12-16-2011, 01:44 PM
I think this issue, of religious gays, is one that gets consistently downplayed by both the religious and the gay communities.
Being both extremely religious and also gay, and given my disposition to counseling, I have found that religious gays are, perhaps, some of the most mentally tormented people.
It's hard enough to be gay in an overall society that is generally not tolerant of gays. It's even harder when the surrounding society is of a religious nature that you yourself ascribe to. Many religious gays feel the only option is to leave the faith, which often can leave them disgruntled and callous towards their former religion. And then there are those who, finding no reconciliation, attempt to take their own lives or, unfortunately, succeed in doing so.
The solution is maturity, compassion, and, ultimately, focusing on the good as opposed to the bad. On the one hand you have religious communities which have been and continue to be oppressive of gays. This results in many gays being anti-religion. Such anti-religious feelings can cause tension between both sides. Ultimately, the problem is that usually neither side is willing to compromise or even discuss compromise. This usually results in the depression of those who are caught in the middle.
Thankfully, advances are being made on both fronts and someday, so I think, religion will coincide quite peacefully with lifestyles that are different from it.
Either way, it's a good documentary. Heart-breaking. There is no issue which rests so heavily on my heart as this one.
Being both extremely religious and also gay, and given my disposition to counseling, I have found that religious gays are, perhaps, some of the most mentally tormented people.
It's hard enough to be gay in an overall society that is generally not tolerant of gays. It's even harder when the surrounding society is of a religious nature that you yourself ascribe to. Many religious gays feel the only option is to leave the faith, which often can leave them disgruntled and callous towards their former religion. And then there are those who, finding no reconciliation, attempt to take their own lives or, unfortunately, succeed in doing so.
The solution is maturity, compassion, and, ultimately, focusing on the good as opposed to the bad. On the one hand you have religious communities which have been and continue to be oppressive of gays. This results in many gays being anti-religion. Such anti-religious feelings can cause tension between both sides. Ultimately, the problem is that usually neither side is willing to compromise or even discuss compromise. This usually results in the depression of those who are caught in the middle.
Thankfully, advances are being made on both fronts and someday, so I think, religion will coincide quite peacefully with lifestyles that are different from it.
Either way, it's a good documentary. Heart-breaking. There is no issue which rests so heavily on my heart as this one.
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