Most Catholics support same sex marriage, the church though suppresses dissent

The Catholic church is by no means the most anti-gay Christian church. There are many on the Christian rightwing that are even more rabid in their anti-gay rhetoric, than it. But, it is of course the most powerful. Not only in the U.S., but throughout the world. So, whatever they say or do in opposition to gay rights, is of critical importance. An Archbishop John Nienstedt has told priests in the Archdiocese of the St. Paul and Minneapolis area, that they either must oppose same sex marriage equality in Minnesota or shut up.

He writes in a letter to them that any "personal reservations" about the effort should not share them publicly." This shouldn't be too surprising. The Catholic church, as I have pointed out before, is a theocratic dictator. The pope is in charge and everyone down the line (especially on this issue) better listen. That goes for cardinals all the way down to even lay Catholics. Catholics of course have absolutely no say in their church, even if they have been going to Mass even before the current pope was born, and that is a very long time indeed.

Pope Benedict XVI has even stated that same sex marriage threatens human dignity and threatens the future of humanity. The nerve of the guy. Nobody's dignity is threatened because two men or two women can marry, indeed, their very own dignity is violated with a ban on their ability to marry. Our humanity is of increased when more people have the same rights to marry the people that they love. Indeed, I remember reading a Catholic cleric who said that all same sex marriage supporters must support in their hearts same sex marriage, because support of marriage equality is impossible. What audacity!

The ironic thing is that most Catholics support same sex marriage! By an overwhelming margin Catholics support the right of gays and lesbians to enter into a civil marriage contract. An ABC/Washington Post poll showed 63% support by Catholics on that exact question. Another poll showed even greater support, 71% of Catholics supported civil marriage rights for gay couples.

Indeed, 56% of Catholics according to the same poll don't believe that same sex sexual relations is a sin. Of course it is not a sin, because sins are as real as "the force" is in the Star wars movies. But, it is a sign of great progress and that the era of religious opposition to gay right in America, is coming to an end.