Yes, I grew up in the stereotypical Bible-thumping south frought with sinners, humid weather and tele-evangelist personalities. As a result, I learned some lessons very early in life while others who grew up in a more urban existence most likely struggle with determining who is a geniune spirit and those who are not.
I was one of those teenagers who for the most part, really didn't rebel against being grounded, my parents, not being able to do things at a certain age etc. My big resentment was growing up in a small town with seemingly judgemental neighbors. As a rebel with a cause, my appearance became associated with the look of someone who was just a bit rough around the edges. And, this town hadn't seen much of that since Janis Joplin left. Make no mistake, I'm not comparing myself to Janis, however, the chip we had on our shoulders were amazingly similar.
As I watched tv the other evening, it caused me to think about my self-inflicted war with my old neighborhood. The harsh judgements and assuming guilt instead of innocense. The conversation that sparked this reflection jolted me into the past some 30 years ago.
Dear God, if I heard that once I heard it a million times. On school trips which included overnight stays, extracirricular activities and so on. After spouting the "truth" my visible response is pretty much the same today as it was then. Pure puzzlement.
I offer scripture to prove MY point:
Some religious liberals believe that David and Jonathan had a consensual homosexual relationship - in many ways, a prototype of many of today's gay partnerships. 7 Some important verses which describe their relationship are: 1 Samuel 18:1
"...Jonathan became one in spirit with David and he loved him as himself." (NIV)
"...the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul" (KJV)
Most translations use the term "soul" rather than "spirit" to describe the bond. They speak of an "immediate bond of love", their souls being "in unison," their souls being "knit" etc. Genesis 2:7, as written in the original Hebrew, describes how God blew the spirit into the body of Adam that God had formed from earth, so that Adam became a living soul. This means that "soul", in the ancient Israelite times, represents a combination of body and spirit. Thus the two men appear to have loved each other both physically and emotionally." http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bmar.htm
When you love someone completely and commit to be their spouse in good times and bad; that sounds like a union blessed, not a sin. But, that's just me. Oh, got one more scripture for you:
For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?"
--- 1 Corinthians 10:29
More Musings Later-
1 comment:
it's nice to hear this. I saw the "GOD HATES FAGS" poster and it immediately drew my attention. I too have grown up in the bible belt (and am still growing) and my attraction to men has caused a great disturbance with my parents, especially my father, who is a southern baptist pastor.
Anyways, I've enjoyed this post and it's given me some reinforcement for the day.
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