[sam]

Just thought I'd throw this out there and see if anyone had wisdom in what I should do in this matter...

I grew up in a conservative Christian home. My father is the pastor of the reformed presbyterian church I went to for 24 years. My parents found out that I was gay about two years ago and since then have sent a barage of e-mails, letters and calls my way voicing their concern for my ultimate perish in hell for the life I was living. Most recently I've been getting letters from my father's church, where I am an inactive member due to the fact that I haven't been there for over two years, seeped in pat responses concerning my choice of lifestyle. Before these letters began to come my father told me that if I didn't turn from my gay lifestyle I would be excommunicated from the church.

Once I began getting these letters, I looked up the church bylaws online and according to those, the church is on the first steps of excommunicating me. I couldn't find any ways that I could remove myself from the church without them having to place a black mark next to my name. I haven't responded to these letters despite the church's request for me to. I wouldn't know what to say and feel like everything I would say would fall on deaf ears since I've already mentioned my arguments to my father who is the leader of the sending of these letters.

Not sure what to do, so I thought I'd throw this predicament out on the forum and get words of wisdom from the people on soulforce.
Thanks!