Have you ever been misunderstood? Has anyone ever spoken on your behalf, only to describe you close but not exactly right, or maybe they got you completely wrong? What were your feelings about that situation? What did you want to tell that person? At the end of the day, did this person have the right to represent you to others? If so: why? And if not: why not?
Do a web search on being Coptic and gay. What do you find? A few articles, sermons, Q&A, and web forums where people discuss it. The lay people talk about their own theories, which is mainly based on hearsay and projections, and the clergy quote Bible verses out of context and use their own interpretation to make rash judgements without really looking deeper into the issues. No matter where one stands on the moral implications of being gay, there is a lack of compassion and understanding and it is evident in the writings of the church leadership.
The main response is: "Well, we're just echoing what the Bible is saying." The Bible says a lot of things and if being Coptic Orthodox has taught me anything, it has taught me that you cannot take a verse on its own and built a doctrine about it. Sola Scriptura is something the Coptic Church does not embrace, in fact, Coptic Orthodoxy prides itself on being able to take a holistic and historical approach to interpreting and understanding scripture, but they embrace a shallow view of the Bible when it comes to not only this issue, but to many issues where there is not a clear understanding.
I wanted to focus my attention specifically to what I've read regarding what the coptic church is saying about homosexuality, because I believe this is the reason why many LGBT folks in the church are suffering in silence. And I want to say that I am doing so not to berate the church leadership, but to make light of misinformation and prejudice that is being communicated. There is a reason many people live in fear, if they cannot turn to their community and family, who can they turn to? Most likely there are many people out there who would more than likely take advantage of the insecure closeted gay person, but why does it have to be this way? The LGBTs of the church need to find a safe place to explore themselves and their faith, and not feel like they are being told who they are by people who frankly cannot understand what it is like to be in their shoes. Unfortunately, that place does not exist in the church.
Not In My Church!
The language used to describe LGBT folks is generally postured in a way that bears an assumption that it is an issue not found in the church. Generally, the language used assumes its someone else out there.
Your Grace, statistically speaking, there were probably a few folks who were gay oriented in the congregation that day, how do you think that statement resonated with them?
This is why our blog and our page exists. What has your experience been like?
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| "This is who you are! Believe me! I know better!" |
Do a web search on being Coptic and gay. What do you find? A few articles, sermons, Q&A, and web forums where people discuss it. The lay people talk about their own theories, which is mainly based on hearsay and projections, and the clergy quote Bible verses out of context and use their own interpretation to make rash judgements without really looking deeper into the issues. No matter where one stands on the moral implications of being gay, there is a lack of compassion and understanding and it is evident in the writings of the church leadership.
The main response is: "Well, we're just echoing what the Bible is saying." The Bible says a lot of things and if being Coptic Orthodox has taught me anything, it has taught me that you cannot take a verse on its own and built a doctrine about it. Sola Scriptura is something the Coptic Church does not embrace, in fact, Coptic Orthodoxy prides itself on being able to take a holistic and historical approach to interpreting and understanding scripture, but they embrace a shallow view of the Bible when it comes to not only this issue, but to many issues where there is not a clear understanding.
I wanted to focus my attention specifically to what I've read regarding what the coptic church is saying about homosexuality, because I believe this is the reason why many LGBT folks in the church are suffering in silence. And I want to say that I am doing so not to berate the church leadership, but to make light of misinformation and prejudice that is being communicated. There is a reason many people live in fear, if they cannot turn to their community and family, who can they turn to? Most likely there are many people out there who would more than likely take advantage of the insecure closeted gay person, but why does it have to be this way? The LGBTs of the church need to find a safe place to explore themselves and their faith, and not feel like they are being told who they are by people who frankly cannot understand what it is like to be in their shoes. Unfortunately, that place does not exist in the church.
Not In My Church!
The language used to describe LGBT folks is generally postured in a way that bears an assumption that it is an issue not found in the church. Generally, the language used assumes its someone else out there.
"Some of you may think: 'Why are you speaking to us about this subject [homosexuality], this probably doesn't relate to us.' I HOPE it doesn't relate to you."
- H.G. Bishop Suriel, Sermon to St. Mark Church, Jersey City, 10-25-2008
Your Grace, statistically speaking, there were probably a few folks who were gay oriented in the congregation that day, how do you think that statement resonated with them?
This is why our blog and our page exists. What has your experience been like?
Being a Coptic, Orthodox or Christian won't make a difference when it comes to you wanting to become gay. Homosexuality is another sin just like adultery and fornication; many fall into it despite their denomination. If a Coptic orthodox member suffers from homosexuality, this doesn't mean that the church should consider tolerating any of these sins. The Coptic church isn't the only church that follows the clear straight forward verses of the bible on that topic. Orthodox, Catholic and protestant churches are totally against it and only a few minority of churches allow gay marriages.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, let me recite to you some verses from the bible that are clearly banning homosexuality. Read what St. Paul says:
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[a] nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Being a Coptic, Orthodox or Christian won't make a difference when it comes to you wanting to become gay. Homosexuality is another sin just like adultery and fornication; many fall into it despite their denomination. If a Coptic orthodox member suffers from homosexuality, this doesn't mean that the church should consider tolerating any of these sins. The Coptic church isn't the only church that follows the clear straight forward verses of the bible on that topic. Orthodox, Catholic and protestant churches are totally against it and only a few minority of churches allow gay marriages.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, let me recite to you some verses from the bible that are clearly banning homosexuality. Read what St. Paul says:
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[a] nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Heterosexual pride, I will pray for you. I will pray that God opens your eyes and allows you to realize what homosexuality means, because you are so, so wrong. First of all, your name is heterosexual pride. That's like being White in America and claiming White pride. They have a group for people like that, and its called the KKK. Those were the people that hated and persecuted African-Americans because of their UNCONTROLLABLE IDENTITY. Oddly familiar, ain't it? There are so many things wrong with your statement, it honestly baffles me that there are people as grossly uneducated and painfully intolerant as you that still walk this earth. Wanting to become gay? Wait, WHAT? Please direct me to the person that has CHOSEN to become gay. Why on earth would anyone choose to suffer under the extreme pressures our Church, let alone our entire world, puts on the LGBT community? As a Gay Coptic Christian myself, it is important for me to explain to you the utter PAIN and SUFFERING you and the many other self-righteous Copts have caused against people like myself. There is not a doubt in my mind that God created me the way I am today for a reason. And part of that reason is to show people like you how to really, truly love another person, regardless of something as menial yet unalterable as someones sexuality. Because I believe I was really molded this way by God's hands, to believe that God condemns homosexuals to hell reveals to me the kind of God you have been worshipping your entire life, a God who is ruthless and utterly sickening, a God you have created who doesn't exist. If you worshipped the same God that I worship, you would realize how wrong you are about this issue. I'm going to go ahead and reiterate something that was previously mentioned in this blog: out of all the issues that our world faces today including racism, poverty, sexism, murder, corruption (and the list goes on), to argue that homosexuality is the non-negotiable issue of our time is a JOKE and a MOCKERY to what Jesus Christ meant and to his existence. So again, heterosexual pride, I will pray for you, so that you realize how wrong you are and because there is probably someone gay in your life that you are hurting so much, and you have absolutely idea. That person may hurting so much that they are contemplating suicide because they have no one turn to and people like you make them believe that God refuses his children because of their sexual identity. Love>Hate, so as a self-proclaiming Coptic Christian, learn to LOVE.
ReplyDeleteResearch shows you should stop watching gay porn online. That's what started this rise in homosexuality and acceptance of it.
ReplyDeleteGod created Adam and Eve etc.... You know what's right and wrong. Nevermind what the Church says, you know what the Bible says, respect God's words. It's very clear in the Bible where he stands with homosexuality.