Live Your Beliefs

There is an issue that many do not speak of but many go through and I need to make it an open topic of discussion.  It's the issue of being gay and a believer in Christ.  To many people, that seems to be a contradiction or a closed case - damnation.  Others believe that they go hand-in-hand.  I am not here to say anything about either side.  What I do want to talk about is the so-called "Christians" that damn gay people for being gay.  I don't care what you believe in or what God you pray to.  What I do not appreciate is the condemnation "Christians" inflict on gay people.  Especially those who struggle with being gay and who believe that being who they are makes them Satan's child.  How dare you! 

I have a friend who has been in a non-stop struggle with being gay and a Christian.  He is a true man of God and will do anything for Him.  If God would tell him to go drop everything and preach to people in a Third World country, he would drop and go.  He has always felt depressed and evil for having these feelings towards men.  He has gone through a history filled with suicidal thoughts, reckless behavior, and self-flagellation of some sort.  Recently, he has taken life by the horns and has decided to live life happy.  All his life he has lived in a black hole and he decided not to take it any longer and be happy.  People around him are telling him that he is not gay and that he has to pray more.  They tell him that he is not trying hard.  My message to them is "STOP!"

Stop telling him who he is.  Stop saying things that are not helping to support him.  Stop saying you are Christians when all you are causing is grief and heartache and pure simple sadness.  How can you even begin to understand what kind of life it is to have people all around tell you that what you are feeling is not right in the eyes of someone who you would die for?  How can you understand being conflicted and not being able to tell anyone how you felt because of fear that you will not be accepted?  How can you understand not being wanted?  To those individuals, you cannot understand.

I hope in reading this you will begin to love my friend and be there for him.  If you do not agree with who he says he is, then keep silent and pray.  He does not need to hear you say he is not who he says he is.  Who are you to say that?  Please let him be.  Pray for his safety.  He has no family or support where he lives so be his family.  You do not have the right to declare an identity on someone - ANYone!

Live as a Christian if you say you are.  Live as a Muslim if you say you follow Islam.  Whatever you believe in, live your beliefs.  All religions point to loving humanity.  Love it.  That's all you need to do.

To my friend, I love you.