Last week a Catholic grade school in Boulder, CO made headlines by refusing to let the child of lesbian parents to re-enroll in their school, saying they had to “protect the faith”.

The parish priest went on to say in his blog:
“Our school is a Catholic school, and our teaching on the sanctity of marriage is as clear as a bell,” the blog said. “So, the decision I made was based on my conviction that we needed to rest on the side of backing our beliefs and our values. We need to fight for our Catholic values, because here in Boulder it seems no one else is.”

This has enraged many – not just the gay/lesbian community, but anyone who believes in human rights. Parents of students at the school have protested, many have made calls and sent letters.

I am a recovering Catholic. I have not been to church in around 10 years, except for a Catholic wedding 2 years ago. It is actions like this that have made me turn from my Catholic faith to just a non-denominational belief in God. I am finding that the Catholic church actually advocates for hate. Discrimination like this toward groups of people is nothing but hateful. I cannot condone that, and I do not want to identify myself with that.

I don’t know a lot about religion, but I do know this: God loves us all. It is not our place to judge – we will be judged by our Creator upon death.

If this priest and the Catholic church is so adamant about “preserving the faith”, is he allowing children of single parents to attend the school? Those born out of wedlock to a mother who had premarital sex? Is he allowing children of divorced parents to attend the school? The Catholic church does not condone divorce. Have students at the school lied, stolen or cheated? Have parents of children at the school had extramarital affairs? Do parents of students use birth control? ALL of these things are seen as immoral or illegal in the eyes of the Church.

So why are we placing judgment against a child who comes from a home with two loving parents just because their parents happen to be the same sex? Why is this child singled out, and not the children of other parents who have likely sinned in the Church’s eyes?

Doesn’t God say to love one another as He loves us? If the Bible were to be taken literally, we’d have people walking around missing hands, and women who wouldn’t speak in church.
“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched.” (Mark 9:43)

“Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says.” (1 Corinthians 14:34)

Yet when it comes to the topic of gays and lesbians, the Church suddenly wants you to follow those verses to a tee. Why the double standard?

This whole issue has me seeing red when it comes to the Catholic faith. We are taught to love and live a life worthy for Jesus, yet we cannot show love and compassion toward GOOD people who happen to have a different lifestyle than us? All I have to say for that, Mr. Holier Than Thou Priest, is judge not lest you be judged. (Matthew 7:1)