Religion Hurt Me

[hippie4lyfe]

I used to be a strong believer in the bible, but after coming to terms with my sexuality and re-reading leviticus 18 and the other verses I feel so hurt by them that I have completely dismissed the bible. I am now pretty much not in favor of organized religion but more so in favor of my own or individuals own versions of spirituality.

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by hippie4lyfe

I used to be a strong believer in the bible, but after coming to terms with my sexuality and re-reading leviticus 18 and the other verses I feel so hurt by them that I have completely dismissed the bible. I am now pretty much not in favor of organized religion but more so in favor of my own or individuals own versions of spirituality.

Eric,

If a sincere and authentic apology from a follower of Jesus will help you.. you have it. On behalf of Jesus and many of his followers, I apologize for how you were injured. it was just plain wrong and I am ashamed!

Do what you need to do for yourself spiritually in order to heal, but know that Jesus DOES love you and the Bible, in fact, does tell us so... even if some people use the bible as a weapon. I pray that when you have journeyed where you need to journey that you will one day be able to come home and reclaim your place

Every Blessing Eric!

[dsdrane]

It's the people who thump it and think they know what it says.

Big difference.

[Vanessa White]

It really is about the message that some people say the Bible sends, vs. the actual message that is really there. Jesus loves us, loves us, loves us. I appreciate many of the Bible stories, psalms, and just love the New Testament. But, I have to say that I had lost respect for the Bible and its teachings at one point in my life, due to what some people said parts of it meant.

For the Christian side of things, I also apologize (genuinely, I might add) for what other Christians have said and done to you in the supposed name of God and Jesus.

I often refer to myself as a follower of Christ rather than a Christian, due to not wanting to associate with those "Christians" that are so shaming and damaging in the name of God to my LGBTQ brothers and sisters.

There is absolutely no excuse for it. And it needs to change.

[keltic63]

nearly 20 years ago, I was injured by organized religion, and it had nothing to do with my sexuality. I had bought what this particular denomination had been teaching, I went along with what they were trying to sell to me and others, as "the way to God" and all things spiritual. I was working for these particular types of churches, and I must say that in 3 positions as music director, I saw the same thing from the minister and others in charge. None of it was Christian. Much of what they did and said in front of the congregation was for show. What I saw in the offices before and after the services was very different. My last job in that kind of church, I was paid very little (we were eligible for food stamps) and near the end of the first year, the minister decided to get rid of me. (I had a habit of thinking for myself.) After all that was said about me, and done to me, I lost my faith for a while. In addition to that, I lost my song. I literally could not sing for a few years because of the hurt brought on at the hands of christians.

I do have my song back now!

[Zerbie]

Stories like these make me thankful that I was not raised going to a church, and glad that I have continued to avoid churches.

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by keltic63

nearly 20 years ago, I was injured by organized religion, and it had nothing to do with my sexuality. I had bought what this particular denomination had been teaching, I went along with what they were trying to sell to me and others, as "the way to God" and all things spiritual. I was working for these particular types of churches, and I must say that in 3 positions as music director, I saw the same thing from the minister and others in charge. None of it was Christian. Much of what they did and said in front of the congregation was for show. What I saw in the offices before and after the services was very different. My last job in that kind of church, I was paid very little (we were eligible for food stamps) and near the end of the first year, the minister decided to get rid of me. (I had a habit of thinking for myself.) After all that was said about me, and done to me, I lost my faith for a while. In addition to that, I lost my song. I literally could not sing for a few years because of the hurt brought on at the hands of christians.

I do have my song back now!

PRAISE GOD!! S/HE DOES SAVE US FROM HIS/HER FOLLOWERS!!!

[Vanessa White]

Wow, Keltic. Thanks for sharing that story. So glad to know that your song is back, and probably more beautiful than ever, Yes?

[hippie4lyfe]

Originally Posted by keltic63

In addition to that, I lost my song. I literally could not sing for a few years because of the hurt brought on at the hands of christians.

I do have my song back now!

keltic that really resonates with me as well, I feel like I used to take such joy in singing praises to God, but I feel it has been silenced. I feel like I may now be reclaiming it in my own and I guess slightly off mainstream spiritual path.

all your comments resonate with me, I know we all share this common struggle we have or had been wrestling with our faith and our sexuality. It is such a shame that one has to feel that sexuality compromises religion.

Maybe there is a broader lesson to be learned, and God put us here as agents of tolerance? Not to make us sound like a supreme people by any means, I feel we all have a life purpose to fulfill.

[Dumbledore]

Originally Posted by hippie4lyfe

I used to be a strong believer in the bible, but after coming to terms with my sexuality and re-reading leviticus 18 and the other verses I feel so hurt by them that I have completely dismissed the bible. I am now pretty much not in favor of organized religion but more so in favor of my own or individuals own versions of spirituality.

I've been hurt by the Bible thumpers more than you can imagine and like you have often dismissed the Bible. But ya know ... there are a lot of very important and beautiful teaching there ... well like our thread on Galatians where we talk about God's unconditional acceptance of us through Justification. How comforting that is in life and death. Just a thought.

[snuka12000]

I'm so sorry that religion hurt you. Unfortunately, religion has hurt a lot of people. We need to tune into and tap into the Lord Jesus Christ. He never said anything about homosexuality.

I think that just reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) would be beneficial for you. I think that the Gospels will inspire, enlighten and uplift you.