Being Gay and Christian?? Possible?

[Camfer]

Well absolutely 100% of all christians are picking and choosing which portions of these old writings they want to believe and which portions they want to disregard. These writings are contradictory, so everyone is forced to pick and choose. There is not even any consensus on which of these writings are even a part of the bible and which parts are not. Since everyone is interpreting it to suit themselves, (or torture themselves,) you may begin to recognize when you are doing the same.

Keep your faith, discard those portions of text that don't serve you well, and keep what brings you closer to the divine. If you are not harming others and your life conflicts with some writings, it isn't you who is the problem. Loving another person is a great, precious thing.

[Bowyn Aerrow]

Hey Bowyn Aerrow: I really liked your response to this topic because for years I have been mentioning to people about the David and Jonathan situation which is pretty evident that their friendship was so much more.

Hard line 'christians' (so called, but not very Christ-like in their behaviors) flat refuse to hear this interpretation.

The Book of Solomon is also a porn novel :eek: :biggrin: - however you would be amazed at how hard people will go to find a more 'holy' interpretation of all the lust and sex and debauchery in that book.

It boils down to an individuals ability to have their beliefs challenged and accept the work of learning more about the subject.

We live in a society were many people have no idea what the Acts were really saying about straight people being condemned to lust for the same gender (It was a punishment, not a gift). They flat refuse to accept that rape isn't the same thing as homosexuality, thus Sodom's fall is taken as a punishment for homosexuality.

There is a lot more in the bible that people get wrong. For instance in Revelations it speaks of people doing sorcery - unfortunately the Greek word this was translated from was pharmakia - which is the base word for many english words like pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmaceutical. Revelations is not talking about magic, its talking about the use of drugs.

Mix that with people not being able to relate to Copper and Iron age cultures, plus not having a basic historical understanding of the peoples and nations that surrounded Israel and the activities they were up to - we end up with people not having a single clue of what the bible is really saying, what it means.

[hank]

Hey everyone!
So, this is my second post. Go read my first one if you wouldn't mind giving me your advice or opinion!! (Titled: Does he like me? New to bi life.. in Need Your Advice Forum)

Anyways,
As stated in the my first post, I am new to the bi life. I am still closeted and figuring everything out. I have had the feeling I was bi for several years. I am also a pretty devoted Christian. It bothers me that I am basically just always sinning. I love the Lord and all that He has done for me, but I cannot deny now that I am bi (I recently decided to tell myself this thanks to the guy who I speak of in my first post.)

This guy I have been talking to is the first guy I have ever really liked a guy in any sense. I do not know what to think since I am always conflicted by this. Is anyone else here dealt with this and NOT lost his faith or decided to be agnostic?

I have been reading a lot in scripture about how being homosexual is wrong, bad, etc. I just can't help it anymore.. No one else knows other than this guy I am talking to that I am bi and that I am conflicted with my faith. He used to also be a Christian but lost his faith due to stupid pastors and churches and other personal things.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! I am new to this site and it is also my only source to go to for advice on this sort of thing given my situation. So, THANK YOU!!


UPDATE ON FIRST POST:
I talked to him and brought about the fact that you don't just make-out with friends lol. He said that when we hang out, it just kind of happens. He also said he enjoys my company for sure. However, he also said he considers me a friend. BUT!! I told him I enjoy our hanging out and he replied that he enjoys it too and let's just see where things go. (Again he has said twice before he is not looking for anything serious, and I hope I may be changing his mind somewhat.)
For the past two weeks we haven't been hanging out as much and his texts are getting to where it can be anywhere from one minute to a couple of hours before he replies.

I'm gay and I am Christian. I have looked deeply at this and it seems that any Christian objection to homosexuality is based on one particular interpretation of the scripture. I could talk your ear of about this but only if you are interested.

[ShiftyNJ]

I am an Episcopalian and proud of how far our church has come on this and other issues of social justice, even though it still feels slow!

I commend to you:
www.believeoutloud.com
www.gaychristian.net

[yousir]

Religion is a weird thing. People doing things and experiencing things and blaming it on god or thanking god. How about a bit of responsibility. You are responsible for your life. Make it work for you, instead of placing responsibility in some external entity.

I knew a gay christian. Nice guy. Seemed happy and calm and chilled and gentle. No forcing his religion, or anything else for that matter, down my throat.

[ShiftyNJ]

Religion is a weird thing. People doing things and experiencing things and blaming it on god or thanking god. How about a bit of responsibility. You are responsible for your life. Make it work for you, instead of placing responsibility in some external entity.

I hear you but these things are not mutually exclusive. You can ground yourself with prayer and meditation while still taking ownership of what happens to you. The notion of god as cosmic puppet master is a pretty juvenile understanding of Christianity (although admittedly this is where many Christians' spritual growth stops).

I knew a gay christian. Nice guy. Seemed happy and calm and chilled and gentle. No forcing his religion, or anything else for that matter, down my throat.

I know many such people. The ones who foist their beliefs on you are usually insecure in their own faith. If they can convince you, maybe they'll convince themselves sorta thing.

[hank]

I hear you but these things are not mutually exclusive. You can ground yourself with prayer and meditation while still taking ownership of what happens to you. The notion of god as cosmic puppet master is a pretty juvenile understanding of Christianity (although admittedly this is where many Christians' spritual growth stops).

^^^This 100%^^^

I know many such people. The ones who foist their beliefs on you are usually insecure in their own faith. If they can convince you, maybe they'll convince themselves sorta thing.

Really kind of sad isn't it?

[ca1050]

I'm gay and I am Christian. I have looked deeply at this and it seems that any Christian objection to homosexuality is based on one particular interpretation of the scripture. I could talk your ear of about this but only if you are interested.

You are welcome to talk away lol. I am having a hard time dealing with this.. especially since I have found someone that I like.

[Pix]

Spirituality is ultimately an individual experience, it's when you join churches that it becomes a lot more "democratic" or what have you.

I'd look at it like this, if there are people who study theology for years and even they argue each other (often even in the same denomination) and I can't think of a single church that said "after studying the matter we've decided some other denomination is correct and will merge our church with theirs" then it's okay to have one's own interpretation on it (as long as you don't try to impose it on others). Heck, we've got countless denominations of so many religions despite a bloody history of torturing and mass murdering people to accept a One True Way (that is it's likely that without all the campaigns of terror and genocide to force people to accept a version of Christianity then you'd be a completely different religion today).

[hank]

You are welcome to talk away lol. I am having a hard time dealing with this.. especially since I have found someone that I like.

Okay.

I don't believe the bible ever said anything about homosexuality. Even if it did, Jesus stated that only one sin is unforgivable, it wasn't homosexuality. It was blasphemy of the holy spirit. He also promised all other sin would be forgiven.

The interpretation was created in the late nineteenth century. Which coincidences with the psychological field developing theories about homosexuality. It seems a bit preemptive.