1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Hey i have a question about religion

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by DerrickD2001, Mar 28, 2017.

  1. DerrickD2001

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Douglass, kansas
    I have a question about religion. is it right if i still go to church? are there churches for gays? is it right for gays to go to church? please let me know thanks.....
     
  2. Libertino

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2016
    Messages:
    1,195
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    This Side of the Enlightenment
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Other
    Out Status:
    Some people
    That depends on your own church and denomination. There are very few churches that will outright "ban gays" (I actually know of none, though you may encounter uncomfortable anti-LGBT rhetoric within the church) and many churches advertise being accepting of anyone, regardless of sexuality (there is an Episcopal church around here that has a rainbow-colored "All Are Welcome" sign in front of it). There are some denominations known for being accepting and some known for being more hostile. Ultimately it's a personal decision on your behalf.

    If you believe your sexuality is anathema to your religion, you may have a deeper issue to work out. But there are plenty of homosexual Christians out there and plenty of them who have found an accepting niche within their religion.
     
  3. DerrickD2001

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Douglass, kansas
    Thanks for letting me know. i dont want to make a big deal of it. mainlly cause i am gay and if i make a big deal of it theyll say "wow hes making a big deal of it cause he is gay and thinks he wants to prove something". i am just wanting to blend in with the others. thanks for your information
     
  4. SemiCharmedLife

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2013
    Messages:
    3,062
    Likes Received:
    85
    Location:
    KY
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    I'm Jewish so I can't speak from personal experience, but I have a friend who's involved with the Gay Christian Network. Check them out
     
  5. DerrickD2001

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Douglass, kansas
    ok will do thank you SemiCharmedLife
     
  6. Kodo

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2015
    Messages:
    1,830
    Likes Received:
    849
    Location:
    California
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    As others have said, it depends on your personal beliefs and also the church's denomination.

    Many churches and genuine Christians are loving and accepting. A few are not, but these tend to be fundamentalist sects such as Southern Baptists.

    Despite them, however, God loves and accepts all His children. It is that love that Christians are called to show to others. I find it very sad when there is hatred and judgement in the one place there shouldn't be. Do not let the narrowness of a few prevent you from seeking your faith.
     
    #6 Kodo, Mar 28, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2017
  7. DerrickD2001

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Douglass, kansas
    Hey thanks Kodo i really appreciate that information you have given me
     
  8. Non binary kid

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Fell out of the fourth dimension
    Many religions are getting more accepting, but do some research so that you can find out what churches would be more accepting :slight_smile:
     
  9. Assassin'sKat

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2016
    Messages:
    645
    Likes Received:
    16
    Location:
    Your head, zombie.
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Google "All Acceptance Church" to find links that will show you if there are any all-accepting churches in your area. If not, just try out different churches and find one where you feel safe and comfortable.
     
  10. DerrickD2001

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2017
    Messages:
    21
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Douglass, kansas
    Thank you Non brainy kid and Assassin's kat
     
  11. PatrickUK

    Advisor Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2014
    Messages:
    6,943
    Likes Received:
    2,359
    Location:
    England
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    A good resource for LGBT Christians seeking an affirming church is gaychurch.org. This link https://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/ takes you to their directory of affirming churches. There are quite a few in your state actually.
     
  12. Mysteria

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2017
    Messages:
    489
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Oregon
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    All but family
    I'm assuming you're Christian based on the question.

    No, I can't think of even what some would call "ultra-conservative" church that would ban a gay person, but you would be encouraged to repent. If you are Catholic or Eastern Orthodox, official teaching is that homosexuals are bound to live in either heterosexuality or celibacy. On a church by church basis there are many exceptions.

    I can't imagine you would feel comfortable in a fundamentalist/evangelical church. Most denominations have a "liberal" and a "conservative" branch- the Methodists (although Methodists are usually liberal), Presbyterians (if they are Reformed Presbyterian they will be fundamentalist), Lutherians (liberal except for Missouri Synod)...you get the picture.

    Do you have a college in your town? If you call the campus LGBTQ club, they might be able to recommend a church. Also, nowadays churches that are open to homosexuality often say so on their website, so if you are interested in a church, Google its denomination and see what the stance is.

    I hope this wasn't confusing; it's after midnight and I'm posting. :slight_smile:
     
  13. Daydreamer1

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2011
    Messages:
    5,680
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Other
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    There's a site where you can look for LGBTQ friendly places of worship in your area, and I found a UU place less than an hour from me; which isn't bad for being from a small city. I have a feeling there's a few other places, but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

    http://gladalliance.org/site/open-affirming-ministries/find-oa/
     
  14. johndeere3020

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2016
    Messages:
    1,104
    Likes Received:
    426
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Not out at all
    Derrick, if you are Christian you do not have to loose your faith because you are gay. Nor do you have to feel alone if you are rural! There is always someone to talk to here on EC!

    Dean
     
  15. biAnnika

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2011
    Messages:
    1,839
    Likes Received:
    8
    Location:
    Northeastern US
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    My perspective is that *your* religion is for *you*...not for others.

    If you get something from going to church, then go. If you don't get anything out of it, or it is uncomfortable, then don't. So you are the only one who can determine if it's right or wrong for you to be there.

    The whole point of church (as far as I can tell, given that I don't belong to a religion with churches) is to bond over a shared spirituality...I see no reason why your sexuality should have to make that difficult for anyone but you.
     
  16. Zero2Hero

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2017
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Knoxville, Tennessee
    This is a question with many answers, and opinions. My personal opinion is that churches should be open to anyone, regardless of sexuality, and gender. Sadly, where I live, many people do not see that. Thus, some churches have turned into lgbtq+ churches, as more of a sancuary for those on the spectrum, and it is open to anyone as well, whether lgbtq+ or straight, and cis and non-cis.