the most true arguement to the hatred is simple…. why would one “choose” to be alianated from society?

we are born this way…my first crush was as was yours…very young…but the only confusing difference was it was the same sex, and at that age you dont know what it is called… you are just well aware from outside influence… that it is wrong.

i am in a stable monogomas relationship with all the same responsibilites and burdens as heterosexuals… but i also get the lack of all the benifits.. tax breaks.. i can even be refused into a critical care situation at a hospital if they so choose, because i am not considered “immediate family” by law.. actually if you investigate there are over 1100 rights that heterosexuals are given and homosexuals are not.

the biblical interpretation you present is interesting, and a lot of your feelings and thoughts i have also read previously.
and of course a lot of it is interpretation, and parallel. It amazes me how those that will be so quick to throw stones at me… are so accepting of adultry and divorce among other testified sins, and most of this is from the old testement.

we have become a judgemental society with little tolerance and holierthenthou attitudes that i dont believe that is why god intented for us.

thanks for you post

Indeed, as you have framed earlier in this blog: “But the concept is basically that God takes some people into this place where they feel so completely alone as a way to strip away individual perceptions and allow them to more clearly see God. Typically the things that used to take someone into the presence of God become mundane, forced and seemingly unauthentic. In the examples I’ve looked at, this includes prayer, meditation and even works of service. The writings from St John of the Cross suggest that it’s only very spiritual or spiritually mature people that would be taken into this dark place. And the worst part about it, there is no warning sign going in and no clear guide to getting out. God takes a person there when He wants and allows them to walk out of the darkness when He’s ready. The person suffering in the darkness is left without having control.”

I have a real hope that this is true—but I wonder, especially in the ‘theatre of the grotesque’ reality of what I have done. I am slowly rounding the corner from the avenue of shame to the boulevard of thanking God for all that He allowed me to go through and do; to become refined more into His image and to bring glory and fame to His name…all along questioning it all. Though, at times, it is rather crippling to know that I was at the helm at that little ship, when all of this began to occur…

I’m glad you’re on the other side. I wonder if I ever will be or if I ever really want to be.

Stay faithful and true to those loving people at MOSAIC. Jesus is in the pain and poverty. I love (because I now know what that is) you all,
-ray

You make some very valid, and very difficult points. The truth that i guess is even a little more frightening to me is that even when i think i am in control i am not. I guess then the only beneift of “taking back the reigns” is my own delusion of control. There is no benefit to it. If Job had cursed God he would have still had no control. What makes us think we can even take control out of the hands of God? How arrogant does it seem when you word it that way? If only it made that much sense in the time of crisis..