Topic : 06/06 "I'm Gay, OK?"

Who are you kidding? Your message is FILLED with judgment and "Oh-so-Holy" attitude. My "eternal destiny" is looking great, but thank you for your concern! Perhaps you should fill your spare time with concern over your OWN "eternal destiny", and not peeking over MY spiritual shoulder. There is nothing - absolutely NOTHING - even REMOTELY "sinful" about my LOVE. My love for my partner of eighteen years, and his love for me, is beautiful, glorious, GODLY, and perfect in every way. It is the most beautiful gift God has given me in these forty-two short years; I can only pray for a few more years to be enveloped by that glorious love, surpassed ONLY by the perfect love of my God. I am a cancer survivor, and my partner was just diagnosed with cancer, a cancer far more serious and aggressive than mine was. I will of course remain as close to his side as he will allow me, offering as much strength and support as I can possibly muster, praying for his health and enough faith to get both of us through this difficult time - our God will grant us that strength, and I know that whatever happens, we'll be just fine. I have many times prayed that God would give the cancer to me to carry, anything to take it away from Rich, and I have asked this with emphatic earnesty. I would happily walk through fire to save him one ounce of suffering, at the hands of this dreaded illness, or the hands of a cruel-hearted, mean-spirited bigot that presumes to know how the rest of the world should lead their collective spiritual lives. I continue to pray. You see, this is what's important - our ability, through the many gifts of our God, to support each other, to get one another through the difficult times in our lives; encouragement, affection, quiet, gentle love - can you possibly think of ANYthing more glorious, more sacred, more blessed, than this gift from God? This love to be shared, this commitment to stand by one another through these difficult times, as well as the good?? What on earth else are we PLACED here for, if not to love one another like this? Most people spend their entire waking LIVES looking for such a beautiful, blessed love. I feel like the most fortunate man that ever lived because of this glorious gift! HOW can you piously sit in judgment, declaring that - in your infinite wisdom - there is something degenerate or sinful in this bond of love created out of a mutual love and respect for each other with God as the center of our lives?? WHO can possibly be so self-aggrandizing, self-absorbed, self-obsessed and self-centered?!? And in the NAME of "God" no less!! Haha! It just continues to AMAZE me!!! Their is no END to the depth of hypocrisy that abounds! So continue to pray for me. I'll continue to pray for YOU, too.

Please, please, PLEASE stop using the word "homosexual" and "pedophile" in the same SENTENCE!! They have absolutely NOTHING to DO with one another!!! We know, have known for YEARS, that the percentage of homosexual pedophiles vs. heterosexual pedophiles follow the same lines as any other category... Approximately 10-15% of the population is homosexual - same applies in this situation. This means that 85-90% of all pedophiles are straight. As in, straight adult men (generally, though certainly not always) attracted to adolescent and younger females... No "gay" in that equation whatsoever. Continuing to lump them together suggests that there is something "deviate" about homosexuality, or something "wrong" with it... Neither is the case. Homosexuality, though the MINORITY of cases, is present through every species in nature, from the way flowers pollinate to the way all-female crocodiles in some regions can propagate their own colonies without the presence of males for many years to the way that many all-male couples in the monkey kingdom often raise the offspring without the presence of females. It's there, clearly, on every level, as "natural" as can be - you don't have to like it, it's science. Of course, many Christians don't care much for that pesky "science" thing anyway, but I digress.

The issue of homosexuality affects me personaly...   

   

What is wrong with speaking from personal experience?  Nothing should be wrong in sharing one's journey through life as long as there is no judgment or thinking as though one is lesser than or better than. To live life and to love life is to share life.  It is far easier to speak from personal experience because there is an understanding that so often lacks in the church.   

   

What defines you as a person? My faith defines me and who I choose to be.   

   

If one can testify to the healing power of God in their lives, why not?   

   

One thing I have noticed is that when anyone comes to faith in Christ. change is inevitable. change is simply a natural result when we encounter God.  It doesn't matter who you are, when you encounter God you change.   

   

There is this old hymn that we kind of forget in the heat of these discussions and I hope that Christian who read this might hear this in a new light... Just as I am...I come.  The gospal means good news.  How often do gay's and lesbian's hear good news from the church?  Often gay's and lesbian's will hear a message that you have to be somebody you don't know how to be in order to be accepted by God.  I don't know how to be a lot of things...I know if I could just stop homosexual desires I would but I can't.  What makes any of us acceptable before God is Jesus Christ.  I stand and testify to God's healing work in my life and am experiencing changes in my life I never thought possable.   

   

The good news is this...yet while we were still sinners Christ died and made a way for all to come to God.  God will always do the rest...scripture says.."I will be found by you declares the Lord when you search for me with all your heart..."  He wants to be sought after.     

   

You will find themes in scripture that I have found to be true...   

   

Is it fun to be in the valley or would you rather be on the mountain top?     

   

Most people want the mountain top but the richness of life is in the valley.   

   

How tall, large and lush are the trees on the top of the mountain in comparison to the valley?   

    

Are there rivers up on the mountain top? Can you go white water river rafting up on the mountain top?   

   

It seems to me that being on the mountain top is far more rewarding after living in the valley.  Life is harder in the valley but in the valley I have learned where my treasure is and what I value in life.  In the valley I have learned the character of God but I have also learned a lot  about me and who God created me to be.     

   

Everything I have walked through and everything I struggle with has made me a better person.     

   

The "recycling composed of God"...is God taking the "bad" things in our lives and using it as furtilizer that brings forth life.     

   

    

   

   

   

Please don't be ignorant. We've known - scientifically, undeniably - for over twenty years that homosexuality is genetic. Any good biologist can stand in front of a diagram of the human brain with a pointer and show you the exact section of the exact lobe that determines sexual orientation. Further, we even know that it's determined in the first trimester of gestation - when that portion of the brain is developed. Yes, Virginia, we can track it that specifically. To continue to challenge whether it's genetic or not is to simply stand with your head buried deep in the sand. Before you hear the truth, you can claim "Ignorance". Once you have been told the truth, you can no longer claim ignorance. Refusing to accept fact, after that, is called stupidity. And I KNOW you're not stupid. It's so interesting, too... Another thing we know from study after study after study, is that the people who argue against the acceptability/normalcy of homosexuality the loudest and most vociferously, are the people who are the most conflicted about their OWN sexuality. (Though often, of course, they're not even aware of their own internal conflict - it often goes on just under the surface, until they're at a place emotionally and psychologically where they're equipped to take an honest look at it. Sadly, for some, this never occurs, and they spend their entire lives fighting a terrible internal struggle that they cannot possibly win.) We choose how we act and with whom we act out sexually... But we definitely don't choose who we're attracted to at the basest of levels - it occurs without our effort or consent. Any thinking person can understand this very basic concept. Only persons with this terrible unconscious internal struggle continue to need to find some sort of "religious rationale" to disuage and justify their own internal conflict.

I  am a Mother of a 7 year old boy.  When my son was 4 he use to play with barbies and dollhouses and have an afternoon tea party with his friends which all happen to be girls.  I never stopped him from playing these games, not once did it ever cross my mind that this would make him be gay.  

He is now 7, he skate boards, he plays with action figures and is a real boy all around.  Just because he used to play girly things dosn't make him gay.  I think it is pretty normal for kids to want to play with toys from the oppisite sex,  at that age they see no wrong and they are very innocent,  they see no colour, no gender and are very open minded.  Let KIDS be KIDS.   

Is it all right for people to share their testimony of healing if that is indeed what has happened?   

   

I have a religious and political view point...   

   

Remember in the bible that mentioned the parable of the good samaritan? What if we think of the man left beaten on the side of the road as one who is gay.  Sometimes the neighbour is not the religious folk but rather one who is not.  It seems as though the church is hindered from being the good samaritan to our brothers and sisters who are gay.  And sometimes I want to run up to every single gay and lesbian I walk past and say to them..."as a representative of the Christian community, even though this might just as well sound like words and meaningless...but I ask for your forgiveness for the way that Christian's have treated you, for the way that Christian's have made you feel like second class citizen's and less than because you are not."   

   

I do believe in absolute truth.  I believe in the sanctity of marriage, the sanctity of life and I believe that we are created in the image of God.  I believe that there is a right way to treat people and the protestor that was described spoke from ignorance.    

   

I only stand and testify to God's healing work in my life in ways I never thought possable and I have met many people who can say the same.    

   

I know one thing and I have mentioned it before...change is a natural result when we encounter God.  I don't know who you are and you very well could be on a faith journey with God through His Son Jesus Christ.  Who am I to say you do or don't?  Would you not say that your faith journey has shaped you just a bit? There is a saying in the Vinyard church's...Belong..believe...behave...If only we could see people as pre-Christian and enable people to feel like they belong.  After one comes to sense and know they belong, belief more often then not follow's and then the last thing to develop is behavior.  We all make mistakes as Christians and we are all a work in progress.  Christianity isn't about being perfect and it's not about the do's...it's about God's grace to be for us who we can't be for ourselves.  I pray that God blesses you all the more through your faith journey as you seek Him in your life.   

   

I had writen something called The Recycling Compost of God...which is God taking the..."bad" things in our life and re-using them to bring forth life.    

   

Sometimes those who have gone through the greatest amounts of difficulty, of battles, of pain and suffering are among the truly blessed folk.  We see the blessings that we do have in life and not take that for granted.  

   

   

   

Is it all right for people to share their testimony of healing if that is indeed what has happened?   

   

I have a religious and political view point...   

   

Remember in the bible that mentioned the parable of the good samaritan? What if we think of the man left beaten on the side of the road as one who is gay.  Sometimes the neighbour is not the religious folk but rather one who is not.  It seems as though the church is hindered from being the good samaritan to our brothers and sisters who are gay.  And sometimes I want to run up to every single gay and lesbian I walk past and say to them..."as a representative of the Christian community, even though this might just as well sound like words and meaningless...but I ask for your forgiveness for the way that Christian's have treated you, for the way that Christian's have made you feel like second class citizen's and less than because you are not."   

   

I do believe in absolute truth.  I believe in the sanctity of marriage, the sanctity of life and I believe that we are created in the image of God.  I believe that there is a right way to treat people and the protestor that was described spoke from ignorance.    

   

I only stand and testify to God's healing work in my life in ways I never thought possable and I have met many people who can say the same.    

   

I know one thing and I have mentioned it before...change is a natural result when we encounter God.  I don't know who you are and you very well could be on a faith journey with God through His Son Jesus Christ.  Who am I to say you do or don't?  Would you not say that your faith journey has shaped you just a bit? There is a saying in the Vinyard church's...Belong..believe...behave...If only we could see people as pre-Christian and enable people to feel like they belong.  After one comes to sense and know they belong, belief more often then not follow's and then the last thing to develop is behavior.  We all make mistakes as Christians and we are all a work in progress.  Christianity isn't about being perfect and it's not about the do's...it's about God's grace to be for us who we can't be for ourselves.  I pray that God blesses you all the more through your faith journey as you seek Him in your life.   

   

I had writen something called The Recycling Compost of God...which is God taking the..."bad" things in our life and re-using them to bring forth life.    

   

Sometimes those who have gone through the greatest amounts of difficulty, of battles, of pain and suffering are among the truly blessed folk.  We see the blessings that we do have in life and not take that for granted.  

   

   

   

I agree with this statement....why must people bring pedophalia in with homosexuality? The two are seperate issues.   

   

I believe that the human race is above the animal race.  We, having been created in the image of God have at least, one thing that is seperate from the animal kingdom.  Human's, unless phsychologically damaged all have the capacity to live above and beyond mere instinct.  We human's actively pursue change in our lives and never for the most part settle for anything less and most search for what is beyond themselves spiritualy.     

   

First of all we don't have sex for reproduction purposes, although that happens.  For the most part it's a relational need in a committed relationship.  It doesn't matter who you are and what your sexual orientation is, the underlining issue is a relational need.  Either we are feeling disconnected with who we are or we pursue to be connected with another person.  Even in the case of sexual addiction.  It will drive a person into deeper isolation but in truth the real issue is a lost sense of who they are and a deep desire to connect in relationship which is why community and accountability is such an integral part to one's recovery.   

   

True science will reveal God because God is the creator of all things.  Christian's need not fear science and what science reveals.  If anything we come to see the greatness of who God is.  So far,  none of the scientific research on homosexuality has been to discredit the environmental factors in homosexuality.  There has been research done on twin studies, for example, ...if there are a greater number of identitcal twins that don't share the same sexual orientation then those who do share the same sexual orientation...what shall we say then?  If anything, as Christian's science aught to be be-friended.   

   

And just because we human's have been created in the image of God and given dominion over the animals, we have been given a place of responsability over the animals and this universe we live in.  We have been called to a higher standard of living than the animal race.     

   

   

 Would you mind telling me why you say I have ignorant thinking?  I DO NOT think it is a choice.  A person is born with the sexual desires already built into their bodies.   I don't judge, I just get aggravated at those around me who are so mean-spirited in their thoughts on gay people.

 No, not a choice.  This has nothing to do with some book to read.  It is about what makes people happy.  Why judge?  If there is in fact a heaven like some of you claim, and the homosexuals won't be there, then be happy.  That much more room for all the "perfect" people of the world.  I would rather be in hell.