Taz writes:
Not all of us see sexuality as some kind of sin against god, you know.
Awareness of and relationship to God is a whole 'nother topic, Taz.
I agree that much of the church and professed Christians have repressed views on human sexuality, but by the same token I don't see the local GLBT community center as a bastion of human wisdom either. I believe that Groupthink can be a dangerous thing whether it is being practiced by militant Christian fundamentalists or by militant gay activists. This whole us versus them mentality is not helping the community at large to understand itself any better.
As an example, say that little Sam thinks (strongly believes) that he might be gay. While it may be bad advice to tell him to run to his local Pastor (unless the church is in sync with the real world) I believe that it is equally bad advice to tell him to run to the Gay Community Center. They too have prejudices and are not fully equipped to deal with a young mans problems and issues simply because they are tolerant of his inclinations.
The reason that I barked at you is that you assumed that I am some closet case who never fully embraced his sexuality or something!
Lets assume that at age 17, I had feelings of attraction for members of my same sex. If I had gone to the gay community at that time, I know that I would have found plenty of sexual partners. What I would
not have found would be any better friends than the ones that I have had for the past thirty years!
In summation, I see much of social services and secular support as the liberal version of the church---(its a non-church support group).
Many of these people have the same hang-ups and neurosis as do the rest of us...ask me and I can tell you some stories of several "counselors" whom I have known personally!
In summation, I assert that an individual can get good advice and/or get screwed no matter which way they turn for support. The church should not be vilified, just because a collective group of ex-fundamentalists has decided that they were duped.
For the record, I have
never told any gay kid that I have mentored that their sexuality was wrong nor that God was mad at them if they chose not to be celibate.