Dylan Settles (pictured) thought he was being a good Christian by going to church on Sunday, saying his prayers each night and listing God as his number one hero on his Facebook profile. But leaders of his church, the Woods Chapel General Baptist Church in Brookland, Arkansas, feel otherwise.
Last weekend, church officials sent the 20 year old a nasty letter scolding him for his “embracing the homosexual lifestyle” and forbidding him from ever again entering their holy establishment until he begs God for forgiveness.
“It has come to the attention, of the Church body, that you have made it known publicly, of your choice, to embrace the homosexual lifestyle,” the letter began, before going on to state that the church board voted to remove Settles from the church’s membership roles, thus kicking him out of the church.
Related: Southern Baptists Officially Declare “War” On Gay Marriage
“I was in awe,” Settles tells KARK 4-TV. “I was in so much shock, I couldn’t read the rest of it.”
The letter went on to say that Settles is free to return if and only if he abandons the “sinful lifestyle” he has “chosen” and “repents.”
Settles posted the letter on Facebook, where it has, so far, received more than 2,600 shares. As a result, he says some people have “thrown Bible verses at me,” but most have been supportive. He’s received over 300 friend requests and several other churches have extended invitations for him to join their congregations.
Settles isn’t sure which church he will join next, but he does know that he will never in a million years return to Woods Chapel.
“I don’t feel comfortable sitting at pew or sitting beside my parents when all I’m going to see is people pointing their fingers at me because of the lifestyle I chose,” he said, adding that he just wants to be happy.
So far, Woods Chapel General Baptist Church is not commenting on the matter.
Related: Baptist Leader Says Childhood Sex Abuse Made You Gay
Craig Webb
Sad….and you wonder why people don’t go to church.
Carlos Martinez
why is this a story? we all know this is true and it happens all the time. so make a story about it. Its not new its been happening for ages
Paul Fucetola
I love that church and religions brings such “love” out of people! I bet their “God” is happy that they are such hateful, ignorant assholes!
Jane Elliott
just a thought start up your own church than anyone can attend without prejudice
Darryl Moir
Burn the fucking thing down on a Sunday.
Walt Andersen
Gee, the only people Christ kicked out of church were those church officials that were making money in church, like the minister, ladies league and others like them. He embraced those with different lifestyles like prostitutes, tax collectors and so forth.
bicurious
He is lucky the gays didn’t kick him out for living the church lifestyle.
Sheldon Siegel
More likely for NOT embracing the priest.
BigG
Baptist are the worst. But seriously I don’t understand why anyone in the lgbt community would choose to go to church. Religion has never done anyone any good
Jeremy Coburn
Religion is a farce anyway. Consider it a a good thing and move on. Religion separates people.
James Sigmon
Ok Christians we need to embrace our youg gay guys , not kick them out this is not a christian way.
Kieran
“No one who comes to me will I ever reject”.
–Jesus Christ (John 6:37)
“We, the self-righteous Pharisees of our day, reject you in the name of Jesus Christ.”
–Woods Chapel General Baptist Church:
AtticusBennett
“the gay lifestyle” is churchspeak. it’s a phrase anti-gay folks use, and self-hating gay men who grovel before those anti-gay folks regurgitate. i sat in on an “ex-gay/celibate gay support group” a few years ago and ALL of the boys there use that term: “when i was in The Lifestyle…”, *eyeroll*
I’m glad this kid has made this letter go viral – it perfectly illustrates the pious hypocritical bigotry of far too many so-called “faithful”, and rather brilliantly exists as an utter contradiction to the words attributed to Christ in the bible.
but hey, nearly all right-wing Christians HATE the words attributed to Christ in the bible; hell, in the sermon on the mount Christ is attributed to saying that prayer MUST be done in private, and not made into a big public spectacle. and yet….. it’s the religious right always clamouring for more public prayer and showing everyone how much they love to pray.
Xzamilio
Run!!! Run from the church and never look back.
@bicurious: I know you think you turned that around into a witty retort, but you didn’t. It’s just dumb.
Bill Krauter
they did him a favor
Brian JC Kneeland
stay strong and be yourself!
Alexander R. Rodriguez
But he still has more rights than in a Muslim country
Timothy Grover
Like that never happens!
Scott Barrett
AtticusBennett
@Alexander R. Rodriguez: i like how you instantly chose to denigrate Islam rather than concede that these bigoted Christians are hateful and discriminatory. but hey, that’s what to expect from gay men who still kiss the Pope’s ass, eh?
Atrius
He should treat it like a get out of jail free card. He doesn’t need those assholes.
Steven Burr
There is mo homosexual “life style” end of story
Terrence Houlihan
There are OTHER…BETTER…MORE LOVING CHURCHES!!! Find one.
GTT
The church letter states 2 lies: chosen and gay lifestyle.
Being gay is NOT a choice.
Being gay is NOT a lifestyle.
Does anyone – other than the willfully ignorant – actually believe that someone’s sexual orientation is a “choice”?
And what is does “lifestyle” have to do with one’s inborn sexual orientation?
Ignorance is a terrible thing.
GTT
Alexander R. Rodriguez,
Yes he does – but please stop making excuses for the discriminatory catholic church. Thanks.
mike51295
I am a former catholic and they trace their unbroken line back to st peter. These break away (some get pissed at a church they take their toys and start thier own) of less than 100 years, based on poorly thought out “theology” would make me laugh if they did not hurt so many people.
I can see why the Constitution wants nothing to do with religion
mezzacanadese
When are people going to realize that it is in the genes? It is not a lifestyle, it’s a life.
chuck
Don’t sweat it kid, GAWD IS FAKE!
NYtoSF
Look it up you bible cults. The only thing to keep people from heaven is if you don’t believe OR to turn people away from god. Hope your church burns. Dam tricksters taking peoples money & treats humans like this. For shame.
Oh you will answer to a higher authority one day. Good luck when you get turned away. Good thing he found this out about this building that claims faith.
Get yourself in a true church & not waste time & money at this hell hole.
Larry Scott
Gee. Shocking. Imagine that.
OhHellNo
Perhaps the illiterate church secretary (and Queerty writers?) will someday learn the dif between “role” and “roll”. That might be the first step toward enlightenment.
Karrnal
I’m sorry for Mr Settle’s travails. But why does he mimic the Church’s description of his sexuality as “the life style I chose.” Picking a new church is a lifestyle choice; realizing how the Church has brainwashed one is an educational choice.
Leonard Woodrow
@Carlos Martinez: The more it is brought to public notice, the sooner the vicious, hateful bias of some churches will have to be abandoned.
alanh1249
Arkansas…..that explains it
Leonard Woodrow
@GTT: Sadly, ignorance goes hand in hand with religion.
Musk
“I don’t feel comfortable sitting at pew or sitting beside my parents when all I’m going to see is people pointing their fingers at me
because of the lifestyle I chose,” he said, adding that he just wants to be happy.
Because of the lifestyle I chose? Please tell me that’s a misquote.
David Parker
best thing that could happen to him
popperpig
Let’s hope this is what people need to get them started with rejecting religious thinking / magical thinking altogether. Who wants to be accepted by a bunch of religious people anyway?!
Jeff Rice
Conditional love isn’t love at all.
Mack
@Darryl Moir: That would be considered a Federal Hate Crime. Unfortunately the Churches are protected. I would just move on to a Church (if that’s what you want) that accepts you for who you are. There are some churches out there who accepts gays. The Southern churches are very rabid bigoted against gays.
Michael Crowell
Fly, be free of the chains of false teachings that imprison you. Live your life with integrity and be happy with who you are.
alphacentauri
Now he can just go to a church that’s actually welcoming to and accepts LGBT people for who we are, as there are Christian churches that are like this; but I’m not sure why he did not do this in the first place?
OutInTheOC
so much for good christian values and understanding (sarcasm intended)….hey Dylan….come to Long Beach, California and try our church…..you will find love and understanding and an open door. Hugs from Open Door, Long Beach, CA!
Richard Holaday
Well go to another church … there are plenty of them out there to choose from.
M J Martinez Crogan
Robert Barber
Go have a Mimosa or Bloody with your freinds look at Nature somewhere?Church a waste of time.If you believe you dont need a building full of Ignorance.
Xzamilio
@Alexander R. Rodriguez: Yeah… a lot of demographics and subsets of the population have more rights here than in Islamic countries… isn’t it a great thing we have a secular society and a secular constitution that keeps the religious kooks at bay? Because there but for the grace of the Constitution go us.
Paul Anthony Encinias
WHEN WILL PEOPLE STOP BEING IDIOTS AND FORGET EBBRACING CHRIST!? Kick him out of the gay community too till he learns. Till they ALL learn. haha
QueerTree
Sorry dude. If you can’t even differentiate your own innate sexuality from a “lifestyle” I don’t have any sympathy for you. You sat there agreeing with them until they turned on you, then boohoo. You wanted the approval of evil and got burned. Maybe one day your “lifestyle” will translate into caring about others outside your bubble.
rtripboy
They do this kink of thing to shame you. They really believe that not allowing you in their church is the worst thing that could happen to you. It’s not. If you want to believe in God don’t let them rob you of faith. You just need to know that there is God and then there’s religion. They are NOT the shame thing.
KerryB
Religion is the only contagious form of mental illness.
money718
Another gay christian…sigh
Russ Carpenter
Its everyones relationship with god that matters the most. Not what others think or say.
Peter McKinney
Don’t worry. He’ll find another church to get kicked out of for being gay.
Bad Ass Biker
@alanh1249: That and Southern Baptist.
Chuck
I would reply to the Woods Chapel Church by first saying, Thank You for your most kind and heartfelt CHRISTIAN letter concerning my lifestyle. Since attending your church, and teaching everyone the CHRISTIAN way of showing your love toward Gods children. Oh wait, your church isn’t teaching anything concerning being a christian.. The only thing your teaching now is ignorance,how to act like a bigot, and HATRED! This church is doing a great job for the DEVIL!
Yuri San
it’s the kind of life we live that will save us not the religion…
Ogre Magi
So many chrsitians
so few lions
R.I.P. Cecil
billeetee
Dylan, I’m so VERY sorry that you’ve had to experience this kind of ‘rejection’ from people and a place that obviously made you happy and feel that you were ‘part’ of something special. I know that it broke you heart and hurt you deeply. Please know that not all Christian Groups are this judgmental and prone to exclusion.
You are Truly a Child of God, as are ALL LGBT men, women and children. God loves you, Dylan, just for who you are. God DOES NOT discriminate against ANY of his children.
In time, you will be able to put this behind you and perhaps even find forgiveness for those who turned against you. It does not mean that there is NO God, contrary to what many people think. There is a God who loves all of us, in ways that we can’t even imagine or try to imagine.
As some people have suggested, it may be that this is ‘call’ to form your own Church that will embrace all. Perhaps there are churches out there who have, or will, reach out to you and embrace you.
Whatever the outcome, keep your head held high, believe as you always have believed, love as you always have loved. The ‘loss’ of this church is theirs, Dylan, and it will be your gain in ways you cannot imagine. Hang in there, Dylan, It Will Get Better.
Billy Rogers and Rick Stapleton – together twenty-seven years this Christmas of 2015, and ‘married’ in NY a year ago this past August, 2014. God Bless and Know That we Love You, too.
Tobi
I never liked these sky pixie cults. 🙁
gaym50ish
Living in the suburbs is a choice and a lifestyle. Eating vegetarian is a choice, and you might call it a lifestyle. Being gay is neither a choice nor a lifestyle.
It would never occur to anyone to consider heterosexuality a “lifestyle.” Whether you’re gay or straight, your sexual orientation does not determine how you make a living, where you reside or what you enjoy doing in your spare time. Those things form your “lifestyle.”
nocibur61739
Dylan, It’s a GOOD thing that you (hopefully) do NOT embrace of THEIR lifestyle! You are made to be perfect in your own way. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let anothers “lifestyle” persuade you to do different. We are ALL humans and deserve the respect of others. However, I find that most of that respect comes from those who will welcome us with open arms not the ones who “preach”. Meaning that, just because you are not of the same “cloth” as them, they welcome you because you are just someone to give them money.
Juanjo
@Alexander R. Rodriguez: Honey, he doesn’t live in a Muslim country. He lives in the United States. Logical fallacies are not going to win you any points.
Stu Hipwell
Consider it a blessing!!
Jimmy McKinney
Just horrible. May you find another accepting place to serve God.
mykelb
I hope Mr. Settles finds reason, rationality, science and logic before he’s too much older and stops wasting his life on fantasy and fictional characters who have nothing to do with reality.
Billy Budd
Religion is all about hatred and self righteousness. People can use the bible to justify virtually anything.
Markajv
I was raised Catholic until my Mother said to me in 10th grade “I am leaving the decision uo to you as to whether you want to practice the religion you were brought up in or seek another or none at all” We weren’t exactly model Catholics. I decided I was a “Recovering Catholic” for many years. I would go to church but just for weddings, baby cristenings , funerals. I NEVER accepted the host and I did not genuflect or touch the holy water. Over the past several years I have basically called myself an Agnostic/Atheist. If I haven’t seen it with my own t eyes I will leave my options open. Reading something like this leads me more towards Atheism. If it’s one thing I remember from Catholic School was that “God” loves everyone and that his “Children” should be kind to their fellow man. This story does not ring of that. Christians and Catholics are hypocrites. To write a freaking letter to someone who believes in “God” telling him not to come to the church until he changes his ways?? Sounds more like Satanism! WOW Really accepting religion you got there. Mr. Settles there are MANY, MANY churches in this county that will gladly accept you in with no judgement. That’s good because who want’s to be judged by parishioners and not “God” This disgusts me. If their is a “Judgement Day” I have a feeling I know who the REAL sinners are.
youarekiddingme
What a bullshit letter! “….we will continue to pray for you and your family…” (Another words, we’ll pray, you STAY THE FUCK OUT OF OUR CHURCH!).
“May God Bless you and guide your path, in his love and righteousness.” (Yea, God will guide you fuckin ass out of that queer shit!).
Organized religion is acidic. Trying to make a person believe a path to eternal bliss (heaven) is only achieved through the church is the biggest con on the planet! There is NOWHERE in any teachings that dictate that you must seek God through an organized religion. I haven’t studied the Mormons so I can’t speak for them. Organized religion seeks to get into your pocket, make very few people rich, and pass one person’s beliefs onto many.
I am not a believer (previous Catholic) so I’ve had the opportunity to see things from both sides. If you choose to believe…good. Please, be smart and know that these “religions” don’t represent you or your belief in your God.
jjunke
why waste time on this idiot! God’s his hero etc. ‘God’ is about as real as the tooth fairy, the easter bunny and santa, another loser wanting his 15 minutes of fame.
darkanser
Thankfully, my mother did not raise me to be especially religious. I had enough to deal with coming to terms with being gay. My mother’s religious views would probably be described in past centuries as paganistic. Ironically, I’ve acquired my own religious beliefs over the years despite my upbringing. I respect everyone’s religious beliefs but the closest I come to a church is working with my co-worker who is a Jehovah Witness and her brethren who come to my door leaving pamphlets.
Jim Philbrick
If I hear one more time the “embracing the homosexual lifestyle” line from these right wing religious taliban freaks…
fc
@Walt Andersen: Completely true, Walt.
Transiteer
1. I can’t believe any dunce still believes in a gay ‘lifestyle’ to start with.
2. I don’t understand anyone who ‘needs’ religion of any kind, particularly
a Christian one.
3. This is a lesson on the value of Christianity (religion) – none. It’s a
social club for a**holes, egomaniacs, egotists, and jerks.
4. There isn’t, nor ever was a ‘god’, definitely wasn’t a ‘jesus’ either – the
entire thing is a product of the Roman Public Works department who invented
religions throughout the Empire, and monitored them. Christianity was
invented to subdue those rebellious Jews. It worked.
5. Be a good person – nothing wrong with you, but serious issues with those
running the ‘shop’. You don’t need religion to justify yourself. Walk away.
avesraggiana
The only people who think we have a choice in this matter are these Bible-thumping, judgemental, ignorant inbreds.
DuMaurier
A Baptist church in Arkansas believes being gay is a sin and grounds for being tossed from the membership list…hmmm…not seeing the headline-worthiness there. What I’m curious to know is, did this guy JUST find out they felt this way? I live in California, I’d never heard of the church before this story, and I would have assumed that was their viewpoint unless it was proved otherwise (or was he fine with their anti-gay doctrines as long as they let him stay and put $$ in the collection plate?)
seaguy
I personally see this as a good thing. Organized religion is bad. Look at all the wars what started most of them religion. Now he won’t be influenced by people who are intolerant and hateful. But portray themselves as just the opposite.
Tom'nRichard Wilhein
I happen to be an atheist. However, I suggest a bit of Christian charity toward those who are mentally handicapped. Their inability to understand that being gay is neither a “lifestyle” nor a “choice” is indicative of their diminished state. Be kind and try to help them through this.
Zenguy
It’s unfortunate that he used the terminology “people pointing their fingers at me because of the lifestyle I chose.” It just reinforces the uneducated concept that being gay is a choice and one’s sexuality is a lifestyle. He likely isn’t aware how those choice of words add fuel the fire of ignorance.
RobvR
Like a jew being shocked to be kicked out of the nazi party. No matter how you interpret it, the script itself is simply homophobic. Sounds like an abused woman that wants to return to her “I-can-change-him” husband.
Nahald
I still cannot understand why the uneducated still call it a “Lifestyle”. Like we have have any choice in the matter having been born this way. And this young man is better off without the confines of a clearly predjudiced church, who still seem to be in the dark ages. Personally I think all organized religion leaves alot to be desired.
Nahald
@youarekiddingme: If it makes him feel good and a better person then good for him !
Rodney Jones
You don’t need the church to live the lifestyle of your choice that will lead you to become a happy young person
Sluggo2007
The church just did him a favor by saving him from a lifetime of total bullshit.
Halina Tantau
This is discrimpp
kthcst
I’m sure if this kid were to offer the church a large amount of money, he would be accepted with open arms. The hypocrites that church bored are..This makes me SICK…….God LOVES us all…
Cam
Things like this are why bigoted organizations are losing members. For the first time the Mormons closed branches. The bigotry of churches is going to majorly impact them.
Jim McHardy
This is so sad. The church that kicked him out is Not A Christian Church or it would never do that. God is about LOVE and acceptance of all .
Ivan Alberto Lugo
Great he doesn’t need to be there anyway a church that hate is no church!!!
Joe
Church. Religion. They are the biggest bigots of them all. Forgiveness. Open arms. Help those in need. They are a business of hatred and bigotry. This is sad.
Joe
Dylan, if God is special in your heart, you don’t need a church. Pray wherever you are. Your gay. God loves all. Otherwise he wouldn’t have made us all different. You are loved. Embrace your homosexuality. Don’t let this church bring you down. You have gay brothers and sisters that will love you for who you are.
Scott McIntosh
Dylan, look upon this as a wake up call, you can now realise that you don’t need all this obscurantist sky-pixie stuff and can live a good life without Bronze Age superstition
Sammy Schlipshit
What a brave, pioneering young man.
None of us should judge him because of his choice of wording or his timetable fully accepting his sexuality.
He is doing the best he can at this point in his life.
Don’t underestimate the dark forces he is forced to deal with on a daily basis living in Arkansas. I grew up there, maintain several long time friendships still but the only way I could survive my youth was to leave the state (1972) moving to the promised land of Northern California.
He’s young.
Cut him some slack.
Please imagine the fearlessness it takes to go against your family and support system.
As an atheist I advise dumping the whole religiosity mess. But, that is not my choice to make for him.
He will do what he can when he can.
Dylan is a courageous young man.
I wish him the best.
Hopefully, he will get in touch with one of the gay rights groups in Arkansas of which there are several.
Here’s a link to some….
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=gay+rights+groups+in+arkansas&t=ffab
I can envision a time when Dylan will rise up to be a strong, smart advocate for our civil rights.
If Dylan isn’t ready to walk away from his spiritual beliefs, here is a list of gay accepting churches located through out the state…..
http://www.gaychurch.org/find_a_church/list-churches-by-state/?loc=AR
Carry on, my brother.
esemple
Baptist. It is not a church. It is a bigot’s club. I know because I went to a Baptist church when I was his age.
Be strong young man. It was not a “choice”. It is who you are.
GayEGO
We need to have a response blog for church leaders that discriminate and torment us. We will continue to educate them about their stupid hateful hoopla as verbal crimes against God who created us as we are. We need to educate them about our lifetime relationships, same-gender marriage, serving our country, working, paying bills and taxes, and living the
American dream. We are taxpaying American citizens and we will continue to verbally bombard them with our education about fact, not dark ages hateful fiction.
dunwoodyjoey
He’s still a kid. This is part of growing up. This action by his church will help him sort out what really is important.
Creevie
@bicurious: LMAO
dbmyers
@Musk: It is more likely he is trying to explain that he chose to be out rather than closeted. But we know that churches like this try to make gay people believe that they are willfully sinful, not “born this way” . . . but most of us who are not under the daily thumb of right-wing fundamentalist hate propaganda, understand that the expression “lifestyle” when applied to gays and lesbians is right-wing fundamentalist teaparty code talk for “willfully sinful” . . . “you chose that way because you are weak and sinful, not because you were born that way”. How dare they try to tell us what our nearly universal experience has been as gays and lesbians. The utter arrogance of it and them!!!
Billysees
@dunwoodyjoey:
” …This is part of growing up. This action by his church will help him sort out what really is important. ”
Good comment.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men…..Matthew 5:13
That is why the hateful and dumb behavior of his church by immature, fundamentalist Christians is being condemned or ‘thrown out and trampled on’ by so many in this column and by others who would learn of this, because it is ‘tasteless salt’.
@Kieran:
” “No one who comes to me will I ever reject”.
–Jesus Christ (John 6:37) ”
Now that has a far greater meaning than anything stupid a church may do.
Rob Moore
@Craig Webb: I know why I stopped. I realized that gods don’t exist nor do other supernatural beings. I was just wasting three hours on the weekend attending mass to worship a nonexistent entity.
Kylie Meyer
Any Christian who does and says f*d up crap in the name of their religion has not one g*d* clue what their religion is really about. Christianity is supposed to be the religion of peace, as Christ intended, but the only religion they are more peaceful than anymore is Islam. Not by much, though… It’s sick! It’s like they took aspects from both Islam and Judaism, put them in one book, changed the wording a bit to make it seem authentically original, and to make things even worse, they don’t even read the freaking thing. I have literally asked some of them questions about the Bi-bull that could only be answered if they truly read it as wholely as they claim, and the only response I have ever gotten falls along the lines of “I don’t know what you’re talking about”. Here’s a hint, dudes and lady-dudes: books are used for reading, not as footstools and doorstops.
Remington Maier
Why is this news? This has been going on for how many decades now?
David G. Abler
Lucky him
Delion Bastia
Homophobic Christians should be discriminated against. Give them a big spoon of their own poison.
Chris Mommaerts
so sad
Vaun Lineberg
Religion is such a waste of time. No God people!
Clark W Cowles
Is there a gay life style?
Daniel Salmeron
I feel sad that he was kicked but they are a religious organization and this is “legal”.
Ali Hamadi
Whether you like it or not, religion is against homosexuality PERIOD
William Bryant Jacobs
When he realizes that God does NOT exist, then he’ll be truly free.
Earl Mellor
Being kicked out of church should produce a feeling of relief akin to having your dentist saying, “everything’s fine. nothing needs to be done.” He should write back saying the money he used to waste each Sunday in that citidel of hatred will be contributed to gay causes.
Diego Rivera
I knew it was going to be a baptist church before I even read the article. I feel for him, but it’s not exactly a secret that Baptists hate us and have caused the suicide of countless people in the LGBTQ community by teaching us to hate ourselves (and our families to reject us) when we are young.
Brian JC Kneeland
Sadly – those extremists who use one verse or a part of one from the Bible cause so much trouble – and they ignore Jesus who said judge not lest you be judged!
Paul Gravell
Religion is man made and full of violence. Faith is the true connection to a higher power.
Jim Jay
someday he will look back at his being kicked out of church as a good thing.
Terry Simmons
Most churches have no concept as to who or what God is about. They only get pleasure by feeling superior. Read the verse:
JESUS WEPT.
He weeps for them.
Vince Flaherty
Run far away from that church. You’ll find happiness without those close minded homophobes
Luis H. Lopez
Go to college get a degree in engineering and show them your superior than these fools who reject you!
Craig Shapiro
Christian’s of convenience conveniently forget Christ’s commandments, to love as he loves us,and not to judge. Go figure.
Robert Small
How very holy of them!
Allen Bardin
Hope this made him realize religion is bullshit.
Carlos Beasley
Simple go find a church that accept “All”. United Church of Christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bryan Levesque
This is part of why I’m now a Pagan, these Abrahamic religions are evil & will be the death of our species if we’re not careful – as no harm is done I respect and have individual Christian, Jewish and Muslim friends or family whom I love and cherish, but I reserve my right and know their religions en masse bring death, destruction and sorrow, being kicked out of Church was one of the best things to happen to me.
Mike Domínguez
Shameful, just shameful! Why any self-respecting gay person would even chose to be part of a religion which preaches against them and finds them mentally defective and encourage families to disown their children is beyond me.
Lisa Browne
I love how the church preach dont judge and you find they are the worse offenders. =/
AnTonio L Larcusi
their loss, not his…
Marcus A. Moutra
If he’s in L.A he can go to The City of Refuge gays are welcomed there, and it’s a few others in California.
Kal Andrews
Go forward and thrive, young man. That church would have just held him back.
Steve Russell
Ef your god!
Jimmy McCully
Not all churches are like this. It isn’t religion and God that are bad; it is some people who are ignorant and think people choose to be gay. It is definitely not a choice. The Presbyterian ( USA) allows gay marriage and gay ministers.
Lane Gormley
Dislike. Double Dislikeð???ð?»ð???ð?» That is not a church. It is an instrument for oppression.
Gee Rosato
Best day of his life
Find a gay church celebrate your faith with people that accept you
Philippe De Coster
To be kicked out of the church is a good thing.
Mark T Sauer
Shameful that Christians do this when they are supposed to love everyone equally not pick and choose
Jennifer Wright
Lucky him-my ‘local’ church keep asking me for money, I’ve never been christened, never joined them, never got married there, but they keep asking…
Quentin Alexander
And this is a so called “Christian” establishment embracing “Christian” way! No thank you! I will continue my relationship with God without their or any other such establishment’s assistance.
Ron Russell
If the “church” did this he needs to find a church which is truer to the teaching of the lord Christ.
Claude Peterson
homophobia again
David Andrew Roubideaux
Like i said before “It’s not a house of God if they’re preaching against homosexuality.”
Randy Bowling
If churches and organized religions want to have future believers and members they better start being more accepting and going with the times, or they will be obsolete, or like the Aztecs or Mayans.
Dan Steele
He’s clearly too good for that church of bigots.
Philip Epstein
Gay life style what does that mean??? I live in a House with my partner of 24 years we have two dogs and all of our neighbors are married with children what makes our life gay. It’s not like we are partying or going to bars every night . Give me a break!
cjc1414
That’s how Christians show love. Just one of the reasons I don’t believe in organized religions of any kind. I could list reason upon reason but this is a good one.
cjc1414
@Jim McHardy: God may be, but Christians surely aren’t.
Frank House
Their loss. One wonders if he had been giving large sums of money to this church whether they would have thrown him out…??
RONDO
He is young and will be ok. But he should get to understand, that his (like my) so called lifestyle is NOT a choice. At least I didn’t feel like I had a choice when I realised that I am different (and believe me I prayed and prayed and prayed the gay away, no success). It is a matter of fact, there is no choice!
Jack Anthony Owen
God loves u for who u r..don’t let anyone change your Mind…that was a good thing…u can find some other form of worship!
Robert Noraas
dose not one of the 10 comandments state judge not least ye be judged
Johnathan-Perry O'Brien
Then that is not the church or congregation for you . Unity church accepts
Terry Barton
This is actually a blessing in disguise.He needs to not walk but run away from this religious cult as fast as he can.Once he is mentally free from the oppressive chains of this disgusting cult,he will feel such a wonderful feeling of freedom.
Robb Chou
That church doesn’t appreciate your talents
Doug
@GTT: Yeah, only the last thing the kid says in the article is that he doesn’t want to be harrassed by the church “for the lifestyle he chose.”
Dave Schmitt
He should call and attempt to schedule a meeting with the board and inform them he is coming with the ACLU to discuss his options, with the board and his church.
Lloyd Shadley
Poor lad still believes it is a life style he chose.
Alan David Smith
to every person on this. and any other site. demand a definition of the gay lifestyle. seriously. as typing this it is 11:35 here so it is technically still sunday. i made sure to feed the cat today. and gave her fresh water. took my meds. since i didn’t want a siezure. did some vacuuming. played some games on my computer. had breakfast for supper. in my 45 years on this planet. not one person has been able to tell me what the gay lifestyle is. do you mean actual gay sex. well i have been free of the “lifestyle” for 3 months. but sex alone is not a lifestyle. truth is the majority of people on earth do a hundred things everyday. just as part of a routine. there is no gay life style. ok my rant over
Tripp Bassett
the word “Christian” should always be used in quotes
Mary Ellen Trella
Time to find a new church. You deserve it!
Timothy Ronald Pell
Lucky for him
Ken Potter
Live your life fully and honestly so that Westboro Baptist Church will demand to picket your funeral.
Scott Sherman
Good for you, that church is backward and ignore it you need to be progressive and forward enjoyed life don’t live under some bullshit scripture
Damien Malachi
One of us! One of us! One of us!
Carrie L McClure
screw them, I am sorry they were mean to you…
Phillip Bernal
he will now learn what it is to be a REAL person…
John Wesley Anderson
Better to be kicked out of a church that doesn’t believe you belong there anyway.
Elizabeth Platt
Move on and just consider the source….
Geoffrey Frost
Been there too…
James Votinelli
ALL religions are to make money and nothing else.The religions that spread fear and delusion are the worst.Spirituality cannot be found in a church but only in people.
Emery Biggar
He’s lucky. They will only warp his mind anyway
judith
The below link shows a top evangelist describing in no uncertain terms that LGBT people will be “disciplined” when they are found in the church. This group has congregations across the US and Canada, but apparently nothing can be done since it’s a church.
https://archive.org/details/richard-ames-discipline-homosexuals-aug-12-2015