Hi from Australia

[Psvensen]

Hi everyone,
I was given a copy of "Stranger at the Gate" this week - and have now purchased a further 6 copies to give to my pastor and close friends. Having been a Christian since 1977, and with a wife and 2 beautiful daughters, I believed that homosexuality was a disease that I needed to be cured of. Mel White's story has encouraged me enormously, though I have become very angry to discover the hidden agenda of some of those famous televangelists.
Nearly 4 years ago, I came out to my wife. She said she didn't want to be married to me any more, even though I had never even (until just before I told her) touched another guy in a sexual way in nearly 54 years.
The pastor of my Pentecostal church knew I was gay, but when he found out that I was now in a relationship he gave me 6 months to "go straight", or I would be kicked out of the church. After listening to some talks by Tony & Peggy Campolo shortly afterwards, however, he changed his mind, saying he realized that I had no choice over my sexuality. But I work mainly with Christian organizations, and for that reason I have to remain in the closet to most people. I look forward to the day when gays are treated like straight people :-), and thank Mel for what he has done to change attitudes through his ministry and his writing.
God bless you all, Paul

[Emproph]

Hi Psvensen (Paul),

I'm so glad you found us, thank you for sharing your story.

Mel White's story has encouraged me enormously, though I have become very angry to discover the hidden agenda of some of those famous televangelists.

It just get's uglier from there. I've just been finding out myself over the past couple years how intentional their dishonesty is. The important thing though and the good thing is that you're now aware of it.

Hope to see you around,
-Patrick

PS His latest book is Religion Gone Bad, it talks much more in depth about the 'Christian' Right's concoction of our so called "Gay Agenda."

[Zerbie]

HI Paul, welcome.

Reading your story made me feel (mostly) very sad - but also hopeful that things are getting better for you, and for the rest of the world as well.

I'm glad you joined us.

Best wishes,
:pray:
Zerbie

[marutidas]

Namaste,Psvensen

I hope you like here on the forums,
I didn't know about Tony and Peggy Campolo when I came out, but I hadn't been in church for a long time. I only recently gone back to church after studying other religions, I probably the only Hindu-Buddhist that goes to a Catholic church. The preist there is from India. I came out to him about a month ago, and he still accepts me. I am not going to convert to Catholism, but I feel that Christianity still has some very important lessons to learn.

The Dali Lamma said it best, " putting on robes and talking about God, but thinking selfishly is not a religious act.
A person who works to help all of humanity, that is true religion."

With closed palms, I bow to the divinity within you.
---Marutidas:pray: