I was born and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran. I was active in my church until I was 16yrs of age when they kicked me out for being gay. I went on a walk with the youth pastor who tried to scare me straight with stories of rape and aids. I was very suicidal at the time so this all sucked. He told me that the only feasible options were for me to get involved with an ex-gay group called Metanoia Ministries or to kill myself as I would be condemned to hell either way. I chose life. I chose to be myself. He was also fired soon after.
This started my critical thinking process (slowly but surely). I began to research the scriptures and find out what the fuck was up. I knew I was born gay....so why would god create me a certain way only to condemn me for being me (we weren't presbyterian!).
I soon started to realize the abundance of translation errors regarding homosexuality in the bible. I should have looked further into other areas....but didn't. I remained a conservative gay christian getting involved in many non-denom churches. I also chose to go to seminary. It was during seminary that everything began to unravel fast. There were more questions than answers....in fact there were no answers. There was only blind faith. Nonetheless, I made it through seminary to realize that I didn't want to become a pastor at all.
My head was clouded and I couldn't make heads or tails of what my faith/religion was anymore.
I could no longer believe the myth stories presented. I transitioned into a liberal church (UCC) and began working as a bible study teacher. It was getting harder and harder to believe. Everything that I thought was a miracle....everything that I held dear...was not what it seemed. There was no everpresent god. There was no "grand design" that was unfolding before my eyes everyday. There was the world. There was nature. God didn't seem to be around anywhere. I listened...but heard nothing.
I have since resigned my position with the UCC. I no longer have a need to believe. The sun is still shining. I am still here and am enjoying the freedom from the bondage that was religion.
Life is good!
I have no animosity toward religion or believers. I have often been pissed off at myself though....for being duped for so long. But I am only 32 and have many more years to enjoy my freedom!
This started my critical thinking process (slowly but surely). I began to research the scriptures and find out what the fuck was up. I knew I was born gay....so why would god create me a certain way only to condemn me for being me (we weren't presbyterian!).
I soon started to realize the abundance of translation errors regarding homosexuality in the bible. I should have looked further into other areas....but didn't. I remained a conservative gay christian getting involved in many non-denom churches. I also chose to go to seminary. It was during seminary that everything began to unravel fast. There were more questions than answers....in fact there were no answers. There was only blind faith. Nonetheless, I made it through seminary to realize that I didn't want to become a pastor at all.
My head was clouded and I couldn't make heads or tails of what my faith/religion was anymore.
I could no longer believe the myth stories presented. I transitioned into a liberal church (UCC) and began working as a bible study teacher. It was getting harder and harder to believe. Everything that I thought was a miracle....everything that I held dear...was not what it seemed. There was no everpresent god. There was no "grand design" that was unfolding before my eyes everyday. There was the world. There was nature. God didn't seem to be around anywhere. I listened...but heard nothing.
I have since resigned my position with the UCC. I no longer have a need to believe. The sun is still shining. I am still here and am enjoying the freedom from the bondage that was religion.
Life is good!
I have no animosity toward religion or believers. I have often been pissed off at myself though....for being duped for so long. But I am only 32 and have many more years to enjoy my freedom!
...bows to no god, kingdom, or state...
