Hello from Mississippi College

[MCstudent]

Hey all,
I've already received a very warm welcome from some in response to my post in "Get out of town", and I sincerely appreciate it. For my own reasons, I don't wish to identify myself other than to say, as I did in the "Get out of town" thread, that I'm 18, female, straight, conservative, Baptist, and a Christian Studies major....and glad that the Equality Ride stopped at my school. I come to this message board for the same reasons I came out to talk to the Riders. To show that not everyone in Mississippi belongs to the close minded, last century stereotype that we so often get labeled with. To make an effort to understand because I want to learn, I want to understand others views.

I was privileged enough to have the opportunity to go out and meet with the Equality Riders on Thursday and Friday while they were here in Clinton at my school. If you haven't already, check out my post in "Get out of Town", I posted a lot about their visit from my perspective as well as a link to all the pictures I took.

In the Amazing Love and Grace of Christ

[kara speltz]

Hey all,
I've already received a very warm welcome from some in response to my post in "Get out of town", and I sincerely appreciate it. For my own reasons, I don't wish to identify myself other than to say, as I did in the "Get out of town" thread, that I'm 18, female, straight, conservative, Baptist, and a Christian Studies major....and glad that the Equality Ride stopped at my school. I come to this message board for the same reasons I came out to talk to the Riders. To show that not everyone in Mississippi belongs to the close minded, last century stereotype that we so often get labeled with. To make an effort to understand because I want to learn, I want to understand others views.

I was privileged enough to have the opportunity to go out and meet with the Equality Riders on Thursday and Friday while they were here in Clinton at my school. If you haven't already, check out my post in "Get out of Town", I posted a lot about their visit from my perspective as well as a link to all the pictures I took.

In the Amazing Love and Grace of Christ

Dear MC: I read your amazing post in the "Get out of Town," thread was was deeply touched by it. You and young people like you are our hope and our future. Your posting shows the personal transformation that getting to know LGBT people of faith makes all the difference in how people view us. I'm so grateful for your joining us on our forum and I thank you for opening your heart to God's most amazing unconditional love for all.

Kara

[BruceChris]

I'm glad that you are open to conversing with gay folks. Most of the truly accomplished and respected people in my church are gay...... (Of course, most of the congregants are gay, but they're all good people.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[tdogg]

Hi and a warm welcome to you MCStudent! Glad you found your way to SF forums and thanks for sharing here and on the other thread "Get out of town". Seems like you genuinely seek information and dialogue and it's much appreciated! :)

Hope you stick around the forums and continue to share. It's a great place here, the people are intelligent, compassionate, funny and the conversation is always interesting. Welcome! :D

Tdogg

[Vanessa White]

I am always encouraged when I read or meet people that feel compelled to be allies for us, and want to create equality for human beings in a way that is close to God. Please feel free to come around often, and I hope that you can learn about us as we learn about you as well. Vanessa :love: :pray:

[JudB]

.. for your support and welcome.

[Sherrie Z]

Thank you so much for joining with us ... I really appreciate your willingness to be here in support ... from a fellow ally : )

Love & Hugs,

Sherrie Z

PS Tears came to my eyes when I read your "Get out of town" post ... thank you, thank you, thank you ... : )

[Allyson]

Hi, MCStudent. For what it's worth, I'm really proud of you. With all my heart, thank you. :love:

[doom1701]

MCStudent, I was really excited to see your post in the other forum; your background sounds very, very similar to mine (Baptist, conservative, etc.). I have to applaud your willingness to be openminded and to begin to understand more of the world with your discussion with different people from SF.

You're in an interesting position, beginning to form a worldview that will remain with you for the rest of your life. If I could be presumptuous and offer a little advice: never worry that a firm belief in God and Scripture will put you at odds with what your heart tells you. Jesus himself told us how to interpret scripture--all scripture is based on "Love God, Love Others, Love Yourself". People around you will try to tell you that Scripture demands that you do things or believe things that, in your heart, will seem wrong. Always remember that, when people try to tell you that the Bible means something that doesn't agree with those three tennants, their interpretation is wrong.