apparently Ree and Hobbs (and others) have committed a mortal sin

[HYHYBT]

I'm afraid to look where this may be headed...

[Kimmik]

I see it as a church's job to set boundaries, but it is also up to the person to decide what is right. I try to live more but the golden rule of judge not, love they neighbor, and turn the other cheek *mostly*. To me the gravest most horrific thing is abortion.. but I refuse to judge others based on what they chose.

Is it a sin to be gay? It may be.. It may not be... but it is not MY place to condemn someone, same reason I don't believe in the death penalty. I am a firm believer that if Jesus came back today he would weep at what his teaching has wrought.

I try to love everyone, and I know I am not perfect, I must tend to my self before I can help others. I think there would be less hate in the world if we focused more on how we are the same rather then what makes us different.

No human on this planet is perfect, not even the pope.

[smileyeagle1021]

That's right, I was shocked to learn this too. I'm sure others on this board have committed the same mortal sin, so I must apologize to Ree and Hobbs for singling them out, they are just the two that I can remember off the top of my head. I know my cousin and cousin in law have also committed this sin. Several coworkers have committed this sin as well. And (thankfully) it seems like the practice of this sin is spreading.
In case you hadn't figured it out yet, I'm referring to Reverend Michael Rodriguez's op-ed in the El Paso Times informing all faithful Catholics that they are committing a grievous sin by supporting either same sex marriage or abortion rights. He goes on to say that the Catholic is still sinning if they do not actively oppose gay rights.

Now, the most recent polls are suggesting that Catholics are increasingly supporting gay rights and abortion rights. Any theories as to why the hierarchy of the church is fighting against it so hard?
My personal favorite theory is that they realize they are losing control (and not just on issues of gay rights and abortion rights) and they are trying to use this to reign people back in. Anyone else think that is about right or am I completely off base?