Homosexuality accepance in the church?

Question

I posted on here a while ago about my dealing with past sexual abuse. My girlfriend got me to a new therapist that specializes in sexual abuse. I was there the other day and she suggested maybe going to church. I used to go to church when i was younger but i stopped going after the day that i heard the priest talk about homosexuals and how they'll go to hell. Me being a lesbain i always figured that i wouldn't be accepted by the church. But so many people that responded to my last post gay and straight credited god in helping them get through their ordeals. I guess since i've had bad experiences with the church and being a lesbian i am very skeptical. My therapist tried to suggest some Gay friendly churches but i brushed her off.I mean is there such a thing? I want to be able to get past this point in my life and if church helps me do this then i'll try . I was just wondering if anyother GLTB people have someohow found acceptance in the church.

Answer 1

yes there are churches just for gays, and god LOVES everybody as long as you have accepted him as your savior, remember it is god's acceptance that you want not the preachers

Answer 2

Hi Shane.
I grew up in a strict catholic upbringing and have been a born again christian for twelve years. i am a bisexual but none of the churches i went to knows it because i have been verbally abused many times based on my personality.

From observation and experience, it is best not to seek help from the churches about bisexuality but instead seek help about the sexual abuse. i felt that churches are in a mess when it comes to giving a clear cut answer about homo/bisexuality.

if you need help dealing with the pressures of not being straight you should talk to very trusted friends/family.

If you can get your hands on this guy's material. SY Roger. This guy is gay and nearly had an operation for gender change.

And the way to heaven is to acknowlege Jesus die to cleanse you of your sins and to follow His example. Sexual orientation does not matter. Don't let anybody tell you any different. look into the bible yourself. say a short prayer everytime you read. If the bible is not easy to understand get the "Message" version by Eugene patterson.

you are right. you should not go to a gay church instead find a church that you know will still accept you as who you are (I recommend medium to big sized church. small churches will not have the resources to help you).

The only person who has the authority and power to change you is God and not all bisexuals become straight. When you go to heaven God will answer you. He will answer all questions you have.

Answer 3

YES, there are churches that welcome and affirm GLBT people. I'll put a couple links below.
One is the Metropolitan Community Church, MCC, which is largely gay in membership. Myself, I prefer a church that is mainstream but affirming. Many churches in mainstream protestantism are affirming. For instance, to go the website for the United Church of Christ, and when looking at their directory (Find a Church) look for those that say they are listed "ONA" which stands for Open 'n' Affirming.

The other Link I'm giving you is the religion section of the Human Rights Campaign. There you can read a whole lot about religion and homosexuality, and read the position of many of the major religions on homosexuality.

I hope you find a place to worship. Too many GLBT persons have been hurt by the church and turned away from God, and God never told anyone to turn you away! Those people are wrong, and you can reclaim your faith by turning to a church which affirms you and your faith!

***One more resource I forgot to tell you about when I first answered is the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas. It's a wonderful gay church with a national ministry. You can hear sermons and full services online, and sign up for daily devotional emails, and it's GAY! I'll put that down below too!

Answer 4

It is true that you can find churches that are accepting of gays, however, my personal opinion is that any church is primarily there to attempt to control the masses. I have nothing against God, and I believe in something that you might call God, but I dislike any person, book, or organization that attempts to cram their idea of what God is down your throat, as if it is the only possible truth. Look into various different religions (not just Christianity) and try and find what the similarities are between them, and what makes you feel the most comfortable. God loves everyone, and once you realize this it won't matter what a man behind a pulpit says about you and who you can or can't fall in love with.

Answer 5

Yes there are gay friendly churches (Try the United Church of Christ or the Unitarians to start, you may particularly like the Unitarians).

On the other hand, if you don't want to go to a church you SHOULD not go -- and the therapist should NOT be suggesting that you do.

I think its very unprofessional.

I am Anglo-Catholic, by the way, my partner is Wiccan (which is not Christian but VERY accepting -- if there is a circle near you that isn't a bad choice either).

Be in love,

Reynolds
http://www.rebuff.org
[e-mail]

Answer 6

I can't understand what you have been through, but I can honestly say that church is not the answer. The reason I say this is because its views on same sex orientation have not changed, and although you may find a gay friendly church, the undercurrent of discrimination and bigotry will still be there. In other words the very things that turned you away from it still persist and going back to that same environment may not in itself be a healthy choice. The good news is the Church do not have exclusive rights to God and you can find him/her (hey .... who knows right) anywhere. Meditation may also be helpful for you as for the most part this is about how you move on and put the past behind you. As for God ......

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticedtow sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him ant the other belonging to the Lord.
When the last of his life flashed before him , he looked back at the footprintnts in the sand . He notice that many times
along the path of his life there only one set of footprints. He also notice that it happen a the very lowest and saddest
tome of in his life. This really bother him,
and he questioned te Lord about it. " Lord you said that once I decided to follow you , you'd walk walk with me all the
way. But I have noticed that during the trublesome times in my life , there is only one set of footprints I dont understand why, Whe I needed you most, you would leave me." The lord replied , " My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you . During your timesof trial and
suffering , when you see one set of footprints, it was when I carried you."

Peace, and wishing you a brigher future
B.

Answer 7

I don't know about you area, but the town that I live in has a church where 90%, if not all of the parishioners are homosexual. The minister is not, but his son is. In fact two of my good Friends (both male) are getting married there at the end of the month. Just get on the net and do a search for your area. Good luck! It also wouldn't hurt to look into some non-denominational churches, most of them are more tolerant.

Answer 8

Depends on who you mean by "the" church. ::shrug:: Thing is, the Bible's been translated left and right, and then there's the divide between fundamentalists (the original and literal definition of that word) and contextualists. In essence, the passages used to condemn gay people are not nearly so cut and dry as people like to say they are. (Incidentally, lesbianism isn't mentioned at all if I recall correctly). My personal (and, admittedly, unsought) advice is to look into yourself, and think about what YOU honestly believe about God. From there, you can find a church that fits YOU pretty closely. If you want to.

Answer 9

I just haven't told my church I was bi (they don't accept that either). I come from a very strict Catholic church, and they told me the same thing you have been hearing. But as far as I am concerned, why do they need to know my sexuality? And I just ignore them when they say homosexuals are going to hell. I think it was God who made me this way. My form of acceptance was the fact I accepted myself, and then I figured God accepted me, too.

Answer 10

yes God (not god) loves everyone but that does not mean he loves our sin which being gay is a big one. There are churches for gay ppl but I'm 100% God did not established or the focus on this Churches.
if u really want to commit to God then ask him and He will change you.

Answer 11

There are Churches that care about all people I suggest you find one of these. The Catholic church is a den of hypocrites, with it's pedophile priests, and priests fathering children out of wedlock.
Tammi Dee