@Spockrockerwmydirtyeyes@xanga - One would only hope.

i'm gonna pray really hard and then maybe i'll become left-handed . . . or maybe my hair will turn blonde, or my eyes will turn blue.

same as trying to "pray the gay away."

i'd encourage you to read this essay: http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-walter-wink

@erotyka@xanga - God does indeed love everyone, and I was sure to state that in my post. I'm so sorry if others have told you otherwise. It doesn't get any better than John 3:16, "For God so loved the world..."

@DraigStudio@xanga - I agree "we are who we are" in the sense that people are ingrained with the attractions they have; they don't choose them. But I'm glad you wrapped up your comment with that line, "If people want to deny their attraction that is fine." I'm not out to convert gay to straight with this post. The main purpose of this post was to bring this issue to light for the Church, that there are many Christians among us who wrestle with this issue and that we all need to be more sensitive and loving.

@Darth_Windows@xanga - I wasn't attacking "being gay." But if some Christians feel called to deny their attractions, isn't it their right to do so?

@Unstoppable_Inner_Strength@xanga - I'm assuming you're referring to Christians at large and not my own thoughts from this post. I'm certainly not attempting to "strip my fellow humans of their rights." Again, main purpose of this post was to bring to light that some Christians deal with this issue and that some feel led to deny their attractions. Look for Part 2 in the coming days where I examine the other side of the coin.

@ai_shitemo@xanga - I disagree; there is so much power in prayer. While I don't know that "praying the gay away" (Ling's titling, not mine) is entirely accurate, I completely believe in praying the "control" away. I look at someone like Alan Chambers who was once consumed by his attractions, and now he's experiencing freedom. I realize not all gay people feel "consumed," but as I've stated in the post and in some replies, who is anyone to deny the paths Alan, Janet and Christian are taking? The freedom they're experiencing?

@Darth_Windows@xanga - This, so much!

@CecilliaMarie@xanga - Thanks so much for those words. So glad to hear your eyes are being opened more to this issue; I pray the Church at large be opened the same.

@full_of_contradictions@xanga - Thank you for posting that link. I did read it and am aware of various examinations of those six homosexuality verses. In Part 2 of this post I'll talk about the flip-side of this issue with Christians who accept/embrace their same-sex attractions as part of who they are. I'd encourage you to come back and read it.

@DncngINthedark@xanga - Prayer may not necessarily full-on reverse a person's orientation, but growth can happen. Absolutely. There's Alan Chambers and Janet in the video, and I know several people much older than me who would attest to that reality too.

@eleMS@xanga - I wish the Church understood this issue more, and I hope my post helps just one person understand it better. I hope I didn't imply in this post that all homosexuals "struggle" with their sexuality, but the reality is that many do, and as I've said in some other replies, who are we to deny homosexual Christians their right to deny their attractions in pursuit of Christ?

Its never my place to cast stones. As a christain, I have had difficulty choosing how I feel about the idea about choosing sexuality or choosing to act on it or whatever. I haven't come to terms with myself that it is a sin. In fact, I can't really pull myself to believe it at all. I am straght and not a "good" christian... but the controversey really is in if you believe you are born straight or homosexual.. or choose to act on it? maybe choose to be gay straight or bi?

I personally believe that people are born homosexual, bi, or straight. But it doesn't make sense to me as to why god would put a human on this earth, ask him to love, yet restrict him/her from thier full capability. I can't wrap my head around that, at all. Sure, he may have wanted that person to have a greater calling in life...but it just doesnt seem understandable. The way I see it, no one person is perfect and we constantly sin, even in the way of righteousness.I could be honest, respectful and try to not be jealous...but there is no guarantee for that.

Some believe that all sin is equal. The lust that I have for my husband could be equilivlant to the lust for the same gender. Oh well, I am horrible at explaining myself. So I am sorry if I offended anyone.

To answer the questions:

How aware have you been of Christians wrestling with their sexuality?
Well, I never knew about doubt until I learned about homosexuality. My aunt was a lesbian, but I didn't know yet. I only began to realize what homosexuality was when I saw a TV show. I then began to wonder if I was gay, and started to feel akward about it. I then found myself realizing that people do love the same sex and confused my adoration of my friend for a crush. I knew what sex was at the time (my parents let me know early on due to many questions) and found myself crossed out by the thought of kissing another girl. I then began to meet other kids who felt the same way, and funny enough, we all turned out straight. Exept one of us, but I'll leave them for another question.
 Do you think the Church at large is aware enough?
I believe the church is aware, but individuals are not. People assume they are supposed to believe something and dont try to understand it.
Do you know somebody of faith impacted by homosexuality?
I am very aware of it. I have 2 friends who I found were gay, both males. One chose to keep thier faith, the other couldnt stand the prosecution he received by other christians for his sexuality. He honestly believes that he was born gay and feels he should not be denied the right to love a significant other he chooses. The friend still in fath is a transexual and bellieves that she feels to be/is a woman in a man's body. Physically she is a man, but believes otherwise and intends to get surgery to complete who she believes she is. She goes to a non denominational gay friendly church, where she feels allowed to continue to serve god.
What can we do as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to help those who struggle?
Identify the root of the struggle. If they do not define themselves in trouble; the real question is, what do you do? This, to me, if homosexuals are born with the attraction, may not have the issue prayed away or removed. Who am I to tell them what to believe or if it  is an issue. Expecially if I am nondenominational christian myself.
What types of things do you struggle with?
Honestly enough, my biggest struggles are with overindulgence, white lies, lusting over movie stars in my sleep... there are a lot of small things, to me at least.

@bugt_SoCkS@xanga - That's the same thing as saying we shouldn't belittle a post about racism. Yeah, you're entitled to your own beliefs unless those beliefs hurt and limit the rights of others. No, no one here said "fuck gay people they're horrible and disgusting and an abomination." No one used those words. But when that's the underlining thought, it doesn't matter how nicely you word something. If you smile and politely say "I hate you," it's still hate.

I think God wants us all to come together and love each other. I think He is saddened by hate and separation. We are all one, we are one with this earth, with the air, with the creatures, with each other, with life. One couldn't exist without the other. 

@DraigStudio@xanga - Amen.

@Just_For_Shits_And_Giggles@xanga - Regarding people who "smile and politely say 'I hate you,'" I think it's a bit of an overstatement to say that people commenting here have that underlying attitude. Does that attitude exist among various people in the Church today? Sure, absolutely it does. And that's a total shame. Jesus came to earth and loved everyone he interacted with, so why shouldn't we as Christ-followers do just the same? Again, my primary hope with this post was to educate and enlighten the world that this is a real issue affecting real people. I'm glad you mentioned that people of faith can abstain from their same-sex attractions if they believe it's what God wants, because after all, it is their life. As I'll elaborate in Part 2, I certainly won't be one to judge people of faith who find freedom in choosing the opposite path.

@DncngINthedark@xanga - For you it might be okay, but what about for people who disagree with that claim based on their faith? Don't they have the right to choose growth, just like others have the right to choose their attractions?

@DncngINthedark@xanga - So you think Alan Chambers is living a sad life right now? Is it fair to assert that of someone else even when he'll tell you otherwise?

@DncngINthedark@xanga - Notice I've not said anything about people "living in sin." People across the board are free to live however they want and I won't judge them for it; that's not my role as a fellow human being. But again, if people want to reject their same-sex attractions, shouldn't they be free to do so? And if they claim to find freedom in their surrender, shouldn't we take them at their word instead of saying "their life is sad"?