Can one be both gay and religious or its not possible?
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Can one like both guys and girls? Can one be both conservative and liberal? Can one be both an animal lover and a non-vegan?
The questions could go on and on (and others may not even see the relevance of these analogies), but the simple answer to your question – that's based on fact and common sense -- is YES.
First of all, there are some religions that have been accepting of gay or those that are beginning to open up their boundaries to embrace gays into their fold. Second, for those that aren't accepting of the practice(s) of being gay, are there any members of any religious group that are perfect in practicing 100% of all their tenets or beliefs? The point there is that everyone is always selective in whatever law or commandment they'll follow in any religion anyway. So for religions that don't have a problem with being gay, the answer is quite obvious; for religions that have a problem with it, you'll just have to accept and live with the fact that you won't be living certain laws in its entirety… doesn't mean you can't be religious at all. Nothing is black and white.
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In the New Testament, which gives an alternative to the laws of the Old Testament, one apostle saiys to work out you OWN salvation in fear and trembling. It is not tied to the law, especially another man's interpretation of that law, but you own. Also,"and the greatest of these is LOVE." It is totally possible to be gay, or bi, or hetero and religious.
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Its possible in non Judaic religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, ancient celtic or egyptian faiths, persian faiths. Not possible with Christianity, Islam and Jews.
It's been over 10 years since I considered myself a christian. These days I tend to think of myself as a "philosophical mystic".
But from what I learned about the Old and New Testament and also Jewism, nowhere in the OT does Jahve really condemn homosexuality, for a large part it seemed to depend on a certain interpretation of the OT.
As for NT, well, it seems to be clear that Paul spoke openly against homosexuality - and he was the only one to have a word on this issue. But then again, when I examined the life of Paul, it soon became clear to me that he was a hateful bigot before he was turned into christianity and he was a hateful bigot after his conversion. It always mesmerizes me how on earth his writings ever were accepted as a part of the Bible. My only theory is some kind of a corruption and favouritism analogous - but by no means similar - to that of how the Borgia family ever came to rule the catholic church.Without giving any opinion of the validity of the Judaic God or christianity, I can only say that throughout the history of christianity poor, even erroneous, judgements have been made concerning the foopundations of christianity, and from what I remember (I haven't really cared to study much after leaving my church), there have been notable theologians and scholars who would agree with me on this.
So, it might not be impossible in theory to be a homosexual christian, but it may very well be impossible for some individulas to practice christianity because there is still a lot of confusion about the issue in christian society and it may be difficult to find a church that accepts homosexuals. Therefore, in practice, worshipping the christian God may become unbareable at some point due to the view of your fellow christians, sadly.
As for the other Judaic religions, I don't know enough about them to say yay or nay, but it might not be as easy to practice other religions either as a homosexual, those that seem to be more "open-minded" for the exact same reasons: for example, if you want to really practice Taoism as a religion, and not just ponder about its philosophical aspects, you are bound to run into some nasty obstacles if you're a homosexual sooner or later, because some Taosits do believe homosexuality is unnatural (as would some hinduists etc. I'd assume) and they might not be shy to share their views with you.
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In my opinion, it's extremely hard for someone to be openly gay AND a part of a religious organization. I believe it's pretty okay and normal for gay people to believe in God and pray. But it'd be contradicting to be openly gay and an active member of an organized religion, as organized religions (Christians, Muslims, Catholics, etc) promote homophobia and view homosexuality as both a choice and sin. If you were okay with being gay and refused to go into the closet (which religious organizations often want you to do, suppress your sexuality and stop "sinning"), you'd completely go against what religious organizations preach and would be viewed as someone who is stubborn and choosing to sin. You'd probably get avoided by other members of your organized religion, and only forgiven if you decided to suppress your sexuality and live life as a straight man, getting married to a woman and having children.
Anyone who is openly gay and okay with it wouldn't want to do that. Why would they put that burden on themselves?
Again, remember, you don't need to be a part of organized religion to believe in god. There are gay folks out there that accept being gay and pray every night. Nothing wrong with that!
:true:
Very very very well put!
:bravo:
I second that motion :true:
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Well, depends on your definition of "religious". If your definition is faith in God, then you don't need to be religious which is based on a 'religion'. I sincerely and wholeheartedly believe in God, but no longer in religion. I am from the Philippines which is predominantly Catholic/Christian but I am living in Indonesia which is predominantly Muslim for 5 and half years now and having been exposed to countries which is predominant in 2 of the biggest religions in the world, I can already say confidently that religion is man made and is not created by God. There are lots of similarities and as much of differences in these religions, and if one is correct then the other is wrong, which only reflects that religion is fallible just like its creator which is humans. they rather TALK about their religion's gods and spread their bigotry to their worshipers. I remember when I was young, that being religious means being kind to others, but now, being religious means that you need to force your beliefs to others, and those that don't, are enemies of their gods. Also, instead of spreading the love of God, they instead spread the hate. I will not start with all the fallacies of their religions, but believing in true God, and as person who are no longer swayed by popular beliefs, I daresay that religions of the world are man made and are only as good as their creator. If there is one Holy Law that I personally believe in, that is KARMA! If you do good things, you will receive good things. If you do bad, you'll receive bad things. I'd rather do charities and good things to other people, than going to church.
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I believe so I mean just because your gay doesn't mean you can't believe in something everyone has a different outlook on their beliefs anyways.
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Its possible in non Judaic religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, ancient celtic or egyptian faiths, persian faiths. Not possible with Christianity, Islam and Jews.
AGREED. The philosophical religions aren't concerned with being gay. They only care about "purity". Some require total purity (no sex) and others require sexual purity with your partner (no whoring).
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Yes as long as the religion is open of openness to all people. There aren't many religions that feel this way. I believe in a higher power, God if you must give it a name, but I don't believe in religion. Man made religion and thus it is corrupt in nature.
Sexuality or orientation have nothing to do with being religious yet these religious, righteous people tell us differently. If you read their doctrine you will see that most are full of shit the God I know doesn't work on a principle fo hate. -
Yes it's possible. I know people who are LGBT (lesbian,gay, bisexual, and trans) who are Christian, Jewish, or other religions.
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no
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ask the average Catholic priest, especially in Italy
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in my sincere opinion, I think they can. I don't always listen to the religious figures who said they can be this, they can be that due to religious reasons or have committed a certain type of sin. I think, it can't always be measured. God who created us, so He is the one and only who is allowed to judge us. Should one be gay, but he is a good guy through and through, then he is a good person. Should he be gay but he still have faith in God and his miracles and still does his religion practice, then he is a religious.
Maybe being gay is a sin, as it is listed in almost every religion, but God is merciful, caring and loving right? Unlike most people who frequently think if they have committed a grave sin then they are condemned for life and cannot be purified. In other words, a thousand kindness can be simply dismissed by one sin, as most would think. I don't think it is the case. We shall see in the end.
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Obviously it's possible. This shouldn't even be controversial - it's simply a matter of empirical fact. There are religious people who are non-heterosexual. In fact, there are quite a lot of them. Indeed, it has been suggested that there is a phenomenon called 'gay religiosity,' which suggests that gay men (in particular) are more likely to be religiously active than the average member of the population. Why this might be is still controversial.
Obviously, some religious groups pose particular problems for gay members. And non-heterosexual members of some religions have additional issues to negotiate. These vary from one religious/cultural group to another.
But the simple answer to your question is, yes of course. It seems odd to me that anyone would even need to ask it.
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Of course you can. Some religions don't really mind. Most of the time a certain religion is not against a certain sexuality per se, it's just something their followers turned into their creed. There are even some cults who encourage it.
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Can one be both gay and religious or its not possible?
Yes, with some stipulations.
In the Catholic Church, over 50% of priests are gay (not making that up).
The bible DOES prohibit men from having sexual relationships with other men, however the Catholics get around that by having sexual relationships with BOYS instead of men. They consider boys to be "not men" and androgynous, and fuckable.
This is not that far from the truth!As for Muslims.. that is funny.. because even their great prophet Mohammad was not only having sex with a 9 year old girl, he was also having sex with men. (not making that up).
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In the Catholic Church, over 50% of priests are gay (not making that up).
The bible DOES prohibit men from having sexual relationships with other men, however the CatholicsPlease words have meaning. dont mistake Catholics priests who made vow of celibacy with random Catholics insinuating that Catholics are all pedophile…
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Yes, there are lots of people who are gay or LGBT and who are religious in that they are Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, spiritual, etc.
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I think the religions gives you an idea of how you should live your life; it is up to the people who believes those ideas by selecting a religion to decide how they want to live (i.e. to be gay or whatnot).
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I agree with those who make the distinction between affiliated with a particular religious organization and a set of beliefs. An LGBTQ person of faith would identify as both. Some of these people have removed themselves from institutionalized religious groups, some remain closeted within unwelcoming groups, and some live openly in affirming groups. Taking Christianity in the USA, as a an example, it would depend on denominational ties. There are some denominations that not only affirm LGBTQ people and welcome them within their walls, but go so far as to ordain LGBTQ clergy. I've met/known/worked with a number of such LGBTQ priests/ministers. The same can be said of a few smaller Jewish or Muslim denominations/sects.
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Yes, you can. I'm catholic and I belong to a gay catholic group
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