Greetings from up north

[RyGuy23]

Hi everyone :) I'm Ryan. I'm 23 and live in northern New Hampshire. I am so grateful for this site, and for Stranger at the Gate. I have gradually all but lost my religious faith over the last 10 years, partly because I'm gay (but there's a longer story behind that) and because I was raised Roman Catholic, which I have learned over the years is a very restrictive and selective church.

I'm starting to think I came across Rev. White's book just in time...the month or so since I ordered the book from Barnes & Noble has been tough, because of recent anti-gay news. The Vatican, for example, is risking the well-being of who knows how many children in Mass. by cutting off its funding of agencies there, because same-sex couples are allowed to adopt kids in the state. Ugh. And yesterday, I saw on t.v. that lovely old Fred Phelps and his cult are protesting military funerals! My blood pressure goes sky-high just writing that much about it.

And that's why I need a place like this Web site...a place where I can be reminded that I'm not some evil, depraved sicko just because I'm gay. It's really hard to find this kind of support in New Hampshire (which, by the way, has a law in the works to ban civil unions and same-sex marriage). Other than the media, and this site, there's nothing around here for me to feel connected to my GLBT community. So, I'm glad to "meet" all of you who are on this site :)

[Jamie McDaniel]

Hi Ryan, and welcome to Soulforce! I'm glad you found our site too. :)

[Zerbie]

Hi Ryan,

I'm glad you found us too. There is a lot kindness bouncing around this forum! I love coming here and usually blab away every day.

I look forward to reading more of your posts. Welcome.

[Emproph]

I have gradually all but lost my religious faith over the last 10 years, partly because I'm gay (but there's a longer story behind that) and because I was raised Roman Catholic...My blood pressure goes sky-high just writing that much about it...And that's why I need a place like this Web site...

Hey RyGuy,

Glad you found the place.

I went to Catholic grade school in Illinois, for years I would say I was a “renounced Catholic,” always wanted to drive that point home of my disdain. I'm grateful for what I learned about Jesus/God/the Bible at such an early age, I just can't stand the promotion of dogma though.

Regarding losing religious faith, faith of course isn’t contingent upon religion, but your statement reminds me that I think half the “die hard atheist/agnostics in the world are so specifically because of the dogmatic restrictive garbage they spew. Ghandi said something like “People who don’t understand that religion is politics understand neither.” I’m 37 and just within the past couple of years that’s become all too apparent.

This place has been a welcome solace for me. I’m not religious but I am spiritual and am constantly watching the religious shows. It’s such a dichotomy, when I recognize that the preacher is legitimate and sincere I can be and am inspired, but I’m almost always wary of any potential abjectly absolutely anti-Christian sentiment, whether it be justification of an unjust war -and then left at that, or arbitrary condemnation of homosexuals “because the bible says so,” it’s disgusting, so you’re not alone. Remember that the next time you feel your blood begin to boil.

Anyway, good to have you :rainbow:

[schoolboi]

Ryan,

I'm so glad you are here! Can't wait to get to know you. Many blessings!

Corey H