New Member

[raewooldridge]

My name is Rae. I am a 63 year old Christian. I came across this site when I was researching what the Bible says about homosexuality. I used to ignore comments about gays at my Bible study, but started feeling guilty about not speaking up. The article byRev. White really moved me - and enlightened me. I am not gay, but hope that I will be welcome on your forum. In the small town that my husband I are living in, there is a sad lack of diversity. I was told I was too liberal for the Baptist church, but was surprised to hear from a church member that I am too liberal to be a Christian. I thought as Christians we are to love one another.

Thanks, and God bless.

Rae

[BenL]

Thanks for stopping by, Rae. Take off your coat and stay awhile. We're always happy to welcome straight allies.

You're absolutely right: We are supposed to love each other first and foremost, and for someone to tell you that you're too anything to be a christian smacks of schoolyard exclusionism. I believe God's love is totally inclusionary.

Hope you join the various conversations going on in the forums.

[Gennee]

Welcome to the site, Rae. I'm pleased that you have an open heart and understand what Christian love is.

Gennee

[BruceChris]

Only God can do that. Or maybe any one of the Trinity, I'm not sure about some of the details. I'd like to tell you about my home church.

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

I Love to post this link, although most of the regulars here have seen it. The people in my church are the most wonderful people you could hope to meet. I have found a home, and a place to grow.

Well, I am from a big city, in the north and all, I'm not sure where you are from, and you don't have to tell us anything more than you are comfortable with. It is never wrong to love someone, anyone, and I guess that includes your indignant neighbor. Treat him or her extra nice as he-she seems to need it more than most of us.

And come back, and tell us more about yourself, and even give us your opinions on our forums, on our discussion topics.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[tdogg]

Hi Rae,

So glad you found us. We are wonderfully diverse here on the Soulforce forums. I was raised in a strict religious pentecostal home, and identified (somewhat) with being a "Christian" my entire life, although much of what I was taught and preached to about, I didn't actually believe. I always thought myself to be a bad Christian, but I've finally come to realize that it wasn't about laws, and condemnation, and judgment, but about love. Loving God and loving others - all life actually.

I can't really say I identify with being a christian right now, mainly because of the experiences I've had since coming out. Some of my family and friends aren't too happy with me right now. But I have lots of support, much more than not. I have spiritual beliefs that I will never let anyone take away.

So, for me, it's wonderful when someone like you comes along and want to be a part of our group. Thanks for finding us and I truly hope you stay and share more. You seem like a loving and kind person.

Welcome!

Tdogg

[raewooldridge]

I am originally from the Mpls. area. Now we are living in a small Wisconsin town. My dear friend, Shirley, from Mpls. is renting our guest house. Her son, who recently passed away, was living in Clare House. I sat with Shirley and her son, Gary, on the last weekend before he went to the Lord. While there, I met some of Gary's friends - some gay and some not, but all wonderful, kind and caring or they wouldn't have been there for him. At Gary's memorial service there was a wonderful singer named Alphredo. Later, I met Alphredo's partner. Both of them came to visit Shirley and ended up at our home for dinner. They mentioned the church they attend, but I don't remember the name. I would love to visit your church sometime. I used to go to a Baptist Church, but now have switched to a UCC. I love the congregation at both churches, but the UCC philosophy seems to be more centered on being a light for Christ rather than getting bent out of shape at the "sins" of your brothers.

I know I am rambling on a bit - chalk it up to my golden years. Thanks so much for your response. I expect to learn a lot from the members of this home.

Your sister,

Rae

[raewooldridge]

Originally Posted by tdogg

Hi Rae,

So glad you found us. We are wonderfully diverse here on the Soulforce forums. I was raised in a strict religious pentecostal home, and identified (somewhat) with being a "Christian" my entire life, although much of what I was taught and preached to about, I didn't actually believe. I always thought myself to be a bad Christian, but I've finally come to realize that it wasn't about laws, and condemnation, and judgment, but about love. Loving God and loving others - all life actually.

I can't really say I identify with being a christian right now, mainly because of the experiences I've had since coming out. Some of my family and friends aren't too happy with me right now. But I have lots of support, much more than not. I have spiritual beliefs that I will never let anyone take away.

So, for me, it's wonderful when someone like you comes along and want to be a part of our group. Thanks for finding us and I truly hope you stay and share more. You seem like a loving and kind person.

Welcome!

Tdogg

tdogg, I am so sorry that some of your family are not happy for you right now. Give them time. If one of my grandsons tells us he is gay, I hope we would realize that he is the same loving person we always knew him to be. We certainly would hope that he would find a wonderful person to spend his life with. I think your family will come around. We parents and grandparents just want our kids to be happy and secure.

Thanks for the welcome.

Rae

[pnggrad79]

Welcome Rae,
It is so nice to see someone your age actually condoning homosexuality. My parents are 68 and 69 respectively. They heartily disapprove of me and my lesbianism. They will not have me in their home with my wife, nor do they accept me. My sisters and brother barely speak to me, afraid that I will somehow infect them and their children with "gayness". It is refreshing that you are so welcoming and embracing.
You might be liberal from their point of view, but that is the kind of love God expects us to have-unconditional, unwavering, and unapologetic. I grew up a Southern Baptist and not sure all that I was taught is the truth. I feel like Southern Baptists in general give lip service to the concept of "grace". They sing about it, talk about it, but very seldom do they give it out. They condemn anything that is different, and don't accept anything that isn't codified Baptist. Ugh! So I call myself a recovering Southern Baptist.
Anyway, welcome and thank you for being so cool with us!

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by raewooldridge

My name is Rae. I am a 63 year old Christian. I came across this site when I was researching what the Bible says about homosexuality. I used to ignore comments about gays at my Bible study, but started feeling guilty about not speaking up. The article byRev. White really moved me - and enlightened me. I am not gay, but hope that I will be welcome on your forum. In the small town that my husband I are living in, there is a sad lack of diversity. I was told I was too liberal for the Baptist church, but was surprised to hear from a church member that I am too liberal to be a Christian. I thought as Christians we are to love one another.

Thanks, and God bless.

Rae

'definitely welcome here,

-Patrick

[raewooldridge]

Originally Posted by pnggrad79

Welcome Rae,
It is so nice to see someone your age actually condoning homosexuality. My parents are 68 and 69 respectively. They heartily disapprove of me and my lesbianism. They will not have me in their home with my wife, nor do they accept me. My sisters and brother barely speak to me, afraid that I will somehow infect them and their children with "gayness". It is refreshing that you are so welcoming and embracing.
You might be liberal from their point of view, but that is the kind of love God expects us to have-unconditional, unwavering, and unapologetic. I grew up a Southern Baptist and not sure all that I was taught is the truth. I feel like Southern Baptists in general give lip service to the concept of "grace". They sing about it, talk about it, but very seldom do they give it out. They condemn anything that is different, and don't accept anything that isn't codified Baptist. Ugh! So I call myself a recovering Southern Baptist.
Anyway, welcome and thank you for being so cool with us!

pnggrad79,

If I were really cool I would have spoken up at my Bible study instead of sitting silently while my sisters lamented about the world going to hell due to gay marriage. I stood up for blacks and women in my days. Discrimination is just plain wrong and we all have a duty to speak out against it. God must be crying at how we treat each other.

I hope your family comes around. What a loss for them if they turn their backs on someone who is obviously kind, loving and caring. I can see that I might have to be "grandma" to many young people on this forum.

Rae