I'm a Christian and most of my family is as well. Half of my family believes gays can go to heaven, but the other half don't. I'm in the part who think they can. The problem is that my cousin just came out and I'm afraid that any faith he has in God will be lost when people tell him he's "going to hell." If I can't change their minds, how can I at least help him keep his beliefs?
God's Grace
No Christian with even the most basic understanding of God's grace, or even the most basic understanding of the Bible, would make a judgement such as you describe your cousin's family expressing. The Christian view is that we all sin--and in the Bible our sins are described--from disrespecting parents, to angry words. The Bible also includes certain sexual activities (not just homosexuallity) among the ways people sin. This is where some Christians get the view that homosexuality doesn't provide "God's best" for us. No good Christian, even if they believed homosexuality isn't God's best for us, would say that all homosexuals will go to hell. As one poster has said, that is for God only. God loves us all! --Posted by EllieM 04:16PM EST 06/10/04
My sisters gay too
It sounds like your situation is similar to mine. My sister is gay and we have a very religous family and many religous friends. The thing is that people will change their views once they realize that someone they both know and love is gay. And in the chance that they don't, all you can really do is be there for them to talk to. There's nothing you can do to change how people feel about it. I wish you all the luck and love in the world. --Posted by kelsijbabe 02:58PM EST 06/10/04
be supportive!
I have my own belief system (I am also a Christian), but I won't give you advice based on that. All I can say is be there for him and be sure to be uplifting. There are people out there who just destroy a person from the inside out. A person who has just "come out" doesn't need to be treated that way. --Posted by haesantaekwondo 11:53PM EST 06/09/04
Again, be there for him
The best thing you can do for him is love him as Jesus loved him. Whether homosexuality is going to get him to heaven or hell, Jesus would have loved him regardless. Comfort him, and encourage him to remain close to God and be wary of what God wants him to be doing with his life. Your cousin's homosexuality, whether it be right or wrong in God's eyes, is between him and God. No one else has a right to condemn him--that's God's job. --Posted by talldoll987 04:35PM EST 06/09/04
Just be there for him
The most important thing is that you are always there as an example and a guidepost for him. Let him know that you know that he's not going to hell and that it's ok for him to be both Christian and gay. He's going through a tough time right now, and he needs love from someone like you to make it through this. --Posted by missyceltic 01:54AM EST 06/09/04
Be there for him
Your cousin has alot of guts to come out and tell people he is gay. Your cousin should be treated with respect and be treated equal. Plus no one should be able to choose whether your going to hell or not. That's Gods job. Comfort him. Stand your ground and don't let anyone take him. --Posted by lostinabook 11:04AM EST 06/08/04
wellllll.............
If he holds fast to his beliefs then I'm sure he'll pull through. I'm no Christian but the whole "Gays are goin to hell" is true NONSENSE!!!!!! I believe that your cousin will be ok. Those who hold steadfast to who they are and have always been.........always are.
--Posted by necrophilandria 11:15PM EST 06/07/04
You must be a gURL member to post. Not a gURL member? Join now! (It's free!)