Is it possible to be religious and gay? - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

warrior · 20th Sep 2009, 12:34 PM

Is it possible for a person to be both religious and a homosexual at the same? Can a homosexual still remain religious and yet go on with his homosexual lifestyle? Can a religious person not be homosexual and yet practice his respective Faith? Or are they in stark contradiction?

I have heard about Christian gay/lesbian, so on the same line, is it possible for one to be a Jew or Muslim and yet live a healthy life with his same sex partner.

The way I see it, if there is a God, then he must love us all, or else he isn't worth calling a God. Besides, the verses in the Abrahamic revealations, that are said to condemn homosexuality are now said to actually condemn perverse, lust-filled relations on either sexuality and is silent on the subject of same sex love. So, to sum up, can a person be both religious and homosexual?

What say?

kettleoffish · 20th Sep 2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior

Is it possible for a person to be both religious and a homosexual at the same? Can a homosexual still remain religious and yet go on with his homosexual lifestyle? Can a religious person not be homosexual and yet practice his respective Faith? Or are they in stark contradiction?

I have heard about Christian gay/lesbian, so on the same line, is it possible for one to be a Jew or Muslim and yet live a healthy life with his same sex partner.

The way I see it, if there is a God, then he must love us all, or else he isn't worth calling a God. Besides, the verses in the Abrahamic revealations, that are said to condemn homosexuality are now said to actually condemn perverse, lust-filled relations on either sexuality and is silent on the subject of same sex love. So, to sum up, can a person be both religious and homosexual?

What say?

yes. You pretty much summed up all my reasoning for being both religious and homosexual in your post though

edit: I know gay Jews, so I'd say that's possible too

Black Cat · 20th Sep 2009, 12:55 PM

I'm religious + I'm gay = It is possible.

I can't answer the second question about being Jewish or Muslim, as I am only a Christian. But yes, I believe it is quite possible to be both gay and religious at the same time.

Greggers · 20th Sep 2009, 01:34 PM

Well, its not like gay people live different lives than straight people or something. Its not some "radical lifestyle". I go to school, i eat, i sleep, i go out to movies with friends. Its not like being gay changed any of that :P

So when it comes to religion, the same thing applies. You can be a gay Christian just like you can be a divorced Christian. Both things are stated multiple times in the bible as "sin" but you dont see everyone whos divorced living "the divorced lifestyle that includes no religion".

Most Christians agree divorce is not wrong. Alot of Christians also agree homosexuality is wrong, just not to the same extent as divorce. The only extra hurdle for gay Christians i would say is finding an excepting church. That is NOT hard seeing as Christianity has like 5000 branches, each with different views on the bible and life.

**Ben** · 20th Sep 2009, 01:37 PM

There are definitely groups of gay Muslims. They are more prominent in The USA than anywhere else. And there are also gay Rabbis in Judaism too.

kyvoice · 20th Sep 2009, 02:19 PM

I am a gay Christian and I would never think that God would not love homosexuals. God loves everyone and there will be a place for us in heaven.

xballetxbeautyx · 20th Sep 2009, 02:37 PM

Yes! I'm not exactly sure what I believe yet- I'm hovering somewhere between Christian and agnostic -but I went to a Christian youth group with my last girlfriend, and I know several other gay people there as well.

Shevanel · 20th Sep 2009, 06:12 PM

Swamp56 · 20th Sep 2009, 06:16 PM

Jose Carioca · 20th Sep 2009, 06:27 PM

First: Yes, it is. Remember this before reading on.

Second: Research a religion before jumping in. I 3 doing this before socially ingraining yourself into the church. Ask yourself, truthfully why you believe in a religion. Examine the motivations for religion in your life: Social community? Emotional consolation? Answer the questions truthfully. If anything, do these things to better understand the god/s you pursue worshiping.

It's better to search endlessly for the truth than to worship falsehood for all eternity.

Third: I personally am an atheist, but not for lack of trying. I have searched my life for some form of magic. It's never been there. I've realized that I have to take responsibility for my own happiness and that of those around me.

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shimmersky · 20th Sep 2009, 07:05 PM

Yes!
I am a gay Christian.

God created you this way on purpose. God loves you.

The main point of Christianity is LOVE. So the next time a so-called "Christian" hates you just because you love someone you "shouldn't" love.... just keep in mind that that is NOT what God intended, and that they are perhaps overlooking, oh, I don't know, ALL of the things Jesus said?

May God bless you and give you strength and courage in your journey.

Amy · 20th Sep 2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior

So, to sum up, can a person be both religious and homosexual?

*points to self*

NateDawg · 20th Sep 2009, 09:49 PM

Yes you can.... I am.. Well. currently. I'm still confused on the matter, but I do belive God loves us no matter what.

Amy · 20th Sep 2009, 09:50 PM

The gay religion:
http://www.uua.org/

Jose Carioca · 20th Sep 2009, 10:06 PM

If you do not question the existence of god rationally, then by all means believe in him. Use the presupposition to supplement your life, but don't let it rule it. Let it enhance, not degrade your life. Make your own god. Don't let others tell you what god has to be.

20th Sep 2009, 10:56 PM

Well I guess there would be a good reason to go to church if this guy was there.

20th Sep 2009, 11:04 PM

Plain and simple: HELL YES.

I purposely said hell LOL. I am Christian and I am proud of it! No one can take that away from me. Jesus loves me and I love Him. Like they say in X-Men (the comics): "God loves, Man kills".

SRSLYMARK · 21st Sep 2009, 05:47 AM

It is definitely possible to believe in a god and practice your own faith and also be gay, but often, it's difficult for a homosexual to actually practice in an established religion, as many of them don't support the gay lifestyle. It depends on if you view religion as a personal thing or as something being controlled by higher-ups/religious dogma.

cicciux · 21st Sep 2009, 07:21 AM

Ah... we come back to Religion. In a very protestant way I always say that It's not God I have a problem with, it's the intermediaries.

I also don't believe any of that ritualistic stuff that most religions engage in. Also, I don't like the idea of having to 'ask someone else' for things I want in my life. If something, God gave us all free will, and the power to use it... so why should we ask HIM to give us anything, when it is clearly within our power to achieve it.

Asking 'God' is giving up responsibility... if I ask God, and I don't get what I want, then it's God who didn't give it to me. If I set a goal for myself and don't get what I want, then it is me who failed.

I have lived through some stuff in my life, granted it's not the worst possible life in the world, but it's not the best either... and i've found that no single religion fits 'all sizes'. I am strongly opposed to mindlessly following someone else, because that leads to fanatism, crusades, inquisitions, wars, etc.

If you truly and honestly believe in God or that Jesus was God or that the Messiah is yet to come, or that everyone can reach Buddha state... and you can understand that being homosexual has *nothing* to do with your personal relationship with God (or with yourself) then it is possible to be both religious and homosexual.

If you are into religion to follow a preacher and do exactly as he says no matter what you feel or know... then I'd say it's going to be difficult to be both religious and homosexual.

i'm sorry if I ofended someone with my post... it's just how I feel.

21st Sep 2009, 07:32 AM

It is possible to be gay and religious...I've known a few people who were both within the Christian Faith. Not me, personally, but yeah.

As far as my own religion, I don't think it has a single thing to say about homosexuality. Just my mother who says "it's just not natural," but I really don't care about her opinion on that. I will worship my deities regardless of her opinion. I love Wicca.

20th Sep 2009, 12:34 PM	#1
warrior Well Known Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Posts: 104 Join Date: May 2009	Is it possible to be religious and gay? Is it possible for a person to be both religious and a homosexual at the same? Can a homosexual still remain religious and yet go on with his homosexual lifestyle? Can a religious person not be homosexual and yet practice his respective Faith? Or are they in stark contradiction? I have heard about Christian gay/lesbian, so on the same line, is it possible for one to be a Jew or Muslim and yet live a healthy life with his same sex partner. The way I see it, if there is a God, then he must love us all, or else he isn't worth calling a God. Besides, the verses in the Abrahamic revealations, that are said to condemn homosexuality are now said to actually condemn perverse, lust-filled relations on either sexuality and is silent on the subject of same sex love. So, to sum up, can a person be both religious and homosexual? What say?

20th Sep 2009, 12:55 PM	#3
Black Cat As Seen On Hoarders... Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: This cat is out of the bag - I mean closet Location: Pennsylvania, with the cows Age: 21 Posts: 2,391 Join Date: Jun 2009	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? I'm religious + I'm gay = It is possible. I can't answer the second question about being Jewish or Muslim, as I am only a Christian. But yes, I believe it is quite possible to be both gay and religious at the same time. __________________ "Your life is an occasion. Rise to it." - Mr. Magorium

20th Sep 2009, 01:34 PM	#4
Greggers Sunshine & Optimism ...also Angels. Full Member Gender: Theatre Queen Orientation: Disco Sticks Out Status: Everyone and a few more Location: BC, Canada Age: 21 Posts: 3,528 Join Date: Dec 2008	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Well, its not like gay people live different lives than straight people or something. Its not some "radical lifestyle". I go to school, i eat, i sleep, i go out to movies with friends. Its not like being gay changed any of that :P So when it comes to religion, the same thing applies. You can be a gay Christian just like you can be a divorced Christian. Both things are stated multiple times in the bible as "sin" but you dont see everyone whos divorced living "the divorced lifestyle that includes no religion". Most Christians agree divorce is not wrong. Alot of Christians also agree homosexuality is wrong, just not to the same extent as divorce. The only extra hurdle for gay Christians i would say is finding an excepting church. That is NOT hard seeing as Christianity has like 5000 branches, each with different views on the bible and life. __________________ "It's a male duck."

20th Sep 2009, 01:37 PM	#5
Ben Was Invisible. EC Moderator Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Age: 20 Posts: 3,704 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? There are definitely groups of gay Muslims. They are more prominent in The USA than anywhere else. And there are also gay Rabbis in Judaism too.

20th Sep 2009, 02:19 PM	#6
kyvoice Member Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: 1 Location: Rural Town Kentucky Posts: 23 Join Date: Sep 2009	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? I am a gay Christian and I would never think that God would not love homosexuals. God loves everyone and there will be a place for us in heaven.

20th Sep 2009, 02:37 PM	#7
xballetxbeautyx Heterodox Homosexual Full Member Gender: (.)(.) Orientation: Kinsey 5? Ish? Out Status: If you don't know, where have you been all my life Location: Midwest USA Age: 17 Posts: 1,719 Join Date: Mar 2008	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Yes! I'm not exactly sure what I believe yet- I'm hovering somewhere between Christian and agnostic -but I went to a Christian youth group with my last girlfriend, and I know several other gay people there as well. __________________ I can't go to Pigfarts! IT'S ON MARS. You need a rocketship! Do you have a rocketship, Potter? Look at this - it's Rocketship Potter! Starkid Potter! Moonshoes Potter! Traversing the galaxy for intergalactic travels to Pigfarts!

20th Sep 2009, 06:12 PM	#8
Shevanel One Is Light. One Is Dark. Full Member Gender: The Dude Orientation: Bi-Winning Out Status: Everybody and Your Mom. Location: Bolivar, Ohio (From NY though) Age: 21 Posts: 7,672 Join Date: Dec 2008	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Yes. __________________ If there were no rewards to reap, No loving embrace to see me through this tedious path I've chosen here, I certainly would've walked away by now. Gonna wait it out... Be patient.

20th Sep 2009, 06:16 PM	#9
Swamp56 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Boston, MA Age: 21 Posts: 2,166 Join Date: Aug 2008	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Yes. __________________

20th Sep 2009, 07:05 PM	#11
shimmersky Careful chaos Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Everyone except extended family Location: Texas & Oklahoma Age: 21 Posts: 158 Join Date: Jul 2009	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Yes! I am a gay Christian. God created you this way on purpose. God loves you. The main point of Christianity is LOVE. So the next time a so-called "Christian" hates you just because you love someone you "shouldn't" love.... just keep in mind that that is NOT what God intended, and that they are perhaps overlooking, oh, I don't know, ALL of the things Jesus said? May God bless you and give you strength and courage in your journey. __________________ Pride is the opposite of shame.

20th Sep 2009, 09:49 PM	#13
NateDawg EC Addict Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Family & anyone who asks (If I want them to know). Location: St. Louis, Missouri Age: 22 Posts: 270 Join Date: Feb 2009	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Yes you can.... I am.. Well. currently. I'm still confused on the matter, but I do belive God loves us no matter what.

20th Sep 2009, 09:50 PM	#14
Amy DFTBA Full Member Gender: Somewhere between female and I don't know Out Status: Open, not out. Location: Northern California, United States Age: 18 Posts: 2,380 Join Date: Jul 2008	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? The gay religion: http://www.uua.org/ __________________ "The opposite of love is not hate, but fear" Forrest Church

20th Sep 2009, 10:06 PM	#15
Jose Carioca 1/3 of the Three Caballeros Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: M/M Out Status: A few people Location: San Diego Age: 20 Posts: 287 Join Date: Apr 2009	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? If you do not question the existence of god rationally, then by all means believe in him. Use the presupposition to supplement your life, but don't let it rule it. Let it enhance, not degrade your life. Make your own god. Don't let others tell you what god has to be. __________________ It's better to be hated for who you are... .. than loved for who you are not.

20th Sep 2009, 10:56 PM	#16
dude99 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Well I guess there would be a good reason to go to church if this guy was there.

20th Sep 2009, 11:04 PM	#17
RAJ Aladdin Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Plain and simple: HELL YES. I purposely said hell LOL. I am Christian and I am proud of it! No one can take that away from me. Jesus loves me and I love Him. Like they say in X-Men (the comics): "God loves, Man kills".

21st Sep 2009, 05:47 AM	#18
SRSLYMARK I take pictures Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Chicago Age: 19 Posts: 449 Join Date: Nov 2007	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? It is definitely possible to believe in a god and practice your own faith and also be gay, but often, it's difficult for a homosexual to actually practice in an established religion, as many of them don't support the gay lifestyle. It depends on if you view religion as a personal thing or as something being controlled by higher-ups/religious dogma. __________________ ET LES LESBIENNES

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21st Sep 2009, 07:21 AM	#19
cicciux Member Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to family and close friends Location: Buenos Aires Age: 25 Posts: 50 Join Date: Aug 2009	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? Ah... we come back to Religion. In a very protestant way I always say that It's not God I have a problem with, it's the intermediaries. I also don't believe any of that ritualistic stuff that most religions engage in. Also, I don't like the idea of having to 'ask someone else' for things I want in my life. If something, God gave us all free will, and the power to use it... so why should we ask HIM to give us anything, when it is clearly within our power to achieve it. Asking 'God' is giving up responsibility... if I ask God, and I don't get what I want, then it's God who didn't give it to me. If I set a goal for myself and don't get what I want, then it is me who failed. I have lived through some stuff in my life, granted it's not the worst possible life in the world, but it's not the best either... and i've found that no single religion fits 'all sizes'. I am strongly opposed to mindlessly following someone else, because that leads to fanatism, crusades, inquisitions, wars, etc. If you truly and honestly believe in God or that Jesus was God or that the Messiah is yet to come, or that everyone can reach Buddha state... and you can understand that being homosexual has nothing to do with your personal relationship with God (or with yourself) then it is possible to be both religious and homosexual. If you are into religion to follow a preacher and do exactly as he says no matter what you feel or know... then I'd say it's going to be difficult to be both religious and homosexual. i'm sorry if I ofended someone with my post... it's just how I feel.

21st Sep 2009, 07:32 AM	#20
Haiiro Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Is it possible to be religious and gay? It is possible to be gay and religious...I've known a few people who were both within the Christian Faith. Not me, personally, but yeah. As far as my own religion, I don't think it has a single thing to say about homosexuality. Just my mother who says "it's just not natural," but I really don't care about her opinion on that. I will worship my deities regardless of her opinion. I love Wicca.