It makes me somewhat sad to see...

[Bad-Paul]

Hello people,
It makes me sad to see so many people struggling with their sexuality and religion. Originally I came to this Christian forum just to learn more about religion. I am a Humanist, although I believe religion still can have relevance in people's lives.

However, I want to talk about homosexuality in the context of Christianity. I'm also a gay man who struggled with his sexuality, and at the time I was Christian. In fact, it made me suicidal and I had a horrible teenage hood because I thought I was so bad.

Now, from what I understand of Jesus, he wasn't a condemning character. <staff edit> Jesus was all about forgiveness. All sin is equal in Christianity (including homosexuality), except of course the sin of being atheist (oops on my behalf!) It's impossible to be perfect and the Christian philosophy respects this, which is the reason why Christianity has forgiveness.

Many here seem to be trying to find a way to rid themselves of same-sexual attractions. Who would put themselves through emotional torment if they could just choose not to have same sex urges? So far, neither religion nor science has understood sexuality or even come close to changing someone's sexual orientation. Techniques espoused by fanatical Christians amount to torture and still the victim remains with the same-sex urges.

<staff edit> You didn't choose these feelings, they just happen. If you need to live your life in a way that god didn't originally intend, I think you can be sure he will be understanding. If all sin is equal, homosexuality is no worse than lying is no worse than murder etc. All are forgiveable.

Think about it yourself, read about it yourself, don't always rely on other people. Exploration of faith comes not from your priest but from your own desire to educate yourself in the matters of religion (and philosophy). People will try to tell you how evil your sin is, but remember, your sin is no worse than theirs. You can't take it too close to heart, especially as their advice is tainted with their imperfections and ignorances surrounding sexuality. <staff edit>

No doubt some (or even many) here will want to oppose my opinions. I'm not trying to promote homosexuality, just share my experiences growing up as a gay Christian (I rejected faith for entirely different reasons). It's easy for you to criticise people dealing with same sex attractions or even sex and call them sinners, but you aught remember that you're not so perfect yourself, and that grass is always greener on the other side. In gods eyes, all grass is the same shade of green.

 

[ThatKidMisty]

This needed to be posted.

 

[Johnnz]

Your post highlights issues that many Christian struggle with. Like many, I accept the biblical position that homosexuality is not sex as God designed it to be. Like some others I wrestle with that fact and the reality of those who discover they are not heterosexual against their initial desires but cannot deny how they feel. Homosexuals are people too and I have known many over the years and enjoyed their company.

I have not listened to some material available from Regent Audio :: Advanced SearchRegent Audio :: Advanced Search but I know they have high quality teaching on that site. You may find a measured Christian consideration should you wish to purchase their lecture series.

John
NZ

 

[Fenny the Fox]

Who would put themselves through emotional torment if they could just choose not to have same sex urges?

This should mean much more to people than it seems it does.

Good post, my friend. Was very nice seeing someone post something both logical and faithful (regardless of your proclaimed lack thereof).

 

[Bad-Paul]

Well I certainly wasn't expecting to have seen my post approved. I think it's great and shows open mindedness to discuss the issue within the setting of Christianity. <staff edit> I am especially concerned with the amount of teens taking their own lives due to homosexual feelings.

Next time you go to condemn or even bully a teen struggling with their sexuality, just think twice about your actions, as they might only serve to contribute to that person's emotional stress. It's too easy to condemn: What would Jesus have done? Be sure that they are perfectly aware that the most Christians reject homosexuality, and don't need a continuous reminder, just as much as you would not go around harassing a liar, being imperfect yourself. Each person must come to their own religious and philosophical conclusion, and that can only be done by reading and judging for oneself. I think we should respect and try to understand other people's beliefs and avoid any knee-jerk judgements.

In no way am I suggesting you should support homosexuality, just suggesting that sometimes words can mean the difference between someone being alive or committing suicide. Clearly the issue is a sensitive one for those who experience same-sex feelings.

Lastly, if you are feeling suicidal yourself, please seek psychological help. It is of paramount importance as suicidal ideation will not simply go away all by themselves. One might say that god has given you the tools to overcome depression - medical help.

Best of luck for the future

 

[Silver2001]

Well I certainly wasn't expecting to have seen my post approved. I think it's great and shows open mindedness to discuss the issue within the setting of Christianity. <staff edit> I am especially concerned with the amount of teens taking their own lives due to homosexual feelings.

Next time you go to condemn or even bully a teen struggling with their sexuality, just think twice about your actions, as they might only serve to contribute to that person's emotional stress. It's too easy to condemn: What would Jesus have done? Be sure that they are perfectly aware that the most Christians reject homosexuality, and don't need a continuous reminder, just as much as you would not go around harassing a liar, being imperfect yourself. Each person must come to their own religious and philosophical conclusion, and that can only be done by reading and judging for oneself. I think we should respect and try to understand other people's beliefs and avoid any knee-jerk judgements.

In no way am I suggesting you should support homosexuality, just suggesting that sometimes words can mean the difference between someone being alive or committing suicide. Clearly the issue is a sensitive one for those who experience same-sex feelings.

Lastly, if you are feeling suicidal yourself, please seek psychological help. It is of paramount importance as suicidal ideation will not simply go away all by themselves. One might say that god has given you the tools to overcome depression - medical help.

Best of luck for the future

Paul,
After reading your post, I do have to admit that you do have some good points on the suicidal section. However, I do have to say that I have worked with other people who has been, or had been, homosexual. Some have successfully come out of it, but some others loved the way they were. But I would like to impart something to you and anyone else that will read this.
You do not have to be, or feel that way. GOD CAN SET YOU FREE.
God did not create man or woman to be homosexual. He create them so He can live inside of them.

I hope this helps!

 

[Bubblez1984]

Thank you Bad-Paul for an excellent post that is thoughtful, insightful and well written - I am currently questioning how I can find a way to integrate Christian values with my own beliefs on sexuality, there seems to be a lot of conflict on this point for me. Like yourself, I'm not promoting homosexuality, but if God designed me to be bisexual, then how can he not accept that in me?

 

[khvidd32]

Thank you BadPaul, its great to hear from you.

I know the journey of the christian suicidal queer myself, as I am recovering from such self-hatred contributed to by many members of the church.

I still believe in God and consider myself a Christian but I also believe in myself as a strong queer woman. I would love to be able to worship with others on a regular basis but am not yet welcome in local churches. sad stuff. I know one day it will be changed.

Now the work to do is to let go of the resentment caused within me by so much hatred by the church for queer people. It is very deeply engrained in the church culture. It makes it nearly impossible to hold on to faith.

Thanks again,
khvidd32

 

[yanno the meek]

As a heterosexual male I can tell you that after 21 years of marriage sexual preference is wishful thinking anyway.

What if God is so forgiving that it matters more what we do in the 95% of the time we aren't sinning. Are we forgiving others? Are we helping the less fortunate? Are we supporting our churches? God is not our servant, we are His servants. Let's figure out what he wants from us, sexual issues aside. If as servants we want to be treated better by the Almighty, we better do our chores.

 

[gmccoy]

I Think you do have some great points, Christians struggling with Homosexuality should not feel horrible, all sin is equal in God's eyes. We are all sinners and we should not look down on one another. But this does not mean that Homosexuality is okay for Christians. It is still a Sin and is not accepted by God. We should not condemn other struggling with this but encourage and help them. All sins can be forgiven, but God wants us to turn away from sin even if its not a easy thing to do. Everyone struggles with sin and we need to help and encourage each other.

 

[belovedharlot]

deleted

 

[antwolf]

Hello people,
It makes me sad to see so many people struggling with their sexuality and religion. Originally I came to this Christian forum just to learn more about religion. I am a Humanist, although I believe religion still can have relevance in people's lives.

However, I want to talk about homosexuality in the context of Christianity. I'm also a gay man who struggled with his sexuality, and at the time I was Christian. In fact, it made me suicidal and I had a horrible teenage hood because I thought I was so bad.

Now, from what I understand of Jesus, he wasn't a condemning character. <staff edit> Jesus was all about forgiveness. All sin is equal in Christianity (including homosexuality), except of course the sin of being atheist (oops on my behalf!) It's impossible to be perfect and the Christian philosophy respects this, which is the reason why Christianity has forgiveness.

Many here seem to be trying to find a way to rid themselves of same-sexual attractions. Who would put themselves through emotional torment if they could just choose not to have same sex urges? So far, neither religion nor science has understood sexuality or even come close to changing someone's sexual orientation. Techniques espoused by fanatical Christians amount to torture and still the victim remains with the same-sex urges.

<staff edit> You didn't choose these feelings, they just happen. If you need to live your life in a way that god didn't originally intend, I think you can be sure he will be understanding. If all sin is equal, homosexuality is no worse than lying is no worse than murder etc. All are forgiveable.

Think about it yourself, read about it yourself, don't always rely on other people. Exploration of faith comes not from your priest but from your own desire to educate yourself in the matters of religion (and philosophy). People will try to tell you how evil your sin is, but remember, your sin is no worse than theirs. You can't take it too close to heart, especially as their advice is tainted with their imperfections and ignorances surrounding sexuality. <staff edit>

No doubt some (or even many) here will want to oppose my opinions. I'm not trying to promote homosexuality, just share my experiences growing up as a gay Christian (I rejected faith for entirely different reasons). It's easy for you to criticise people dealing with same sex attractions or even sex and call them sinners, but you aught remember that you're not so perfect yourself, and that grass is always greener on the other side. In gods eyes, all grass is the same shade of green.

Totally agree with your post. What get's me is the <staff edit> business.