I'm having issues with my faith. What should I do?

Question

I was raised Christian and have been going to church my whole life. But now I'm frustrated with it. My best friend is gay and every Christian I ask about homosexuality says that it's wrong. Well, I don't see it that way! I'm disgusted by how the bible views gays, as if they are wrong or an abomination, I think that's a load of crap. But I was taught not to question the bible. What am I supposed to do?

Answer 1

God has given us the Fullness of the Truth in Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scriptures. God has also given us free will, so that we can freely choose whether or not to embrace the Truth of our Creator.

If I were to ask you if you believe God created the universe, would you not agree? Of course you would. Clearly the power and intellect one needs to create the universe surpasses all that which is conceivable with the human mind. Still, despite the fact we know God is the all power Creator of the universe, as well as everything and everyone in it, some of us continue to doubt His Wisdom when it comes to such things as homosexuality.

We have the intellectual capacity to pretty much understand what God expects from us. However, we might not have the intellect to understand why.

Faith compells us to obey God's Will, even, no - especially - when we don't quite understand the 'why'.

I believe the Catholic Church explains it the best. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2396 Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices.


As you can see, everything the bible has to say about the sinfulness of homosexuality has to do with the sin itself, not the person. Remember the old axiom, "hate the sin, not the sinner."

Answer 2

You do not give your age so I do not know how long your"whole life" has been. but I can tell you that just being born to "christian"parents and going to church your "whole life" do'nt make anyone a Christian.

that homnosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of God is a fact for those of The Christian Faith. That dose not mean that homosexuals can not recieve their Salvation as do all others who are willing to come to God in The Way He Proscribes... It is the sin not the sinner that is the abomination.

I can only go by your comments which indicate you do not accept The Christian Faith of those who raised you. That is your right... and your loss.

I was not raised all my life in The faith... I was exposed to it as a preteen and was actualy baptised to keep my grandparents happy...but for the next 40 yrs I was very anti bible thumper... I can now testify that for those 40 yrs I was wrong...I have truly been of The Christian Faith for just over six years now... And I can tell you that The Faith is The Way, The Truth and The Life...

I do not know the denomination or doctrin you have been exposed to... It might not be the right fit for you... I invite you to read over my website... it is maily for not-yet-belivers and is not exactly the usual approch taken by my brothers and sisters in Christ...

There is one truth I will share in my own words that I know from TheTruth of my Salvation and God's promis to me... God makes the rules... neither you nor I, or any one else for that matter, gets to make our own... God is the creator and all the matter of the universe and it is his to do with as he sees fit... and the ultimate fate of all the matteer in the universe is up to Him... You and I are made up of what God created... We belong to Him... whether -or-not you or I aggree...denying it do'nt change it.

you are welcome to visit at:

http://www.idahomike.com

All honest seekers welcome

Answer 3

Question the Bible. It was never meant to be taken literally. Find your own views and beliefs, don't let people tell you what's right and wrong.
After all, religion is just a scare tactic. I'm afraid to go to hell, I'm afraid of what my punishment might be. Focus on your life, not your after life.
Fact is, nobody knows what happens after you die. If there is a god, I hope he's not so vengeful that he'll send you to hell for being gay, much less having a gay friend.

Answer 4

You should keep asking your questions and using your head until you find the answers you need.

Don't believe something just because you want to believe it. Don't make somersaults in logic in order to rationalize the things you don't agree with.

Read, ask questions here, speak to people who are Christian, and also speak to people who used to be or never were.

Learn. Grow. Be curious.

Even the Bible says to test all things. It's not a sin.

Answer 5

Bible interpretation is in itself very questionable and depends on the dogma attached to the religious group(s) who published same. Some version have better integrity than others.

For the sake of your own Self - don't believe what you are told or what is written in books, even if that book is a bible.

Be guided yes, but follow your own truth. I am so pleased you are questioning.

Answer 6

If you still want to maintain faith, who says it has to be Christianity? I'm always wary when I'm given something and told there will be consequences if I disagree. It just seems like a fear tactic. Take a step back and review what you like and don't like. You can develop a personal faith on your own or match yourself with a community that best fits what you're looking for.

Answer 7

just don't ask fred phelps about your friend...

i had a religion teacher in my catholic HS tell me there is an excuse for every action man could make somewhere in the Bible. you just need to find the right verse to interpret.

I am Catholic and have been my entire life but I don't believe gays are condemned to hell because they are gay. other things they may do would condemn them but just not homosexuality

Answer 8

The bible is the Bible, dont question your faith and dont get mad because the bible says its wrong

its hard to accept but dont lose your faith because lying in bed with another man is an abonition,

Answer 9

Interpret those sections of the Bible in your own way. That's what most Christians seem to do when there's something in there that they don't like.

Answer 10

If you are comfortable with the other aspects of Christianity, look at other denominations of the religion. Not all of them treat homosexuality the same way.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_chur.htm

has a list of religions and their views of homosexuality.