| This study in the history of ethics aims to expose the roots of moral condemnations of homosexuality and argue against claims that homosexuality is morally impermissible. I analyze the position of the Roman Catholic Church because the Church boasts a rich and sophisticated moral theory and because Catholic objections to homosexual activity have influenced secular arguments on the same issue. This essay is an internal critique of the Catholic position and, therefore, evaluates arguments from both Scripture and natural law. I argue that scriptural passages do not support a general prohibition of homosexual activity when historical influences are taken into account and that natural law fails to apply to sexuality. Consequently, I argue that homosexual relationships are morally equivalent to heterosexual relationships within Catholic sexual theology and should, thus, be granted the rights and privileges inherent in both civil and sacramental marriage. |
