5d ago

As a Gay that is questioning their spirituality, I'd like some guidance (but please don't be judgmental)

So, I made a post talking about how I'm questioning what I believe in after being a militant atheist for many years, and for any Gays who are in the same or a similar boat, who did become spiritual or even religious I'd implore you to share your stories with me, or direct me to other communities if you'd like!

(Disclaimer: if you're a self hating Gay that wants to "save" me from my "sinful ways" or whatever don't fucking bother, I'm only looking for groups that'd accept me for who I am. Period.)

15 comments

I hear you. I grew up catholic and then had the but I am gay fall out. I don’t think I will ever come back to Christianity simply because the church itself seems poised at adhering to old values that don’t adapt to the world we live in now. I’ve been dating someone raised as Quaker and it does seem like this religion strips all of the catholic BS.
That being said I’ve found solace in eastern philosophy and spirituality. Namely Buddhism. I like the idea that they believe in science and what they see. If I can disprove a point with science, according to the Dali lama he is able to change the way he thinks. I was raised in western society and value science in helping me understand the world. I have been going to zen temple and find it wonderful to have community, where we meet to meditate and explore our lives to be more mindful and be more present in our lives.
They do have a vastly different view on “death and the after life.”
Don’t worry about an after life, live your life in the present moment. We are all connected, even your pets that passed away, they ,might have passed but when they did they again became party of everything. Or maybe they will enter rebirth into another being I might come across and why it might be nice to treat any and every body as if they had been your furry friend.
Spirituality can be beautiful and fulfilling. Don’t let organized religion ruin it for you
-a spiritual atheist

You can be atheist without being militant. You don't have to demean or look down upon others. You can just accept other people for who they are, which is the same thing you're seeking for yourself
- I mean yeah I know that, but what I'm trying to say is that I'm not sure I ever was truly an atheist. I'd just like some support and guidance here is all.
  
  Right, but what does support and guidance mean? That's too vague to be useful. We don't even know what religion you think you might be. You haven't said.
  If it's in your other post you mention (I'm about to go check) then for the future, the polite thing to do would be to link to that context in the initial post
  But from what you've written here, you're not going to get anything useful.
  So, let's start with what does "I don't know if I ever was truly an atheist" mean to you? (Its a big, complicated question I'm sure. Take the time and page space to be specific)
  (This is genuine. I'd be happy to talk about it, I just don't have enough info to be helpful)

Hey, unrelated, but did you know you have your account set to appear as a bot and many may be filtering your content out as a result? You can change this in your Lemmy profile settings.
- Thanks, I didn't know. 👍
  
  No worries. Did you uncheck it? You're still showing as a bot to me.

I was raised deep in Mormon country, became aware of my man-loving tendencies and how much that was hated there. So I fought my way out at great personal cost.
I now have great, but usually reserved, disdain for simple-minded god-botherers of every flavor. Devoted but unexamined beliefs are mentally and emotionally crippling to the believer, it matters not the potential depth and value of the belief system itself. If the believer is shallow, the belief is shallow.
Here’s my take on ‘spirituality’. If you haven’t considered seriously (and felt it, balls to bone) what it would mean if your treasured beliefs were mere fictional creations, then you have no spirituality at all.
In my 50’s, I have finally built some strong sustaining beliefs, a community and practices around my lifelong interest in yoga. Yoga isn’t exactly a religion, it is deeply intertwined with several religions yet has maintained a distinct identity.
Many don’t know much about yoga beyond the physical exercise aspects of it, but if you like philosophy, anthropology and history, the rabbit hole is bottomless.
Couple that with the well proven physical and neurological benefits of a sustained practice, which I have been enjoying greatly in recent years, and I have finally found a ‘spirituality’ that satisfies my scientific mind and my need for community, connection and shared meaning.
Hope that helps.

I'm gay and have been Christian (Anglican, CofE specifically) for about 7 years now
I'm definitely questioning joining the Quakers though.
I'm happy with having a faith if only I can also have science. Over time I went from being atheist (teens) agnostic (latter teens - mid twenties) now Anglican and Quaker curious.
- I've heard a lot of good things about the Quakers.
- Quakers are fscking bad ass! In my experience, I have found many truly good and diligent people through my interactions with that community.

Was never crazy atheist but have seen enough cosmic circumstance to at least be open to the idea of some sort of divinity.
I don't think you have to find a hard label unless you're really looking for that group spirituality. It's always been a private thing to me but each their own.

15 comments