tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post5576270291572366818..comments2023-02-22T01:10:31.119-08:00Comments on Being Queer and Coptic: Hate The Sin, Hate The SinnerJust A Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-73868213827882079022015-05-19T11:54:00.212-07:002015-05-19T11:54:00.212-07:00I feel your pain. I was never interested in female...I feel your pain. I was never interested in females until one female caught my attention. I am not bi with any other female but when it comes to her...I love her. I want to marry her so badly. I wish I could bring her to my church but the Coptic society would automatically know that she is lesbian by her appearance of dressing like a male. I just wish that being a homosexual would not be considered a "sin". I keep viewing bishops and priests talking about how it is only a "sexual desire" but when it comes to heterosexuals they also have a sexual desire. It's not only about the sexual desire, it's about actually seeing yourself with the person you love. Yes I used the word love, because that is what it is. I talked to my priest about it and he said it's not allowed in the Coptic church but it is allowed in other churches. I have had anxiety attacks from hiding my secret from my mom and family. It hurts, it hurts so bad. I just keep trying so hard to find reasons that will click in my mind on why it's wrong, but there are no reasons that click in my mind. I keep trying so hard not to be biased and I am not, I keep trying to understand, but the explanations they provide are not allowing me to believe that it is wrong. I don't even look at the person that I love as a female, all I see is a human that I love. HUMAN. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-15939618542577561632012-08-10T08:08:18.502-07:002012-08-10T08:08:18.502-07:00My last post wasn't really spiritual in nature...My last post wasn't really spiritual in nature, it was just about a topic that was bugging me. I have read your post and I'm going to read it again. You're a great writer and glad to be back in contact.Just A Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-22447354656033257052012-08-10T08:07:44.464-07:002012-08-10T08:07:44.464-07:00You are a very kind person. I do not know if you ...You are a very kind person. I do not know if you will receive this since you did not leave your email address but I thank you for your kindness.Just A Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-39306011767162144512012-08-10T08:06:43.593-07:002012-08-10T08:06:43.593-07:00I think it depends which Orthodox circles you move...I think it depends which Orthodox circles you move in. Some of the sermons and writings I've read are pretty on-par with Christian anti-gay rhetoric, mainly because many of these preachers and writers are just pulling from what they see in the media without doing the searching on their own. I've even heard some things as far as to say all gay people are pedophiles! And I guess that means all Germans are Nazis, yes?<br /><br />I like "your moral compass is broken" Well said, and I will use that myself. Blessings to you!Just A Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-17578421221730826892012-06-29T00:40:05.500-07:002012-06-29T00:40:05.500-07:00Hey man, how's it going?
Why no new posts? it...Hey man, how's it going?<br /><br />Why no new posts? it's been a long time since you posted anything new and I know people need to hear your perspective!<br /><br />I've got a few new posts on the subject and reviewing what St. John Chrysostom has to say about the passage in Romans, but it's not enough, we need more!<br /><br />http://leftmostfew.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-cant-orthodox-church-deal-with.htmlLeftmosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01264352541547222243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-74123674779953301072012-05-03T08:49:57.952-07:002012-05-03T08:49:57.952-07:00One thing I do hear in Orthodox talk about LGBTs (...One thing I do hear in Orthodox talk about LGBTs (and not in other Christian anti-gay rhetoric) is a genuine humility and love. Maybe this is because Orthodoxy has a lot of stuff in its liturgy about recognising one's own sinfulness. I am also aware of people in the Orthodox community who believe that being gay is NOT a sin.<br /><br />That said, there is no excuse for equating same-sex love, which is a beautiful gift, with actual sins like despoiling the earth, treating our fellow-beings with disrespect, and so on.<br /><br />I hope that LGBT Orthodox and Coptic people can be accepted and celebrated by their churches.<br /><br />This is an excellent blogpost and I think you have done a brilliant job of pinpointing why that "love the sinner, hate the sin" line is just rubbish, and as you say, an indicator of a broken moral compass.<br /><br />Next time I hear it, I will say to the person, "your moral compass is broken".<br /><br />And to the people claiming that so-called "ex-gay" so-called "therapy" works - it does not work, it is harmful and destructive, and should be banned. it is hateful and it destroys lives.Yewtreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02028699564003381058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-14357951944673246102012-01-31T18:27:02.256-08:002012-01-31T18:27:02.256-08:00Just A Dude, Thank you for teaching me =). I so ba...Just A Dude, Thank you for teaching me =). I so badly needed to hear the simple statement of "Love the sinner and Hate your ownnn sinnn". I have a great deal of respect for you for agreeing to have dialogue with His Grace Bishop Youssef; Rabina WILL and CAN and IS using you (like He just did for me) in many ways. LIke the first anonymous said, we must pray sooo sooo hard, and NONE of us should grow comfortable or become complacent, no matter where we are or where we think we are spiritually. We must always seek Him continuously and fervently remembering that acceptance from others will not justify our purpose or existence or give us a ticket to heaven. We were each put on this earth to glorify our incredibly LOVING Father. He teaches us to grow and to learn about Him through everyone we meet...we must seek Truth and find Him in every person we meet, even if they are against what we do and even if they do not believe in our Lord and Saviour; because He speaks through all of His creation and it is up to each of us, to hear Him and grow closer to Him always. Sadly, the devil has tricked all of us to lose sight of Him in each-other, and he (the devil) has trained us to only see what he wants us to see and believe. <br /><br />Please pray for me, and may our Lord and Saviour reveal Himself to us, and draw us closer than ever to His loving bosom; and may He speak loudly from within each one of us. <br /><br />PS- I pray no one takes any offense to anything I have said, and forgive me if I have upset anyone- I mean no harm...just trying to learn to Love like He did. Thank you again for your honest post- you are lovely.HeLovesYounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-42550156769497469252012-01-28T03:19:52.647-08:002012-01-28T03:19:52.647-08:00I'm not sure how to address the three differen...I'm not sure how to address the three different Anonymouses. :)<br /><br />I will reach out to HGB Youssef. I think some dialogue is in order.<br /><br />To the other two, thanks for posting. To the first, do you share the same spiritual views as the person you're dating? It saddens and hurts me, too, to see such backwards thinking, and ill treatment for our fellow man.<br /><br />To the gay copt in pain. thanks for sharing! Definitely send a note to the moderator and share your story. being able to let others know, even anonymously, is part of the path of healing. so many are coming out of the woodworks, my brother. I spent so many years trying to change, as you can probably read from my other articles, it doesn't work. There is grace and freedom in Truth, and where there is Truth, there is God. I truly believe this. That's why I'm a gay christian.Just A Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-36198204547629002242012-01-27T01:28:35.674-08:002012-01-27T01:28:35.674-08:00I am a gay Coptic Orthodox male, and it kills me i...I am a gay Coptic Orthodox male, and it kills me inside to see the lack of tolerance our church has against the gay community. It has come to a point (based on remarks I hear from friends and family) that I will NEVER come out to them because I know they will not accept me for who I am. Their ignorance and closed-mindedness will prevent them from hearing what I have to say. Trying to explain to them that this sexual "preference" is not a preference at all (because if I had it my way, I would be straight) or that changing this preference is not possible, as is asking someone heterosexual to make themselves attracted to the same sex, would result in a failed attempt at opening their eyes to reality. I used to pray to God every night asking him to just make me straight. It would just make my life so much easier if I did'nt have to deal with this. But I'm not straight. I'm gay, and at some point I know that I will have to learn to fully accept myself for who I am. In some ways, I'm grateful for who God has made me to be. It has made me a more understanding person and has opened my own eyes to the world around me. It has made me more merciful and compassionate towards others, something I believe God wants in all of us. But I digress. The Coptic church, in all of its glory and "infallibility", desperately needs change. I hope that one day God will give me the courage along with other gay Coptic Christians to open up to friends and family to open their eyes, hearts and minds to the gay community. Pray that day will come, and pray for me. I really need it.<br />- a gay Coptic in pain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-43937392845057639422012-01-08T13:17:29.555-08:002012-01-08T13:17:29.555-08:00I recently got into a very heated discussion with ...I recently got into a very heated discussion with someone I've been dating after a mutual friend came out to them. We are both religious, growing up with similarly conservative Christian families but I do not agree with a conservative opinion about homosexuality. I support gay marriage and define being a true follower as accepting all people regardless of their sexuality. Unfortunately, this person feels that being gay is a sin, that their friend has somehow chosen to be gay and it is their decision to be a sinner. I'm not used to hearing someone share such a negative and stubborn opinion about being gay, feeling so strongly that being gay means that you are committing a sin. I have family members and friends who are gay and it hurts me to hear someone say they are a sinner because they love someone of the same sex. I want to reach this person in a way that they can begin to open up to the idea of accepting their friend and embracing his decision to be honest about his sexuality instead of pushing him away. Your article is helpful support for a "fact of the matter" focused arguer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-7811500375869396542012-01-02T03:25:21.698-08:002012-01-02T03:25:21.698-08:00Dear Brother I hope you had a happy new year.
Tha...Dear Brother I hope you had a happy new year.<br /><br />Thank you for responding back. From your respond it is clear you been treated harshly from the church. I am sorry that you had this experience, but i do feel that the church is beginning to make forward steps toward this issue and not just brushing it off. <br /><br />The 1st step to solving a problem is to acknowledge the problem. H.G.B Youssef admitted in the convention that the clergy, including himself do not have the proper experience in dealing with this issue. He gave an example if someone comes to them and says i am suffering from high blood pressure, they can incourage them to pray and read the bible but they also need to refer them to an expert such as a medical doctor. He stated that there has been a priest in Egypt who has dedicated his self to learning more about this issue and has been dealing with 30 homosexual individuals and at the end of his sessions all the individuals had positive and successful results. This response was incouraging that H.G.B Youssef decided to fly this priest to attend their next priest meeting to talk to all the clergy about his experiences and educate them.<br /><br />Now I know you will properly be pessimistic about what option and education the church is receiving or will be providing, but i think we should all be praying for it and be optimistic of the possibilities.<br /><br />I also feel you and others in your community have a lot to offer in helping the church to find and offer ways to help. I incourage you to start a dialog with H.G.B Youssef about this topic and put your hands together. <br /><br />Pray for me as I pray for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-2605148566126674302011-12-30T15:21:28.092-08:002011-12-30T15:21:28.092-08:00Thanks for the comments.
To the first Anonymous,...Thanks for the comments. <br /><br />To the first Anonymous, I'm glad to hear that this conversation is happening at the conventions. I will say that the message you are hearing about homosexuality from the church point of view is incomplete. If it was as mentioned above, there would be no youth asked to leave the church. I wrote a blog post in response to the SUSCopts website, and it went point by point. The message on that site is clear and it is contradictory to what Bishop Youssef said in the conference. The fact is that the church does not understand the emotional and psychological nature of homosexuality as an orientation. I fear they will follow the school of Nicholosi, whose treatments and therapy methods have only ever done more harm than good. Let the church seek to provide options for her gay and lesbian children and stop sweeping us under the rug.Just A Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-44161172629781855582011-12-30T08:12:59.392-08:002011-12-30T08:12:59.392-08:00I'm not gay (nor particularly religious) but h...I'm not gay (nor particularly religious) but have heard this phrase spoken by others in regards to homosexuality. And yes, it has always irked me! "Hate the sin but love the sinner". How are you demonstrating this love by labelling that particular person 'a sinner'? A judgemental mentality is one that is incapable of loving someone without attaching their *own* (i.e. egocentric) viewpoint of morality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-25952318825228297682011-12-29T19:37:40.803-08:002011-12-29T19:37:40.803-08:00Dear brother in Christ,
I would like to first wis...Dear brother in Christ,<br /><br />I would like to first wish you a blessed Nativity and Happy New Year.<br /><br />I was introduced to your blog from a recent high school convention where I served . We had a Q/A session for the youth and one person asked about homosexuality. H. G. B. Youssef answered the question in a loving way and said "our stand towards homosexuals is that we love them, we care for them and we are committed to helping them." He made this statement twice and said I want to make it clear since there is a website out there where they are stating the church has turned it's back on us and stoned us and they specifically listed his name. <br /><br />He stated that his response was misunderstood and that he wants to make it clear on how the church views homosexuals. He stated that there is a difference between homosexuals and homosexuality.<br /><br />I believe Homosexuals are children of God and we should love them and not treat them differently. I also believe the act of homosexuality in its own is a sin as it is clearly mentioned in the bible, just as fornication, stealing, etc..<br /><br />I read the link you posted regarding what the bible says and not say about homosexuality and I have to say it is very watered down and completely openionated and misleading. The auther makes a reference how things mentioned in the old testament does not apply to modern sexuality as if we have evolved and the word of the Lord is not the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The auther makes a statement saying Jesus never talks about homosexuality, but He does when he says "for this reason a man shall leave his parents and be joined to his wife" he did not say a man and a man.<br /><br />I agree with your message of love and how we should have a dailogue with each other. <br /><br /><br />I pray you receive my words in love and not a judgmental way.<br /><br />Please pray for me as I will for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-4620089055544720272011-12-12T23:12:59.031-08:002011-12-12T23:12:59.031-08:00I just came across this blog and this particular p...I just came across this blog and this particular post. You speak with clarity and conviction and you say so many of the things I find myself saying recently to another brand of homophobic Christians, the so-called Biblical Fundamentalists of Bob Jones University, where I grew up. Some friends of mine and I, former students at Bob Jones University, all gay or lesbian, have begun circulating a petition seeking an apology for more than three decades of appalling hate speech from that University's current chancellor, Dr. Bob Jones, III. (Bear in mind that the Revd. Fred Phelps got his start at Bob Jones University). Please like us on Facebook and sign our petition. Thank you so very much.Jeffrey Hoffmanhttp://www.facebook.com/SorryBobnoreply@blogger.com