If You Have Same-Sex Attraction, Can You Be a Christian Pastor?

[@haroldtan1638]

Thank you, Viswa and pastor Tou Chen for this candid interview. I am a gay man who is happily settled with my same sex life partner of 35 years. No doubt there is a PRESUMPTION that gay people are promiscuous and driven by sexual pleasures. But in the end, the values of the individuals and our spiritual beliefs prevail. The so called "gay lifestyle" of sex, glamor, looking good, desiring fashionable and branded material things is a stereotype no different than the assumption that all rock or pop stars are into drugs & sex. Some do and that's their choice, but they don't apply to all. The reality is, this so called "lifestyle" is NOT SUSTAINABLE even with all the money in the world. Like Tou Chen says, it would lead a person to feel empty inside regardless of how much pleasures he or she enjoyed. One big problem for the LGBT community is the lack of role models to guide us or look up to especially in Asia where it is still regarded a taboo subject especially in economically progressive but socially conservative Singapore. Things are getting better with resources like IQ (inconvenient questions) and online resources. But for my generation (I am 67 now) it was difficult. All I can say is that, gay or straight ... ANYONE can be promiscuous and I have personally seen and know of countless heterosexual promiscuity in business people from all walks of life. Perhaps it is easier for gay men to indulge when they have the means, in that there is less worry about unwanted pregnancies. It is true that many gay publications feature sex and sexy images. Fact is, sexual imagery is a marketing tool ("sex sells") we have become used to in modern life! (Eg. Victoria Secret and Calvin Klein fashion brands). My personal experience has been, gay or straight, we are ALL men and women trying to live a life of meaning, fulfilment, love and joy. We are all trying to do the best we can to find our place in society in whatever "tribe" or community we feel comfortable in. There is no "one size fits all". Nevertheless, I applaud and am very appreciative of Viswa and Pastor Tou Chen for starting this candid conversation which is very much needed for our society to mature and evolve into a more INCLUSIVE, informed and kinder society.

[@haroldtan1638]

Pardon the typos

[@faithsim1097]

I say this as a monogamous and engaged queer person...Your appeal to the mainstream as one of the "good ones" will not save you from the institutionalised bigotry that plagues our nation, enforced by gleefully judgemental people who will see no difference between you and the less polished aspects of the queer community, no matter how loudly you attempt to distinguish yourself from them.

[@roytan4580]

Being gay is not a lifestyle. It is an immutable part of whom you are. It is my life, not my choice...and I love my life. I would live it no other way.

[@LonganLee]

can there be no gay who was misled to be gay given different levels of IQ?

[@zem77]

I'm happy for Tou Chen that he found freedom from sexual addiction and found fulfillment in Christianity! I also understand Tou Chen feels attacked by the LGBTQ community and feels like a victim of "cancelling" for simply sharing his own experience of changing from gay to celibate / straight. What he perhaps fails to recognise is how his story is being *weaponised* against the LGBTQ community by mainstream Christianity in Singapore, who (even with the best of intentions) see his story as an example of how ALL LGBTQ people are / ought to be - ie. their lives are "broken" until they renounce their orientation and either pursue celibacy or convert to straight. Because the narrative is so one sided, the idea that LGBTQ people can form loving, long-term, monogamous relationships and can even be faithful Christians is something many straight Christians in Singapore cannot imagine is even possible. The wider church now has many branches which are "affirming" - ie. belief that monogamous same-sex relationships are just as valid in God's sight as heterosexual ones, and Biblical passages that seem to condemn homosexuality (such as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah) as being misapplied to modern-day same-sex committed relationships.

[@azrilali7492]

Very well said.

[@Lebbyiniuity]

I wonder if by ‘wider church’ you meant the liberals in the West, and if so, is there any merit in following them just because their voice seem louder? In my research and opinion, that is not the biblical teaching. I wonder how these alternative views can be preached with such confidence when the Bible’s priorities and gospel are clear.

[@beautyndabeast8809]

@@Lebbyiniuity Exactly what is the "correct" biblical teaching you speak of ? Each denomination has their own interpretation to suit its own purpose which is not opposed by other denominations. This is one of the results I left Christianity. If the bible can be interpreted in so many ways, then the interpretation in which @zem77 mentioned should also be accepted as valid.

[@jchewuk]

True, the Bible explicitly condemns same sex marriages or relationships, in regardless whether they are monogamous or open sexual homosexual relationships. It is the same for other form of sexual immorality of a man having sex with a woman outside marriage. However, I believe homosexual sin is one where GOD views it as one of the most evil or grievous sins committed by men.

[@Lebbyiniuity]

@@beautyndabeast8809 your perspective is so valid and I totally agree. Which is why, as Christians, I need to study the Bible for myself , even enter seminary, and come to the conclusion and interpretation that is not only God-led and Spirit-filled but in submission to God Himself. Personally, I do not think that all parts of the Bible can be interpreted in many ways. it takes lots of time and even formal study in the ancient biblical languages to get a clearer understanding of the biblical texts. I personally went to seminary to study it for myself & not accept what the mainstream people are teaching me lock, stock & barrel. If the Bible (or any religious text for that matter) is meant to be interpreted any way we like, then that defeats the purpose of it being a religious text. It can just be seen as a novel that man wrote. I can understand that you left Christianity for probably this reason

[@Lebbyiniuity]

To each his choice. This is one man’s story and he should not be cancelled for it. It is his life, conviction and experience. No one can fault that right? If you do, it’s weird 😂 you don’t have to subscribe to it. He’s just sharing his story, that’s all. Society would not be better if we all shut up our stories just because it doesn’t sit well with others. This is harmless, dude. If anyone can’t accept a story like this, they’re the intolerant ones. The video already mentioned so many times that this is just one view

[@DrHyperfocus]

"I feel very judged by those who refuse to acknowledge that I have and should have a choice on how I respond to my attraction."

[@wk3960]

Great job Viswa.. Yes he made a choice but he seems to be advocating his choice as a celebrated one sanctioned by church conforming to an authority how one should live their life. Am not saying that sex addiction is a great way to live but any addiction that harm us should be avoided.

[@askingalexandriaaa]

From sex addiction to kool-aid addiction 😅 not all LGBT people have an unhealthy lifestyle, but definitely all devout religious people have a distorted relationship with reality.

[@dionnebergmann5185]

Thank you for your courage to share this, Pastor. No matter how many hates you get, if there is just one soul that is saved, it is worth it! Once again, thank you, and may Christ Jesus be glorified through your life and testimony.

[@axegal]

All I gleaned from this interview is a man has chosen to repress his natural proclivities by being celibate but feels victimised or defensive about his choices. Thank you, Viswa for shovelling through that often tiresome rhetoric with such grace 👏

[@wk3960]

Agreed

[@LonganLee]

Lorlen wrong is christian?

[@theuglypaulus]

There are many gay guys who experiences the similar journey

[@LonganLee]

Those with single partner could be they lack ability to attract more than one😅

[@LonganLee]

The creepy thing is this gay or former gay does not appear to be so from his exterior and behavior. Very scary

[@MyHanck]

We are in bondage to sin. We do not choose God. God chooses us. He calls us. We don’t have any decision as far as God’s righteousness is concerned because we are in bondage to sin unless released from the law.