Is it inherent that gays don't pray?

I got a message from my mother the other day about an issue in our family that started out “If you still pray…” It got me started thinking. Do most Christians inherently think that because someone is gay, they have no connection to God? I’m sure my mother didn’t mean it in the way it sounded… she was frustrated with a situation and was leaving a quick message. But it still got me thinking about gays and prayer.

The irony of the answer to the question is that I pray a lot more now than I did when I was regularly attending church, living at home and surrounded by Christian love. I think that being out on my own, recognizing that the church I grew up in wants nothing to do with me, has made me seek my own closer connection to God.

I hear a lot of people say that spirituality doesn’t have to involve a building or a structured set of beliefs and rules. That sprituality is a personal relationship with a higher being, which most call God. I think that for some, the structured beliefs and rules make it easier to ‘keep the faith’ so to speak. When you walk out of that, or are thrust out (or simply don’t feel welcome anymore) it’s up to you and you alone to set your beliefs and maintain your connection to God. And that’s harder than anyone gives us credit for.

-r

Phelps Protests - Week of 6/18/06

Funeral of Marine Sgt. Mark T. Smykowski (Killed in Iraq)
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VA
Tuesday, June 20 - 8:15 am

Funeral of Army Pvt. Benjamin J. Slaven (Killed in Iraq)
St. John Lutheran Church
701 N. 6th St., Beatrice NE
Tuesday, June 20 - 2:15 pm

Funeral of Army Cpl. Andy D. Anderson (Killed in Iraq)
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VA
Wednesday, June 21 - 2:15 pm

We only advocate peaceful counterprotests and abhor hate and violence in all forms.

Phelps Protests - Week of 6/5/06

Funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin A. Lucas (Killed in Iraq)
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, VA
Tuesday, June 6 - 2:15 pm

Funeral of Army Spc. Bobby R. West (Killed in Iraq)
First Baptist Church, 101 Hwy 64 West
Beebe, Arkansas
Wednesday, June 7 - 1:15 pm

Please note: We offer information on WBC protests so that you can be informed of the hate that is spreading in your community at the hands of this group. We do not condone protests of this type, nor do we encourage an hate or violence of any kind. Peaceful counter-protests of the type Romaine Patterson held at the funeral of Matthew Shepard that allow families and friends to mourn in peace are generally welcomed with appropriate planning.

On a side note, funeral protests of this type are particularly appalling. Many states are passing laws to prevent such protest - which flirts with the gray areas of "free speech." In general, your speech cannot interfere or prevent the speech of another. It is argued that protests of this type infringe upon the free expression and speech of the mourners at the funeral, not allowing them to express themselves fully. We at GLF generally agree with this assessment and encourage prevention of funeral protests of this type.