Happy Holidays!

[dkincheloe]

I've just joined and have been instructed (encouraged?) to tell you a bit about myself. My name is David. I'm a 53 year old gay atheist, but grew up with a religiously split personality: Secular Judaism (but Bar Mitzvahed and educated for 2 years in a Jewish school) and Evangelical Christianity (both Roman Catholic - Jesuit - and protestant). I'm still quite interested in the effects of religiosity on sexual orientation and gender tolerance. I've just finished writing a book chapter (in press) on the California Proposition 8 issue. I'm a Social Psychologist here in Los Angeles, researching the effects of severe mental illness on educational outcomes.

[BenL]

Welcome, David.

Soulforce might be described as a civil rights organization that focuses on freedom from hatred and discrimination in the religious or faith parts of our society. These forums comprise a community of individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities who are committed to reducing religious persecution of those who are LGBT(IQ). We, the active participants anyway, are mostly Christian (many with evangelical or fundamentalist backgrounds) with a strong contingent of Budhists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, pagans, agnostics, atheists, and a whole lot of people who embrace spirituality without any particular religious affiliation.

Many of us have been hurt by organized religion and family interaction caused by religious intolerance of gay people. You are joining quite an eclectic family by signing on here. Tolerance and nonviolence are held in high esteem. Honest questioning is encouraged, as well as personal sharing of both pain and success.

Welcome to our tribe, brother!

[Rick336]

Welcome to the forum dkincheloe and Happy Holidays to you too. Feel free to join in the discussions anytime.

Rick

[Gennee]

Hey David ad welcome. I understand your feeling about organized religion. I have been educating people about what true Christianity is. I'm a transgender person who has been affirmed and confirmed by God. I love to share this with my gay and lesbian friends. Some day soon I will post a thread on this subject.

Welcome to the family.

Gennee