Religion and being gay (page 2 of 2)

Judgement

By what measure would you judge a person? By whether they are gay or straight, or by how they treat other people and how they live their lives? Condemning someone because of their sexuality is a very narrow measure of someone's life; their validity and moral worth. I think that sexuality is morally neutral. This means that being heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual are neither good nor bad.

I believe that if there is a God, who created all things, then it follows that he created gay people too. I cannot believe that any god – being a good, loving, infinitely wise entity - would create gay people with the expectation that they should be unhappy, lonely and repressed, and spend their lives in denial of who they are so that they might be accepted by him and tolerated by others.

Religious bigotry is fundamentally a human rights issue. Homosexual people deserve the same rights as heterosexual people, in worship and beyond.

Will I go to Hell for being gay?

When you imagine Hell you probably think of a horrible burning place where the souls of bad people get sent after their bodies die. Once there, they are eternally punished for the sins they committed in life. It's pretty scary to think about eternal suffering, fiery caverns and Satan. That's why so many books, horror films and video games use imagery like this, and why it's so frightening to be told you might go there.

Who do you think deserves to go to a place like Hell? By what measure would you decide? Perhaps Hell seems too cruel and awful for anyone. Maybe you imagine evil people in Hell; people who hurt and killed others. Chances are though that you don't think gay people should be shipped off there, regardless of whether they lead a good life or not. Do you think that you deserve to go to Hell for being attracted to the same sex?

I don't think God created gay people so that he could condemn them for doing what comes naturally to them, and then pack them off to Hell at the end of their lives. That would mean God was cruel. I reckon God would have put you here to be a good person, to make a positive difference to the lives of others, and to be measured by your actions. I think he'd want you to enjoy both your life and the afterlife, along with everyone else.

Don't be frightened about going to Hell. Nobody even knows if there is an afterlife, let alone a Heaven or Hell. Don't be bullied into behaving the way other people want you to by their grim forecast for the hereafter. Live your life well, by your own judgement, and do your best in the things that you do. You know if you're a good person or not, and it's got nothing to do with who you fall in love with.

If there is a judgement at the end of your life it won't be based on whether you've loved a man or a woman, because neither is inherently sinful. Being gay isn't sinful. Sex and love are not sinful. These are completely natural and wonderful parts of life that our bodies and minds were designed to experience. Professionals outside of the church generally agree that homosexuality is a natural form of sexuality. It’s the moral values that some denominations apply to homosexuality that determines whether it is perceived as bad or good. If a child was raised with nobody telling him or her that homosexuality was wrong, would they still become an adult who thought it was?

How can I be gay and still have God in my life?

• Take away what speaks to you
  You might not like some of the things your friends, family and church say to you about God and religion. Focus on and practice the beliefs and concepts that you feel are right and good, and not those driven by bigotry and exclusion. Challenge the ideas that are presented to you and explore your own.
• Do your own research
  Research religious topics yourself to get closer to the facts rather than the interpretations of your peers. Make up your own mind about the messages in the Bible. Keep an open mind while you do so. Consider what the Bible would be like if it had been written today with our modern outlook and scientific knowledge.
• Worship at home
  Living with your parents or being in a small town means that you might have to attend a church whose message isn't right for you. It's unrealistic to refuse to attend if you are under a certain age and dependent on your parents, but this doesn't mean you can't worship at home. Say what you want to say to God in private and explore your own ideas.
• Like-minded followers
  If you are able, try to find a church or worship group that welcomes gay followers. You could try meeting other gay followers through a college or university group or society, or even start your own. Chat to people on the forum about the topics raised here and see what they think.