tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149754204668875532.post3637118855488310256..comments2023-05-13T05:59:51.004-06:00Comments on with arms wide open: ecclesiarob ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06074711016726877092noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149754204668875532.post-20903799104918287042012-04-20T08:53:53.589-06:002012-04-20T08:53:53.589-06:00Hi Brian:
I think you're dead-on about conser...Hi Brian:<br /><br />I think you're dead-on about conservative Christianity having trouble with "us and them". Thanks for sharing at a personal level about how Christians in your life shifted you from "us/in" to "them/out" as you first came out and then later left your faith. I'm so sorry that the people in your life let sexuality and faith beliefs overshadow the value of being in relationship with you for *you*.<br /><br />Tragically, there are many for whom this drawing will be true...rob ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06074711016726877092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4149754204668875532.post-74398765644335196662012-04-19T23:21:39.471-06:002012-04-19T23:21:39.471-06:00I might suggest, from my post-Christian experience...I might suggest, from my post-Christian experience, US conservative Christianity tends to have a lot of trouble with who is "Us" and who is "Not Us" - when I came out (despite my lifetime of faith) suddenly I was in the second category for many of the Christians in my life. When, at the same time, I also found it necessary to walk away from my faith, I was placed in the second category by another, larger set of Christians.<br /><br />I did, and didn't understand it. Sure, Christians gather together to share faith- but faith bonds aren't the only ones we share. Family and friends alike told me that I was no longer a part of them. Yes, true, I no longer participate in a church experience because it lost all meaning for me. But in terms of the family relationships - the friends whom I loved like family (and thought they felt the same way) - Why must a belief trump all other bonds? (I believe the answer to this question is probably also the explanation for why so many denominations.)<br /><br />The drawing feels emotionally true for me, as one who was excised.Briannoreply@blogger.com