Did you know that Oprah has her own network? It’s called OWN and if you haven’t checked it out yet, I encourage you to do so!
On her network, Lisa Ling has a documentary series called “Our America”. On the last episode, she took a look at homosexuality and christianity. She investigated “ex-gay” ministries like exodus and looked into christian teen camps for gays and lesbians.
This show called to me. Being the daughter of a pastor in the baptist church, I’ve had my own debates with my father about what the bible really does say about homosexuality.
I’m still a christian and I’m still a lesbian. I feel God made us all different for a reason and what you think the bible says, doesn’t necessarily mean that is what the bible says.
When coming out to my father (the pastor), I went through many years of debate with him. He would bring up verses in the bible and in order to debate him properly, I had to do my research. So I went to a wonderful website called www.whosoever.org. Whosoever.org breaks apart the verses in the bible that are often used against homosexuals and defines the actual meaning. This became beneficial for me during my arguments with my father.
What really hurts my heart is that there are gays and lesbians going to ministries like exodus looking for help. Looking to change. But what they don’t realize is that being gay or lesbian is not something that can be changed. So they beat themselves up over their sexuality or go about living a lie.
I’m interested in hearing from you on this subject. Did you see the show, “Pray the Gay Away?”? If so, what did you think? Are you a christian and also gay? If so, have you had conflicting issues with being gay and what you’ve heard the bible says?
momsplural Said:
on March 14, 2011 at 11:52 am
I saw it and I was raised Roman Catholic. I don’t think you can pray it away. I believe that God made us in His image and He doesn’t make mistakes. I definitely struggled with it for years. I’m quite certain it contributed to my coming out so much later in life. But now, I am finally comfortable with my role as both a Christian and a member of the gay community. You might wish to check out the Gay Christian Network’s website: http://www.gaychristian.net/ I’ve had the chance to meet Justin and hear him speak. His website contains a dynamic position paper he wrote.
Bobby Said:
on March 14, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Another example of how religion is used to psychologically, and unfortunately sometimes physically, breakdown and destroy lives.
A :) Said:
on March 14, 2011 at 3:38 pm
It was a great episode. They all have been actually. We set our DVR to record all of them. Its a great show.
Crystal Said:
on March 14, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I was raised Southern Baptist. After YEARS, literally about 15, I have found my spiritual home in Buddhism. When I realized that christianity was a religion that didn’t want me (well they did, but not as me, as someone they wanted me to be) I had to leave. It has been a long, long road to find peace after being shunned out. After watching that show I actually had the deepest compassion for all of them. I feel like the people who are looking to change are just tired of being different.
I posted on facebook about how I wonder if people really believe that you can “pray the gay away” and my brother responded with “not only do I believe it, I know you can. If you pray hard enough you can pray away the desire”. Just to clarify, he’s a fundamentalist. That statement irked me so much. Ok, so I can pray the desire away but it doesn’t change WHAT it is that I desire. IDK… I feel like what’s the big deal what the bible says, it wasn’t written by god himself, just a bunch of random guys. Half the content is missing anyway. And who knows how much of it has been lost in translation. *sigh* And for this we have kids mutilating or killing themselves… because of unholy desires… just pisses me off.
Mel Said:
on March 14, 2011 at 11:44 pm
I wanted to watch it and hopefully will catch a re-run.
I was raised in the church and constantly received the mixed message that religion/faith was supposed to “lift you spirituality” and make you feel good about yourself while at the same time you were being damned as a sinner. I gave it all up!
CJ Said:
on March 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm
I haven’t seen that episode, but I LOVE the OWN network, as much as I dislike Oprah! I can’t imagine wanting to pray away something that makes me who I am.
pourlebebe Said:
on March 21, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I’m gay. I’m a Christian. I don’t see a problem with being both. I love the church, I love the way that they accept me, my wife, my daughter with love and open arms. I love the tradition, the ritual, the message of hope, the security of knowing that I can rely on my faith at all times.
I was raised on the campus of a Lutheran seminary. Both of my parents were (are) pastors and I’ve never felt a shadow of doubt about my faith and my place in the church of my choice.
All that being said, I know that I am damn lucky. I am fortunate to be surrounded by people who support me and don’t feel that there’s anything to look at when it comes to our religion and homosexuality.
My wife was born Catholic and raised Baptist. She has had many more struggles throughout her life. It’s definitely a complicated set of circumstances.