The things I felt at comm. service...

[drewcaine]

We were working at the golf course for community service. Every time I handed the balls to this guy and brushed his hand I got this feeling-I wanted to hold his hand, to hug him. I felt fuzzy inside.
I believe that personal experience is a crucial part of understanding the homosexuality/Bible issue; control of feelings is impossible, and a straight person just cannot understand that. Is it my fault that I found myself staring at this attractive young man? Is it my fault that I wanted to be close to him?
Thanks for reading and responding,
drewcaine

ps: my other post didn't really get any attention...and I appreciate all the responses I've gotten so far-you guys are really helpful!

[dsdrane]

We were working at the golf course for community service. Every time a handed the balls to this guy and brushed his hand I got this feeling-I wanted to hold his hand, to hug him. I felt fuzzy inside.
I believe that personal experience is a crucial part of understanding the homosexuality/Bible issue; control of feelings is impossible, and a straight person just cannot understand that. Is it my fault that I found myself staring at this attractive young man? Is it my fault that I wanted to be close to him?

...many straight people can understand it. It's called empathy or just plain humanity; it's their ability to see outside of themselves, extrapolate their own experiences of loving and wantng to be loved and relating it to ours.

Why others cannot do this still boggles my mind (though I think ignorance and/or laziness play a big part).

As for whose "fault" it is...it's God's. (And good luck telling Him/Her that!)

;)

[drewcaine]

I welcome God's gifts to me, but my point is more concerning homosexual attraction rather than empathy. However, I understand what you mean-I'm universally intimate, and it's hard for me when I try to hug someone and they're like, "dude, you're a GUY!"...who cares! If my friend's crying then I want to be there for him and help him feel better. I wouldn't care if some guy walked up to hug me, dang...
I appreciate the response^_^
drewcaine

[dsdrane]

Many cultures/societies have no problem with male affection (though they prefer it to be straight).

For some reason, we do.

And it's all based in homophobia.

Such a waste, isn't it?

[labguy22]

I see no fault here of any kind. God knew what She/He was doing when I received these feelings. I love those warm, fuzzy butterflies in my gut when I'm around men. Just try going a day without checking out a hot guy while driving by, I'll almost run my car off the road if not careful. My attraction to men is no less than that of straight people to the opposite sex and I think that is awesome. Can be awkward at times, like while working out at the gym, but I honestly wouldn't want it any other way.

[Daniel]

I believe that personal experience is a crucial part of understanding the homosexuality/Bible issue; control of feelings is impossible, and a straight person just cannot understand that. Is it my fault that I found myself staring at this attractive young man? Is it my fault that I wanted to be close to him?

Change the genders and would you still be asking this question? No! Not for a minute.

It something the matter with you because you see and experience another person's beauty? Again. No. Not for a minute.

There is no fault involved. Of course you wanted to be near him. That's how anyone meets anyone else. It's called attraction. When it's mutual, the sun shines brighter and the heart beats faster. And when things really get going the world turns upside down.

When you start owning your feelings, then you can start being responsible about them. When one tries to deny them or make them into something that they aren't...well...that's what gives us the Senator Craig's of the world. ;)

Be smart. A straight man won't hold your gaze for more than a second. A gay man who finds you attractive? That's something else entirely. He'll not only hold your gaze, he'll do it repeatedly.

Not for nothing that the Catholic nuns talked about Custody of the Eyes.

[Zerbie]

Sweetie, you have just experienced the aching sweetness of innocent infatuation, complete with the fuzzy feelings deep inside. Honey, you were flirting, and flirting is TREMENDOUS fun. :):D

Why speak of fault? Feelings are feelings. Daniel is wise. If your feelings had directed at a girl instead of a boy, would these questions even enter your thoughts? Yet the feelings are the very same.

I am glad you enjoyed your morning.
:)

[drewcaine]

I just want to be what God wants me to be, no matter if mortals think it's right or not.
drewcaine

[dsdrane]

I just want to be what God wants me to be, no matter if mortals think it's right or not.
drewcaine

Go; be; do...for all that's holy, please find yourself. Hang with God and figure it out. Godspeed, God bless, etc....but leave us out of it.

If you'd like to engage us in a way that is respectful...and plays by the rules of the site -- hello!?!?...by all means come back and you'll be welcomed.

Otherwise, see a shrink and work out your brimstone craziness elsewhere! I'm/we're so over it!

[drewcaine]

I don't see how I disrespected you man.o_O I'm just being totally honest here. I'm still trying to figure out how all of this comes together, it's not like there's one simple answer to all of this mess.
drewcaine


Go; be; do...for all that's holy, please find yourself. Hang with God and figure it out. Godspeed, God bless, etc....but leave us out of it.

If you'd like to engage us in a way that is respectful...and plays by the rules of the site -- hello!?!?...by all means come back and you'll be welcomed.

Otherwise, see a shrink and work out your brimstone craziness elsewhere! I'm/we're so over it!

[Zerbie]

I just want to be what God wants me to be, no matter if mortals think it's right or not.
drewcaine

Me too. For me, for you, for all of us.

I think your statement is absolutely spot-on. Whether for you that means coming out as gay, or whether it means spending your life as a celibate with no intimate relationship is up for you, in contemplation and in prayer, to decide. You must determine what it is you are fully convinced God wants of you. Then remain true to that.

Many, many people discover that by coming out, they finally remove the obstacle that was keeping them from feeling an inward communion with God. Others may have a different experience. You must own this: it is yours to discover, not for anyone to tell you.

[drewcaine]

I appreciate that. It's just that...I don't want to lose my place in Heaven.
drewcaine

[Zerbie]

I appreciate that. It's just that...I don't want to lose my place in Heaven.
drewcaine

I gather the subtext here is: If I accept myself as gay and ever become open to dating another man, I will "lose my place in Heaven," for that reason?

Personally, I have never ascribed to such a way of thinking, but I understand that a great many people do. Perhaps some of the others, like Pablo, Brent, and U-dog, may have something helpful to say to you on that point. Since I cannot relate.

[Zerbie]

Drew, I suggest you take a look at Pablo's post from this afternoon, made on AJ Love's thread about "Young love, broken spirits." Pablo posted around 3:15 this afternoon, and spoke about his struggles praying to God to remove his sexual attractions to men. Read what he has to say about how the struggle finally came to resolve. Go find that post and read it.

[dsdrane]

I appreciate that. It's just that...I don't want to lose my place in Heaven.
drewcaine

If you had a clue, religiously, you would know that your place in Heaven is already secured; there's nothing to lose.

Gay or not gay.

[dsdrane]

I appreciate that. It's just that...I don't want to lose my place in Heaven.
drewcaine

there are always exceptions....

[Pablo Rafael]

I appreciate that. It's just that...I don't want to lose my place in Heaven.
drewcaine

I firmly believe that it is God who works in us. God loves us enough that he sent his Son to this world to die that we might be put right with God. It is God who works in our hearts and in our lives. Since it is God who does all the work, we don't have to worry about getting into heaven. That has already been accomplished. God has taken care of that; we don't have to do a thing.

What we must do is to live lives of love, not so that God will love us or so that we will get to heaven, but because we have seen the love of God and want to show that love to God and those around us.

Our culture has so ingrained in us that homosexual attraction is wrong that I feel it is often hard to shake that idea. There is nothing wrong with being attracted to other guys. When I am attracted to other guys, I see it as a beautiful thing. It is one of the joys that God has given us in this life; I think it will be far greater in the life to come.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[u-dog]

Drew,

Go back and reread what Pablo just wrote. That is the Christian faith in a nutshell! Jesus has ALREADY saved you! not because you are a good little straight boy... but because HE LOVES YOU. What you decide to do in order to say "THANKS!" is up to you. Whatever you chose though, won't affect your salvation because Jesus has already accomplished that. You are just NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH to undo what Jesus has done. :love::pray:;)