Choosing to not run from my own circumstance. There is purpose behind my life’s beginning. Characters created, settings established, a story is asked to unfold and then to be shared. Homosexuality clashes with religion, a catalyst for the call to make one’s own way. Taking courage, having faith, finding truth not projected, not taught, but self-discovered. Without a religion fit for my own identity, without gay friendly religions, I courageously make my own religion.
Courageous Questions
Why am I here? Why are any of us here? What is it to live and why are we called to engage in the action of living?
Each of us faces a crossroads in life. Upon our birth, we are planted at the intersection of endings and new beginnings. Asked to challenge the past for a better future. Often, we are an ugly duckling not yet knowing, that if we have faith and hold on just a little longer, we become a swan.
Imagine we already have everything we need. But how do we know we are complete until we are given a trial, a mountain, an ocean to overcome? It is in the action of overcoming, the gift of the challenge, that we are granted the ability for the soul to witness all that we are.
Without Gay Friendly Religions – Make Your Own Religion
I was planted in circumstances full of contradictions. A gay man, raised in the Christian faith. Hiding my homosexuality from myself and my family. My childhood and teenage years were a nightmare of sorts. Hating myself, ashamed of myself, hating god for having made me what I was.
I ran from myself even after I came out and opened up about my homosexuality. Drug use, homelessness, sex without love or any respect. It all came to a climax.
On my death bed, having almost succeeded in taking my own life, I hear a voice saying my time here is not done. Was it God?
Call it what you will. For me, it was confirmation that we are extensions of the Divine that willed us here. We are called to live not for ourselves, but for each other. And I am here now, to live and to extend myself to you.
It was time. To honor myself, my homosexuality, and my faith. Whatever my faith may be, it is personal and is not defined by any single path. For there are many paths that lead to us to the truth. There is not one more holy, righteous, or just, than any other.
There are religions of many texts, many colors, many beliefs, none more right or wrong than others. Bible, Torah, Qur’an, Vedas, Tripitaka…. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism….
We must find our own truth. Not one of these can capture all truth in a singular form. Written by men with just one strand of a larger truth.
These religions and their texts are just an attempt. They are not definitive. To think that a writing is ever done. To think that there is only one story and one path to truth and enlightenment. To think this would be naïve and ignorant.
Listen, remain open, preach less, and learn more. Forgive, witness, do not judge, humbly observe. We are not done. There as an invitation for infinite expanse….do not run from it out of fear. Let go to let in. Give to receive. Love to be loved.
God Is Love – Make Your Own Religion Based On Love
If God is Love, and if we are extensions of this god, this deity, this infinite divine power, then we are extensions of the powerful force of love.
Perhaps to find our truth, and so define who we are, we are called to define love.
So now our purpose is laid out before us.
To find these answers it is time to define love. Let love’s definition unfold over time and learn it’s power and what it is through consistent demonstration of its message.
Give Love to others unconditionally. Extend it infinitely outwards. In this way we learn firsthand it’s infinite and ever expansiveness.
Love is our truest nature. To learn this, to know this and to have unshakeable faith in this fact we must enact it daily. It is a commitment to the daily practice of love for ourselves, for each other, and it’s expression in everything we do.
Let us be witness to our own truth and our own power; so that we may be witness to the power of love.
I am religious. I am spiritual. And I have faith. All of these are personal, and all of these are of my own making. I pray that each of us finds our own way. I will extend to you love with out judgement. And I will encourage you on your journey. May you extend the same courtesy to me. Amen.
Thanks for Reading.
Sincerely, Kurt Petersen