Traditionally, religion has been consistently used to condemn homosexual behavior, creating conflict and tension between religious institutions and those who are openly gay.
When I came out, I was so turned off from religion because people used it against me. I saw no hope in having faith and, for some time, considered myself an atheist.

It wasn’t until I decided to go to church last week, after two years of not attending a service, that I realized it is possible to have faith and be a homosexual.

For too long, I had let the verses people used to condemn me dictate the way that I saw religion, specifically Christianity. My purpose is not to point out the contradictions in the Bible or reveal the numerous interpretations of the passages used against homosexuality. Members of the LGBT community can still have faith and take the positive messages in the Scriptures to live a happy and fulfilling life.

The Bible is not a weapon, nor was it ever meant to be. Nobody has any right to decide my fate based on what is written in the Bible and pass their judgment. Ultimately for me, the overwhelming messages I take from it are the messages of love, compassion, kindness and friendship — the exact things that LGBT individuals are not met with by many of those who read the same book.

For me, being a Christian is about truly living in the way of Christ. Time after time, spiritual leaders of all religions speak of promoting love for others around you. They never say love everyone except for gay people.

I also find it important to point out that loving someone is not trying to make him or her change who they are. The fact is, no reasonable person would want to be persecuted. Claiming that gay people need to be repaired or fixed to deserve respect is not what I feel Christ had in mind. Love is about acceptance and being kind, and not about making someone feel as though they are a monstrosity.

When I sat down in church last weekend, there were things said that I disagreed with, but at the same time, there were things that really spoke to me. There were things said that made me want to start living a life of compassion, understanding and selflessness. If I can take that away from a church service, I think ultimately it shows that faith does not discriminate against you based on your sexual orientation. Rather, it is about what you can take away personally to enrich your life and live happily.