tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14418636.post4101515490186188685..comments2023-11-03T08:45:55.121+00:00Comments on Stephen's Liberal Journal: The Presbyterian Church in Ireland's Take on Homosexuality and MeStephen Glennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03027718551675624433noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14418636.post-43682880675774660412010-10-02T19:54:39.591+01:002010-10-02T19:54:39.591+01:00Sorry in that last comment I meant "put mysel...Sorry in that last comment I meant "put myself in the position of being a Christian"<br /><br />My biblical reference is Matthew 18:20 btw but you probably knew thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14418636.post-65234318859842928622010-10-02T19:49:06.150+01:002010-10-02T19:49:06.150+01:00Trying to out myself in the position of being a Ch...Trying to out myself in the position of being a Christian (and my secular upbringing is still heavily based on Christian morality however atheist I am), I'd suggest that your beliefs in the value of your own sexuality and your Christian beliefs are not in conflict being in fellowship with members of your church, or with other Christians, or indeed non-Christians - you can still love them, but I don't think that you can in good conscience continue as a member of their church. Instead you should continue your Christianity without them. And remember that a church is not necessarily a building, or even an organisation. "Where even two or three at gathered in my name" is the passage I'd be thinking of - sorry I don't have a reference to hand.<br /><br />I'm not meaning to criticise you on this - it must be quite a dilemma.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14418636.post-84052136737407850182010-10-02T17:24:24.104+01:002010-10-02T17:24:24.104+01:00Ah but the thing is I am a Christian who happens t...Ah but the thing is I am a Christian who happens to be gay. I'm also an activist for equality and Liberal values. Also for all that I'm a vocal voice, someone who can front and debate so that others do not have to go through the self-doubt, self-examination and process that I had to go through to get to where I am.<br /><br />As a Christian we are told to be in fellowship with one another, so I have to be that. I also have to love others, even if on the outward appearance they do not seem capable of loving me 100%.Stephen Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03027718551675624433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14418636.post-73426065448058338802010-10-02T17:15:01.796+01:002010-10-02T17:15:01.796+01:00I'm neither gay nor christian (and haven't...I'm neither gay nor christian (and haven't been a Liberal for a long time) so my point of view may be a little distorted, but it does puzzle me why you would want to be part of an organisation that doesn't value your lifestyle or sexuality.<br /><br />If I were part of a group that campaigned against people that had red hair for instance, I could dye my hair, I could campaign within the organisation to persuade them to stop discriminating against people with red hair. Or I could be proud of my hair colour and leave the organisation to get on with its stupidity.<br /><br />I think you should do the same.<br /><br />The church's stance on homosexuality is consistent only in so much as it upholds a bigoted and prejudiced point of view that has existed for a long long time. It's one of the many reasons why I'm not a Christian.<br /><br />Be who you are, celebrate it, and kick the bigots at the church in to touch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com