Free to be Me!

[megastu60]

First off, thank you for this site!

 

Back on June 7, 1980, I was born again, I was saved. I had not been exposed to religion when I was growing up in the 60s and 70s by my parents, so being exposed to Jesus through a Christian rock scene held every Saturday at a local evangelical Pentecostal church was some pretty mind-blowing stuff.

 

I spent five and a half years (June 7, 1980 - January 1, 1986) at that church. The typical church routine was:

 

• Sunday morning Bible class
• Sunday morning church service
• Sunday evening church service
• Monday through Friday mornings prayer at the church
• Tuesday evenings Bible studies with your respective Bible study group
• Wednesday evening church service
• Thursday evening choir practice
• Saturday noon getting together with others from the church for door-to-door witnessing
• Saturday evening Christian rock concert scene (the Potter's House)

 

Of course, when there was the semi-annual revival, then there would be church services morning and evening Sunday through Friday.

 

Now, let me see here, … Oh, yes! I was in my early 20s when I got saved and started going to this church here in Colorado Springs. I was also coming to terms with me being gay (just as God made me!). I remember one sister from the church telling me that her husband couldn't stand me because he suspected that I was gay. I remember one close associate of the pastor's calling me a "sodomite" (really, in the 20th century?). I tried to date a girl for a short time and, of course, the pastor had to warn her that people suspected that I might be gay. Finally, I remember one summer night when a pastor stated, word for word, that "God hates homosexuals more than he hates child molesters!" What was the congregation's response to this gospel message? Loud applause and cheers!

 

I had witnessed other cruelties and insults from the pulpit there.

 

• The preachers kept complaining about Christians from other churches, condemning their "greasy grace", their "sloppy salvation", and how no other churches could be as "on fire for the Lord" as they were
• Ministers who had attended seminaries really were graduates from "cemetaries"
• Gossiping about a congregant who was dealing with her own neurosis, complaining that she should locked up in a mental facility in Pueblo (even though she did not gossip, did not hurt anyone, would feed the hungry, and was devoted to that church and that pastor)

 

Well, as time went by, I learned that God does not hate me, just his followers do. I learned that I am a good person, a worthwhile person. I could do better!

[★ Citsonga ★]

5 hours ago, megastu60 said:

Finally, I remember one summer night when a pastor stated, word for word, that "God hates homosexuals more than he hates child molesters!" What was the congregation's response to this gospel message? Loud applause and cheers!

 

What a pathetic load of nonsense! Even as a conservative Christian I never bought into that horseshit. I'm sorry you had to endure that.

[webmdave]

Welcome to ExC, Mega... Glad you were able to escape from that abusive situation. 

 

I look forward to reading more about your experiences. 

[MOHO]

Welcome to Ex-C, @megastu60.

 

It's no secret that religions use fear and hate to bolster their ranks. Exactly why this works is beyond my comprehension as I have no use for either of those tactics. When I see or hear of those being employed by any group, entity, political party (Republicans are NOT alone here) or clique, I immediately view their entire platform as suspect.

 

It is both puzzling and creepy to me that grown adults can use, and be swayed by, such blatantly despicable attacks on human begins spewing forth from the pulpit. Those preachers, and parishioners alike, either have not read the Bible or are acting in front of other xtians or simply don't give shit that the NT teaches againsts hate. Of course I write this rhetorically as the Bible is almost totally works of fiction. 

 

Welcome again and hope to read more from you.

    - MOHO (Mind Of His Own)

[Margee]

Welcome to Ex-c Megastu60! Thanks for sharing some of your story. I'm so sorry you had to endure that abuse. I was around the same, young, naive age when I got saved and my church was almost identical to yours. Hardcore. And it can really screw you up.  I'm glad you came to know the truth and to totally accept yourself for who you are!! Looking forward to hearing more from you!

Thanks!