How catholic college students think about homosexuality: the connection between authority and sexuality

The researchers conducted a survey of undergraduates living in residence halls at Loyola University Chicago, a Jesuit Catholic university. The survey included 20 statements on topics currently being debated in the Church. The researchers hypothesized that those who indicated some level of agreement with the statement, Homosexuality is wrong, would show strong correlations with other statements about sexuality, while those indicating disagreement with the statement would show strong correlations with statements about discrimination. Results showed that the question of the morality of homosexuality seemed to be tied to a broader way of thinking that pits Catholic Church authority against a sort of wisdom of the world. This way of thinking is operational regardless of whether the young Catholic is accepting or not of homosexuality. The hypothesis was rejected. Attitudes toward homosexuality are tied with attitudes regarding sexuality and Church authority. Knowing gay and lesbian people seems to be the major factor that causes young Catholics to be more accepting of homosexuality. The majority of young Catholics is accepting of homosexuality and inclined to question Church teaching and Church authority.