blog.
“Missing Voices: A Study of Religious Voices in Mainstream Media Reports about LGBT Equality.” GLAAD, 12 Jan. 2017, www.glaad.org/publications/
missingvoices.
GLAAD conducted a three-year study in which analyzed the intersection of religion and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community in regards to media outlets. The study analyzes messages presented in national news outlets by religious voices about issues affecting the LGBT community. The research, which consisted of the study of 316 news stories about LGBT issues, usingover 1,000 different religious sources on national television and print news media, shows a disproportionate reliance on anti-LGBT religious voices commenting on LGBT people and issues.
This study was a very scholarly source, as well as showed media representation and religion amongst various religions, showing common ideas and stereotypes in each religion. Te findings were suprising, and CAtholicsim and Christianity were amongst the most dominantly “anti-gay,” while at the same time, there were also some of the most “pro-gay” religions represented. The data in this survey proves very useful in supporting both the positive and negative media representation of the LGBTQ+ community in regards to Catholics and Christians.
Wilcox, Melissa M. Coming out in Christianity: Religion, identity, and community. Indiana University Press, 2003.
Within the book, Melissa Wilcox discusses common misconceptions of the LGBTQ+ community and religion. For many Christians, "homosexuality" is seen as an issue, often being considered a matter of "us" versus "them," or even as a question of their behavior, not something intrinsic to their identity. Coming Out in Christianity examines this conflict from the point of view of a group LGBTQ+ Christians. The book is heavilly based on research, including more than 70 interviews, exploring life histories, beliefs, cultures, and community influences to learn what helped each individual to forge an identity as both gay and Christian.
This book has many different aspects of what it is like to be both Catholic/Christian and be a homosexual, and, in my opinion, can help merge the two ideas, allowing those to accept themselves as individuals. One quote that Wilcox wrote that I think can sum up her ideas excellent is that her book “is not a book about homosexuality. This is not a book about religion or spirituality or churches. It is a book about people.” People are people, religion, sexuality, or anything else should not matter. You can be both religious and part of the LGBTQ+ community, and this book shows how sometimes, the church can be welcoming, thus showing more media in which being a homosexual is accepted in Catholicism/Christianity.