Posted on 05/24/2013 8:24:27 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Between the faction of gay Christians who are happy with their sexual identity and "ex-gays," who say they've removed their homosexual yearnings, is a third group that gets little attention. These so-called Side B Christians identify as gay and believe it's not sinful to do so. But because they see acting on their orientation as ungodly, they commit to a life of celibacy.
Now, for the first time, a sociologist has taken an in-depth look at what makes Side Bs tick, particularly how they navigate their same-sex desires and their awkward position as stuck in the middle of ex-gay groups and content gay Christians. The study is small, but finds that Side Bs experience both tension and connection with these two groups. (The origins of the "Side B" term are foggy, but the terminology seems to come from the organization the Gay Christian Network, which labels gay Christians who do not see their sexuality as sinful as "Side A" and those who do as "Side B.")
"The networks overlap with these two groups very strongly, and they did often feel kind of caught in the middle, certainly," said study researcher S.J. Creek, a sociologist at Hollins University of Virginia.
The study of Side B Christians grew out of a larger research project by Creek looking into the lives of ex-gay Christians. This movement, which centers largely around the organization Exodus International, claims that same-sex desire can be stifled and that sexual orientation can be changed — hence the term "ex-gay." Numbers on ex-gay individuals are hard to come by, but Exodus International claims 3,000 people worldwide attend one of its ministry events each week.
In interviewing people who had sought help from ex-gay groups and then left, Creek found two distinct groups:
(Excerpt) Read more at livescience.com ...
They stay away from cities like Mount Vernon and Manassas.
These people deserve a great deal of support and respect, it must be difficult for them to conform to what the Church believes is a moral life
Single straight Christians do the same thing if they believe the teachings of celibacy before marriage.
Not just difficult, hellish actually. My daughter is this way and she cries and cries and laments her position in life. She loves the Lord, but has been “transgendered” from an extremely young age. She is still young (20’s) but hopefully she will come to the place where she can just give up trying to find love with a female partner because that means sex (usually) and sex brings her guilt, unhappiness, etc.
You know, if you avoid all the racy stuff on the Internet and TV, it can make it a lot easier...
yes indeed
yes, good for her!!
sounds like she’s doing it successfully so far
I sympathize with your daughter, but I doubt she is any more lonely or any more horny than any other single Christian woman. Endless millions of women have been alone for many years, either because we never had a chance to marry, or are widowed, or were divorced, or are ill. It’s not exactly a unique situation to be in but I wouldn’t describe it as “hellish.”
Bring her back to God. Get an exorcist to pray this demon out of her.
I'll never understand people that can't or won't get laid.
I suppose a non-practising homosexual Christian is no worse than a non-practising heterosexual Christian. If the celibacy is in obedience to God, does it really matter whether it is abstaining from men or abstaining from women? The abstinence should be applauded if it is sincere and honoring to God.
you’re probably right, you probably never will understand it.
That is the most Christian post on FR ever. God bless you.
Prayers for your daughter. I don’t know her, I respect her courage.
They’ll be shunned by the national gay movement because they do nothing to aid the gay mafia’s recruiting efforts aimed at kids.
Actually, celibate gay Christians have a harder struggle because they do not have marriage as a solution. They have a life-long struggle. Yes, we need to support them.
Or seek a minister who is in “deliverence” ministry.
The question I have is, is she “possesed?” The young lady may be attacked or maybe oppressed.
There are Christian ministers who are into healing and delieverence ministries.
God Bless and be with your daugther.
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