Hello from North Carolina

[steven]

Hey everyone. Never really given a web introduction, so here it goes:

I'm 21 and a junior at Duke University in Durham, NC. I stumbled across the Soulforce site rather unexpectantly. Before tonight, I had no clue who Mel White was. Luckily I decided to peruse Duke's upcoming events calendar and was more than suprised to see a speech by him being held this Tuesday, the 21st, on campus. The topic of course will be homosexuality and Christianity--two topics that from my experience do not mesh well together. I googled Mel White and read about his life and work (for a few hours, actually) and am truly moved by the stories behind the Soulforce Equailty Ride. I must say, each participating rider is a hero of mine. To any rider that may read this: Thank you.

I'm not sure I would consider myself a Christian. I stopped believing during my Lutheran confirmation (oh, irony). Until half a year ago, I felt that liking men was simply incompatible with religion and that christianity was overrated, to put it mildly, for reasons not limited to its acceptance of homosexuality. In fact, I could say that I hated (yes, hated) organized religion--and many of its followers. They hated me, after all, right? Yeah, not my most shining moment.

My boyfriend, who is a devout catholic, was the impetus to start rediscovering my faith months ago and to convert my full-out rejection of organized religion into cautious optimism. He and I are both closeted, at least from our "brothers", and are not involved at all in the gay community at Duke, though not entirely by choice. The past few weeks we have been discussing religion a lot, and it's great timing that I found this board. I have read numerous threads already and appreciate the honest and open discussion that goes on here. I have a high level of respect for everyone on this site and cannot understate that fact enough. I have many questions about christianity and faith and I thank everyone in advance for helping me answer them directly or indirectly.

steven

[SolInvictus]

Many of us, I think, have been where you are and truly understand. I do.
Growing up a fundamentalist, I was terrified of my sexual orientation - I knew I did not choose it; prayed for it to be taken away; and did not understand why nothing happened to change it.

Now, I'm glad I'm gay & not ashamed. When finding my current denomination, the UCC, helped me rediscover Christianity and myself in positive ways. God loves me - all of us LGBT - just as we are...

Indeed, there are loving same-sex relationships in the Bible: David & Jonathan and Ruth & Naomi. The story of Joseph and the Exodus symbolizes our liberation from oppression and persecution (imo) - Jesus commanded "We Love One Another" & "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself."
Paul, in Galatians, states "we are neither male or female, free or slave, but one in Jesus Christ."

Don't be ashamed - God loves you and all LGBT as he created us - lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by steven

I'm not sure I would consider myself a Christian. I stopped believing during my Lutheran confirmation (oh, irony). Until half a year ago, I felt that liking men was simply incompatible with religion and that christianity was overrated, to put it mildly, for reasons not limited to its acceptance of homosexuality. In fact, I could say that I hated (yes, hated) organized religion--and many of its followers. They hated me, after all, right? Yeah, not my most shining moment.

Steven,

God doesn’t care when where or how you pray. If He does, He'll let you know.

One important thing I’ve learned is to separate the message from the messenger. The truth from the way it is sometimes told through organized religion, TV programs/radio etc.

God is Love, ONLY Love, there is no greater motivation and thus power than that. That’s the message. When you no longer hear that, discern what is true from what you hear or move on.

Even If "liking men" was a “sin,” true Christians would be breaking their backs to understand better for the purpose of helping those in dire "need" of a “cure.” (They'd be asking questions, not spouting scripture)

Those who demonize others in the name of Love/God, do not know Love or God.

You are free to think openly here.

Welcome

[schoolboi]

Steven,

I'm glad you are here. I hope you get a copy of Mel's book Stranger at the Gate. It's a great book. Look forward to hearing more from you. By the way not everyone involved with Soulforce is Christian. It is by no means a requirement. We try to be inclusive as possible.

Corey h

[Zerbie]

Thanks for the heartfelt introduction, and welcome! I am so fond of this community!

I will look forward to getting to know you some more! Wish you and your guy all the best with your campus environment, too. I hope you will enjoy hearing Mel White speak - it's an opportunity I would like to have someday!

[Vanessa White]

Did you ever think that you could have so many persons at once glad to get to know you? It is so true here at the forums and so genuine. Glad that you are joining us. And, along with what Emproph stated, when we are trying to connect our faith and religion (which is not always the same) with our LGBTQ personhood, it can be a contradiction of terms, but often because of what the message of Jesus Christ was, and what the messengers of today will often say about us and homosexuality in general. I was raised Catholic, and my partner and I and our daughter joined a United Methodist church two years ago after being embraced and welcomed there. Our messenger in that church embraces the full meaning of Christ's word, and that was what was important to us. I am sorry to hear that you and your partner have to keep your identity hidden for now, but now is not forever, and safety and security is first and foremost. I hope that you will know in your secrecy, how among friends you are here, and how loved you are by God, now and always. Peace be with you both, Vanessa

[Jennifer5]

WELCOME! Glad you're here!

[vaguy78]

Welcome Steven!

Make yourself at home and feel free to ask any questions.

[DoofSFNYC]

Hey Steven, welcome welcome I was interested to hear you talk about your experience of not quite wanting to be part of the bigger LGBT community at Duke University. I went to UVA, and I also found that I didn't have a home at the LGBT Student Union... but I did always have one at my Catholic campus minsitry. Eventually though, the need to reconcile those two aspects of my life was the impetus to start a "Gay & Lesbian Christians" group, as a place where others who also felt somehow oustide the umbrella of the LGBT Union. Eventually, this helped spark a conversation about how narrowly defined the LGBTU was, and lead to a broader idea of LGBT Student Services, with a bunch of different groups/services for the greater variety of LGBT students. I'm not sure if my group, which eventually became the "Queer Christian Fellowship", is still around, but I know that for me it was an incredible exercise in the power of positive thinking and reconciliation of the two different "halves" of myself. So... I know what you mean! And I wish you luck in your endeavor