[questioner]

Ok guys,
I've only posted like one topic (Hey from a 15 year old in the introduce youself forums) but I need your help. I've read alot about Eastern Orthodoxy and some Church History and it seems like the Orthodox Church is the 'ancient' church. This is a problem since I'm gay and, well I would have to be celibate if i join Orthodoxy. I'm so worried. I'm worried that the Orthodox church's claims are right and that I'll spend forever in hell!!! Has anyone else struggled with this? Could you guys please help me!

[Russ]

The Eastern and Western divisions of the Catholic church began to separate in the 4th Century, each becoming a different aspect of Christianity. I feel it important to understand the complete picture and not just what is interpreted or told to you. How does your going to hell for being gay fit in with Jesus' teachings? It doesn't. Jesus taught unconditional love, forgiveness, and compassion establishing inclusion as the basis for his ministry. Homophobia in the church is a creation of humans, no God or Jesus. I had to work through a similar question with my brother not too long ago. John was torn because of the Catholic teaching that suicide is a sin that results in the soul going to hell. Our father killed himself over forty years ago and my brother
had been carrying the fear that our father's soul went to hell for all of that time. How could this be? People that kill themselves have mental illnesses or are pushed to the edge of madness through circumstances beyond their understanding or control. If Jesus and God are love, compassion, and forgiveness, why would any one suffering from a mental illness that killed themselves be looked upon as a sinner who should be damned to hell? Another side to this is the question of being gay. So what?
Love can be expressed between two people regardless of their sex. Anti-gay church doctrines are not edicts handed down directly from God...they are human doctrines based on false piety and prejudice. Interestingly enough, now is a great time to be a Christian and gay as well. We are witnessing history as the issue of gay and lesbian issues come right to the front of the alter. Keep in mind the split in the Anglican church over a gay bishop! The Methodist church refused to ordain an open lesbian, the reason why I resigned my membership, and the Methodists Church may not survive a split such as the Anglican. Do not let the prejudices of humans prevent you from following your path to find God! Find that path and enter upon the Journey to the One...you are a Child of God and are on your way Home from the day you are born. Our lives are simply the Journey and you are welcome to travel with us!

[questioner]

Thanks Russ! I need to remember that God loves me for who I am!

[AllInTheNameOfProgress]

YES! I'm so sorry we are living in a time where people's intolerance and ignorance has resulted in homosexuality being THE damnable sin of the Bible, as far as some people are concerned. I hope you have a supportive family and group of friends. My 14 year old son and I were just talking after church on Sunday about how the fear of hell has been used as a powerful motivator by people for self-serving reasons throughout the ages. I can see that God has created a wide range of people. I CAN'T see God punishing you for loving according to your true nature. Just because a church is the "ancient" church does not mean it perfectly understands or represents God. I believe the human race continues to learn about God, and that some of the old thoughts are outdated. For example, masturbation and spilling your seed on the ground are also Biblical sins -- as if we need to continue overpopulating an over-crowded Earth.

Keep sharing your thoughts!

[questioner]

Thanks Guys,

My family, who I love dearly, do not know of my orientation-neither do my friends.

My family are Baptists, but I want to join a Church that speaks to me, do you think I should try and join the Church I want to join? Or should I stay in the Baptist Church?

[AllInTheNameOfProgress]

I think you know better than I do. You might want to make a list of the pros and cons and then see how you are really feeling about it. Good luck...

[soma]

The fullness of life cannot be measured by things that happen only on the physical plane or to the body, we must also consider the more abundant vitality gained from spiritual living on a level that defies measurement and observation. A church that doesn't judge the physical and leads one to the spirituality inside is rare indeed.