Quote from: Ricki on February 25, 2007, 06:35:57 PM
David i want to ask... (since i was posting a touch ago and stated it in a post)
"why doesn't my God acknowledge my pain and help me"....??
I ask for the extreme and often times just for the next place to put my next foot step..He's answered in some ways but i cannot see all...
I know without preaching too much and disturbing the bats that are resting, can you offer some insight for me? (maybe others that ask the same question to themselves?)
Thanks
Ricki
Hi Ricki,
It is, of course, extremely difficult to answer questions like this without knowing the situations, and certainly without sounding trite. You've got real frustrations, real struggles, and real problems. I know better than to answer any of that with anything that starts with, "Well, the Bible says..."
One of the realities of life is that it will suck.
>-bleeped-< happens. And for those of us who are in the GLBT community, it goes even beyond that. I know that the gay teen suicide rate is three times of straight kids. And transgender people have a suicide rate several times higher than gays. Times like this even '
>-bleeped-< happens" is trite.
But I'll tell you what I *think*. I've always seen God as an intimate part of my life, and in all of our lives. If that were so, you might ask, why does all this happen? Well, it's like I said. Life happens.
>-bleeped-< happens. So many times, we're alone, frustrated, bitter, and can't really talk to anyone. And when we do, we're rejected, cast out, told that we're abominations... you know the story all too well.
I think that the peace and hope that God gives isn't the absence of turmoil or the absence of frustrations. We always want to be in control, but we're not. I think that God's peace is in the middle of those struggles. It's the kind of peace that doesn't make any sense at all, and makes everyone around us think we're nuts because we're dealing with it. It's the kind of peace that we get when we finally overcome or stand strong in the middle of that storm.
I submit that it's possible that even when he doesn't provide the extreme, he's still there... even providing for that next step. Even if it's a tiny speck of a glimmer of hope, he's there. If there's even an ounce of love, he's there. And when you have only enough faith to say, "why the hell is this happening to me?" he's there. Because sometimes that speck, ounce, or prayer of agony, is just what it takes for us to finally break through.
There's power in numbers, though. I know that through places like this, we can all bond. We can all support each other. It doesn't have to be a "church." Where two or more are gathered in his name, even to cry out of sadness, he's there.
I think faith is built through relationships... with each other, and with God. So often, we feel like we have to go it alone. But imagine what would happen if even two people prayed over a cup of coffee for each other, without judgment, without condemnation, just a mutual love and respect for each other as people of faith. It's incredible, really. It's also scary since it requires enough freedom and transparency to say to each other, I need help."
There are countless people out there who have asked the same thing. Why doesn't God acknowledge your pain? I think he does. I think he IS helping you. The frustrating part is that you can't see it. God knows I understand what that is like.
I pray that you'll find that peace you desperately need. I pray that His arms will embrace you in ways you've never experienced. And I pray that you'll find hope, even when it seems impossible.
Quote from: Brianna on February 25, 2007, 08:05:04 PM
Dear David,
First of all, thanks for coming here. I am sure there are others here that would appreciate having the spiritual perspective. I appreciate your candid and direct manner.
Secondly, I'm one of the ones you've injured deeply. In my opinion there is nothing you or any other Christian could say to compensate for what your people have done to us. In that same vein I won't hold you up to obloquy for their actions.
Christianity made me hate myself before I could think critically. Christianity took my family away and judged me an abomination. I say this because I want you to understand - I'm not interested in being proselytized to.
Those are my boundaries, which I would want you to respect. In turn, I'll respect your belief that Christianity is compatible with GLBT rights
Bri.
Hi Bri.
First of all, I want you to understand that I have no intention of proselytizing on this forum. After all, Susan knows where I live... she'd kick my ass if I did.
I remember hearing one of the Beatles.. Lennon, maybe?... "I think Jesus is okay, but I don't care much for his followers" or something like that. Another bumper sticker I love says, "Lord, save me from your followers." Sadly, so many Christians have more in common with the hateful religious leaders who demanded the crucifixion of Christ than with Christ Himself.
His message was simple: "Love God, love people." Too often, we Christians have forgotten that. As a result, we've deeply wounded and even killed people... physically and metaphysically... to the point that even calling myself a Christian makes me one of the "bad guys." I'm keenly aware of the deadly words that have been hurled by my brethren.
As I'm keenly aware of the extreme bitterness and anger in your words. You have a right to be angry. You SHOULD be angry. From what I can tell, your faith was abused, you were verbally abused, and you were raked through the muck that eventually drove you away from faith entirely. I'm sorry you've endured such loss because of "Christianity."
I've said it before, and I say it again. I'm sorry that the church ... and Christians ... have been self-righteous, judgmental bastards. My prayer and hope is that some of those wounds will heal enough so that you can build relationships with those of us who are of faith without letting those wounds drive you to speaking bitter words that will wound those who have themselves also been wounded.
Yes, you have boundaries. And I can understand that. I respect that. However, I do want to correct you on one thing. I do not believe that Christianity is "compatible" with LGBT rights.
I believe that true Christianity CALLS for LGBT rights. It's not an issue of compatibility, it's an issue of injustice. And where there is injustice, especially injutice in the name of "Chrisitanity," it is evil at its purest form. Such injustice has hijacked a faith centered on love and twisted it for their own bigoted hate. That's not Christianity. That's just pure evil. Many of those people, just like the Pharisees, believed they were doing God a favor. Christ called such people "den of vipers" and "bleached tombs." I think it fits.
I believe Christ preached love, tolerance, justice, and equaity. And so will I. My boundaries are narrow. Beat me up, slap me, or even crucify me. My message will remain the same: God is love.
I won't try to compensate. I'm not a fool. But I'll still write about the grace and love of God. My writings are for everyone. With that in mind, I think your boundaries will be will protected.
Thanks again for writing.I look forward to participating more on the board!