If they are interested in dialogue, (or even if they’re not) you could send them something like a link to Ben Gresham’s blog- or one of his videos.

Ian

Best way to help them understand I find… either that or people tend to realise they can’t respond, decide they can’t win and stop the conversation before they actually have to change what they think.

Thinking of you Shan!

Hi muffins

Yes, good point. Thanks for adding to the discussion. 🙂

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Ann Marie: I completely agree. When this originated with Katrina I was happy to attempt to talk to her. All I got was the “Anti-gay 101” talk with optional “burn in hell” segment. Not worth my time.

Thanks for the encouragement Scottie 🙂

Muffins, I completely agree. From my point of view, he is so persuaded by his version of the truth in so many ways it is destructive to his growth in Christ. I still remember him attempting to tell us that, essentially, Christmas trees are evil….

AVB: I feel so much stronger. Again, I am writing this from the exact same place in Cronulla where this all started. I am just in awe of how much I have overcome since that night of the 22nd of March… I am still not completely out and proud, but I am so much more comfortable in my own skin.

I participated in Wear It Purple at work, had customers ask me why I was wearing purple and had no issue at all telling them I was supporting GLBT youth after the recent suicides in the U.S. I was amazed at the supportive reactions I got.

At the moment, I am out to the people in my life who matter, and I am happy with that.

Thanks for the continuing support everyone!

Shan

Hi Shan

I second what avb has written above. You’ve grown so much!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

As for Aaron’s idea that Christmas trees are evil!!!??? Thanks for that, I can’t stop laughing. How priceless. 😀 :bigsmile: 😀

Blessings,

Ann Maree

Just read through this whole thread (a 2 hour endeavor, with breaks). What an amazing journey! You are in such a better place than you were when you started this – having almost committed suicide. It is saddening that other people read this and don’t see the strides you have made. Do they want to undo all the good things that have happened and leave you back in that hotel room, about to kill yourself?

I am so glad you found freedom2be when you did. Your story is awesome.

I’m surprised you keep in contact with people who treat you the way that Aaron and Katrina do. I would have just cut ties, and I would have found it very difficult to not give them an earful as well. You are much more gracious than I am.

Really, who do people think they are putting their noses where they don’t belong! Who appointed them to be the almighty protectors of the faith? They are nothing but modern day pharisees who want to see you exchange the freedom and love of Jesus for shackles of self-loathing fashioned out of lies. We should feel sorry for them I guess.

The fruit in your life is all the evidence you need to know that God is at work. A depressed, suicidal boy has become a confident young man in a matter of months. Don’t forget that! Sometimes people try to convince me of all sorts of things, and they sound very convincing, but when you look at the fruit of their lives it looks very unattractive. So I tell them that there words are all good and proper, but I don’t want to believe them because I don’t want to act like them. That usually shuts them up.