The widely publicized suicide of 18-year-old Tyler Clementi in September not only put the spotlight on the harassment of gay teenagers but also highlighted the possible role of religious groups in instilling negative views about homosexuals. The 18-year-old freshman at Rutgers University jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge after a video of his intimate encounter with another man was streamed on the Internet by his roommate. Clementi’s death and other recent teen suicides stemming from the bullying of homosexuals have prompted much cultural finger-pointing. Although religious groups have been blamed in part, many of them have been seeking ways to stop such discrimination. Catholic Church teaching calls homosexual acts morally wrong but affirms the dignity of people with homosexual inclinations. Jewish groups have been urging members to sign a pledge to end anti-gay bullying, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement condemning the bullying of homosexuals.
Teen Suicides Prompt Soul Searching
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
Although Pope Francis already set Aug. 3 as the date to declare the sainthood of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Pope Leo XIV will hold a meeting with cardinals to approve his canonization and that of seven other people.
The Rev. David Tracy, who died on April 29, was a monumental figure in American Catholicism, renowned as a teacher, scholar, writer and mentor to thousands of theologians.
The church and the bishops of the United States should lead the way in speaking against this bill and calling on Catholics to work for its defeat, writes Archbishop John C. Wester of Sante Fe.
Medicaid programs allow more children to attend school and climb out of poverty, and they allow some 4.5 million people to live in their own homes rather than in institutions.