A little discouraged

[SEGrether]

I joined a group on facebook last week... "Modesty is attractive," (because it really is) and ran into a conversation that was going on about how homosexuals should have their own locker room so that they aren't tempted by their straight counterparts. Now, I set them straight (and came out in the forum in the process) and had two people private message me saying, "HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN AND HOMOSEXUAL"... both of the messages were almost identical with the same old references to scripture. I walked them through my research and gave them links... and we've been engaging back and forth until... I just about lost it.

This one kid goes, "God loves you so much, I know he won't let you stay this way."

It's really discouraging when other Christians want to get others to question their faith. It wasn't even about behavior (which I guess I have a little more tolerance for) but it was the "these two things are always exclusive" thing.

I've always been the advocating type... and am well known in my school/town for my activism and beliefs, but this is just so much harder than anything I've tried to explain before.

And to be honest... I start to feel like we are pulling out whatever we can to justify ourselves... and that maybe. Ah, no I don't think they are right... I don't know.

Maybe God is just giving me practice. I'm heading to school in the fall and am planning on attending their non-denominational chaple services. That could be interesting and I should build up my patience.

[u-dog]

I joined a group on facebook last week... "Modesty is attractive," (because it really is) and ran into a conversation that was going on about how homosexuals should have their own locker room so that they aren't tempted by their straight counterparts. Now, I set them straight (and came out in the forum in the process) and had two people private message me saying, "HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN AND HOMOSEXUAL"... both of the messages were almost identical with the same old references to scripture. I walked them through my research and gave them links... and we've been engaging back and forth until... I just about lost it.

This one kid goes, "God loves you so much, I know he won't let you stay this way."

It's really discouraging when other Christians want to get others to question their faith. It wasn't even about behavior (which I guess I have a little more tolerance for) but it was the "these two things are always exclusive" thing.

I've always been the advocating type... and am well known in my school/town for my activism and beliefs, but this is just so much harder than anything I've tried to explain before.

And to be honest... I start to feel like we are pulling out whatever we can to justify ourselves... and that maybe. Ah, no I don't think they are right... I don't know.

Maybe God is just giving me practice. I'm heading to school in the fall and am planning on attending their non-denominational chaple services. That could be interesting and I should build up my patience.

SE,

I know the feeling you are talking about. i had it just the other day in my run-in with Simpleman. it is the feeling that people are seeing right through you. That all that you have done and accomplished. Every kind word you've ever spoken every blessing you have ever been to others or recieved from God through others is... invisible? non existent? That you are a non-person.

This is especially painful to me because I have been a person who is almost always accorded respect because of my position in society and in the church. I'm not used to feeling marginalized.

But just remember... Jesus was born, lived his whole life, did ALL of his ministry, was murdered, and rose from the dead ... AT THE MARGINS OF SOCIETY among the people that the world most hated and despised. If you want to be near Jesus, dear one... You are right where you need to be! Keep the faith sister and draw on his strength. :love::pray:

Dave

[Emproph]

Maybe God is just giving me practice. I'm heading to school in the fall and am planning on attending their non-denominational chaple services. That could be interesting and I should build up my patience. Personally I would run with that thought. Once you've got the arguments down, patience/practice of delivery seems to be all that's left. Then again, as Pablo alluded to, sometimes they just don't care, and want to argue for the sake of it.

In addition to "seed planting" though, sometimes it's helpful to take into consideration those who are just watching the conversation.

This one really gets my goat though:


...had two people private message me saying, "HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN AND HOMOSEXUAL"
How is it even possible for a sinful human being to speak for God's relationship with you? Wouldn't that be speaking for God? (Idolatry)

I heard all about that last weekend at the ex-gay survivors conference. That is the worst attack (sin) there is to try and separate you from God/your faith. It's inexcusable.

To be clear, they didn't put it like that, that's how I describe the "damage done" by ex-gay ministries. I am tempted to say that it's unforgivable.

Also, it strikes me as odd that they pm'd you to state as much. If they really felt that strongly about it then they should have said so in the open forum (to warn all the other gays of their imminent eternal damnation :rolleyes:).

Let us know if you need help with the arguments, whether practical or theological. Like I said, I'm not so good with the delivery (I'm quite judgemental), but I really think that an up front decision to be patient and argue lovingly/non-violently is the best advice I could give when it comes to avoiding the mistakes I've made and continue to make. :)