OK, it is time to write another post about religion and homosexuality. Specifically, religion that takes the Bible and pulls out a handful of versus to condemn an entire group of people. I have been having more and more clients call me with religion being their greatest block and source of unhappiness. This may be because people are having trouble accepting themselves (the worst) or because other people are making them feel bad about themselves (only slightly less worse).
Let’s talk about being gay and religion. My dear readers, I am not going to get into a theological, verse-by- verse discussion about Bible condemnation of homosexuality here. What I AM going to do is ask you to THINK. Yes, use your noggin and actually THINK about being gay, what that really means and also THINK about religion and what that really means. I know this is really different because many religious leaders do not want you to think logically, they only want you to believe what they tell you and follow the masses.
So, what does being gay really mean? For the people I talk to…and I talk to a lot of gay people in very intimate terms… being gay is primarily about love. It is about who they are attracted to and who they fall in love with. It is about finding completion, becoming a whole person and living in peace with oneself. That is what being gay means. Sure, of course there is gay sex involved, but it is truly incidental to the fact that that is where our romantic attractions lie. Pretty simple, really.
Now lets talk about religion and some of the things the Bible says. The Bible says not to eat cheeseburgers. The Bible says not to eat shellfish. So why is McDonald’s still in business? Why do I see shameless ads in the grocery store advertising “SHRIMP…ONLY $7.99 A POUND.” Why aren’t people picketing those disgusting places?
The Bible supports slavery. Wow. So, why did we bother to have the Civil War?
The Bible supports war. Basically, that is some of God’s creations killing other of God’s creations. And that is deemed OK and even necessary. Hmmm.
The Bible says not to wear cotton and polyester blend clothing. Yes, it really does.
You know, I could go on and on, but I think you get my drift and I really have lots of more important things to do today. Like pulling weeds in my yard and grocery shopping. Am I angry? You bet I am. The issue of homosexuality has been singled out of the Bible among many, many other topics that the majority does not choose to comply with because they themselves find it inconvenient.
If Christians, in particular those who interpret the Bible literally, believe that Jesus’ death for our sins and ascension supercedes all the Old Testament laws, then they should leave gays the heck alone! OR STOP EATING CHEESEBURGERS.
If you are gay or lesbian and are coming out in midlife, please visit my website at www.discoveringpride.com.
Filed under: Coming out, GLBT, gay, gay coaching, gay dad, gay marriage, gays married to women, hate crimes, homosexuality, lesbian, lesbian coaching, lesbian mom, lesbians married to men, lgbt, married and gay, midlife crisis, pride, prop 8, proposition 8, questioning sexual orientation, same sex marriage, sexual orientation, sexuality
AMEN
And Alleluia!