Meh.
 

I'm annoyed.

Why are all the people I meet atheist or agnostic? I don't have a problem with atheists or agnostics, mind you...I just need to have people in my life who share my interest in spirituality. They don't even have to be Buddhist...I mean...just have a spiritual practice of some kind.

I don't get it. Is it because gay people are disproportionately uninterested in spirituality and all my friends are gay?

It gets very isolating after awhile. Sigh.

I think it is because alot of gay people get shunned by alot of religions because of their sexuality - and that breeds resentment :shrug:

Im quite spritual though, but you are right - I don't know many gays who are :(

most of my gay friends had already drifted before being completely shut out by their notloving-their-neighbor congregations.

it's quite disheartening to watch it happen: a person who is full of love and life and confidence shows himself to people who should embrace and accept, but they chose to deny and condemn... i'm sure that there are many who practice and are accepting of all people. there are just so many who aren't. i'm rambling ---------> going to bed.

This is what I was going to say, and it makes a lot of sense really...(unfortunately) the mainstream Christians characterize homosexuality as a bad thing and who wants to associate with groups that call you bad?
You might have better luck with the Unity Church (founded by Charles and Mildred Filmore) or Wiccans :shrug:

I hope I'm not to forward in saying that they might be better not associating with any church or religion. I think free thought is an advancement to be encouraged.

Is that your cat? It's so cute.

The Unity Church is non-denominational and has no position on homosexuality. It teaches God is LOVE. And from what I've seen Wiccans/Pagans dont have an issue with homosexuality either.

the cat pic is from a website with pictures of Cats who look like Hitler. These cats are called Kitlers. The cat in my sig was the site's best example.

I was speaking in a broader sense not specifically about homosexuality and different churchs positions on it. I was speaking about the advancement towards free thinking which is abandoning faith in one truth in handed down stories, and embracing critical advanced thinking that exists only outside of faith-based atmospheres

he's still cute.

Oh, maybe I wasn't clear enough in my first post. I'm a Buddhist. There are plenty of Buddhist groups in Austin, but the tradition I practice with has its nearest sangha in Houston. Changing traditions isn't an option, but that's not really even the issue, I don't think. The issue is that I need new friends. :laugh:

well I was raised Southern Baptist and remember asking a lot of questions growing up. sometimes I felt like Yentl. :laugh:

today, I believe in God and am spiritual, but other than that I still wrestle with a lot of religious issues.

I have this exact same problem - everyone I meet is either agnostic or atheist - well not everyone...but still. And I, too, want to find someone who at least can be there on SOME spiritual plane with me - it's getting very sad and frustrating to me.

But I figure I can't be the ONLY person who thinks the way I do and practices the way I do - and the same has got to be true for you - so I'm trying to whole patience thing...which I'm really bad at.

It is hard to find someone of faith in the GLBT community, and, as has already been said, for very good reason. We're ostracized by many religious leaders and made to feel that we'll never be as good as our heterosexual brethren, no matter how much we sacrifice or repent.

I was raised Catholic but I can't be a part of a hypocritical religion... and most organized religions are extremely hypocritical. However, I am still very spiritual. I'm lucky that Joshua is on the same page as I am... no use for organized religion, but still very spiritual.

So keeping looking... even though it might seem that way, not everyone in the GLBT community is agnostic or atheist.

I think Buddhism is another religion that does not diffirenciate between hetero and homo sexuality :shrug:

It's hard to believe that if you attend Buddhist stuff you won't run into any gay men. :confused: You absolutely can't practice your faith within one of the other Buddhist groups? Suck. I bet there are more, here. So, you better move. :laugh:
Probably the more you get involved in Buddhist activities (whatever those are :confused: ) in your area, even if they aren't the same tradition, the more likely you'll meet a big ol' Buddhist homo. Wouldn't it be better to meet a buddhist albeit not in your tradition, then none at all?

Not really that I've found, and it's especially true in Nichiren Shu, which ordains openly gay people and nobody bats an eye, unlike certain denominations of a Christian persuasion. :cool:

I'm not even being so picky as to ask to meet gay Buddhists. I have met a handful of gay Buddhists, but they're at the Nichiren Shu temple in Houston. It would just be nice to meet anyone...gay or straight, Buddhist or not...with a spiritual practice.

As far as practicing in another Buddhist group...Nichiren Buddhism entails a specific practice which is very different from what Zen Buddhists or Tibetan Buddhists or Shin Buddhists practice, for example. If you practice with any one of these groups, you're expected to practice the way they teach. I couldn't very well go into a Zen silent meditation group and start chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo. Anyway. More than you wanted to know, I'm sure. :laugh: