Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 September 2007 00:39:42
Every now and then I get asked by people (most recently my sister) how I reconcile my faith with my liberal understanding of sexuality. In some cases I have gay friends who are also Christians, and then the issue becomes even more complicated. I have had very good friends who are gay for the last 12 years and I hope that I have walked their journey's alongside them. I fully acknowledge that when I was 19 and first knew a gay Christian my reactions were not thought out. I was scared, confused and ignorant of what was happening to my friends and the difficulties they faced; both the internal conflict between their sexuality and faith, but also external conflict with other Christians and The Church. When I see the way that The Church treats gay people I want to be sick. I am tired of hearing of another horror story, of people who are already in pain and distress being annexed from a community that could potentially offer them love and support. I know that I have changed a lot. I am more tolerant, compassionate and liberal. Some may see that as a bad thing, but for me it has meant that my life has become more fulfilling and satisfying.
I guess that what changed for me is that these days I am happy to live with the 'I don't knows' in my life. But, if I believe in a God who creates people for a reason with a purpose then who am I to judge how they have been created and who they are? I continue to wrestle with my faith and beliefs and sometimes I think I am no closer to the answers, but maybe they aren't so important to me anymore. Surely it is the journey and the story that is the vital part. All I know is that my traveling companions on my journey are a motley bunch of people of different backgrounds, races, sexualities and experiences. I love the journey with them... it is kind of exciting and you never quite know what might happen!