[Erebos]

Originally Posted by ladonna

I am a mother of a gay child. I have 3 boys who were raised identically the same. My oldest is a very well rounded 23 yr old now, who happens to be gay (i dont believe at all by choice). We raised him in a small town right in the middle of the Bible Belt. People arent as open minded and a little more judgemental here. We tried the sports thing, he wasnt interested, we realized that very early on and didnt force the macho BS on him. We saw what his interests were and supported him with the more artistic side. My husband and I are very open minded I'd like to think. It was very obvious from age 3, that my son wasnt the most masculine boy on the block. We accepted the fact and were not blinded by wanting him to be straight and forcing him to be what he wasnt. Actually as he became a teenager, it became more and more obvious. His grades started to go down the tubes and I knew he must be struggling within himself during this time in his life, trying to figure out who he was and why. I would have long talks with him, letting him know that we loved him no matter if he were gay or straight and that he could talk to me about anything if he ever needed. Eventually when he was in High School, we finally admitted to me that he was gay, and I think it was a relief for both of us. I knew the pain he must have been going through trying to keep this secret inside, and feeling he was all alone (which, it wasnt a surprise to anyone who knew him it was quite apparant) From that day forward, he had all the confidence in the world and I knew I wouldnt have to worry about him that he would be just fine. As far as the "Christian" belief.....well, I thought we were supposed to live our lives loving all people. If you read the Bible, Jesus was a trail blazer and a bit of a rebel himself for that time, and hung out with the "low lifes" of his community. But practiced loving all people and not judging others. So....no matter what religion, race, sexual orientation, political views, its pretty much all the same, love yourself, love others and be the best person you can be.

Gandhi once said that

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

This seems so true for a lot of people. But ladonna, you are obviously not one of them.