'Love One Another With A Pure Heart Fervently'

I am certainly not against religious freedom, but sometimes I feel like religion is out to get me. I raise issues, not with the bible, but with the way it is often translated to fit in with zealot’s preconceived views.

I couldn’t help but be outraged as a colleague read from the book ‘Every Young Woman’s Battle’. The book disputes, in 2 pages, the lives of 1 in 10 people. According to the book we are born male or female, if we have homosexual feelings they should be suppressed, and there is no ‘gay gene’. I never thought I would be willing scientists to find a gay gene – just to prove them wrong.

Oh – and homosexual feelings may be created by the relationships with our parents. If we are particularly close to our mothers and not our fathers, we may imagine we are lesbians. I can’t say this applies to me. Maybe it does to some people – I won’t dispute that there may be a parental contribution to sexuality. I do however disagree with being told to change myself by someone who, in my opinion, has no idea of my situation and my upbringing.

The book also offers other helpful hints on dressing – young women should be careful as to how tight their shirts are, to ensure no one is exposed to flesh that is … er… exposed. Why not try the ‘Hallelujah’ test? Raise your arms in the air, just to check that your top isn’t riding up too high. It all sounds too preposterous to be true.

This is what we’re up against. Or rather, what is being put up against us. It’s not all bad news however; there is still some hope for Christian lesbians. Making small waves are http://www.christianlesbians.com/ which proclaims that ‘It’s not a contradiction. Neither are you.’ Elsewhere, Rev. Debbie Gaston will marry her long-term partner, Elaine Cook in the first Civil Partnership Ceremony, when the legislation comes into effect this December.

My friend, who read me such awe-inspiring extracts of this book also shared with me her astonishment that there were churches in America that actually welcomed gays. Of course – when accused of homophobia she quoted ‘love the sinner, not the sin’. How very original – it’s almost like it was taken direct from one of these books – oh wait, it was.

It seems to me that the religious fanatics who spew out these books are closing their eyes to reality. Gays exist – get over it. I wouldn’t mind so much if I didn’t think there were impressionable girls being tormented, and essentially led up the garden path about their sexuality.

Reccomended links:
Why not read this wonder of literature for yourself? - 'Every Young Woman's Battle'