What is your religion/religious beliefs?

Question

As a gay man who's been exposed to many religions in his life, but doesn't have one of his own, I thought I'd ask you guys what path you have chosen spiritually. Christian/Non-christian, atheism/don't-care-ism, other spiritual fulfillments such as philanthropy: what made you choose it and why? How does it mesh with your homosexuality? Thanks, guys!

These are great answers so far, ya'll - and this is for my own spiritual research, not to cause strife or disagreement, so EVERYONE'S opinion is welcome. :)

And that's a good point, MLJ, I shouldn't let my homosexuality influence my decision on what I believe. However, if I am going to choose a "church", I want it to accept homosexuality, so in that it becomes part of my decision. Catch 22 and all that. ; )

Answer 1

My partner and I are members of a Methodist church in our town. I believe in God and I believe that God loves me just like he loves any other person on this earth.

I was raised Southern Baptist but never bought into a lot of the concepts promoted and taught by the church. As I've gotten older and free to explore religions of my own choosing, I find that I go back to the notion that there is one God.

I do not discredit the possibility that this God is existent to other religions although He may be referred to by other names. I believe God can be different things to different people and do not consider it my place to say if that is right or wrong.

I think the one uniting theme of religion is love for one another. I think that when you start splitting hairs about some of the rules that are invoked by this religion or that one, religion becomes divisive and I don't believe that is God's intent.

For me personally, God is a huge part of who I am and I do want to live a life that gives back to others.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

I'm sorry, I'm not a homosexual but I feel like answering the question anyway if you wouldn't mind. I used to be a catholic and a little hardlined, but it was more because I was told to rather than it's what I believe in.
Now I am at an age where I can think for myself I will not support any religion that claims equality and equally singles out anyone for their differences. That's not equality.
I am also a serious knowledge seeker. I do not have a need to worship a god or give charity to a religion because I know I can live my own life without such support. It gets in the way of knowledge as well, propogating ignorance, which is a true sin in my humble opinion.
If I had to name a religion I did follow it would be something along the lines of buddhism. Enlightenment through knowledge...How could someone go wrong with that? Choosing between blind servitude and knowing as much as I can I think you know which one would be more appealing.

Answer 3

When you give stipulations about what you are willing to believe based on what you care about right now, you are, without a doubt, fashioning a religion in your image. It's great when you're picking out a computer - one that will fit on my desk - has those pretty neon lights, is easy to use, etc. It makes sense when having a house designed - what size windows you want in the living room, how many bathrooms, etc. It doesn't make sense when engineering house. You don't pick which physics to use. Either your religion is true or its not. You're not looking for an overarching religion. You're looking for an exercise video. Not too strenuous, but not yoga either. When you're willing to start looking for a real religion (meaning THE real religion), ask your question again. Next time, don't put stipulations down. You might as well carve a man's face out of a block of wood and bow down to it.

Answer 4

I have always believed in God. I am not of any particular faith but I was raised methodist/protestant, whatever. I do not and haven't attended or been apart of a church since I lived at home growing up with my parents.

My belief is that a person should make up his own mind regarding religion and I don't think you "have" to be associated with any one religous group. Believing thats what the bottom line of it is.

I haven't looked at any of the other answers that you got for this question....but I'll tell you anytime any one asks a "religous" question on this site your sure to get "all" kinds of answers.

By the way don't let your homosexuality get in your way of what you feel in your heart and what you want to believe in.
People can be such hypocrits about everything.

Answer 5

Humans invented religion. It was sort of a scientific quest, to understand why the world (and the universe) is how it is, to explain things like rain or death or illness. Anybody's guess is as good as anybody else's. You might as well make up your own religion. Whatever the supreme creative power is, or was, it certainly deserves our deepest respect and appreciation, the universe is utterly astounding. So is life. But the Judeo-Christian Bible as a fact source is worthless. You can find great lessons on morality and decency in there, but forget about it as a source of scientific or historic fact. Go ahead, make up your own religion, you have as much chance of being right as anybody else.

I think homosexuality fits in biologically. Its a biological necessity or it wouldn't be there, as it has for as long as humans have been here, indeed, even among our brethren animal species. It has a function, its needed. The supreme creative power brought it into being so it deserves respect, it needs to be valued.

Answer 6

I grew up in Catholic church and school and they are are against homosexuality just as most other religions. I don't go to a particular church now because I am looking for the right one for me. I have gone to a Unitarian church where they accepted it there and the pastor was in the life as well.

Answer 7

I believe in evolution and that that automatically comes with religeous feelings. We are all religeous creatures. So I find all religions part of the human experience - within the context of evolution.

Sometimes I really like Islam, as the Quran might say that it was God who created us - but never specifies how or when. That leaves all interpretations open and acceptable, also darwinism.

Answer 8

As a Christian I can say, God is for all of us - gay or not. I believe He loves us just the way we are and allows certain tests in our life for some reason, which we may know when we leave this life and perhaps be blessed to stand before Him. Till then have faith.

Answer 9

I feel in God. I cannot say what faith I am anymore in view that there may be such a lot of.I used to be raised Baptist even though. I simply received to the factor to wherein I used to be like "what the heck is that this?" I simply received so harassed in view that of all of the variations in religions and the way they divide us as Christians(in a few however no longer all instances). So I Believe in God and Pray to Him and Thank Him For my Blessings ^_^

Answer 10

I have a set of my own beliefs based on pan-spirituality and the power of Karma. I don't follow any existing religions, as they are, but I do believe in the concept of a common thread that binds us all as humans.