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shannon10
03-30-2008, 09:13 PM
I've been a member of the website for a few months now, but I guess I hadn't gotten around to introducing myself like everyone else.

My name is Shannon, and I am a senior college student double majoring in Social Work and Women's Studies.

Growing up, the people at my church were like an extended family. I was totally devasted when, in 6th grade, my parents told me we were leaving the church because of its homophobic policies. They explained that they did not want me going through confirmation in a church that preached intolerance. In retrospect, I understand how fortunate I am to have such great parents! At the time, though, I was very hurt. Since then, my parents have joined and left 2 more churches. They live in a fairly small town, and they have sort of given up hope in finding an open and affirming church. They often travel one hour on Sunday mornings to come to my church, which is more progressive. It's difficult to explain, but things just seem sort of out of place when my parents to have a church home...it used to be so central to their lives.

My family's struggle to find a faith community, in addition to my interest in studying systems of oppression and social change, have caused me to become particularly interested in the religious rhetoric that facilitates homophobia in our society. I heard about this website when I went to "For the Bible Tells Me So", so here I am! I look forward to learning from all of you. Feel free to message me any time.

:) --- Shannon

BruceChris
03-31-2008, 06:11 AM
I live in Minneapolis, and we have two openly gay churches, and one of them is way too conservative for me, so I'm not surprised that small town Minnesota does not have a lot to offer.

I would like to meet your parents. I get the feeling that there may very well be a gay relative somewhere in the family tree, for your parents to take homophobia that seriously. Check out my church:

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1093

Welcome to our forum, and please come back and post now and then. And please come and visit our church, whenever you make it down to the cities.

Namaste', Bruce Chris

Vanessa White
03-31-2008, 09:42 AM
It sounds like your parents may enjoy our forums here as well!!! How fortunate that you are to have such loving, open, embracing parents. Many here have not been that fortunate. I can empathize with your parents and finding their church community; that can be quite a challenge. My partner and I left the Catholic church, and joined our local Methodist church, and had our daughter baptized there. I am not sure how embracing they are when it comes to the book of Discipline, although we are treated very kindly within the church community. I find myself wanting more than that, however.

Hope to hear from you regularly! Peace, Vanessa :love:

shannon10
04-01-2008, 08:19 PM
Thanks! Yes, I belong to an open and affirming UCC church, which has been great! Thanks for the welcoming, everyone! :)

antiochian
04-02-2008, 05:59 PM
Hi! Wow! How awesome that your parents are that firm in their convictions regarding homophobia. :)

Gennee
04-02-2008, 09:51 PM
Hi Shannon and welcome to Soulforce. It's wonderful that you have open and affirming parents. Feel free to post here to your heart's content because you are among friends.


Gennee

:love::wave: