[Maru]

Originally Posted by parmnion

Part 2 was on last night, it shocked me that it is actually people volountary going to the pastor to be "cured"



Makes you think that some people have a stronger connection to god than they do
with or for their sexuality.

That doesn't surprise me at all and I was going to post about something in that area.

I was going to post something to this effect. I'm not surprised at all. I think questions about the origins of sexuality, our minds, etc are all questions we all ask. Even outside of a sexuality POV.

Though I think it's a gray area for religion to provide "therapy" services. Even people with actual paperwork/licenses can do real harm. I know someone who a friend is seeing who is telling him things like he and this girl are on the same soul plane or some irrelevant nonsense. She used that to explain the intense attraction, when there were clearly other reasons for his obsessive behavior stemming from a very bad divorce. She is licensed.

I think most non-hetero folk innerly know when the switch is not movable. It's not going to be "cured" because it "just is". I don't think that God discourages questioning. If that person needs to have that "confrontation" with the Lord to get to the next stage of life, then I think let them. Some people feel a huge sense of support and comradery in their religious community... my thought, if we don't feel that way coming away from even simple service, then we're not in the place we need to be. The idea of a gay person going to conversion though out of self-loathing though is a recipe for disaster. So that's where I'm not sure I'm supportive or not of "gay conversion"... I can understand seeking support services while dealing with coming out for instance. That would be a real boon. However, conversion would only seem to attract folk who are coming from a damnation POV... and that does feel like it would send a Salem-esk vibe to the "flock".

Originally Posted by Livia

I'm sorry that it's not a word you're fond of, LT, but regardless... faith isn't something you understand and that's no reason for me to stop using the word. I wish I could explain it to you or that you could feel it for yourself but you're so rabidly against it you'd never even try to understand.

So I'll continue to read how religious people are deluded and a bit stupid... and feel kind of sorry you're so angry about other people's beliefs.

Did you see the Prince Charles concert thing on TV last night? Rowan Atkinson? Hilarious...

I'm in the same frame of mind, Livia. I don't expect other people to understand. And yes, that means also tolerating other people's POVs. We don't have to agree on everything.