In need of some prayer please...

[TopazRaven]

So what then, I just walk up to a pastor and state I don't think homosexuality or sex without marriage/having sexual thoughts are a sin and ask if I'm going to hell for it if they really are sins? Lol, I'd give the poor man (or woman for all we know) a heart attack!

As for weird stuff, yeah I know. I once came across a liberal Christian site in support of incest. People literally wrote stories about how they had sex with their relatives. I was all like, "AHHH! MY EYES! MY EYES!" It was groooooss. I still get chills and feel sick even thinking about it.

[K. Ayato]

What I meant was ask to set up an appointment with the pastor or staff member one-on-one. Lead up to it. Start by sharing a bit of where you are spiritually. Let them know you have questions. I don't think they'll freak after hearing you say you have differing views of homosexuality. Pastors and ministers are there to offer counsel, not give a diagnosis.

Should they ask why you don't see certain things as sin, tell them about it.

I think what you should first get clarity on is Hell. Start there. I'm certain once you better understand it, a lot of your doubts and questions can be answered in the process .

[TopazRaven]

That's good advice, but I'll admit, I'm still rather nervous about attempting to speak with a pastor. I need to get back to church first. As weird as it sounds, I'm actually kind of scared. I haven't stepped foot in a church since I was around 13. I guess I'm afraid people will judge me or think I don't belong there, I don't know.

[fermy6]

That's good advice, but I'll admit, I'm still rather nervous about attempting to speak with a pastor. I need to get back to church first. As weird as it sounds, I'm actually kind of scared. I haven't stepped foot in a church since I was around 13. I guess I'm afraid people will judge me or think I don't belong there, I don't know.

They shouldnt judge you....If they do then they have their own personal issues....my church is actually very walm and welcoming and no one judges you there (or not that I know of)

[Atria35]

lolz! It's seriously okay. I can count on two hands the number of times I've been to church, but I still have managed to go a few times on my own. It's rather like settling into a new school- it will just take some time for people to get used to you

[K. Ayato]

Good way to start is to ask God to lead you to a church where you'll be accepted for who you are and not shunned because you see things differently. No church is perfect, granted, but I know there is one out there that'll feel like home. Ask God to help you find it. He'll be more than happy to .

[TopazRaven]

I know. This Sunday me and my mother are actually going to return to the church I went to as a child. It's First United Methodist Church I think. Though I really don't pay much attention to denominations, there are way to many and I have a feeling God never wanted us all to be so divided. No what I mean? Or am I crazy?

[K. Ayato]

You ain't crazy . I feel the same way. I believe God delights in creativity and diversity. Take a good look at what He's made and done. Pretty amazing, huh?

[TopazRaven]

Amazing indeed! God is all awesome like that.

[Hiryu]

Would God still allow me into Heaven when I have a differing opinion like this on certain subjects then other Christians? Will Christ's blood really cover me in all my sinfulness with the way I am? I don't know what I could do but sit in a dark room and try to surpress every thought in my head. I don't feel as if I died to myself to live for Christ. I feel like a lier for trying to be a Christian when I'm so selfish and I have these different opinions, but I do want to be close to God!

When it comes to salvation your thoughts and opinions do not matter, your actions, however, do. I think God really cares about if you've accepted Jesus's sacrifice or not, and if you're going to show that change outwardly through your actions/words.

You think you're ugly? You think you don't deserve christ? Think again. He didn't die for the perfect people, and making imperfect people perfect was not his aim.

Another thing I want to make clear is, please know that I do have reasons for my differing beliefs/opinions, I'm just not very good at explaining them. I'm quite firm on my belief about homosexuals. What I am having problems with here is the subject of sex in itself and lust. If I am wrong about these things, then I am afraid I am upsetting/offending/angering God. Yet I don't feel as if I am wrong, but once again one can not rely solely on 'feeling'. Or else we would all probably be running around and acting like wild animals. Don't think I haven't looked up these issues in the bible either, because I have. I haven't read the bible cover to cover yet, but when I need to know about a particular subject there are plenty of ways to look up passages on the Internet, so don't think me completely uneducated please.

You may have your own opinion, which is fine, you're entitled to it. But if you want to know what God thinks, read the bible, and take it to heart. You seem to be doing a good job asking us questions, which I think most everyone here finds intellectually stimulating. Let us know if something in the word doesn't make sense.

However, if I don't think something is a sin then I can't ask forgiveness for it and so I won't be forgiven if it really is sin right? Leaves me with a problem then doesn't it?

That's true. God can reveal things to you, however, and it always doesn't have to be in the bible.

I try to explain to Him why I feel the way I do, but then I'm sure he already knows. He knows everything about me after all.

Nothing is a mystery, yet he still wants to hear your desires through prayer.

[TopazRaven]

I certaintly tell Him a lot of things, that's for sure. In fact I often repeat myself. I do care what God thinks, but I'm also of the opinion that we can't really know 100% what God thinks about everything going on in the world today until we are dead and He tells us. Claiming that we do know exactly what God thinks about somethings is rather dangerous I would think. None the less, I am going to try and open my mind some more so that it he truly wants to show me something I can see it.

[Kunoichi]

Still praying for this whole situation Topaz <3

[TopazRaven]

Thank you Kunoichi! I actually feel a lot better now. I'm still not as strong in my faith as I should be and I have A LOT of work to do to make myself a better person and to love God more, but I'm trying. Something I decided to do was get to reading the New Testament. I was attempting to read the bible from cover to cover starting in the Old Testament, but I relized I was so impatiant with my reading because I wanted to read about Jesus. xD So I think I'll read the NT first and then go back to the OT once I'm finished.

[Kunoichi]

I'm really glad to hear that Topaz And yeah, I've tried reading the Bible cover to cover. Never did work for me though. IMO just read where you feel you are lead to (ie. about Jesus) and eventually you will get there

Something I'd like to remind you that it was the tax collector whose prayers were heard, not the Pharisee who thought he was already good enough. Faith is like a relationship, it will take time to grow and to trust. At least that is what i believe.