You have noted the critical influence of social behavior clusters on sexual development. You also mentioned that, early on in your medical training, you knew there were certain things that would disqualify you from becoming a doctor, including poor grades, a criminal record or a failed marriage.

Yes, that’s right. Fundamentally, I expected that, if I did marry, I was supposed to make it a go.

Now, wouldn’t some argue that those were societal expectations which were imposed upon you and your generation?

Yes, and they were good ones — and biblically based, and part and parcel of my commitment to really what amounts to loving relationships. You see, what has happened with the permissive movement is that it has picked up the Freudian confusion of desire and love, making them the same. And with the implication, for example, that I must desire my mother. I don’t desire my mother. I love my mother. Now the fact is that in my marriage, of course, I desired this woman and I felt love for her. Now, 50 years into marriage with her, I still desire her, but now I love her. She's irreplaceable. There is this thing that has come and it's different. This person exists for me as irreplaceable. So, there is this confusion of desire and love. [Homosexuality] is erroneous desire.

Much of what you have said seems to underscore the pivotal role that the ecclesial and parish family plays as a behavioral cluster. What more influential environment might there be than the Church?

This is the point....

Read it all.

Filed under: * Christian Life / Church Life • Parish Ministry • * Culture-Watch • History • Psychology • Religion & Culture • Sexuality

1. SQ wrote: Thank you, Lydia! January 27, 10:51 pm | [comment link]

2. New Reformation Advocate wrote: Yes, and thanks to TLC too, for picking it up and giving it prominence.  I particularly liked Dr. McHugh’s word for the havoc wrought by the general permissiveness of our society in recent decades; he said it resulted in pandemonium.  How apt! David Handy+ January 28, 3:10 pm | [comment link]

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