Do you feel hated and alone in the world?

Do you ever feel hated by the world for being a gay Christian? We're not just persecuted for being gay; the gay community's not too fond of our Christian beliefs either, especially if it makes more than a marginal difference in our lives.

That's why Jesus' words in this week's Bible passage are so meaningful for us. Although his comments were addressed directly to his followers and refer to their dealings with the Jewish community of their day, in many ways they apply to us in our dealings with both the Christian community and the secular world.

quote:

John 15:18-21; 16:1-4a (NIV)

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you."

When you feel lonely in your struggle, come back to this passage and remember the One who endured that hate and persecution first. God is with you, even now.

I have felt this passage speaking directly to my heart for awhile now. Recently the minister was speaking about persecution and why as Christians our congregation wasn't really suffering it. I felt very strongly that the Holy Spirit was telling me that it was because as a body of Christians in that church we weren't really laying ourselves on the line and loving our neighbour as oursselves. And that as we listened to the Holy Spirit and began to follow His leading we would see Him working and when He works persecution would follow.
As I was ostricized from this congergation for my orientation and beliefs, I felt peace. God has brought me out of accepting tradions of the church and men and into freedom. This freedom has caused perscution from some I love. But the joy of living for Him and Him alone is so great I can as Paul said glory in my tribulations and pray that God will not lay this sin to their charge and work in their hearts so they can become the church that really Loves their neighbour as themselves. God is calling us to full commitment and trust in Him even though He has warned us that it won't always be comfortable. Now I feel the desire to share God's love to everyone no matter what church traditon has told them in the past. Jesus said He came to seek and save that which was lost. There are many people not just gblts who have come to believe that they are TOO LOST for God to love them. And He just wants each of us to love Him enough to show His love through us to set the captive free and heal the broken hearted, to set at liberty those who are in bondage and preach this is the acceptable year of the Lord. To go out into the hyways and byways and compele them to come in that the feast may be full.
Our Lord Jesus came as a servant and was treated cruelly because He IS LIGHT. (and men do not come to the light because their deeds are evil)Since we are called to reflect Him to the world we also will suffer, for the servant is not greater than his Lord.
But Jesus also told us "be of good cheer for I have overcome the world" We can have great joy knowing that we are doing His will and the peace that passes all understanding. What an eternal hope that He has given us that we should be called the children of God. Rather than being discouraged we should count it all joy that we have be found worthy to suffer for Him because He suffered for us.

Do I ever feel condemened for daring to say I am both Christian and Gay?

Oh yes. Even at some gay sites, including this one right here I feel that there are those who would tell us that because we are not celibate, or have been divorced and are now with gay/lesbian partners, that we are doomed to hell for it or whatever else it is that someone thinks is wrong, whether it is Biblical or not. That's a sad state of affairs, to feel that on a board where we should feel safe to say I am Proud to Be a Christian who happens to be Gay, we find ourselves timidly saying. "I'm gay and christian, but......."

I left a church almost 10 years ago, because the pastor's wife told me I had to "Change my ways" before I could go to God, or she would pray with me. That flies in the face of the Bible and all that her husband, the minister had taught us for over 25 years. I've never gone back to any church since then. I came from a small community that at that time had no welcoming churches (Now they have one, a little, tiny Presbytarian church on the corner of Main street). I live in another small community that the closest place to worship that is welcoming is over 2 hours away. God tells us to "Come to Him, just as we are". He doesn't tell us we must change first then come.

Will I ever return to a church again? I don't know. I am talking to God in my own way and studying his word on my own and I feel that he blesses me still, even without my going into a church building to do so. Do I miss going to church? Yes, sometimes.

Just a note on church
I strongly believe that going into building with a congregation of believers is very important. It gives us an avenue to commune with God as part of the corporate Body of Christ. There are many times and reasons we can be alienated from these groups. Whoever "where ever two or three are gathered in MY NAME there am I in the midst" is a quote that speaks to church as FELLOWSHIP in Christ even in very small groups. This can be between spouses, or friends, even through the use of technology. I have had some of my most wonderful times sharing and hearing God's love in telephone conversations. We were gathered "together" worshipping HIM, so He was there in our "midst" although we were geograghically miles apart.
But there is times where we need to try to actually be in the presence of a group of people who are worshipping Him together. It is an enriching growth experience. Since the Holy Spirit lives in us when ever we are gathered, and however we are gathered in HIS name He is there with us. To me this IS church.

My 2 cents,
I totally agree that church is a great place to fellowship. But it also can be a great place to feel condemn, awkward, hypocritical, and unwelcomed. Before I realized I was gay, I was always very involved in church. When I realized I was gay, I continued to be involved. My girlfriend at the time, (now my wife) was 2000 miles away. I would go to Bible Study, prayer meeting, and to services. One of the most exciting things in my life at the time was my relationship with my girlfriend. I was contemplating moving, changing jobs, etc. I wanted prayer. I could not be honest as to why I was moving. I could not be honest as to how I was feeling. I felt like I was being hypocritcal. When I moved. I tried going to church. But I could never share who I was. I can't share that I have a wife and two step children. People want me to be part of a singles group. It is a very awkward situation. There is not an affirming church near me, so I do the best I can with online friends. Just my 2 cents.

Hi Groucho
I can understand how hard it is for many to find a place of worship that
is welcoming of us gblts on a weekly basis. But there are wonderful conferences where many gblts gather anually if one is able to travel. I really hope to get to one this year. I am also taking my holidays to include a gay affriming congregation. I am very blessed that there is a church though it is of a more reserved nature than I am used to that is a least welcoming in my community.
In Canada we are fortunate that the United Church of Canada has chosen to show God's love this way. Not that all of their members agree. But at least being gay isn't against the official church doctrine so I won't feel hypocritical there. (I only mentioned this for our Canadian members. Many do not know that this is the stance of these churches and they are everywhere here.)

Hi Groucho
That must have been very hard not being able to share your joy and hopes before you moved. Such and exciting time! (& nervous too I expect). I know too well what it feels like to be very judged and condemed in church. My dad was a very strict nondenominational penticostal minister. I often felt like I was being stoned. I this contributed to me hiding from myself & God sooo long. Thank God He is patient

I can relate to the church struggles. I go to church almost every week.(sometimes I have to work on Sunday.) But I don't feel like I'm worshipping corporately. Im there because I go with my family, I feel like it's important to my kids for me to be there with them, and I know I need some kind of spiritual input.
I too have felt like a hypocrite. In fact, it was one of my preacher's sermons about hypocrisy that made me come out to my husband last year.
But I know I can't come out in my Southern Baptist church, even if I wasn't married. (that marriage thing kind of puts a damper on things.)
I"d love to go to an affirming church, but am held here due to my family. I feel like my inward struggle with just being there may hold me from it being more of a spiritual experience. I'm just waiting for the next gay slur, or antigay comment from the pulpit. I guess I'm on the defensive, and it's harder to draw from what's around me that way.
I relate to others on a superficial level. And I know it's got to be that way. The one good thing is that my best friend goes to that church and she is very supportive of me personally.
My online contacts are my biggest support as a gay Christian.