Merry Meet from Australia

[Heathclyff]

Hi Everyone

I trust that I can find a home here. I am a Pagan firstly, and a Christian (Bible Student) secondly. I too can relate to homophobia and anti-Gay sentiments and have had my fair-share of suffering and depression(and all that this entails).

I am told God condemns Gays so how can I fully trust? Surely God should accept His creations for who they are, not what they cannot be. I have no delusions that God should judge how I may live my life as a Gay Man, but surely not the love that I have in my heart for my life-partner. Alas, far too many Christians (and those of other Faiths) tend to see Gay Folk as "Choosing their life," but I have to ask: Who would wake up one day and choose a person to share life with of the same gender - to thus incur discrimination, rejection of family and friends, attitudes of an anti-Gay nature as found in the wider community, rejection by ones Church or being told "We accept the Sinner, not the sin," as if the love we hold in our hearts for our partners - if we have one - is somehow BAD & SINFUL.

Of course, if does not help when Psychology texts insist on using the term - SEXUAL PREFERENCE in place of the more realistic SEXUAL ORIENTATION. The "Prefer" means we do have choice but as a 41 year old man, I have never lain with a woman, hence how can I "Choose" based on a "Preference?" - or am I simply playing with semantics!

Even with my first path - PAGANISM - I was recently told that I could not "truly" become a Wiccan Priest as Wicca is a fertility cult and ergo will not accept a Gay Person in such a role. So, again, I have no home but at least I have my own Conscience and Heart by which to guide me.

I look forward to hearing from any one else out there who may relate to my own experiences.

Blessed Be - Heathclyff

[SolInvictus]

Hope I can be of some help:

While a member of a UCC congregation, I consider myself a ChristoPagan or akin to a Celtic Christian (Druidic & Christian syncretism). Anyway, some Native American religions believe "we" (LGBT community) are on "two spirits," having the spirits of men & women together, and thus blessed by God(s). Sometimes, such blessed persons were identified as prophets.

I'm surprised a Wiccan coven told you that as the religion is generally rather liberal & accepting (acc. to what I've read anyway). Wicca believes in the duality of the God & Goddess; in essence, wouldn't we seen in a sense similar to a person "of two spirits."

There is another option too; possibly read Gay Witchcraft & these articles:
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswa&c=gay&id=9111
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uswa&c=gay&id=8490
Book Link:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/132/story_13276_1.html

Bright Blessings & God(s) Bless!

[Heathclyff]

Greetings Dear SolInvictus

I welcome your comments and feel glad to have found a website where one can share one's views without fear of rejection.

I too was surprised by the comment as it came direct from not only one that I considered as a friend but a person who is a 3rd Degree Wiccan Priest. The comment was quite hurtful and put me of Wicca for some time - reading Scott Cunningham brought me back into Balance.

Thanks for the Links - I have recently order two books by Christopher Penczak: GAY W/C and SONS OF THE GODDESS. He sounds like a really sensible and considerate guy, and I'm really looking forward to learning more about his writing style and philosophy.

Please find attached a file that explains a little more from where I'm coming from.

Again, your WELCOME has been immensely helpful to me

- Heathclyff

[Zerbie]

I trust that I can find a home here.

- I was recently told that I could not "truly" become a Wiccan Priest as Wicca is a fertility cult and ergo will not accept a Gay Person in such a role. So, again, I have no home but at least I have my own Conscience and Heart by which to guide me.

I look forward to hearing from any one else out there who may relate to my own experiences.

Blessed Be - Heathclyff


Hi Heathclyff and welcome! I'm sorry you are feeling "homeless." I do not have a spiritual community to call home, either, and in fact never did. Spent my childhood and teen years searching for such a thing. Perhaps it exists and I'll find it later, or perhaps not. I haven't searched for a 'home' in years. It's like this: you mention all the love you feel in your heart. . .well, that is portable and always with you, it is your most trustworthy guide, and it's my contention that THAT heart is your home. So when you are feeling homeless you can go inside your heart wherever you are. It's something I have been practicing, and find helpful, so I write it in case it might have resonance for you as well.

I am surprised to hear a Wiccan priest told you that garbage about gays not belonging in Wicca. While not vastly experienced with Wicca, I've been superficially familiar with it for a long time (good friend who is Wiccan, etc). Anyone who would tell you what that person did is ignorant, at least in regard to gay people, and the creative energy of sexuality. I could rant on about it, but I'll hold back for now. Just a question I would ask that priest: Do you also exclude people with opposite sex partners who use birth control? Or who are unable to have children? Because if that coven rule should apply to you, it should also apply to folks of that description.

Enough for now. Welcome to the forum and I wish you happiness.

Zerbie:love:

[SolInvictus]

Glad to be of help Heathclyff, and, of course, you are welcome here.
I'll read the attachment shortly, and try to post more comments.
In the UCC, we take Christ's statement that "may they all be one" (John 17:21) seriously. In essence, all faiths/religions are just individual parts or facets of a whole. The whole, all religions/faiths, being the human experience of God.

Good luck in your spiritual path & may the Divine grant you peace.

- Sol Invictus ("The Unconquerable Sun")

P.S.
Having overcoming struggle myself, have faith & stay viligent; you will get through any difficulties. I believe in you.

[Heathclyff]

Merry Meet Dear Zerbie

Thanks for your kind words - they are most appreciated.

I like your comment about the Heart vis-a-vis Your Home. As a Counselor in private practice, I can indeed see the value in using this with people who especially may be dealing with a "Crises of Faith" issue in relation to their presenting problem.

Hope this is OK by you - Credit where credit is due, I say.

Until later,

Merry Part & Blessed Be - Heathclyff

[Zerbie]

Oh I hardly think that idea is original with me! Use away! If you find it helpful with clients, great!

The yoga literature talks often about the energy of the heart chakra, and Who is in there. . .

My own heart has been making louder than usual noise lately, so I have often felt in recent months, like I live deep inside there. So it came to mind instantly when you mentioned your own heart, after all those references to spiritual homelessness.

Here, I just pulled out a copy of the Gita, and found these short quotes that you might enjoy. They relate tangentially to our discussion of heart energy:

"In this union of yoga there is liberty: a deliverance from the oppression of pain. This yoga must be followed with faith, with a strong and courageous heart. . .

(The yogi) sees himself in the heart of all beings and he sees all beings in his heart. And when he sees me in all and he sees all in me, then I never leave him and he never leaves me. He who in this oneness of love, loves me in whatever he sees, wherever this man may live, in truth this man lives in me."

[Jennifer5]

Here, no one should ever feel like they're without a home. I only wish more people were aware of this site, there are so many people out there who need exactly what Soulforce Forums are offering. Soulforce can offer a home to anyone is lost, and doesn't know where to turn next. All to many are rejected by churches and family, but that's why we're all here... to help one another through difficult times.:love:
Things will all get better in time, for everyone.