Steve, I agree that in many ways, the Catholic Church has a (still) antediluvian attitude to sexuality. Therefore, I generally disregard what they have to say about sex, and make my own decisions about my own sex life. If you look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church and see how the church itself words its positions on such issues, you will see that it is worded thoughtfully, factually, and dispassionately, and certainly not in the authoritarian way one might think would come from the Vatican. Some of the ideas on sexuality are, in fact, very good; and some I disagree with. It's certainly not presented in the hysterical way that you and musket and Stringsinger describe.

But you're right, the Catholic Church has a (still) antediluvian attitude to sexuality.

On the other hand, the Catholic Church has very good, wise, and compassionate things to say about immigration, poverty, peace, the rights of workers, capital punishment, and a number of social issues.

I know that it is in vogue to completely discount and disregard any group or individual that has views in any area that the speaker disagrees with, but I think that's bigotry. I try to look for the good wherever I go, and I find it. I disregard or step around what I disagree with, or work to resolve the disagreement if I can find a way.

-Joe Offer-