Here are some of their answers (in no particular order):
"Spirituality is an important component of every person's life. … As gay men, it is a part of our reclaiming the role and gift that we have historically held as shaman, healer, teacher and twin-spirited person.
"A denial of our spirit is a denial of the integral humanity/spirit that we are and disables our full embodiment as co-creators in the world.
"A person's spirituality is something that has to be practiced in order to have its fullest effect.
"For many, this spirituality is exercised through some ‘organized’ practice or faith tradition. I am a practicing Christian in the progressive community and have come to a faith in Jesus who teaches values, not dogma.
"For me, the importance is to recognize our spiritual capacity and to spend time in building that practice. It is the inner work that connects us with our spirituality or spirit.
"We have allowed too many to rob us of our spirituality and it is time to reclaim our faith, our spirit and to see how the world begins to change when we do.”
Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas, senior pastor at Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles, CA, http://www.mccla.org/
“I don't think there is anything beyond this life--no gods, spirits, supernatural beings or forces, etc.--so I would not recommend acknowledging spirituality or practicing a faith to anyone, gay or straight, young, middle-aged, or old. I would strongly recommend thoughtful consideration of ethics, adopting moral principles and following them, treating your fellow human beings with care and respect, and reading and thinking widely. While there is no credible evidence of a life beyond this one or of any ultimate, externally created purpose for our lives, this life (the only one any of us have) matters. Kindness and graciousness matter. Creating and then fulfilling our own human purposes are worthwhile for our own sakes. How we live and treat each other affects them and us, and life, though inevitably unbearable at times and sure to end, should be as rich, interesting, and satisfying as possible while we live.”
Dr. Ed Buckner, retiring president of American Atheists Inc. based in Cranford, NJ, http://www.atheists.org/ “Lots of gay men have a strong spiritual connection and longing. But ‘spiritual’ is vague, it can mean anything. To me the vital question is: Is there a God? I can argue that this is the most important issue of all time, any time. And if there is a God, does that God have attributes, characteristics, a personality? The answer to these questions shapes everything. If there is no God, we’re all random products of the universe. If there is a God, has that God tried to reveal Him or Itself to us? Are we God’s creation, what does God want from us? It’s up to us, if we choose to, to explore this issue and try to separate our responses from all the stuff we’ve learned before. It has to be a personal discovery or it’s pretty meaningless. If there is a God and that God has tried to reach us, it’s profoundly meaningful.”
Dr. Nick Warner, counselor and pastor/co-founder of Desert Oasis Chapel in Palm Springs, CA, http://www.desertoasischapel.com/
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Since everything is connected to the divine source, relationships with God happen anywhere at anytime. Exploring nature. Reconnecting with old friends. Meeting new friends. Even having conversations with one's self. The relationship exists for me sometimes without even trying.
ReplyDeleteWe are all connected to God whether we believe in God or not. Our connection to God varies with our own personal experience. There are some who embrace the notion of a higher power and there are those that don’t believe in anything outside the material realm. Our relationship with God is constant no matter who you or what your belief. No one religion or person or group or fanatic has an exclusive relationship with God. God is All-In-All. God is neither male nor female…God is both. God is neither good nor evil. God simply is. It is our free will, that spark of consciousness that part of God or the God-head that is within us – that we were born with – which gives us the choice to have that relationship with God or not. Whether we acknowledge that relationship or not; or use religion to twist God’s love for all creation to hatred for those who don’t conform, we are all part of God and God is a part of us. Being gay, lesbian, non-gay, Jew, Hispanic, Muslim, Asian, transgender or even Sarah Palin, we all have a relationship with God. The depth, level, clarity, and or mindfulness of that relationship are ours to nurture or ignore. But the relationship is always there.
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