Hi, I'm Laura. :)

[cynder]

So my friend found this site when we were doing research for a gay/lesbian rights project for history and he showed it to me. I'm not a lesbian, but I've always had problems with the things some of my fellow Christians will say about gays and lesbians, and a lot of other things, to be honest. I've struggled with my faith for the past couple years for many reasons. The main one is probably the way most Christians seem to present themselves to the world--as narrow-minded Conservatives who hate and fear people those who differ from the exact rules written down in the bible. As an open-minded (most of the time) hippy liberal, I've always had trouble finding my place in this religion. I also have some problems with some of the things that happen and are said in the Old Testament. I guess I've sort of become a "New Testament Christian". I believe in the God who wants us to love everyone--I don't believe in the hateful, vengeful God that I read about in the Old Testament. It's hard, especially with super-conservative friends who try to convince me over and over that being gay is a sin. I still struggle, and I don't really have anyone to turn to and talk (the friends I have who do share my liberal views aren't Christians), but maybe hanging around this community will help?

Anyway, I'm fifteen and live in Colorado. Like I said, I'm not a lesbian, but I hope I'll be welcome here anyway, because this is the sort of open-minded Christian community I've been looking for. Nice to meet you.

[HELENz]

WELCOME, hun. A fellow liberal Christian here. I've had the same issues with Christianity. I left the religion for a while for a lot of the same reasons you posted. If you want to hear my story, feel free to PM me.

I firmly believe that a) Jesus was a liberal, b) Jesus was a hippie, and c) the Bible was never meant to be taken absolutely literally. God loves you just as you are (and as UCC person, I must plug this), and He is still speaking.

I hope you enjoy your time here.

[Gennee]

Hi Laura and welcome. You certainly are welcome here. Many folks are beginning to see that being gay or lesbian (transgender in my case) is not a sin. God loves everybody.


Gennee

[Pablo Rafael]

Hi, I'm Pablo and I live in Colorado, and I'm 15 too....well, maybe 15 plus a year or two...OK,OK plus a whole lot of years...sigh!

...but I do live in Colorado, outside of Creede in the SW part of the state.

When I was your age, the contraversy was about women's rights and civil rights for minority groups. The old timers were set in their ways and even had a litany of Bible verses to show why women should be kept from getting fair treatment or why blacks should be kept in subservient roles.

The Bible must be interpreted by the hearer. Any interpretation that causes harm instead of good, hate instead of love, pain instead of joy is wrong. The pain that has been heaped up on gay people over the centuries is an affront to God, in my opinion. God is a God of love and compassion. He includes all in his family.

There is a strong liberal Christian community. I have found one in my Episcopal church. I have found one online. Not all Christianity is homophobic or conservative.

Most of the people who post here are Christians but not all. There is a mix of all faiths and philosophies.

Welcome and I look forward to hearing more from you.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[BruceChris]

Originally Posted by Pablo

The Bible must be interpreted by the hearer. Any interpretation that causes harm instead of good, hate instead of love, pain instead of joy is wrong. The pain that has been heaped up on gay people over the centuries is an affront to God, in my opinion. God is a God of love and compassion. He includes all in his family.

Pablo, what you have written is what I would call an exegesis of love. I just wish that everyone could always take that approach, whenever reading the bible. Hate, fear, or judgment have no place when reading the bible.

I am not attracted to men, but I still consider myself a member of the Gay community. Laura, you're in good company here.

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[cynder]

Thanks everybody. It's nice to meet such a welcoming community!

I went to a Christian conference this last year, and they kept going on about how our God was a JUST God as well as loving, and he killed people (like in Sodom and Gomorrah) because they would not repent. And then he would kill people for having sex before marriage and such. And the whole killing the whole world in the Noah's Ark story. I definitely have a problem with that as well as the gay and lesbian thing. Stuff like that doesn't go with loving. But Jesus in the new testament was all about love, and that's more what I picture that Christianity is supposed to be all about.

I don't know if that makes sense...

[bnmoore]

In the abstract, religions are started about messages, not messengers. Christianity was started about Jesus, not by him. The man told his own diciples over and over again that they did not understand him.

As it stands today it seems to present a bipolar God. I don't buy that and never will. It's sick.

[Saru]

Hi Laura I'm Sam


A VERY important thing to remember (imo) is despite the fact that God said by their fruits you shall know me; ALWAYS keep in mind, just because Christians are narrow minded bigots who are stuck in the past (at least most I know) doesn't mean God is. I lost sight of that, and was so depressed I got into Satanism etc. until I realized that... Don't let your faith get shaken by douchebags.

[Snuffy]

Funny as it is, I'm in Colorado. I randomly decided to check back in with the people here, (which was long overdue) and what do you know? Another Coloradan! Anyways, welcome. ^_^ Everyone here is very accepting, and it's a fun place to hang out.

[greenro]

hi everyone, hi laura. my name is Bella. and looking forward on all your posts.
god bless.

[antiochian]

A belated hello and welcome to you! Not to make your head swell (lol), but I must commend you for being so mature and open-minded at such a young age. When I was 15, going to a small town high school, the herd mentality ruled--and the herd was decidedly against anything or anyone that was different.

I'm not Christian, but I am liberal (maybe a better term is open-minded; seems "liberal" and "conservative" are so overused that they're losing their meaning...) I have some wonderful open-minded and lgbt-affirming Christian friends and relatives.

I don't understand, like you, why so many who claim they worship a God of love can be so hateful towards gay people, or anyone for that matter. You'd think they'd know better--the "whosoever" in John 3:16 does not contain a footnote saying "meaning straight people only."

[E.B.G.]

Nice to read your post, Laura. I went through exactly the same challenge you're going through. At least, you're at an age when your world hasn't been so set in stone that you aren't open to alternate points of view. In an age when new knowledge & wisdom can come from anywhere, you could learn something from Soulforce that your parents, schools and church never even considered. Glad you're here.

Eric.