Churches contribute to gay suicides, most Ameriacns believe

[Rick336]

From CNN News:

Two out of three Americans believe gay people commit suicide at least partly because of messages coming out of churches and other places of worship, a survey released Thursday found.


Read article here --->http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/1...elieve/?hpt=T2





Rick

[HELENz]

Can't say I disagree... There is definitely some blame to be placed on the church for many of the problems within the gay community - not just suicide, but high rates of STDs and drug abuse. Kathy from canyonwalkerconnections.com says it best:

"If you are one who has caused damaged to a GLBT person with your interpretation of Romans 1 and has thus caused any GLBT person to leave the faith or hate God because of your condemnation, get down on both your knees and beg God for the wisdom to correct this. You may be the reason that someone has walked away from God and into a life of destruction. And that will be on you."

I say this in a different way, when we tell somebody that they are damaged or broken due to their sexual orientation, we are telling them that they are not worthy of a good life. What will people do when they are told that? What have they done in the past? These problems are on the shoulders of those who have told the GLBT community that they are unworthy, damaged or broken.

We must counter these opinions with love and hope, because I do not want to see another kid like Tyler Clementi. Who knows what beautiful music he could had made?

[Rick336]

Originally Posted by HELENz

Can't say I disagree... There is definitely some blame to be placed on the church for many of the problems within the gay community - not just suicide, but high rates of STDs and drug abuse. Kathy from canyonwalkerconnections.com says it best:

"If you are one who has caused damaged to a GLBT person with your interpretation of Romans 1 and has thus caused any GLBT person to leave the faith or hate God because of your condemnation, get down on both your knees and beg God for the wisdom to correct this. You may be the reason that someone has walked away from God and into a life of destruction. And that will be on you."

I say this in a different way, when we tell somebody that they are damaged or broken due to their sexual orientation, we are telling them that they are not worthy of a good life. What will people do when they are told that? What have they done in the past? These problems are on the shoulders of those who have told the GLBT community that they are unworthy, damaged or broken.

We must counter these opinions with love and hope, because I do not want to see another kid like Tyler Clementi. Who knows what beautiful music he could had made?

Good point.


Rick

[antiochian]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the church has some repenting to do when it comes to its treatment of the LGBT population.

What really angers me is that days after last months suicides, the LDS president Boyd Packer made remarks about how God would "never make someone gay," and that they can "change" with "God's help."

It's like these people have no conscience, no sense of... morality.

Thank you, Helen, for that quote. Quite frankly, church leadership needs to know that in no uncertain terms are we going to continue tolerating their B.S.--whether that means leaving the church or staying and fighting from within is up to the individual... I see the merit in both.

Every time a LGBT person takes their life due to self-hatred borne out of religion, the Christian Right recrucifies Christ.

[dsdrane]

I'm proud to be a member of a church who not only doesn't believe gay people are "lesser", but is willing to make them bishops of the same -- even if it pisses off other members of the larger group to which they belong. It swells me with pride to know the American Anglicans are willing to stick the rest of the Anglican Communion in the eye when it comes to this.

[antiochian]

Originally Posted by dsdrane

I'm proud to be a member of a church who not only doesn't believe gay people are "lesser", but is willing to make them bishops of the same -- even if it pisses off other members of the larger group to which they belong. It swells me with pride to know the American Anglicans are willing to stick the rest of the Anglican Communion in the eye when it comes to this.

I have the utmost respect for the Episcopal Church, with which I have had some very positive experiences (even considered joining it myself). And the ELCA, UCC, MCC, and now the PCUSA... Slowly, very slowly, Christendom is starting to rectify some of its past wrongs. There's still a lot of work to do, but things will get better.

I recently joined the Unitarian Universalist Association, another denomination that is overal very LGBT friendly, as well as being in the forefront of other human rights issues.

I still feel for the children who are just beginning to realize they are gay, or bi, etc., and have to sit in a church and hear hateful words from their pulpits. Church should be a place of healing. And acceptance. In my own state of Minnesota, the Roman Catholic hierarchy have been shamelessly campaigning against marriage equality. I only hope that these bigots are haunted on their deathbeds by the ghosts of the suicides they helped along.

[Gennee]

I agree with all the posts made thus far, so I don't think I can add any more that was already said.

Gennee

[pompapa]

Any experienced person knows that there is a difference between a given faith's dogma, and an individual churches open-ness.

The Learning Channel had a purely scientific exploration of homosexuality and the human brain. If I had one wish, it would be that every human on this earth would see it with an open mind.

[vistang]

I would first like to say that I am a born again Christian. I would like to follow that up by saying that hating gay people is very wrong. Jesus taught us to love everyone. 1 John 3:15 equates hate to murder.
I do not advocate homosexuality. I believe it is wrong, because the bible teaches it is, but that does not make it okay to hate people who practice it. I would gladly invite a homosexual to my church. I will be honest with them about what I and my church believe, but I am not going to bash them, or force anything upon them.
People need to seperate religion and beliefs from the people who claim them. The bible doesn’t make anyone hate homosexuals. Religion doesn’t make anyone bully or treat homosexuals wrongly. People do these things, because they are filled with hate and use their “beliefs” to justify their ill feelings towards these poor people.
Every day I am saddened by people who claim Jesus and misrepresent Him and people like myself. The Westboro Baptist Church is the best example of what I am talking about. The leader of that church claims God and uses His name to spread his hate agenda. It really pains me to see this type of thing take place.
I just ask that you guys reconsider your ideas of what Christianity is and what it represents. Anyone who advocate’s hatred of homosexuals or violence towards them, is not of God.

snel afvallen in een weekafvallen in een weekdikke buik

[Gennee]

Since the beginning of the year I have read about more churches and denominations at least discussing the matter od LGBT in the ministry and acceptance in their congregations. Now to see if any positive changes will be made.