Comments on: Speaking to Gay Christians

By: Jeane

Jeane — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:18:53 +0000

In reply to Lyndon.

My thought is similar to yours, therefore I try to add some more points to your post. I should start from my high school days when I have a handful of close girl friends and I did not see anything weird to have close friends. This kind of friendships is beautiful, because we can share deeply about our feelings. Until one day, when I met a girl who is not my close friend came to me and confess that she’s a les and asked me whether it’s ok to be les. I told her that if she only admitted that she’s les and wanted to change her behavior, I would say ‘ok’. What made me mad was that she didn’t want to change and came to worse, she blamed God for creating her that way. Sad to say that although I told her that God would draw her out from that indulgence if she let God help her, she refused and tried to attack me with her les behavior. I pushed her very hard and told her that I didn’t like what she attempted to do to me, because I’m not. Finally she left me and didn’t come to see me anymore. I was glad that it’s over.
I met another guy who asked my advice on how to leave his wrong behavior. I became his mentor for several years, but no intensive meetings, because we live in different cities. I asked my co-worker whom he also trusts to follow up. I told her one thing to overcome his weakness. When the desire comes, just cry out to God, “HELP ME!” I do believe that if he didn’t depend on his own strength, he might be able to overcome his ‘strange’ feeling. After many years of struggle, he told me that things are getting better, but his problem is still lingering. Last month I met him and he told me that sometimes it still came back.
From the two persons I knew, I learned that the struggle is real and we can help them by being their friend or counselor, but they know that I don’t want them to condone their wrong behavior. Becoming their friend may cause some risk, too. Others who know people like them being my friends have suspicious nose towards me. They consider me as one of them, too. This kind of risks has made most people try to avoid their circle. Pray for them is the best way to keep them strong! End here for now.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 04:32:33 +0000

In reply to Jim.

“The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love heterosexuals. It’s just that they need more supervision.” – Lynn Lavner

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 04:25:21 +0000

In reply to Jack. It's time for you to let Sodom go, Jack, and never look back. Jesus said in several of the gospels that it would be better for Sodom than those inhospitable to receiving the gospel in the day of judgment (Matt. 11:24; Luke 10:12). If He didn't see Sodom as the worst of the lot of humanity, neither should you. Whatever you imagine about male lust for males as more depraved than male lust for females is hypocritical: lust is lust. If you would have read the plethora of comments here about Phil Yancey's talk and the GCN, you would realize that there are zillions of gay people living celibate lives as Christians; not doing the things you think and worry about here. They simply don't have opposite sex attraction and refuse to lie to themselves and society about it. After all, God hates a lie (Proverbs 6:16-19) and puts it near the top of the list of offenses. Don't forget the last one in that list when you want to speak some Sunday on abomination and are tempted to return to Sodom for your example. Just look inside a little closer as at least one of those seven things God hates is calling to you.

By: Barack Clinton

Barack Clinton — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:24:46 +0000

It’s true, at least in a sense, that homosexual behavior is like other sins. So let’s see, do we have “Christian adulterers,” or “Christian liars”? Sure some Christians do those things, but do they talk about how God made them that way, or do some actually say it’s okay to do those things?

By: Bradley

Bradley — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:13:38 +0000

I posted an earlier comment about the struggle I have been going through. I was spending some time in prayer the other night and I felt like Jesus impressed something on me. I have spent 30 years of my 46 year life blaming/giving credit to, the devil because I am gay. I really think the Lord impressed on me that he was saddened because I neglected to give him/Jesus the credit and praise for who I am. It might sound like a simple revelation but I had never thought of it this way before. I was so sure that the devil made me gay that I never entertained the idea that my life might be orchestrated by Jesus. I never gave Jesus credit for my life. I asked forgiveness and thanked the Lord for everything he has done with me, through me, and for me. I hope this helps someone else in my shoes.

By: Felicia Follum

Felicia Follum — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:12:23 +0000

My husband and I started attending the LGBT group on our campus so that he could work on some of his prejudices towards gay people. He got over them in about five minutes and I had always been appaled at the way Christians treat people (in this case gays). It has been great, but I have also experienced accusations from both sides as well. Despite the negativity and controversy, your book has helped us to begin to bridge the gap between the LGBT community and Christians in our small town of Laramie WY.

Anyways here is a poster series also inspired by you book. I think they help me convey my perspective in ways that I cant in words. Feel free to share them with others or use them as a resource (keeping copyright in mind).

Grace is A Bit Queer Poster Series

Enjoy!

~Felicia Follum

Felicia, these are wonderful! A truly brilliant blending of design and content. I’m honored that you say my writing had something to do with them. You have a very bright future ahead of you, and I’m so glad you’re using your gifts for the kingdom–in Laramie, WY, of all places. A designer did graphic editions of my books on Grace and Jesus, which your posters remind me of: check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-makes-beauty/147086145319202. Thank you for writing. You are very good.
Philip

By: MarcusDS

MarcusDS — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:20:06 +0000

I am convicted on how the Church has been mistreating gay people. Being gay is no different from any other sin! I do not support gay relationships nor the right for gays to be married as I hold to the teaching that there is a spiritual root for homosexualism, but whatever the case be, people just need to know that Christ came to die for their redemption and so that they may know the Lord. We must not shun the gay community just because we think they are doing a greater sin than others. That is self-righteousness. In all things, let us exhibit the love that God extended to us that while we were still sinners, He came and died for us!

Love,
MarcusDS

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:49:46 +0000

I was raised in a good Lutheran home. I never questioned God’s love of me or the existence of God. I just accepted it. My older siblings who left the Lutheran church, to join a fundamentalist church, haranged me until “I gave my life to the Lord”, left the Lutheran church and attended their “only right way” church. I met and married a dear friend, only to discover six months later that he was gay. I spent 15 years protecting him from the church and condemnation that would come his way if this secret was exposed. By the year 2000, we could no longer live a lie or raise our children in a fake environment, so we told family, friends and the church that we were divorcing. For some reason I expected love and support from the above individuals, how wrong I was. We were shunned. I’ve only been to church a handful of times since then, the wound has taken forever to heal. Recently I started to feel like taking a risk, venturing out to church again. I think I can trust the more orthodox faiths, like the one of my childhood. However, several days ago my son couldn’t keep his secret any longer and advised me he was Gay… so I have put a hold on attending church. Deciding instead to read “What good is God” and “Where is God when it hurts,” again. You and a few other authors have been my church for ten years. I will do whatever it takes to protect my son from the harshness of the church, as it has already destroyed his father. I have no doubt about God’s love and grace for me, my ex and my son. We need more people like you to keep advocating for all of us. Maybe in time, that will be my calling, to advocate for the broken and hurting ones, I just don’t know how to penetrate the church or even speak to another Christian about all this.

By: Bradley

Bradley — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:52:59 +0000

I am 46. I was brought up in the pentecostal church. My father was a missionary. I was taught my entire life that homosexuals would burn in hell. I believed it. I have been gay my entire life as far as I can tell. I don’t ever remember having an attraction to women. I was never abused, molested, or fatherless. I had a great upbringing.

Because of the way I was taught, I struggled for many years because I didn’t think you could be gay and be a christian. This caused me to pull away from prayer and reading my bible because I couldn’t handle the guilt.

Bible bashing me with scriptures does not help because I already know them. There are so many different views on the scriptures that talk about being gay. Just because one person says that the scriptures are anti gay doesn’t make it true. And just because one person says the scriptures are not anti gay doesn’t make it true. Even scholars that know more about the bible than all of us, don’t agree.

I already tried to pray the gay away as well as admitting my homosexuality to preachers so that they could cast the “demon” out of me. I’ve tried it all because I never wanted to go against God or go to hell. I love God.

Some would say I didn’t try hard enough. Others might say God loves me the way I am and I shouldn’t try to be something else.

I am in a happy monogamous relationship for many years. I want Gods best for my life. It is so easy for people to say “give your life over to Jesus and he will take care of it”, “Just put it all in his hands”. That usually just means get saved, stop being gay, and if you are still gay then you didn’t try hard enough.

I am at a point in my life where I truly have no answers. I can choose to believe Jesus loves me and made me the way I am and hope I am right, or leave my partner and my home and live alone and hope I am right.

I know three things for sure. I love Jesus, I didn’t choose to be gay(trust me), and I love my partner and the life we have together.

For someone in my situation, the answers are not so easy. Nor is sharing my story. Kindness appreciated.

Jesus, I pray for your grace, comfort, understanding, peace, and will.

Thank you, Bradley. I have heard many stories like yours, and you express yourself eloquently. This took some courage, and speaks more loudly than many others who seem so sure, from both sides of the issue.
Philip

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:33:05 +0000

I hear the term “Gay Christians” mentioned often in the comments posted here. Will someone please define what a “Gay Christian” is? I am being serious. First of all let’s define what the bible defines as a christian. It is a person who has realized that as a sinner their sins has seperated them from God and doomed them to hell. By nature we are all sinners. Secondly, this person realizes that they need a person who can intervene on their behalf and save them, whom is Jesus Christ. Finally you acknowledge this to God, accept Jesus Christ as the one who died for ours sins and simply ask God to forgive us for our sins and ask Him to be our saviour and save us.
Now, as a born again christian Jesus commands us to repent of our sinful lifestyle and follow him. This is not my opinion but what the bible clearly states.
Now the same bible is clear about homosexuality. No where does it even suggest that homosexuality is compatible with being a christian. In fact it says completely the opposite. It classifies homosexuality with several other sins and that these people who participates in these lifestyles will not be a part of God’s kingdom. It says that God will pour out his wrath on these people. This is not some “grey” area in the bible like a lot of people suggest it is. So as you can see “gay christians” is not a compatable term. If you think I am wrong on this please point out the scriptures that would suggest otherwise and please don’t suggest we can only believe part of the bible. You can’t pick and choose what you want it to say or what you want to believe.
Finally, there is one other issue I want to address also. There seems to be this idea that churches don’t love or accept homosexuals. I am sure that there are some that don’t welcome homesexuals the way they think they should. On the whole most churches will love you just like any other sinner but don’t expect the church to change its mind and accomidate your lifestyle. The church is not to adapt to us when are are totally living contary to God’s word but its there to teach us how to comform to what God teaches us. Don’t bash the church because it don’t accept you and condone your lifestyle when it is contrary to what God says. One of the lifestyle the bible classifes with homesexuality is drunkards. Yes like drunkards, homosexuals should be reached out to and loved, but they must understand the church will not acknowledge their lifestyle as acceptable. In love, the church must tell the truth of what God says and anything less than that is a shame and doing that person a great injustice.