Hello!!!

[antiochian]

My name is Jeff. I'm 27 and am from southwest Minnesota (USA). I've worked as a CNA the past 6 years. I earned my liberal arts degree in '05 at a cute little liberal community college, and made the decision to go to SDSU to get a Bachelors in English, with a religion minor. University life (I'm on campus) is intimidating compared to the little college I was at before, but I think I'll adjust with time.

I began writing poetry when I was 12, and have self-published two books of my work. I also like writing short stories and essays. I made my debut as a gay rights activist upon the publication of an article attacking the hypocrisy of the "marriage amendment" in a local newspaper last summer. I want to continue to develop and use my writing skills for glbt advocacy, it's so near and dear to my heart!

I am spiritual. I've studied and investigated numerous faiths. Was raised Lutheran, later became Catholic, later became Eastern Orthodox. I'm at a point now where I'm really questioning Christianity, because I'm so tired of all the evil that is being done by Christians. I'm tired of being made to feel guilty for wanting to fall in love and spend my life with another man. I'm sick of being condemned to hell. I've thought about going atheist, pagan, or something different, but I am so in love with the idea of Jesus, not hateful nasty Jesus that some believe in, but the Jesus who loves me enough to die for me, who if he were to knock of my door today would take me in his arms and tell me how much he loves me. So, I don't know at this point.

I'm a down-to-earth person who enjoys spreading laughter, kindness, and who enjoys my family and friends. I want to do what I can in my lifetime to make the world better. And I look forward to getting involved in discussions and getting to know people on this forum, whenever I'm not studying! :)

[sailaway58]

Welcome friend,
I always think it is okay to question our faith. I think this place is a good safe place to do that. No one will expect you to convert to anything but you will find the Christians here quite different than any place you may have been.
Enjoy your journey.

[u-dog]

You will find a different kind of Christian hanging out in these forums (and occasionally you will find the sort that you don't like so much ... but not often and they don't usually stay long).

Lot's of people here have that "I just can't say no to that jesus fellow" attitude. Many of those people are budhists, pagans, radical faeries, etc. we all seem to like Jesus here. We are not so crazy about some of his followers.

I'm a Christian -- a calvinist no less -- I'm pretty sure that it was pre-ordained that I would find my way here. You probably were too.

Frederick Buechner wrote that: "doubts are the ants-in-the-pants of faith" I agree with that.

[scott snedeker]

My name is Jeff.
I'm a down-to-earth person who enjoys spreading laughter, kindness, and who enjoys my family and friends. I want to do what I can in my lifetime to make the world better. And I look forward to getting involved in discussions and getting to know people on this forum, whenever I'm not studying! :)


I sense you are a fellow weaver, my brother. I fear the christian faith has been made inseparable from the hate weaved into it over millemia. I have found it too brutal to even fathom.

I am very sensitive to spiritual violence. I can no longer combat it without escalating spiritual violence within myself so I react to it by focussing on creating love, peace and connection with gentle people and other beings. It is there that my strength, balance and love is restored.

Following my attraction led me to nature-based spirituality. Emulating nature allows me to see what christanity has blinded me from. That I am created to love and make love with men, and by doing so I become whole and connected with the spirit of this Earth. It's beautiful and funny and good. In short, I am a pagan. My spirit thrives in the forest with other beings both human and otherwise.

Namaste
:love:

[antiochian]

Hello, nice to meet you all. Scotty, one of my best friends is a Druid. I've been asking her a lot of questions. I'm reading, researching, not making any decisions overnight or on a whim, but my mind is open. It's a matter of me being able to ask questions and learn. There are many appealing aspects about pagan faiths, while others that I disagree with (but for that matter there is no religion in existence that I totally agree with on every point). Someone once wrote me that every man (and woman) is his own (and her own) religion.

[SomervilleGuy]

Hi Jeff,
Welcome to Soulforce! It is interesting to hear about your thought process in all this. I too have changed a lot in what I believe, the past few years as I began accepting myself as gay. I just came out to my family in August, and am just at the point saying "yes, I will vote democratic this year for the first time in my life." Refusing to accept the religious right's point of view without questioning. I am just beginning to question faith and its impact on society. I had been one of those very conservative Pentecostals, but I saw through a lot of the phoniness and judgment there. Am so glad to be away from that!! Christ is more about love, forgiveness, nurturing, caring for the poor and social justice. That's my vision of Jesus now, but I am open to conversing with anyone on their spiritual journey. I live in NJ, close to NYC so am looking forward to finally exploring the city without blinders on!

Geoff (spelled the British way, mate!)

[antiochian]

This is such a friendly bunch! I'm already glad I joined.

Nice to meet you, Geoff (well, if you can call online posts "meeting"). :) As there are obviously people of every religious stripe here, I wish to offend no one, but Pentecostalism never appealed to me. They're so "in your face." Plus, rolling around on the floor and barking like a dog seems more like insanity to me than being filled with the Spirit. :rolleyes:

There is so much out there in the world of faith outside of the little Evangelical bubble I grew up in. So much to explore...

[Pablo Rafael]

Welcome to the forums. I just had to respond to your post. Is seems we have a few things in common. I was raised Lutheran and now go to the Catholic church. Never got to the Eastern Orthodox church, though there is a lot that appeals to me there.

I also have gotten somewhat upset with the church. But I have never gotten upset with God and His Gospel message. I am convinced that the message of Jesus is love. You are so right that Jesus is a loving God who wants to take each of us in his arms. There is no room for hatred there.

Please feel at home here and let us get to know you. THis also is a place where there is little hatred and a lot of love.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[paul]

Hiya Jeff :wave:,

And Welcome. Ditto what the others have said. We are a diverse group, but hold the principle of loving in common. I think that's what you sense as different here (I know it's what I saw) from so many 'places.' The common need, drive, desire among humankind, is to be loved. Everyone is often so busy looking for it that they forget to give love. Consequently, there are a lot of 'places' where the potential for mutual love is great, but never happens because there is an attitude of "you first." You will find there are several (amazing, yes "several") people here who are willing to spend themselves, i.e., to love.

I look forward to getting to know you, you sound like a wonderfully thoughtful and intelligent person. Wander the threads and contribute where you find interest. That will give us the opportunity to get to 'know' you and you us.

paul

[Gennee]

Hi, Jeff. Welcome to Soulforce. I'm finishing my last semester at a christian college. I will graduate with a bachelor's degree in childhood education and minor in English.

I write short stories,essays, and commentaries. I am a transgender Christian whose been a follower of Jesus for 35 years. It's fine to question your faith because God is always moving ahead. This forum is great and I would like to know what you write about. Is SDSU San Diego State University?

Gennee
:love::love::)

[Vanessa White]

SO glad that you found your way to us. How did you, by the way? I don't really call myself a Christian much anymore, due to some of the negativity spouted by some "Christian" people, but I am not shy at all about saying how much I love Jesus and his presence in my life. My partner and our daughter go to a Methodist Church in NE PA, and found a real home there with our female pastor. But it took some looking! Have fun with us here! Vanessa :love:

[antiochian]

I discovered soulforce through reading "Religion Gone Bad." Great book! Scarier than anything Stephen King could write.

[Steven E. Webster]

I discovered soulforce through reading "Religion Gone Bad." Great book! Scarier than anything Stephen King could write.

Yeah, I read "Religion Gone Bad" also. Mel did a good job with that book. I think he did finish it with some sense of hope, though.

I'm hoping folks in this country will realize that the church and our society has been going down the wrong road and needs to change direction soon!

Steven Webster

[scott snedeker]

Pentecostalism never appealed to me. They're so "in your face." Plus, rolling around on the floor and barking like a dog seems more like insanity to me than being filled with the Spirit. :rolleyes:

There is so much out there in the world of faith outside of the little Evangelical bubble I grew up in. So much to explore...

Now you have done it! I can't this image out of my head!:lol::lol::lol:

It does seem to trivialize the sting of their venom to insignificance.:D

[iowan woman]

Jeff,


Your letter moves me to tears.

I hope as you move through your life you will see an evolution in the church, that you will see a day when your sexuality is not questioned but considered as only one aspect of who you are. To get there the world needs people like you who are willing to be an advocate for change.



iowan woman

[antiochian]

Bless your heart, Iowan. I pray for the day when the Church will truly embrace gays and other sexual identity minorities. The good news is that there are people who are waking up and realizing that we are no more sinful than left-handed or curly-haired people. We're just one more variation of creation. :)

[Jennifer5]

Welcome! :)