A crisis of religious identity...

[WizyPie]

Hello to you all.
I sought out this forum because I wanted a place to discuss something that has been weighing quite heavily on my mind. I hope you will all bare with me as this is my first post here.

I have recently accepted my self as a gay individual and made my family and some close friends aware of this. I feel happier than I have in a long while, as I have finally started being okay with who I am. Though I come to a conundrum that I'm not sure I'm equipped to handle.

Being told be many people that God hates me and that I am going to hell has, I think understandably, turned me away from Christianity. I still believe there is a god, but I don't think we understand him as well as we think we do. So I am left with just that, an unfinished thought on a rather important matter. Not sure where to go from here.

Thank you for taking the time to read and any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Egyptian Phoenix]

I'm so glad for you. In many ways embracing your sexuality is a new beginning. Remember that good feeling and keep it with you.

Now as for god. Are you open to exploring other ideas about god from other religions if you don't mind my asking?

[WizyPie]

I suppose I would be open to different interpretations of God, but I will admit that I'm not certain anyone has the answer.

In my mind, a creation can't hope to understand the creator.

[-Peacemaker-]

Originally Posted by WizyPie

Being told be many people that God hates me and that I am going to hell has, I think understandably, turned me away from Christianity.

Can I ask why you chose to believe this?

[Egyptian Phoenix]

Originally Posted by WizyPie

I suppose I would be open to different interpretations of God, but I will admit that I'm not certain anyone has the answer.

In my mind, a creation can't hope to understand the creator.

If you want my experience when I went through this very thing, it may help you, though I didn't leave Christianity over my sexuality.

I began exploring other world religions all I could, hoping to find answers. I am not saying that will be helpful in your case, but I will say this much. Should you choose to embark on a religious investigation it will broaden your mind and help you grow in ways you'd never imagine it would.

All religions have something to teach.

[WizyPie]

Originally Posted by KingOfTheJungle

Can I ask why you chose to believe this?

It seemed to be a rather uniform opinion of my family and religious leaders.

Having my mother quote Leviticus 20:13 on numerous occasions does a good job of making things like that clear.

[Egyptian Phoenix]

Originally Posted by WizyPie

It seemed to be a rather uniform opinion of my family and religious leaders.

Having my mother quote Leviticus 20:13 on numerous occasions does a good job of making things like that clear.

To be fair, not all Christians believe that homosexuals are hated and condemned, etc.

Next time they quote Leviticus ask if they eat pork and shellfish or travel and do manual tasks on Saturday.

[-Peacemaker-]

Originally Posted by WizyPie

It seemed to be a rather uniform opinion of my family and religious leaders.

Having my mother quote Leviticus 20:13 on numerous occasions does a good job of making things like that clear.

Mosaic Law by the OT's own admission (Jeremiah 31) was just a shadow of things to come. What did you hear Jesus saying?

[WizyPie]

Originally Posted by Old Paths

If you want my experience when I went through this very thing, it may help you, though I didn't leave Christianity over my sexuality.

I began exploring other world religions all I could, hoping to find answers. I am not saying that will be helpful in your case, but I will say this much. Should you choose to embark on a religious investigation it will broaden your mind and help you grow in ways you'd never imagine it would.

All religions have something to teach.

I appreciate your insight and I think it would be an excellent journey to embark on.

As for your follow up post, (not sure how to quote twice) I have considered that argument and it makes me wonder if we discount that part of the Bible, where do we stop?

[Egyptian Phoenix]

Well one doesn't have to reject it if they believe the entire bible must be literal to be true. There are other interpretations of those verses.