Diane Xuereb, Zwolle, The Netherlands
God loves LGBT people the way they are
I have just come back from a wonderful weekend in Berlin, spent with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) Christians from all over Europe, feeling renewed and full of God’s love.
It was a weekend conference held every year around Ascension tide in a different country and organised by the European Forum for LGBT Christian Groups. I am one of the forum’s co-presidents.
The European Forum has over 40 member groups, including Drachma, Malta.
Unfortunately, when I returned home, the first thing I saw was your report of May 8 entitled ‘Pastor has no regrets over gay ‘conversions’.’
I reacted with disappointment, anger, disbelief and sadness. I had just experienced so much peace and love with my friends and I was very far away from this train of thought.
I can understand that people have their own beliefs. However, when the Bible is used to support one’s convictions (in this case against us), it is being used as a weapon.
I can also use and quote the Bible to substantiate my beliefs; however, I would not like to get into that kind of theological argument because, in doing so, I too would be using the Bible incorrectly. I believe in another kind of reading of Scriptures, a theology that liberates the human person and does not oppress her/him, a theology that is life-giving.
I believe and understand that there may be some LGBT people who might be questioning their sexuality in relation to their faith and may have even left the Church and God because of all the questions and uncertainties. Some may be struggling and are afraid to show themselves for fear of being rejected.
I too had several questions, I too was lonely, for many years I struggled with my sexuality. I tried to change, I tried to change myself into a person that I am not and that I clearly cannot and never will be. Why? I wanted to be loved by God.
After many therapy sessions (to try and change myself) and after many years of struggling, I now find myself in a wonderful place of certainty. I know I am not alone, God is with me, and moreover God loves me. I do not feel like a liar and I certainly do not feel like a sinner.
I feel I can be myself knowing that God loves me not in spite of my sexual orientation but also through it. I sincerely believe my sexual orientation is a gift of God, an aspect of my creation that is normal and good.
One of the last songs that we sang during the conference was We are not alone. The lyrics were very simple but very powerful, giving us a wonderful feeling of God’s presence among us and a belief that I cannot possibly describe with words.
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Ms Maria Mifsud
May 24th 2011, 02:20
Very well written Diane. Thanks and may your work and others' related to this field raise the much needed awareness in this regard! Thanks once again.
Mr Christopher Grech
May 22nd 2011, 13:59
Of course that God loves His own creations! He did lay out however His rules in the Bible.
It is not up to us to abide by them or not. The Bible is clear that man lying with man, and women lying with women is an abomination!
Your sexual orientation is your choice, and certainly not God's choice. If you say that this is normal and good, when according to God's Words, it is not, then we have to question ourselves:
Are we doing God's will on earth or our own will?
That is the real question to be done, and to state that you can do essentially whatever you want, is not of The Way of Christ.
Ms Pamela Borg
May 22nd 2011, 15:35
QUOTE: 'Your sexual orientation is your choice, and certainly not God's choice'.
Being gay is NOT a choice. If it was, why would I as a child of as early as 5 years, have 'crushes' on other females. I, as all other gay people, feel the attraction to same sex very early in life. It is not something that you decide upon when you grow up but it's how you always feel inside. So please Mr Grech, tell me how this is a choice.
The only choice is if to come out or not. However, think of it this way: think of you having sexual relations with another man. Would you be happy in life if you were forced to do this with another man for the rest of your life? Whatever your anwer is, why should we be forced to do this?
Please, if you don't know, don't talk.
Clayton Mercieca
May 22nd 2011, 17:59
Mr Grech,
the bible also tells you it's an abomination to eat Shellfish and it is acceptable for a household to own slaves...it's useless trying to interpret the bible literally...you will never get anywhere.
Ramon Casha
May 24th 2011, 05:48
"The Bible is clear that man lying with man, and women lying with women is an abomination!"
The Bible also says that eating bacon is an abomination (yes, it uses the exact same word). It says that picking up sticks on the Sabbath earns an immediate capital punishment, and that children who are rude to their parents should be stoned to death. It also says that the world is unmoving in space, and implies that it is flat.
"Your sexual orientation is your choice, and certainly not God's choice."
Funny, I can't remember choosing to be straight. Hmmm, maybe I'll try being gay for a day or two for a change. Then I'll try being left-handed for a week to see what it's like.