Interesting read. Very thought provoking for anyone on the religious or political spectrum. Kind of long though.

 

https://branthansen.com/2015/07/22/does-god-see-me-as-a-heterosexual-and-other-thoughts-on-sexuality/

I've been outspoken about being gay because as a matter of discussion, sexually that's what I am, but in reality in my everyday life my self identity, or how I'd define myself is not at all related to my sexuality. I'm just me, and for lack of other titles, I'm just "B-Ball-fan".

 

Knowing early that I was gay and that it wasn't always accepted made it a polarizing topic in my life, and one such that I could've easily done without. It was only through the personal struggle of finding my way in this world to live happily that it remained a topic in my life, but I most certainly would rather have had it not be an issue or topic at all.

 

For the most part if I didn't voice my thoughts here in various threads, there's a real good chance that I'd go weeks at times without even giving it much thought.

 

Because of topics here and in the news, unless I turn off all media devices, I'm bound to hear stuff regarding it spawning my own opinions, but if not for all of that, I personally wouldn't ordinarily bother preoccupying my mind with it.

 

From this standpoint of identity I can certainly see where the author is coming from, and there's no doubt some people define themselves as such.

 

I can't say that I was born gay, and I can't truly say why I am gay. I just know that I didn't choose to be, but I can't say with any certainty that inadvertently multiple different variables within my development didn't point me in that direction.

 

We in our early development of human conditioning are all about unconsciously or subconsciously to various degrees accepting or rejecting stimulus while our behavior and thought processes are being constructed, and to point at one specific element of stimulus among the millions or even billions we encounter everyday is way to difficult.

 

When I was in my early 20's I came out to a female co-worker friend where I was the first friend that she ever had come out to her. She told her open minded parents who gave her a book to read on how to deal with and comprehend a friend coming out to her.

 

I thought that this was pretty cool and progressive of her parents, and thankfully coming out to my friend proved not to be a daunting task as she was very accepting of me.

 

Fast forward about 10 years later she married and had a son, and because of her preoccupation with the gay topic (even more so than me) and wanting to make sure that if by chance her son were to be gay, she wanted him to know that he could always tell her about it without fear of abandonment.

 

She started this open type chatting with him regarding this at a very early age and continued to remind him time and again that if he happened to be gay that it was fine with her.

 

I never interfered with her raising her son, but wanted so badly to say to her that I didn't exactly know what caused people to be gay, but instead of having this topic be on your son's mind from such an early age until his teens, that maybe she should just let things fall where they will without perhaps taking any chance of leading him to anything in particular, and that she could always impress him with the idea that she was an accepting mother, but perhaps not necessarily use sexuality as the example of her accepting nature, and if by chance he were gay that he would already understand that he was close enough to his mother to say so.

 

Her son is now 16 and I recently saw on her Facebook page where she had marched in the gay parade in support of her son.

 

Although I haven't been in touch with her recently, I get the impression from that that her son is indeed identifying with being gay. Not that's there's anything wrong with that, but I can't help but wonder if that identity didn't happen as a result of being told from the time he was a kid that it was ok if he was gay.

 

Personally I'm glad that I don't know why I am gay and can feel pretty certain that nothing in particular lead me that way, but I don't know how I'd feel if I thought that I was gay after a lifetime of being told by my mother that it was ok if I was. I think that would confuse me more than me not knowing for sure why. Then I'd start questioning if all of those comments from my mother didn't somehow condition me.

 

Regarding the article, I can't say that I object to it really, but having the predominant foundation of the whole concept being based on Christianity etc... that there leaves itself open to so many views and perceptions regarding beliefs and faith.

 

If someone fully accepts Christianity without question then I can see where they'd follow the line of thinking to a "T", but on the other hand, those who have questions about the validity of the concept of a deity, the infallibility of the Bible, and the truth of Christianity will then also have many questions regarding the validity of the article.

 

It seems hard for some devout Christians to wonder why anyone would question Christianity, and it can seem hard for non-Christians to wonder how anyone can believe in something regarding faith in God as being so cut and dried without having any questions about it.

 

It's certainly understandable that we has humans could easily have hopes that what is unknown to us can also be a friendly future to us, and an afterlife of reward for having lived this life.

 

I too have hopes, and though I've been exposed to Christianity and elements of other faiths, I personally can't escape my questions.

 

If some freely believe and accept all the concepts they've been taught regarding Christianity, that's cool, and if it works for them even better. I personally can't disprove anything that they believe in, all the while they can't really prove to me that what they believe in is the truth.

 

At the end of the day it's a matter of faith.

 

Christianity or not, the article doesn't really miss regarding being preoccupied with a sexual identity, and also it was profound when discussing that sexuality isn't necessarily the be all end all road to happiness within a relationship. There's no doubt that people can become disillusioned if they focus on their sexuality as some primary centerpiece to their existence or even their relationship. It can certainly be a nice way to express one's love, but most definitely not the only way, and often times not the most important way.

 

Although I haven't been in touch with her recently, I get the impression from that that her son is indeed identifying with being gay. Not that's there's anything wrong with that, but I can't help but wonder if that identity didn't happen as a result of being told from the time he was a kid that it was ok if he was gay.

 

I wondered the exact same thing when I was reading this.

Very good article, and great post, B-Ball-fan.

 

I have been trying to gather my thoughts after the "liberal-winning" June of 2015 (Jenner Situation & Gay Marriage Legalization) and this article says a lot of the things I've been thinking. I think his overall point is extremely important and true:

 

We need to stop labeling each other, and start loving each other.

I've been outspoken about being gay because as a matter of discussion, sexually that's what I am, but in reality in my everyday life my self identity, or how I'd define myself is not at all related to my sexuality. I'm just me, and for lack of other titles, I'm just "B-Ball-fan".

 

Knowing early that I was gay and that it wasn't always accepted made it a polarizing topic in my life, and one such that I could've easily done without. It was only through the personal struggle of finding my way in this world to live happily that it remained a topic in my life, but I most certainly would rather have had it not be an issue or topic at all.

 

For the most part if I didn't voice my thoughts here in various threads, there's a real good chance that I'd go weeks at times without even giving it much thought.

 

Because of topics here and in the news, unless I turn off all media devices, I'm bound to hear stuff regarding it spawning my own opinions, but if not for all of that, I personally wouldn't ordinarily bother preoccupying my mind with it.

 

From this standpoint of identity I can certainly see where the author is coming from, and there's no doubt some people define themselves as such.

 

I can't say that I was born gay, and I can't truly say why I am gay. I just know that I didn't choose to be, but I can't say with any certainty that inadvertently multiple different variables within my development didn't point me in that direction.

 

We in our early development of human conditioning are all about unconsciously or subconsciously to various degrees accepting or rejecting stimulus while our behavior and thought processes are being constructed, and to point at one specific element of stimulus among the millions or even billions we encounter everyday is way to difficult.

 

When I was in my early 20's I came out to a female co-worker friend where I was the first friend that she ever had come out to her. She told her open minded parents who gave her a book to read on how to deal with and comprehend a friend coming out to her.

 

I thought that this was pretty cool and progressive of her parents, and thankfully coming out to my friend proved not to be a daunting task as she was very accepting of me.

 

Fast forward about 10 years later she married and had a son, and because of her preoccupation with the gay topic (even more so than me) and wanting to make sure that if by chance her son were to be gay, she wanted him to know that he could always tell her about it without fear of abandonment.

 

She started this open type chatting with him regarding this at a very early age and continued to remind him time and again that if he happened to be gay that it was fine with her.

 

I never interfered with her raising her son, but wanted so badly to say to her that I didn't exactly know what caused people to be gay, but instead of having this topic be on your son's mind from such an early age until his teens, that maybe she should just let things fall where they will without perhaps taking any chance of leading him to anything in particular, and that she could always impress him with the idea that she was an accepting mother, but perhaps not necessarily use sexuality as the example of her accepting nature, and if by chance he were gay that he would already understand that he was close enough to his mother to say so.

 

Her son is now 16 and I recently saw on her Facebook page where she had marched in the gay parade in support of her son.

 

Although I haven't been in touch with her recently, I get the impression from that that her son is indeed identifying with being gay. Not that's there's anything wrong with that, but I can't help but wonder if that identity didn't happen as a result of being told from the time he was a kid that it was ok if he was gay.

 

Personally I'm glad that I don't know why I am gay and can feel pretty certain that nothing in particular lead me that way, but I don't know how I'd feel if I thought that I was gay after a lifetime of being told by my mother that it was ok if I was. I think that would confuse me more than me not knowing for sure why. Then I'd start questioning if all of those comments from my mother didn't somehow condition me.

 

Regarding the article, I can't say that I object to it really, but having the predominant foundation of the whole concept being based on Christianity etc... that there leaves itself open to so many views and perceptions regarding beliefs and faith.

 

If someone fully accepts Christianity without question then I can see where they'd follow the line of thinking to a "T", but on the other hand, those who have questions about the validity of the concept of a deity, the infallibility of the Bible, and the truth of Christianity will then also have many questions regarding the validity of the article.

 

It seems hard for some devout Christians to wonder why anyone would question Christianity, and it can seem hard for non-Christians to wonder how anyone can believe in something regarding faith in God as being so cut and dried without having any questions about it.

 

It's certainly understandable that we has humans could easily have hopes that what is unknown to us can also be a friendly future to us, and an afterlife of reward for having lived this life.

 

I too have hopes, and though I've been exposed to Christianity and elements of other faiths, I personally can't escape my questions.

 

If some freely believe and accept all the concepts they've been taught regarding Christianity, that's cool, and if it works for them even better. I personally can't disprove anything that they believe in, all the while they can't really prove to me that what they believe in is the truth.

 

At the end of the day it's a matter of faith.

 

Christianity or not, the article doesn't really miss regarding being preoccupied with a sexual identity, and also it was profound when discussing that sexuality isn't necessarily the be all end all road to happiness within a relationship. There's no doubt that people can become disillusioned if they focus on their sexuality as some primary centerpiece to their existence or even their relationship. It can certainly be a nice way to express one's love, but most definitely not the only way, and often times not the most important way.

 

B-Ball-Fan, I didn't read the article in the original post but I love what you wrote. Thank you for sharing on this topic.

 

I know this thread is ancient news in the context of internet forums but when I just happened on it today while perusing I had to express to you my appreciation of your well-considered response.

Very good article, and great post, B-Ball-fan.

 

I have been trying to gather my thoughts after the "liberal-winning" June of 2015 (Jenner Situation & Gay Marriage Legalization) and this article says a lot of the things I've been thinking. I think his overall point is extremely important and true:

 

We need to stop labeling each other, and start loving each other.

 

B-Ball-Fan, I didn't read the article in the original post but I love what you wrote. Thank you for sharing on this topic.

 

I know this thread is ancient news in the context of internet forums but when I just happened on it today while perusing I had to express to you my appreciation of your well-considered response.

 

Thanks guys for checking it out, and for the kind words.