Queers in Church

[SaraSaurus]

So I just got a summer job working with the youth in my parent's church. Right now my parents don't know I'm bi and I had been planning on telling them this summer but now I'm not sure I should. Both of my parents are pretty open minded about sexuality but I know my dad at least doesn't feel queers(my word choice, not his) should hold positions of authority in the church.

What are other people's thoughts on queers in the church and does anyone have some advice?

[FalconAngel]

Well, interestingly enough, unlike Christians, we firmly believe that a person's religion chooses them, not the other way around. Or more accurately, the gods choose us, we do not choose the gods.

If you feel that going to Christian church is the right place for you, then you should go. If you are happy there, then you should be there.

If possible, you may want to find a Christian group at the local Unitarian Universalist church or perhaps one of the many Gay leaning or sexuality friendly congregations that are scattered around the country. If you live in or near a major city, then there should be at least one of those there.

[Kinkybiguy7]

What about the priests that get busted banging little boys? They're queer and in churchs.

[shybipinay]

He's writing - From my experiences in a Methodist and Baptist church, among others, keep your sexuality to yourself. You WILL find yourself ostrasized and removed immediately from any positions of authority should the church people learn of your sexual persuasions.

I accomplished fund raising miracles for the Methodist Church I belonged to but the minute my sexuality became known, none of my best efforts for the benefit of the church mattered. I was bounced immediately and they were hit with a wrongful dismissal suit just as quickly, which I won.

Trust me, you really don't need the stress and headache of justifying your sexuality to a church group.

Do what makes you happy, but make your decisions informed ones. As others can demonstrate many positive aspects to your coming out, when it comes to telling the church, I can share many a negative aspect.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Hon, I am not a religious person but I Am very Spiritual. It shouldnt matter in God's house what your sexual orientation is..but unfortunately it does. Unless you go to a LGBT church, and yes...they do exist. As ShyBi said, if people in the church found out about your bisexuality, you would be ostrisized(sp) and more or less shunned. Eventually you would be asked to not return..and that is Such a tragedy and wrong on every level that there is.
Ones sex life should not be a concern of a church, or how one worships, but again..it is.
Continue going if you like, but for your piece of mind dont let Anyone know of your orientation. It isnt any of their business anyway. :}
Good luck sweetie, and Spirits bless. ;)
Cat

[ghytifrdnr]

To be coldly analytical about it, if you reveal yourself at this time,you might have to give up the summer job. September could be just as good a time as now to tell them.
;)

[TaylorMade]

Depends. . .research any archival sermons (if available) to see if


sexuality of a non straight sort is mentioned;
and how the minister/teacher handled it.


I came out to my pastor a couple years ago (I was moving from the area and figured then was as good a time as any), and he was surprisingly very welcoming; which made coming back almost a relief. I still serve in my position (it's unpaid, so . . .maybe that makes a difference, lol); and while I am not out to the entire congregation, I'm out to enough people to know that. . .at least here, it doesn't matter.

You may be surprised by what you find.

*Taylor*

[RockGardener]

My guy and I are both active in our church (Baptist, btw).To the best of my knowledge, my sexuality is not known to anyone at church. The preacher knows my guy is bi, but thinks that it is in his past. If our sexuality would become known at church, we would be out of any forms of leadership.

I have to add in here though, in our church (congregation, pastor's opinion and teaching), homosexuality is a sin, but every sin is equal. Homosexuality is no better or worse than any other sin. Getting drunk is a sin. Running a red light is a sin. We would be removed from leadership because we would not be a good example to others.

To answer the OP, now would NOT be a good time to come out to your parents if you want to work with the kids, esp if they have any say in your leadership at church.

[DiamondDog]

What about the priests that get busted banging little boys? They're queer and in churchs.

Please don't make horrible comparrsions like that again.

There's a huge difference between being a sick pederast like some priests and people are and being non-heterosexual.

[BrotherJack]

Please don't make horrible comparrsions like that again.

There's a huge difference between being a sick pederast like some priests and people are and being non-heterosexual.

Well said DD. I read that post earlier and was thinking of replying, but you have said almost what I would have posted. To label all Priests as potential child abusers, is an insult to the many thousands of good men, who try to do their very best for the people of their parish and I don't say that because I am a Roman Catholic, I'm not. We all know that their are people who will abuse children and they come from all walks of life and all sexualities. It's to do with the individual, not the profession, or calling they may have.

Thank you DD.

[FalconAngel]

What about the priests that get busted banging little boys? They're queer and in churchs.

Actually, they are child molesters. That is about power, not sexual preference. Just like rape.