“God” is a difficult and heated topic, one which I try to avoid. Everyone has their own understanding of what God is and if God ‘is’ at all and when these understandings conflict, intense debate often erupts.
For many gay men, particularly those who come from families who prescribe to a traditional religious persuasion, God is a concern that they cannot avoid. Rationalising one’s sexuality within the context of religion and what is wrong or right in God’s eye is an inevitable part of coming to terms with homosexuality for these men.
Coming from a home and educational system that was based on a Judeo-Christian belief of God, I was one such man. Although my view of God differs slightly today, the following is the rationalisation of my homosexuality from a religious perspective.
I was taught that we are all created in the image of God and that we are all God’s children. If you believe this then you cannot deny that gay men and women were created thusly so, by God, in his image. Denying gay men and women is directly denying God. Furthermore, God is perfect and therefore does not make mistakes. When God created gay men and women, it was no mistake. Denying gay men and women is therefore denying that God is perfect. God exists within all of humanity and therefore we each possess the same, identical Godliness within us. Denying gay men and women is denying the God that exists within you, the one God that exists in everything.
Obviously there will be religious people who believe that homosexuality is a choice and that the above rationale is therefore flawed but it’s futile to try convince them otherwise. Anyone who is gay, knows in their heart that their homosexuality was not a choice and that they were born that way either by divine purpose or through nature.
It is not our duty to try persuade our religious parents, teachers or friends to think differently but it is my belief, influenced by these parents, teachers and friends, that God loves ALL of his children and that’s all that matters to me.
Image Credit: David LaChapelle for Flaunt Magazine
THE MODERN GAY GUIDE TO LIFE 
Conservative mainstream Chirstianity would say that homosexuals bear the image of God. However, homosexuality is in no way connected to the image of God because it is a sin and is therefore a consequence of The Fall.
Thank you for reading and for sharing your perspective. While I would love to debate with you all the other references to what is considered “sinful” in the bible and scriptures, I’m well aware of the futility we will face trying to convince each other of our differing views.
Ooops. Sorry I wasn’t very clear. I am not at all giving my perspective. I don’t believe homosexuality to be a sin. If it was, I’d be in serious trouble!
I was trying to give the perspective of mainstream Christianity in that although you and I see ourselves as being made in his image and are therefore welcomed and loved by God like everyone else, mainstream Christianity makes the distinction that homosexuality is a consequence of The Fall.
Loved your post. I agree with your thoughts 100%.
No need to apologise – I misread the tone of the post and was quick to react to the mention of the word “sin”. I’ve always been intrigued how religious conservatives favour homosexuality as a sin that is more “sinful” than the others mentioned in the bible when in actual fact it is categorised alongside impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; and drunkenness.
I now understand what you are saying. Thanks again for sharing that perspective.