faith and my "sin"

[learningtofly]

Well first of all, i am a gay American. I live in an very conservative part of the country and attend a catholic high school. the reason homosexuality is condemned by the church is it prevents the conception of life, along with contraception, it falls, in the eyes of the church, in the same category. my entire family is strongly catholic, of course i have a huge family, none of which know im gay. im not defending any highly right-wing conservatives that zealously attack the homosexual community, just trying to give some background on where they come form. also, the bible condemning homosexuality is entirely a matter of interpretation. people have said that the bible condemns evolution. the church completely agrees with evolution. that's just an example of how biblical interp. can be off. i firmly believe in God, in His infinite mercy and in His infinite grace. I do not believe that He has condemned homosexuality as there is no way to "chose". Sin defined by the church requires full consent. not to be confused with acceptance. i.e. i never said today im going to be gay! it would be like saying having dark skin is a sin. i hope this helps, but i've always had to ride the fence on issues like this.

[Clementine orange]

God made you the way you are...you have to be true to yourself and your own desires assuming they are not hurting anyone else.

Maybe you should consider leaving Montana though!

 

Have you thought of moving to a different branch of Christianity which is more liberal about these things.

[learningtofly]

that's pretty much the point i was trying to make yeah, im getting out of Montana as soon as possible, it's really pretty here but not exactly accepting. i don't think i could ever leave the church, i may not agree with some things it teaches, but it is still the faith i have practiced form birth.

[knightingale]

The only one who has the right to judge and call something sin is God Himself. I say leave Montana as soon as you're able and continue with your faith as you have been. Your relationship with God is more important than anything.

[Tethys]

Well, most Americans are sinful in their eyes -- almost 90% of women will use some sort of birth control in their lifetimes -- that's a lot of sinners. You are who you are, and there is nothing wrong or sinful about that.

 

Leaving Montana! Come to San Francisco!

[Bunney]

"Sins"... "God made you the way you are"... "relationship with God"... okay, I'm not going to comment on that because my post would only get deleted by a mod for attacking religion, hehe.

 

Nothing wrong with homosexuality. It's just sad that you can't talk about it with your family.

[Emernate]

I agree that religion is based upon interpretation. I'm sure given enough time, i could use the Bible to both support and attack any debate out there.

 

Read Psalm 139: 14-16. To sum it up... God made you the way you are. You shouldn't be ashamed of that in anyway.

[kuiks8]

You are beautiful and loved just as you are by an infinitely graceful and merciful God...don't let the bureaucrats and those who are to scared to explore and know the fullness of life put labels on you...

I wish you much grace and love, i know this must be very difficult to have to deal with and it really shouldn't have to be...

[jettison]

I live in a very, erah, gay city. It's basically Super Gay Osborne if I were the mayor and allowed to rename it. I also have a gay flatmate. Basically, I know "the gay". I have a very fine tuned Gaydar system which can seemingly spot gays from blocks away. People are born gay, period. And if you don't believe that then you're just ignorant.

 

Considering the disappointment, hostility, and barriers you face, NO ONE would ever choose to be gay. No one. Who would choose a life where they are given every disadvantage in the world? No one would.

 

When I was a much younger man, 16 and 17 years old in fact, I worked in a beer warehouse during the summers. The boss also employed his 15 year old son as well. His son was not only a homophobe - most people who aren't comfortable with their sexuality are homophobes - but he went out of his way to bash gays. He also harassed a worker who was obviously gay to the point of tears. In any case, I took it upon myself to make his life hell. I questioned his sexuality, trying to plant it in his head that maybe he could be gay, and basically, just acted like any self-righteous, inappropriate 16 year old might when their sensibilities have been challenged and they're looking to teach some bully a lesson.

 

One day, I got to him so bad, that he started crying. Then he went to his dad. Then his dad had me fired. I told my boss at the time exactly what I thought of his son's antics, of the hateful nature that he presented, and how he should feel shame toward his son and not hostility toward me. Of course, it didnt' matter, but I never regretted the actions.

 

Anyway, no one in my lifetime is EVER going to get away with making other people miserable in front of me without paying some kind of price. I've always lived by that credo. The world is filled with henchman who want to fit in and be like everyone else, even if it means hurting other people - filled with good dogs who will gladly sit and lick for their reward. And every time you don't stand up for people in your life then THAT is the sin against God, and THAT is the true sin against humanity.

[pianoguy]

I used to be Catholic. Eventually I stopped because I realized I could be Episcopal instead- all the benefits of Catholicism with none of the bs about homosexuality or women priests.

[learningtofly]

thank you all so much for your support! Emernate, thank you so much. i knew that the bible could be used both ways (im a pretty good policy debater at my school) but i never found anything like psalms 139:14-16; thanks so much! thanks so much for letting me know about the alternative accepting Christian faiths, but i would never be able to leave The Church. it's the only faith that can boast a valid Eucharist- the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ freely given to God's people. I did attend a First Central Christian Church service and felt it could not compare but once again thank you all so much! this really is a very supportive place!

[greywolf]

I grew up as a Christian. I think the worst thing is wanting to tell people but knowing they won't react well. My best friend and I grew up together in the same church and she's bi. She's in a same sex relationship and I think she still hasn't really accepted herself, so I'm glad that you have been able to.