What was your opinion?

[mutleydog]

I have realised that many post-mormons support gay rights etc. and wondered if there was a change since you left the church or whether you still supported gay people whilst a member. What was your opinion/belief based on with respect to homosexuality - did you totally agree with the church or totally disagree with their stance as a church member?

[Born Free]

I have realised that many post-mormons support gay rights etc. and wondered if there was a change since you left the church or whether you still supported gay people whilst a member. What was your opinion/belief based on with respect to homosexuality - did you totally agree with the church or totally disagree with their stance as a church member?

Two thing happpened in parallel for me.

As I widened my reading, I read more and saw more documentaries that alerted me that science believed that homosexuality is part of the natural order - in man and many animals.

In parallel I got involved in the Men's Movement and a regular men's group. There I got to know at a deep level numerous men, one of who I only later discovered was gay. That process made it very obvious, that if I had a reaction, then the problem was mine, because the guy had not changed one iota.

In that same setting over the years I got to see many gays, bisexuals and guys who were struggling to work out what they were. The last was a powerful experience, and I can only say that anyone who can comfortably claim such a choice is a 'lifestyle choice' is speaking through the rear apature of their digestive tract.

That journey is a hell, that I would not swap places for with for quids. To see a married man with little kids who he loves deeply, and a confused wife, who he does not want to hurt, but knowing he is unlikely ever to sexually desire and bond with her, as she has every right to expect, is a painful experience.

And to make it worse, one realises that if there had not been the oppressive forces to be normal (read straight) as a younger man, then this painful situation would likely never have developed.

So, these days I can get pretty excited when confronted with know-it-all fundies on this subject, who in reality, know zilch.

As a final note, I have come to have a lot of compassion for gays, as I suspect that the courage to come out as a homosexual person by learning to trust yourself and your judgements, needs a somewhat similar form or courage as that required to leave a fundy church like Moism.

Daryl

[peter_mary]

I have realised that many post-mormons support gay rights etc. and wondered if there was a change since you left the church or whether you still supported gay people whilst a member. What was your opinion/belief based on with respect to homosexuality - did you totally agree with the church or totally disagree with their stance as a church member?

I can't really answer this in the context of the poll questions. My evolution in my thinking and realization on this issue parallels my evolution out of the Church. When I was a solid member, doing all the good little member things, I assumed the official Church stance, although I genuinely felt compassion for the struggle of homosexual members. Nevertheless, it was easy for me to just jump on the bandwagon of "sex is only appropriate in the context of marriage, and marriage is only ordained between a man and a woman (or in the case of the Church, a man and several women...)"

Among the many things I did that contributed to my eventual leaving the Church was a study of culture, which often results in an increased awareness of the dynamics of discrimination in our society. Recognizing that the civil rights of gay and lesbian people were on the front line of the discrimination war, I began paying closer attention. As my thinking with regard to the divinely appointed roles of men and women began to evolve, and as my faith in a male diety began to dissolve, coupled with my fascination with complexity theory and evolution, I also began to understand that homosexual people were probably right all along when they made the claim "this is not a choice." And I came to that awareness while still an active member, though admittedly on the fringe.

But my point is, that evolution occurred while I was a member, and that awareness was one of many contributing factors to my exit. So where do I fit in your poll? :confused:

Paul

[ifitmakesuhappy]

I have realised that many post-mormons support gay rights etc. and wondered if there was a change since you left the church or whether you still supported gay people whilst a member. What was your opinion/belief based on with respect to homosexuality - did you totally agree with the church or totally disagree with their stance as a church member?


I voted that i agreed... those of you who have read my previous posts will know that I am a gay woman in the process of leaving the church for that reason. Way back when i was a fully active member in the church I just agreed with whatever i was told...i had the opinion that homosexuality is wrong...because that was the opinion the church wanted me to have. Which is why its been so hard coming to terms with my own sexuality because it brought so much guilt and shame with it. But obviously I couldn't hide from my feelings and longings forever. Now of course my opinion is quite the contrary and i dont see why my bedroom preferences should be an issue to anyone. I dont care what my bishop does in his bedroom so why would he care what i do in mine?

[silverfox]

I've always totally disagreed with not only the church's stance but the way they react to homosexuality. I wasn't BIC so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

I've always felt it wasn't a choice for the most part for a person to be gay or not. What about hermaphodites? (spelling?) The church doesn't say anything about this scenario. They claim God doesn't make mistakes when they talk about homosexuality but what about this situation?

There are just too many physical scenarios, circumstances out of our control as humans to say something like this is a choice. My opinion only, of course.

I should also state that I am not nor ever have been gay - but I have known many gay people and have seen the turmoil, the efforts to "force" themselves straight, etc.

[silverfox]

It's nice to see the poll function of the site at work. Thanks!

[free thinker]

This is the only word I can think of when considering how I feel about a gay person. I just do not think anyone would choose it! If you are gay , and are reading this, I want you to know that I dont think anyone in this world has the right to tell you how to live your life.

When I was a go-mo, I of course bought the idea that you could be gay, and not act on it! This I now know is hogwash. It is so very easy to ask someone else to do that. Much different to do it yourself.

I am single, and lived without sexual activity ( intercourse) for 15 years. From age 30 to 45. It was absolute unadulterated HELL!! Then I found out about Joseph Smith's sexually libertine life. He was very active sexually, and often with women other than his wife. Seems that he made the rules as he went along. So, noone who is a member of a church, whose founder acted like that, will ever tell me how to live my life when it comes to sex!! I have said it before, and will say it again here. I DO MY OWN THINKING NOW.!!!!!!!!! :mad: :cool:


Free Thinker