Gays are welcome in many churches, and...
Submitted by d on September 09 1999 at 20:30:39
In reply to Re: Denominational survey Submitted by Chris on September 09 1999 at 20:09:30
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Many churches, including some Babtist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and other mainstream congregations welcome homosexuals. My own congregation will almost certaintly elect a gay deacon this year (maybe not the first). I do not know why you felt unwelcome in those other congregations. If it was merely anti-gay rhetoric, you can find a congregation which will say the opposite. If it was something unique to being a boylover I am at a loss to help. By the way, in my neck of the woods, most non-denominational English-speaking churches are very conservative. If you were openly gay, I would be 100% sure you would feel welcome by most, tolerated by some, and rejected by a few members of my congregation. If you were somewhat quiet about it, more would welcome or tolerate, and if you were in the closet we wouldn't know, so the question becomes moot. I do not know how my congregation would deal with a celibate homosexual pedophile who was not 100% in the closet. Nervous parents would be the biggest obstacle. If you made a point of not interacting with kids you would eventually be accepted by parents. Sadly, this would mean any talents God gave you to help kids would go to waste. Also, my minister would probably insist that you see or had seen a psychiatrist, so he could be assured you really were celibate with respect to kids (he has a professional and possibly legal-liability obligation to do this - America will sue anyone at the drop of a hat). If you are ever in Texas, email me, if you are close to where I live we can worship together. -David ("d") |