Food for Thought

This week there seems to be a lot of discussions happening around me on topic of Christianity and homosexuality and how those two intermingle.

This week at my church there was a panel discussion on homosexuality.

The event was sponsored by the church, the local gay and lesbian center, the independent (which is an alternative newspaper, here in the springs) focus on the family and other agencies.

Each panelist was a CHRISTIAN who also happened to be either have struggled with homosexuality or be gay.

There were different viewpoints.

A few were men who struggled with homosexuality, and now are married to women and have children.

There was a women who are a psychotherapist and came out of the closet when she was 30. Another was a pastor, who has married his partner and they live a very happy life together.

Here is what the main stream newspaper said about the event.

Overall, I found it very intriguing. I give a lot of courage to those individuals who got up on stage and told very intimate, vulnerable and personal details of their life. I have many thoughts on how christianity and homosexuality intertwine.

Another avenue I also interesting reading a blog from a radio dj from back home where I grew up on the topic.

It was thought provoking for myself because I grew up in a very conservative Christian area, yet majored in social work.

In which the stereotype for social workers is known to be bleeding heart liberals. This combination of my spiritual and educational views interacting with one another was tough to say the least.

Lots of people get into the discussion of nature vs. nurture on the issue. But one panelist made the point that if this were a choice, believe you me I wouldn't have chosen to be gay. I don't know a gay friend that would have chosen to be ridiculed, abused, and hated.

I also think in general it is good practice to bring people together, who disagree with one another, to a forum where they can kindly debate a topic.

Usually an issue that is passionate and personal. Listen to one another. As it is stated in James, Be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry. Good rule of thumb when engaging with others who are different then you and probably have a diverse life experience which vastly differs from your own.

Does it matter what I believe?

Not really.

But what I will tell you,

and what I am about

and the people that I chose to surround myself with.

Is that I try not to judge. I am human and judge just like others do.

However it enrages me when "christians" hate someone based on a label.

Based on the fact that they have never had a spoken conversation with the

person whose head the label is above.

They have never asked the person about themselves,

or their life,

or why they are the way they are.

I am an observer of people.

I love people and what I can tell you is that bottom line, what I have observed/learned

there is usually a reason why people make the choices they do and the behaviors they exhibit.

What I believe today has changed from what I believed when I was in high school,

I can tell you that.

Don't give Christianity a bad rap people.

Seriously.

There are way too many people like that already out there.

These are my own thoughts.

Humble at best.

You are more then free to disagree with me.

But I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter too.