What's the purpose of being gay in a religion that is intolerant of your sexual preference?

Question

And, what spiritual merit is it to have to keep your true self hidden in the "closet" to assimilate with people who do not like what you are? Some of whom, if they knew, would likely do you bodily harm?

How can you find personal and spiritual fulfillment without being true to who you are?

Answer 1

Growing up in the late 60's as a gay man we as a sub-culture had learned the fine art of hiding our sexuality to the point of having lesbian friends who would go with us to business parties or whatever. But as a Pagan I used to get into some really hairy discussions from Christian Gay friends who were very devout and really felt that they would have some really hard time explaining themselves to the gate keeper of heaven. As a result they were often wiped out doing drugs or sleeping around so much that they had picked up every disease possible. They were made to feel horrible about themselves and they feared that they were going to hell. It is interesting the damage that can be done to someone when they are only trying to understand their place in society.

It was my last lover who really made me decide to quit looking. He was Southern Baptist and he only wanted to come to my house. We never ate out, we never went shopping as a result of him worrying about meeting someone from his home town. It is so sad that he couldn't relax! Oh well.

Answer 2

Not even all religions react to gays the same way. So right off you're being intolerant wanting your own religion to take precedence over the right of every American citizen to a certain amount of basic human rights, like to love and make a legal declaration of that to society. And to be accorded the same dignity as any two other consenting adults. There shouldn't be a discussion of IF gays have rights, as human beings and American citizens,they do have those rights. Being inclusive isn't at all the same thing as declaring that a certain group, whether gay or Jewish, or Black or Brown, can't be served in a restaurant open to the public,or a bakery open to the public because your particular denomination doesn't like them. We have religions that are intolerant of eating pork. That doesn't mean all pork products must be eliminated. We adjust, we tolerate, when we don't its not called religion, its called prejudice.

Answer 3

:) we make our own path. I agree with Krishnamurti and Buddha. Religion, gurus, meditation, all won't lead you to the ultimate destination. You must forge your own path :) Catholocism might have worked for one person, but it doesn't mean it works for everyone. Besides conforming is a bad thing :P You should just take the good things from everything and leave the bad.

Who says there is spiritual merit? You admitted yourself they would save themselves from possible bodily harm. You make it sound like your sexuality is a concious choice. It isn't really. Why can't you be closed off to the world and still be true to yourself? O_o thats what it seems like some monks and hermits and the nuns with the vows of silence do.

Answer 4

I think that this is proof that homosexuality is something that you can't control, but that you can still love God and be loved by Him in return, despite what "theology" tells you to the contrary. If you have a desire to have a closer relationship with God, should that somehow go away because you are attracted to people of the same sex? I wish that more people realized that all they are doing by being so hateful toward gays and lesbians are driving a wedge between them and their God, and that if anyone is going to be judged in the hereafter, it will not be the people who diligently sought His face, but those who would try to push them away from Him.

Answer 5

I have several gay Catholic friends who are staunchly Catholic, and refuse to leave their chosen church just because it does not accept one aspect of their lives. They will not turn their backs on Catholicism. They would rather make people aware of their situation within the church, rather than leaving it. Hence, the group "Dignity USA", which is now an international network of gay Catholics.

http://www.dignityusa.org/

Answer 6

You can't!

You should be in a Christian place where you are welcome. And for those of you who say that isn't possible--try the Episcopal Church for one.

this is what we believe about homosexual issues--
We understand scripture, tradition, and reason can bring faithful people to opposite conclusions. Absent a magisterium telling us what to believe, discussions can sometimes get messy. Commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ requires our community to address issues honestly, openly, and in the spirit of love. This can be painful, but it is not new. Slavery was once accepted by Christians. So was the subjugation of women to men, sending children to work in subhuman conditions, and anti-Semitism. (Yes, youcan all find it in the Bible! just like all of you who will quote Leviticus back to me). We believe the Holy Spirit is active in the world and in the church, constantly pushing us in directions we may not wish to go. Our best resolve amid controversy is to understand God is working his purpose out. The significance of what binds us to God, and to one another, takes precedence over human disagreement. Our task is to stay in communion with one another, in the spirit of love, and allow the Holy Spirit to direct us.

Answer 7

Anyone who feels good about God and Jesus has to transend everything else.

If they can feel good about God and Jesus and endure the hardships of man, maybe they might actually end up being better Christians than everyone else.

Answer 8

You should find another Religion which is ""Gay" friendly.