tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.comments2023-02-22T01:10:31.119-08:00Being Queer and CopticJust A Dudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-16289346695833830922018-02-07T10:26:16.334-08:002018-02-07T10:26:16.334-08:00I just entered an earlier comment as Orthodox ( Gr...I just entered an earlier comment as Orthodox ( Greek) Christian. I am glad most comments here are civil. <br />It is SAD thst because the Church never gets beyond condeming the Person,the important arguement, for heterosexuals too, as always, is HOW WE LIVE,and because the Church has not entered into a serious death on this, it has left it to identity Politics and rest. <br />For someone who has worked in psychology my understanding is that beings as beong Straight is something that the Person knows from very early on. I would have thought instead of screaming.g at a non existing threat to civilization, thought might be turned to the moral chaos in heterosexual life currently and the breaking of the family which has nothing to do with being gay. <br />The arguement treated out by church is so Simplistic and ignorant and lacking context ( Culture of desert tribe,temple prostitution and roman mores, etc) <br />I am saddled that coptic church seems a little obscessed with old Testament Jewish attitude and not with fact, as on so much else. By the Silence of Christ, because He did not give us a fundamentalist blue print but a life lived, as Θεάνθρωπος , as a model for how we might tackle life and its developing issues .Nikoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792404054941374681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-44895863437636539172018-02-07T10:01:17.588-08:002018-02-07T10:01:17.588-08:00I am not a copt but have worked with many coptic c...I am not a copt but have worked with many coptic christians in my health work in London uk. I am greek Orthodox ,but got to know the coptic church quite well, and loved it's liturgy and have been moved by the suffering and Death experienced by the coptic church before and now.. <br />But sadly the fanaticism of the anti- gay stance of the Church has appalled me with it's lack of love, obscession and unscientific views .<br />That it seeks to defend it's view with a rigid backward, out of historical context ,arguement, i can only ascribe to islamic influence .<br />The saddest thing is it does not make the disinction between being gay and how one acts being gay. As with being heterosexual there are life styles that are Christian And that are not. And in many respects the gay world Grindr etc is as unchristian as the heterosexual equivalent. And is aping a heterosexual relationship status proofs of anything positive for a gay couple.? But to condem a person for who they are, yes nature and nuture are intertwined. And nurture is very powerful, but to condem for who a person is, is not Christian but reflects of Hitler and nazis. but who can doubt that for most homosexuals who they are, is something known from earliest years and not be changed . We know that changing sexuality in vast number of cases does not work and causes massive angst.<br />And is it not interesting that Christ, who you would have thought would have a view on this burning topic never mentioned it. <br />I would very much love to communicated with copts on this Subject. Nikoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01792404054941374681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-63945321153193302642018-01-20T14:33:40.486-08:002018-01-20T14:33:40.486-08:00I may not be experienced in the area of LGBT right...I may not be experienced in the area of LGBT rights in America and I do not mean to shake your faith in God or in our beautiful church.<br /> Growing up in the Coptic Church is a blessing with endless discoveries in our tradition, heritage, culture and most importantly relationship with God. However, the Coptic Church as do other churches I believe abide by the bible, following and living the bible to its utmost potential. The Bible is God's how to book for us weak and sinful humans to leave the path of unrighteousness, the dark road that will end us to spending an eternity away from God, the greatest punishment that was inevitable until Christ sacrificed himself for our sakes and gave us a way out.In that bible are plenty of verses that point out our humanly mistakes,the most deadly of which is Pride. Pride is what made a Seraphim fall to become the Enemy of the World and it is what makes us human beings fall on a daily basis in order to combat any attack at our ego. It also happens profusely when we put ourselves above the church or above the bible, valuing ourselves above all and again i repeat this made a great angel fall. <br />Please do not let yourself become a victim to this pride. <br />I am not one to judge and in fact I know that the Egyptian Community can be close-minded in many topics but I believe that the LGBT topic will never be open to discussion in any tradition based Church.<br />I cannot begin to understand the struggles you have been through and I do not know to what extent LGBT is a choice or is it because of genes ( simply because i am ignorant in this point completely and i apologize if i said anything wrong, i did not mean to) <br />but what i do know is that you should go to your father of confession or any priest you may feel comfortable with or may understand you and sit and discuss this with him. It may be scary and it may be infuriating but I believe it is one step closer for you to know the truth<br />Considering I am a Copt living in Egypt, my predictions that the Coptic Church would be open to the LGBT community is null, but what I am certain for sure is that they all do love you and they truly wish you well and would love for you to attend church more often and to participate and join them in all prayers, liturgies and services. <br />May the Lord be with YouMariminahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346513022934069220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-63761878511241052472017-07-19T05:34:53.117-07:002017-07-19T05:34:53.117-07:00I'm glad that the point I would also like to a...I'm glad that the point I would also like to add a verse, Leviticus 20:13<br />If a man lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. Alejandrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03094989950160063515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-84220331904535112702017-05-16T01:12:12.202-07:002017-05-16T01:12:12.202-07:00Hello.I am an Armenian christian youth who discove...Hello.I am an Armenian christian youth who discover my homksexuality now.You know any gay armenian christian page/organization?God bless you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-2283793597287309082017-04-10T15:48:19.979-07:002017-04-10T15:48:19.979-07:00Lovely.Lovely.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02780947664363380702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-81656669472386169152016-08-18T04:33:37.102-07:002016-08-18T04:33:37.102-07:00Quit right, gay people, just like anyone else, jus...Quit right, gay people, just like anyone else, just want to live a peaceful life, with love, respect and understanding. JoeKentLibertyhttp://joekentliberty.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-85255864193448254802016-03-31T03:22:22.734-07:002016-03-31T03:22:22.734-07:00Your usage of words is great but if you allow me I...Your usage of words is great but if you allow me I wanted to share something. I am a Coptic Christian. And I have heard a lot of sermons about gays. Not once (except for one priest in Egypt in February) did any leaders say anything wrong or rejecting gays. They simply say that it is a sin to act upon it. And it is as we see in the bible sodom and gamorah. No one said you are not accepted. But don't act upon your sin is what they are trying to say. Also I don't know the answer to this and would like your feedback. Has it been medically proven that homosexuality is something your born with? Because to me there is no gene or possible medical evidence to prove that, but I am not sure maybe you could explain that? May the peace of God fill your heart with knowledge and understanding. Thank you <br />In Christ Kyrollos Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-29431359719140719462015-10-07T05:31:55.182-07:002015-10-07T05:31:55.182-07:00Support LGBT peoplesSupport LGBT peoplesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-2985001812634304712015-07-22T04:46:08.875-07:002015-07-22T04:46:08.875-07:00fuckwits, not only have you attempted to change th...fuckwits, not only have you attempted to change the doctrines we stand for, you also use the bible for your disgusting usesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag: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-76363630786497630312015-03-02T06:22:12.595-08:002015-03-02T06:22:12.595-08:00Are u Crazy Just A Dude,,,???? Do u not know u God...Are u Crazy Just A Dude,,,???? Do u not know u God??? Do u not know ur bible?? i don't think so, how can u call urself orthodox?? Saints cross dressed to be holy and to worship God not to kiss and have sexual intercourse with other humans because of pure lust.... Open ur eyes and don't let the Evil deceive you. May Our Lord Jesus guide u and find ur way. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-56572799810715191402014-07-07T15:50:44.443-07:002014-07-07T15:50:44.443-07:00I couldn't agree more. It is definitely the wo...I couldn't agree more. It is definitely the worst thing that could have happened to the gay community. I so wish I never got it in the first place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-20666952987057084502014-06-10T20:12:04.989-07:002014-06-10T20:12:04.989-07:00Christianity has splintered into more than 100 dem...Christianity has splintered into more than 100 demoninations. Why? Interpretation of the New Testament. Luthrer, John Knox, Calvin, Wesley, Morminism, and so many more. Old Catholics, New Catholics, Several sects of Orthodox, the list goes on. Point: they each have their own doctrine, which is their own "official" interpretation.<br /><br />If you read the Gospels on your own, pray, and trust in God through Jesus, you will receive answers. Ask and you shall receive. <br /><br />I don't have any answers about homosexuality, any more than I do about alcoholism, drug addiction, Islamic Jihadists (I suspect that is political more than religious, i.e. Northern Ireland), child pornography, crime, or the myriad of other behavioral manifestations besetting mankind. Everyone has a cross to bear of some sort.<br /><br />And, everyone has opinions about everyone else's affliction. Jesus taught "Get the mote out of your own eye before you accuse someone else" (not literal quote, just memory).<br /><br />If you approach God humbly, like a little child as Jesus taught, in spirit (prayer), He will answer. The Holy Spirit will lead you in the ways of righteousness. Find your peace through Jesus and the Gospel scriptures, not through church doctrine. Churches are groups of individual believers, and these groups have different beliefs and interpretations. If you determine that you are OK after prayer and supplication to God through Jesus, that is what matters.<br /><br />I have a blog also, Urantia Gospel Parallels. I'm 75 now, not gay, but a sinner that was saved by the very methods I'm espousing here. I am also a well educated lifetime musician, former drug addict, thrice married, ex-con who practices daily what I preach.<br /><br />You will find the answers in the Gospels and prayer.<br /><br />Best,<br />MikeMichael Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04796011966882178496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-83900975578388147012014-06-10T19:30:28.478-07:002014-06-10T19:30:28.478-07:00Church is the socialization of religion, and is no...Church is the socialization of religion, and is not the heart of an individual. Faith is the river, the church is the riverbed. Belief is between you and God as Father. Church teachings are doctrine, and are not infallible. Forgive them.<br /><br />I suggest you read: Jesus: A New Revelation. Less than 10 bucks at Amazon. Tracks the Gospels perfectly, but in exquisite detail.<br /><br />We are all imperfect in our own ways, even when we want to be perfect in God's eyes. We all fall short of the glory, and that includes Priests.<br /><br />It would take me at least 2-300 pages to explain the above in detail, which I'm capable of, but suffice to say that God is the Judge, and He loves you. If you humble yourself before Him, like a little child, He will be with you. Read the Gospels carefully, especially the red parts. Paul is not Jesus, as Paul was a human lawyer. Jesus is God's son, and He supersedes Paul. Jesus did not condemn homosexuality. He forgave prostitutes, and all kinds of sinners. His life was all about love and mercy. He even forgave his killers.<br /><br />I'm not gay, but if I were that would be my lesser fault. Jesus came to save sinners, and that's me. May you all learn that God loves you. Get in the river, and you will be fine. You don't require the doctrine of the riverbed for salvation.Michael Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04796011966882178496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-36480954249355925642014-03-18T07:25:43.518-07:002014-03-18T07:25:43.518-07:00To Anonymous on April 4, 2012--dude, this blog is ...To Anonymous on April 4, 2012--dude, this blog is a safe space for ALL, created by the author to express his own ideas and emotions about his personal experiences with the church. I know this is coming two years later, but back the fuck off and don't make sweeping generalizations or statements about which you a) have no experience with, and b) couldn't be bothered to drop any peer-reviewed articles from reputable journals on the topic. It's enough, c'est assez, with the self-righteous BS. If you were truly interested in opening a dialogue with the blogger, then you could have messaged him privately on the subject.<br /><br />Just a Dude, you're great. You write so eloquently and I love this blog. Please keep posting.<br /><br />I have actually come to detest the fast for some of the reasons you do. In addition though, I have never tolerated legumes well (I love ful, but have had to cut it out of my diet), and I'm sure God would rather that we eat nutrient-rich foods instead of toxic, lab-made dairy alternatives (Coffee Rich, anyone?) and fast from our true addictions--sweets, large portions, excess screen time, gossip, etc. I suppose food is the lowest common denominator in every culture, so that was the simplest and most efficient way to go. I struggle with this, though, because I constantly feel as though I'm doing something wrong by rebelling against tradition. I can't help but think that going vegan MUST have been good? Must have been effective, and brought about meaning? <br /><br />I pray that this lent brings you meaningful changes, realizations, and new hopes. Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17197101875791790594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-49239275585546980542014-03-12T02:58:42.722-07:002014-03-12T02:58:42.722-07:00This is the only sane commentary I've heard si...This is the only sane commentary I've heard since the big announcement from Exodus. A credit to you that you wrote it, a gross shame that one has to wade through so much gay hate and bigotry to discover it at this relatively obscure page. <br /><br />The fact is that there's no sense of moderation, balance or self-control in most of gaydom when it comes to "issues." The movement is more fascistic than the conservative world it calls Nazis. ISSUES ARE NEVER BLACK AND WHITE, but that's how they get treated by any movement ever identified with the political left.<br /><br />Gay liberation gained traction significantly by asserting that sexuality isn't all one thing or the other, but a vast spectrum of differing desires and orientations across humanity not to mention within individuals. Gay culture has long maintained that a great many straight people are in fact passionate gays waiting to happen (the depraved Police Academy movies ad inf.). Now we're ordered to believe that it only works one way, that no straights exist who genuinely need to be helped over unwanted gay feelings, that they can or should even do it if they want to. Any organization OR individual that seeks to help them is now an object of hatred and abuse or worse. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-80113600938282522692014-01-08T07:19:01.067-08:002014-01-08T07:19:01.067-08:00Research shows you should stop watching gay porn o...Research shows you should stop watching gay porn online. That's what started this rise in homosexuality and acceptance of it.<br /><br />God 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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-80006195435082495842014-01-07T11:25:04.286-08:002014-01-07T11:25:04.286-08:00Have you ever considered letting go of the idea of...Have you ever considered letting go of the idea of a god? Instead of trying to make your homosexuality work within the confines of a restrictive, delimiting religion that seems to be contrived and concocted? (Speaking as a Copt who recently gave up the faith here.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-10129010258440764542013-12-01T12:41:38.022-08:002013-12-01T12:41:38.022-08:00noo u stupid noo u stupid Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-4847997517524643332013-09-17T10:09:47.910-07:002013-09-17T10:09:47.910-07:00I hope that you can still live with what you want ...I hope that you can still live with what you want to change into, for you truly seem to love your neighbor, even if you do not love your self. You seem like a wonderful person, but I can't help but question what you thought was wrong in the first place. If you are a christian man, and believe in such teachings, then man was created in the image of God, which means -gay- men were also in that image. If you should reject that part of god within you then reject it, but It is not right, in my opinion, to alter God's creation.<br /><br />-Father MattAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-90178181366788923022013-06-23T19:13:30.880-07:002013-06-23T19:13:30.880-07:00Alex, thanks for such a well thought out and kind ...Alex, thanks for such a well thought out and kind response. I join you in celebrating progress, and take heart when we move, sometimes slowly, towards being better and more true. I have not yet arrived, and have taken my sweet time to get as little distance as I've gotten, how many lifetimes will it be until I'm complete?Just A Dudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10607094231556874706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-70888651616059674042013-06-23T06:56:29.747-07:002013-06-23T06:56:29.747-07:00Thanks for your sensitive and articulate post. Ch...Thanks for your sensitive and articulate post. Chambers has been under fire from both Christians who say he has not been vocal enough about their belief that homosexual behavior is sin, as well as from gay people who point to stories of deep harm done by Exodus’ former mantra that “change is possible.” As a Christian gay man who long ago integrated my rich Christian faith with my sexuality, I can well appreciate both sentiments. <br /><br />But what Chambers did this week took courage and will surely cost him dearly. He has readily acknowledged that he was wrong, that gay people do not become straight, and that for Exodus to have preached otherwise was not biblical. That is a major step forward and constitutes growth. <br /><br />But it’s true that he has not yet also reached a place where he can acknowledge that homosexuality per se is not sin. He doesn’t yet understand that when the few passages of Scripture that generally get appealed to in this debate are examined more closely and in context, the traditional antigay theology he has bought into does not hold up to scrutiny. Maybe he’ll get there one day; maybe he won’t. <br /><br />As you rightly said, “Exodus and its leaders have evolved to a more balanced and honest place.” If it takes them longer to move forward to an even more balanced place, to quote Sally Field, “so the fuck what?” It took many of us a whole lot of years to get there. It seems to me that Chambers and company should be extended the same grace. In the meantime we can celebrate the fact that they are growing. Minds and hearts are slow organs to change. <br /><br />-Alex Haiken<br />http://JewishChristianGay.wordpress.com<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-23612328537526235082013-05-08T03:55:29.595-07:002013-05-08T03:55:29.595-07:00If I were your brother, sister, friend Id dread th...If I were your brother, sister, friend Id dread the day I open up to you about my sexuality and most probably wouldntAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5558712462088910728.post-35043806693234269292013-05-04T22:54:59.877-07:002013-05-04T22:54:59.877-07:00That website and this blog are great! The Coptic c...That website and this blog are great! The Coptic church needs resources like this!Pomoprophethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16365996287266677853noreply@blogger.com