tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post6734852226487884000..comments2023-09-26T07:47:21.884-03:00Comments on Revoked: Via BNASSAA: Lessons Learned: BNASAA after 20 yearsoreydchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02414842298730341717noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-1464955103040357302011-12-03T15:40:44.099-02:002011-12-03T15:40:44.099-02:00Dear SueB9 the circle does start with someone tell...Dear SueB9 the circle does start with someone telling the group what path they should walk. I went to one meeting and it was made VERY clear from the get go, that this group was NOT a place to challenge the Bahai 'law' on homosexuality. If not in BNAASA, then where does one discuss that some of us who are devout Bahais, just do not in any way shape or form believe in this supposed law. What it is is dogma. But you see, BNASAA is not a place for us. As you said, it is a place for those who are hurting from abuse or self-hate (for perceiving that they have a disease). So yeah, wonderful for those people, no one is denying that. But for all the rest of us who have gone (including a friend of mine who helped start the whole thing) to meetings as well-adjusted LGBT people who do not think that we are in anyway shape or form diseased, BNASAA is NOT the welcoming place you make it out to be. And maybe you haven't been in some time, but with the discovery of someone like Lynn Shcreiber being given a platform to espouse her views on changing ones sexual orientation, I take issue with your statement that "the reflections were not about getting 'cured' ". Now it seems that is definitely a part of BNASAA.<br />At one time I thought that the question of sexuality could be discussed in a different way side by side with talks given by people like Lynn Shcreiber, but now I realize that that is futile within an organization like BNASAA. I mean seriously, how can you discuss that you can be an open gay Bahai and there is nothing wrong with that within a context of an organization that specifically associates you with addictions and abuse?Peynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-15695420774973656342011-12-03T15:25:01.448-02:002011-12-03T15:25:01.448-02:00RE: "There was a culture of 'We're a...RE: "There was a culture of 'We're all in this struggle together." hmmm... <br /><br />SueB9 - it is simply false that there is a safe place... I was probably at the first one... I remember, not feeling safe (but I didn't care) and being hit on repeatedly by married men(I did care and was appalled and they were angry that I was an open gay man). I remember feeling that those of us who had or shit together, were successful, happy and out were made to feel diseased and unworthy of membership in the Baha'i community, simply because I was OK with who I was. I realized that names and faces were being recorded by those in power, and seemingly "understanding" (and again I didn't care) and that my time, as an openly gay man in the Baha'i faith was numbered unless i joined their unsafe, cheap, insincere, and unhappy lifestyle of pretending to be married. <br /><br />there is no refuge in the Baha'i Faith for GLBT people, just outmoded psychobabel and hypocrisy.<br /><br />I am glad Sueb9 as a straight therapist you felt safe, I simply did not, and never returned.oreydchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02414842298730341717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-85018081440858557432011-12-03T14:53:46.841-02:002011-12-03T14:53:46.841-02:00To Quote the Article:
"In the sharing circle,...To Quote the Article:<br />"In the sharing circle, we learn two important principles: 1) that every soul has its own journey and that no one has the right to tell another how to walk its own path, and 2) that to turn our hearts away from God is to be estranged from our own selves. "<br /><br />I have attended two BNASSA sessions both at Bosch. As a straight therapist I found the meetings to be loving, open, respectful and healing. Within a few minutes of participating in the first talking circle I felt at peace and at home. I experienced a unity and trust that was lacking in my own Baha'i Community. There was no pretense of formalized perfection. There was a culture of 'We're all in this struggle together.' <br /><br />At the BNAASA sessions I attended, the reflections were not about getting 'cured' but gaining spiritual unconditional loving support for any issue one might be struggle with at the time.<br /><br />I met two wonderful deepened Baha'i men who were in the sessions and have since passed on due to HIV/AIDS. Both made a loving impact on me personally. They shared their story of being gay, feeling disenfranchised by there respective communities and how love of Baha'u'llah has carried them through their confusion and pain. <br /><br />I came away feeling that if the Faith is asking people to make choices of celibacy and to submit to scriptural and document interpretations as well as be couscous of current scientific information on the subjects of Sexuality Abuse Addiction and HIV/Aids; then the Baha'i Community needs to 'be patient and more patient' with those of us trying to understand our place in the Faith. <br /><br />This fall season has brought news of suicide by bullying, sexual abuse with administrative misconduct, as will as prominent gender reassignment possibilities. The Faith could and should be a haven for these souls who struggle with such large tests. <br /><br />There is a British movie titled 'Priest' made in 1994. It is about struggles within the Catholic Church with celibacy, homosexuality and abuse... not for the faint hearted. The outcome is brilliant and heartfelt. <br /><br />I praise BNAASA for it's valiant effort to bring forth issues and comfort for Baha'i struggling with choices. The choices are not so black and white as some would profess. A persons life span is complicated at best and change comes from a variety of options. BNAASA presents one option for Baha'i, it is a start. Evolution is a slow process. Those suffering are in need of a safe place to go for prayers and support. <br /><br />Ultimately individuals will have to come to understand what is God's Will for them in this day and age. <br /><br />Community. Come Unity.SueB9https://www.blogger.com/profile/03522022071802390301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-54433741591930723912011-12-01T05:28:45.204-02:002011-12-01T05:28:45.204-02:00So, according to BNASAA, this is why you are gay?
...So, according to BNASAA, this is why you are gay?<br /><br />•gender stereotyping and a widespread cultural prejudice against feminine qualities,<br />• the impact of genetics and its intersection with social bias;<br />•variations in fetal development which contribute to variations in perceived masculinity and femininity;<br />•family dynamics related to rigid or confusing gender roles;<br />•emotional abuse in the family, leading to sexual confusion; <br />•harsh and rigid attitudes about sex and sexuality;<br />•toxic sexual ignorance about normal sexual development and body functions;<br />•premature sexualization and sexual abuse;<br />•compulsive sexual behaviors adopted to cope with generalized anxiety;<br />•the accessibility of pornographic images, especially as they impact children and pre-adolescents.<br />Holy shit is this a really twisted view. It stems from the assumptions, mostly, that being gay is based on environmental influences. They claim that there is "some" biological factor, but their claim is immediately tossed aside by their premise that genetics intersects social bias (?)_and, oh yeah, the huge list afterwards of entirely biased environmental "factors." Again, so this is why you are gay? Let's see. You were not stereotyped so badly in society that any feminine inclinations you might have had turned you into a homosexual. Your fetal development was normal and did not contribute to "perceived masculinity and femininity." We did not have a rigid family or an abusive family or one with harsh attitudes towards sexuality. You did not have generalized anxiety leading to compulsive sexual behaviors. And by God, we did not have access to pornography. <br /><br />This is appalling, and it makes people feel dirty and ashamed of who they are, contrary to their supposed beliefs that the group at BNASSA have been marginalized and need loving support. <br /><br />But, are we surprised? The Baha'i community is officially espousing an ignorant, antiquated philosophy of homosexuality!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-64475608214154972622011-11-30T22:44:25.577-02:002011-11-30T22:44:25.577-02:00I must apologize for the post that began with &quo...I must apologize for the post that began with "entered the safety of a bnasaa event" why is it all so secretive ? I am only grateful to have attended in that I am confident that my opinion is informed, at least in regards to my own needs. If there are so-called suffering souls who benefit from this group then that is great. I did not go there in the spirit of looking for help with sexuality issues. When I stated that I would not take the bait, what I meant was, I have run out of polite things to say in response to all the thinly veiled warm and fuzzy BS that this institution is trying to feed people. Who cares ? Probably no one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-13098303567726134012011-11-30T20:20:03.191-02:002011-11-30T20:20:03.191-02:00No one is asking you to take a bait on anything. ...No one is asking you to take a bait on anything. But this is a typical 'loyal' Bahai response. If you actually dare have a 'clash' of differing opinions as Abdul-Baha mentions, then suddenly we are just trying to 'bait' you, huh? I for one went to a BNASAA meeting. Was it a safe environment? Yeah, I guess so. Safer than your typical Bahai community (THAT in itself should tell you something). What did I feel? That it was a great place for people with deep troubles and demons who needed an understanding ear. So it has it's place. But it is NOT the place for well-adjusted gay people. Or heck even well-adjusted people living with HIV. The whole atmosphere is to reinforce the idea in someone who is gay or lesbian that they are diseased and that they are not there to question the official 'law'; all of course clothed in Bahai love and sweetness. Anyway, don't bite. Who cares?Peynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-12465411368079169362011-11-30T13:45:34.225-02:002011-11-30T13:45:34.225-02:00"Entered the safety of a BNASSA event..."..."Entered the safety of a BNASSA event..."I am grateful to have been a participant at the 1989 event.It was indeed an eye-opener, though I never felt compelled to go back. This is a very interesting document. " Leave them to themselves". I won't be taking the bait on this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7195448042369453619.post-25856715000150159782011-11-30T09:02:07.764-02:002011-11-30T09:02:07.764-02:00an anon reader remarked:
This is a very important...an anon reader remarked:<br /><br />This is a very important document posted, it gives the reader an "inside" to the backwards and dated research and logic that is fostered at BNASAA. Much of these theories have long disappeared from the scientific and medical communities, it's like looking back in time...oreydchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02414842298730341717noreply@blogger.com