What are you looking for?
Featured Topics
Select a topic to start reading.
I don’t know what to do so I guess I’ll start by introducing myself. I’m a 16 year old girl and I have gone to catholic school my whole life and I also happen to be gay. I have had quite a few bad experiences with priests and others in the catholic faith and it caused me to really question what I had always been taught. I thought Catholicism was about living like Jesus and loving others as you love yourself. If that is true than a lot of people must not really love themselves because they are definitely not loving others. I want so badly to believe what the Catholics are teaching because it would make my life so much better and so much happier but I just can’t. I don’t know how I can I have been hurt so many times by people claiming they are doing it for the right reasons. The way I look at it is if you are against people being gay or whatever you want to call it that’s okay because everyone is entitled to their own opinions. However what is not okay is using your opinions as a reason to tear others down and humiliate them and hurt them and belittle them. That is never okay. I believe in God and there is some higher power with a plan and everything happens for a reason but man made religions are terrifying and don’t make a lot of sense to me. I am in boy way trying to offend anyone who really loves their religion because if you do than I am so happy for you and I wish I could be like that. I honestly just want advice or for someone to tell me that I’m not a horrible person because I kissed a daughter instead of a son. I want someone to tell me that being catholic doesn’t mean being cruel and hurtful towards people who disagree. I want someone to tell me that I’m going to be okay because I’m scared
If you see a comment that is unsupportive or unfriendly, please report it using the flag button.
More Posts
-
Grief and Loss
How you coped up with the loss of your close ones? I've never been to the funeral of my loved ones due to really convincing and valid reasons. I've never felt...
-
Sleep deprivation
I’ve been having trouble sleeping. I always try to get myself to bed by 11 so I can wake up at 6 to do the things I planned. However, I end up sleeping at 2 a...
You will be okay, and your Heavenly Father is preparing you for a life far beyond the mortal realm. Trust in Him, you know already in your heart how Christ lived; adhere to His example, and let not fear from this world trouble you. Be Him in this world, and let others see in your own life examples how they may improve their own time of learning on this earth.
ReplyThe world is a confusing place, but if you turn inward, your strength and courage resides there.
If you turn to religions, each will give you their interpretations.
Turn inward to where GOD IS and look for his love first. You will know truth when you feel it, and all else will be put in its rightful place. It is the only place worth searching.
Go within...to find what you seek to know.
Replybelieve me, I feel you there!! I've met so many of those people who use their religion to tear everyone else down.
but think of it this way... religion is like highschool. everyone is given the same rules, same goals, same subjects, and some people are going to use those things they are given in order to make a good difference in the world. they will use their knowledge to make them a better person and help others. on the other hand, there will also be people who abuse their knowledge. they ignore it, or use it to make people around them unhappy.
the teachers who are giving knowledge to the kids can't change what the kids decide to do with it, since the kids have free will. teachers can only hope that their classes won't be ignored, and will help someone become a better person and help others someday.
same with God. he gave us a beautiful religion, but there will always be the terrible people who use it for evil rather than good. i'm so sorry that your fellow church-goers are not accepting who you are, and are using their religion in a way that it was not meant to be used. Catholicism was never meant to hurt anyone, but rather, as you mentioned, to teach us to love our neighbor, God, and ourselves.
you ARE going to be ok. God is watching you from up in heaven, and as long as you continue to love him and love yourself and love all the people around you, he will always protect you from the haters. I hope you find peace soon!
don't forget that if you show the example-a kind, understanding person who doesn't use their religion as an excuse for their opinions-you just might end up winning over a lot of people! it will probably be really hard to be charitable to all the people who are trying to tear you up, but if you are, they just might realize that you are being a better Catholic than they. it's happened to me, and it could happen to you too. never lose hope.
stay strong and happy :) good luck to you. sorry this got so long!
Replyi'm not even christian but I know god loves you and everyone whatever you do.
ReplyAll I can say is that The Bible was written in The Middle East and these men are very much against being homosexuality. So this MIGHT be something one of them put into The Bible that came from their culture. The Virgin Mary was 12 when she fell pregnant with Jesus and in their culture it is normal for them to marry children so for them it is okay for a 12 year old to be pregnant. I went to Catholic schools too and turned away from Catholicism. It is too weird for me. It is more like a business than a religion. They use The Bible as inspiration only and the Pope has a say above anything The Bible says. So what the Pope says goes. I read a book called The Great Controversy which is all about how bad the catholic church really is. I am not trying to turn you against this business (religion) but letting you know my point of view. Read The Bible yourself and pray about this. Don't be too hard on yourself.
ReplyI'm praying for you. I'm 15, and I recently returned to the catholic faith in its fullness about a year ago. Be patient with yourself. Often times the things people say are misinformed. I would suggest turning to catholic resources/media and looking to the catechism and what it says about homosexuality. Know that your feelings aren't "wrong" and you're not sinning for feeling them. Again, I myself am certainly no expert, but I'll link some resources that might help. Catholicism is a beautiful religion and the most beautiful relationship on earth is one with Christ. You are going to be okay. Just the act of you posting this shows that God is inviting you to a relationship with him, and it seems to me you desire one with him, too.
Here are a couple of resources I think are reliable.
Hallow: A catholic prayer app with rosaries, meditations, and more. It has a set of intro prayers if you don't know how to begin. Prayer is a relationship with God. https://hallow.app/
Father Mike Schmitz Talk on Homosexuality: Father Mike Schmitz is a wise and gentle priest that posts consistent homilies on the channel Ascension Presents. I think this is the correct link but if not I'd suggest googling his talks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vLsf14Gk6c
The Catechism of the Catholic Church on Chastity and Homosexuality: The Catechism is one of the best and underappreciated tools of the Catholic Church. I have linked the article on the Sixth Commandment coverage of chastity and sexuality. Scroll to the subtitle "Chastity and homosexuality" fr the church's teaching. I would especially note the quotation 2358 "The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition." The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition." https://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm
I would also suggest turning to the saints and asking them to pray for you. I would especially suggest the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. If you are confirmed I would also suggest your confirmation saint.
Ultimately this is between you and Christ, no one else. I just hope this can help you in any way, and explore freely anything else you come across. I'm praying for you and I hope your journey home is safe and full of joy!
Yours in Christ,
Rose
ReplyIt seems as you have been through a lot. You are not a horrible person. Being Catholic doesn't mean being cruel, and you will be okay. I'm 15 and started coming back to the catholic church recently. I don't know your story and I can't imagine what kind of cruelty and belittlement you have experienced, but know that you deserve much more. Christ is offering you a relationship with him. He loves you specifically, and He meets us all right where we are.
Here are some resources that might help
Hallow, a prayer app that helps you get started: https://hallow.app/
Father Mike Schmitz talk on Homosexuality and the Catholic Church (if this isn't the correct link, id suggest looking it up, Fr. Mike is very compassionate: https://brandonvogt.com/video-love-sex-attraction-catholic-church-interview-fr-mike-schmitz/
Also, note this quote in the Catechism of the Catholic Church on homosexuality (emphasis by me): "The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with RESPECT, COMPASSION, and SENSITIVITY. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition."
Regardless of your sexuality, you deserve only kindness and love. Jesus offers this all and shows it in the most ultimate and perfect way in his death and resurrection. He has called you, and he loves you. All he asks right now is that you let him. You truly truly deserve it. Find the catholic community on social media, or any media, there are many kind people who will truly listen and love well. Sending love and prayers.
Reply