Flower of the Day: 12/10/14

"There are times when we make others feel guilty for what's really our own inability to love – that's truly malicious. We rob the other’s energy for us to feel more powerful; and this brings us a momentary satisfaction. But the load of taking someone away from their path by putting the blame on them is very heavy. We point the finger at them and say, ‘You are guilty for my misery.’ The person then has to go to hell and back to be accepted by you. The needier the person is, the greater their need will be to please you."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

Waiting for American Buddhism | December 10, 2014 Americans tend to be impatient. We think if Buddhism has been here for a hundred and fifty years, of course it should be totally American. But that ignores the fact that in Asia it took centuries for Buddhism to become fully acculturated when it moved to a new cultural region. . . . It will take time. - Charles Prebish, "Pursuing an American Buddhism"

Via Gay Politics Report: Pope Francis calls for church support of LGBT families

Pope Francis calls for church support of LGBT families
Pope Francis on Sunday called on the Catholic Church to provide support for parents with LGBT children. "We come across this reality all the time in the confessional: a father and a mother whose son or daughter is in that situation. ... We have to find a way to help that father or that mother to stand by their son or daughter," Francis said during a discussion of the church's Synod of Bishops in the fall. A day earlier, the pontiff urged his fellow officials to recognize the "signs of the times." 

International Business Times/Independent (London) (tiered subscription model), The (12/8), Advocate.com/LaNacion.com.ar (Argentina) (Spanish-language content) (12/8)

Flower of the Day: 12/09/14

"Competition is at the service of adding value to the idea of ‘me’: we want to be recognized since that makes us feel we have found our place in the world. When we feel isolated and separate, and start competing with others, it’s almost impossible for us to discover our place in the world. I invite you to give up the ‘doer,’ since compulsive doing serves this sense of competition. Each time we do something compulsively, we get further imprisoned in the webs of karma."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

The World of Interaction | December 9, 2014 Awakening is not an individual achievement but arises because of and along with the awakening of others. - Rev. Patti Nakai, "The Tie That Need Not Bind"

Flower of the Day: 12/08/14

"Deconstructing the masks, our false identities, implies reliving certain wounds. It means getting in touch with the feelings of abandonment, humiliation, rejection and exclusion that were experienced in the past. This is not easy, but you can only move forward in your evolutionary journey if you can free yourself of denied feelings. Some people believe that it is enough to just focus their awareness on the present moment without paying attention to the past, but this approach can be dangerous precisely because it is suppressing the past. The past cannot be denied: it needs to be transcended. Transcendence is only possible when you understand the past and can be in harmony with it."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

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The Care We Share | December 8, 2014

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Like an underground spring that nourishes living things but goes unseen, the care we share is the underpinning of our life, its hidden support.

- Andrew Cooper, "Life's Hidden Support"

Flower of the Day: 12/06/14

"When we arrive in this realm through the physical body, our vision gets veiled, meaning that our perception diminishes. Thus, we take the real for the unreal, and we believe the unreal to be real. This is the main source of human suffering. We then continue to deal with suffering until we reach a saturation point and get tired of it. At that point, we start seeing that there may be something wrong with our perception, and so begin the work of self-awareness by increasing our perception. That's how we remove the veil of ignorance that covers our higher self."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

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Fear of Silence | December 6, 2014

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I have the impression that many of us are afraid of silence. We’re always taking in something—text, music, radio, television, or thoughts—to occupy the space. If quiet and space are so important for our happiness, why don’t we make more room for them in our lives?

- Thich Nhat Hahn, "Fear of Silence"

Flower of the Day: 12/05/14

"The first layer of the veil of illusion is forgetting life’s purpose. Being aware of our purpose connects us to the source and enables us to remember the truth. Being enveloped by the veil of illusion, we feel separate and isolated, and a by-product of this isolation is anguish. This anguish is a great poison, which often finds its way in through a sadness that seemingly comes out of nowhere. This opens the door to bad habits, which in turn opens the door to evil."

Sri Prem Baba

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Innate Dignity | December 5, 2014

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My own practice of loving kindness has opened me to the power of compassion and to the fact that all beings want to be happy. Everybody wants to have their innate dignity recognized and to recognize the innate dignity of others.

- Sharon Salzberg, "Why I Support Fast Food Workers"

Via Lizzy the Lezzy / FB:

Flower of the Day: 12/04/14

"Children must be free, and at the same time, they need firm boundaries and care. But these boundaries must be born from a loving heart that truly sees the child. They must be born out of respect, and not from the adult’s wounded child."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

Creating Compassion | December 4, 2014 The idea of creating compassion for our environment, for something that we take for granted daily—something that, as a human race, we are just absolutely destroying, for the most part without a care—I think that connecting compassion to that is really, really powerful. - Emily Burke, "Meditating in Public"

Via JMG: Labor Department Issues Final Rule On LGBT Anti-Discrimination Measures

Via press release:

A new rule prohibiting discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity in the federal contracting workforce is being announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor. The rule implements Executive Order 13672, which was signed by President Obama on July 21.

"Americans believe in fairness and opportunity. No one should live in fear of being fired or passed over or discriminated against at work simply because of who they are or who they love," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "Laws prohibiting workplace discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity are long overdue, and we're taking a big step forward today to fix that."

EO 13672 tasked the department with updating the rules implementing EO 11246 to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes it protects. While 18 states, the District of Columbia and many businesses, large and small, already offer workplace protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, July's executive order was the first federal action to ensure LGBT workplace equality in the private sector.

The press release notes that today's action becomes effective 120 days after being formally entered into the Federal Register and will apply to all "new and modified" civilian contracts with the federal government from that date forward.

Labels: Barack Obama, business, employment, executive orders, feds, Labor Department, LGBT rights, Obama cabinet, Tom Perez

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Steven Petrow / FB:

 

Bye bye Anita Bryant. And for those of you too young to know who she was and what she did, Google her homophobic antics.

LINK: http://eqfl.org/marriagevictory

Equality Florida ‪#‎marriageequality‬ ‪#‎AnitaBryant‬ ‪#‎progress‬

Via Being Liberal / FB:

Via JMG: BREAKING: DC Bans "Ex-Gay" Torture

Via press release from the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today, the District of Columbia Council unanimously approved a bill that will protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. When signed into law, Washington, D.C. will become the third jurisdiction—behind California and New Jersey—to pass legislation protecting LGBT youth from practices that are known to cause severe depression and even suicide. “Today, the DC Council sent a powerful message to LGBT youth and their families that they are accepted, supported, and loved,” said Samantha Ames, NCLR staff attorney and coordinator of the #BornPerfect campaign at the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). “The Council has used its authority to protect our most vulnerable youth from dangerous and discredited pseudoscience that tells them who they are is wrong, and reaffirmed the consensus of every major medical and mental health organization that all children are born perfect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The Liberty Counsel fought those bills in both states, taking their fight against California's bill all the way to the Supreme Court, who smacked them down for the final time in June.

Labels: brainwashing, Christianists, ex-gay, LGBT youth, NCLR, religion, sexuality, torture, Washington DC

Reposted from Joe Jervis

What Is Your Strongest Chakra?

One of those FB thingys gave me this 

The Crown Chakra

 

You got The Crown Chakra! Crown chakra is all about understanding wisdom and various other things.
Gland: Pineal Gland
Associated Stones: Crystal Quartz, Moonstone, Selenite, Pearl, Amethyst, Lepidolite, Calcite, White or Clear Stones and Crystals.
Effects: Seeing the overall picture, Connection to the universe, Oneness, Spiritual Awareness, Consciousness and Enlightenment.

Flower of the Day: 12/03/14

"Living in presence means walking through life without a map, following only the commands of the heart and being guided by the Holy Spirit. Presence itself guides you. Being present, it’s impossible to run away from yourself. In fact, you only find yourself and recognize your gifts and talents in presence, because it is the manifestation of spontaneity. Through presence, you become a pure channel of the divine will."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

Dharma and the Law | December 3, 2014 In the simplest—and probably the most common—terms, the present state of the American judicial process runs counter to the tenets of Buddhism. It is predicated on an adversarial system that places people in mutually exclusive positions: victim and perpetrator, prosecution and defense, forces of good and forces of evil. - Mary Talbot, "No Justice, No Peace"

Uma frase do Dalai Lama para nós recitarmos todas as manhãs

“Toda manhã, pense quando você acorda: Eu estou vivo, Eu tenho uma preciosa vida humana, Eu não vou desperdiçá-la. Eu vou usar todas as minhas energias para me desenvolver, Para expandir o meu coração para os outros, Para alcançar a iluminação para o benefício de todos os seres. Eu não vou ficar com raiva, Ou pensar mal de outros. Vou beneficiar os outros, tanto quanto eu posso.”
- Dalai Lama.

http://www.budavirtual.com.br/uma-frase-dalai-lama-para-nos-recitarmos-todas-manhas/

SHO DOCS: The Last One Trailer

Bright Light Bright Light & The Pink Singers - Everything I Ever Wanted (for World AIDS Day)

JMG TRAILER: Stained Glass Windows

 Stained Glass Rainbows explores the most controversial subject facing America today: the collision between the LGBT community and the Christian church. Can gays be Christian? Is homosexuality a sin? Is there a gay gene? Is there such a thing as an ex-gay? Both families and churches are being torn apart over these divisive issues. Stained Glass Rainbows brings together the voices of the left, the right, the middle, and helps bridge the gulf through its dialogue. From gay pride parades to anti-gay protests, Stained Glass Rainbows confronts the controversy of faith through the hearts and minds of people on both sides of this uncivil war.

Labels: Christianity, LGBT rights, movies, religion

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Armed Democrats - Meme Bucket / FB:

Via Urban Cusp / FB:

From a privte list: The following was told by Krishnamurti

"You may remember the story of how the devil and his friend were walking down the street, when they saw ahead of them a man swoop down and pick up something from the ground, look at it, and put it away in his pocket.

The friend said to the devil, "What did that man pick up?"

"He picked up a piece of Truth," said the devil.

"That is very bad business for you, then," said his friend.

"Oh, not at all," the devil replied. "I am going to let him organize it."

Flower of the Day: 12/02/14

"As you strive to awaken from the dream of suffering, it is very important to look at the pleasure it brings you. Look at just how much life energy was invested into maintaining certain negative patterns. Subconsciously, we believe that giving up this suffering means giving up pleasure itself."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

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Feel Confident | December 2, 2014

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You should feel confident: Yes, I can attain enlightenment, I can benefit beings. Here in samsara I can help my family, I can support the sangha and benefit sentient beings. I can do it. I can achieve things, and I can live a joyful, meaningful life.

- Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, "Four Simple Tips for Living a Buddhist Life"

Via CNN: California governor signs bill requiring schools to teach gay history

"History should be honest," Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown said about the gay history legislation.

 

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The bill is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation
• It will also require teachers to instruct on the role of people with disabilities
• "History should be honest," Gov. Brown said in a statement

RELATED TOPICS

• Jerry Brown
• LGBT Issues
• Education

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Democratic California Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday he had signed a bill that will require public schools in the state to teach students about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

The bill, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, will also require teachers to provide instruction on the role of people with disabilities.

Make the jump here to read the full article

Just Add Coco Peru

Via JMG: Obama On World AIDS Day

"Guided by our National HIV/AIDS Strategy, we are working to build a society where every person has access to life-extending care, regardless of who they are or whom they love. The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage due to a pre-existing condition, such as HIV/AIDS, and requires that most health plans cover HIV screenings without copays for everyone ages 15 to 65 and others at increased risk. We have expanded opportunities for groundbreaking research, and we continue to invest in innovation to develop a vaccine and find a cure. And this summer, my Administration held a series of listening sessions across the country to better understand the successes and challenges of those fighting HIV at the local and State level.

"In the face of a disease that extends far beyond our borders, the United States remains committed to leading the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS and ensuring no one is left behind. Hundreds of thousands of adolescent girls and young women are infected with HIV every year, and we are working to reach and assist them and every community in need. As part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, over 7 million people with HIV around the globe are receiving antiretroviral treatment, a four-fold increase since the start of my Administration. In countries throughout the world, our initiatives are improving the lives of women and girls, accelerating life-saving treatment for children, and supporting healthy, robust communities.

"As a Nation, we have made an unwavering commitment to bend the curve of the HIV epidemic, and the progress we have seen is the result of countless people who have shared their stories, lent their strength, and led the fight to spare others the anguish of this disease. Today, we remember all those who lost their battle with HIV/AIDS, and we recognize those who agitated and organized in their memory. On this day, let us rededicate ourselves to continuing our work until we reach the day we know is possible -- when no child has to know the pain of HIV/AIDS and no life is limited by this virus. Now, therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim December 1, 2014, as World AIDS Day." - Via White House press release.

Labels: Barack Obama, HIV/AIDS, World AIDS Day

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via JMG: Apple Goes Red For World AIDS Day

 Via Mashable:

In a striking show of support for World AIDS Day, Apple in Australia has changed the colour of its logo to red at the flagship Sydney store. The tinted iconic logo illuminated a rainy George Street late on Sunday evening, as onlookers watched on, curious as to what was happening. It is the first store in the world to light up in a show of commitment to the (RED) AIDS initiative, that is fighting for an AIDS-free future. Apple will then change the colour of its logo across key stores in Japan, Hong Kong, China, Europe and the United States, as the various timezones tick into Monday. Apple announced on Nov. 26 that the campaign also includes the ability to purchase 24 apps with exclusive (RED) content until Dec. 7; all proceeds go directly to The Global Fund to fight AIDS. In addition, Apple has committed to donating a percentage of sales at its retail and online stores worldwide on one of the company's biggest shopping days of the year — Cyber Monday on Dec. 1 — which coincides with World AIDS Day.

Labels: Apple, retail, Tim Cook, World AIDS Day

Reposted from  Joe Jervis

Via JMG: INDIA: Hundreds Attend First Pride Event Since Homosexuality Was Recriminalized

 

Via Reuters:

Hundreds of people danced, sang and cheered in a gay pride parade in India's capital on Sunday, the first since the country's top court reinstated a ban on gay sex in the world's largest democracy. Multi-coloured balloons, masquerade masks and wigs, a huge rainbow flag and a St Bernard dog ushered in the seventh Delhi Queer Pride parade, with many shaking their hips to drum beats. Participants chanting "Azaadi" (freedom) and shouting slogans such as "I'm gay, that's OK" carried banners and placards demanding their right to love. In December, India's Supreme Court threw out a 2009 ruling by a lower court that had decriminalised gay sex, saying only parliament could repeal Section 377 of India's penal code which bans sex against the order of nature. The British colonial-era law is widely interpreted to mean homosexual sex, and can be punished with up to 10 years in jail. Many choose to hide their sexuality for fear of discrimination.

Labels: gay Pride, India, LGBT rights, New Delhi

Reposted from Joe Jervis

Via Mother Jones: The Reagan White House Thought AIDS Was Pretty Hilarious In 1982

Via Jon Cohen's Shots in the Dark: The Wayward Search for an AIDS Vaccine, here is the transcript from the White House press briefing on October 15, 1982, the first time Reagan press secretary Larry Speakes fielded a question about AIDS.

October 15, 1982:

Q: Larry, does the President have any reaction to the announcement—the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, that AIDS is now an epidemic and have over 600 cases?
MR. SPEAKES: What’s AIDS?
Q: Over a third of them have died. It’s known as “gay plague.” (Laughter.) No, it is. I mean it’s a pretty serious thing that one in every three people that get this have died. And I wondered if the President is aware of it?
MR. SPEAKES: I don’t have it. Do you? (Laughter.)
Q: No, I don’t.
MR. SPEAKES: You didn’t answer my question.
Q: Well, I just wondered, does the President—
MR. SPEAKES: How do you know? (Laughter.)
Q: In other words, the White House looks on this as a great joke?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I don’t know anything about it, Lester.
Q: Does the President, does anybody in the White House know about this epidemic, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: I don’t think so. I don’t think there’s been any—
Q: Nobody knows?
MR. SPEAKES: There has been no personal experience here, Lester.
Q: No, I mean, I thought you were keeping—
MR. SPEAKES: I checked thoroughly with Dr. Ruge this morning and he’s had no—(laughter)—no patients suffering from AIDS or whatever it is.
Q: The President doesn’t have gay plague, is that what you’re saying or what?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I didn’t say that.
Q: Didn’t say that?
MR. SPEAKES: I thought I heard you on the State Department over there. Why didn’t you stay there? (Laughter.)
Q: Because I love you, Larry, that’s why. (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: Oh, I see. Just don’t put it in those terms, Lester. (Laughter.)
Q: Oh, I retract that.
MR. SPEAKES: I hope so.
Q: It’s too late.

They still thought it was pretty funny a year later: June 13, 1983:

Q: Larry, does the President think that it might help if he suggested that the gays cut down on their "cruising"? (Laughter.) What? I didn't hear your answer, Larry.
MR. SPEAKES: I just was acknowledging your interest—
Q: You were acknowledging but—
MR. SPEAKES: —interest in this subject.
Q: —you don't think that it would help if the gays cut down on their cruising—it would help AIDS?
MR. SPEAKES: We are researching it. If we come up with any research that sheds some light on whether gays should cruise or not cruise, we'll make it available to you. (Laughter.)
Q: Back to fairy tales.

The laughs just kept on coming: December 11, 1984:

MR. SPEAKES: Lester's beginning to circle now. He's moving in front. (Laughter.) Go ahead.
Q: Since the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta—(laughter)—reports—
MR. SPEAKES: This is going to be an AIDS question.
Q: —that an estimated—
MR. SPEAKES: You were close.
Q: Well, look, could I ask the question, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: You were close.
Q: An estimated 300,000 people have been exposed to AIDS, which can be transmitted through saliva. Will the President, as Commander-in-Chief, take steps to protect Armed Forces food and medical services from AIDS patients or those who run the risk of spreading AIDS in the same manner that they forbid typhoid fever people from being involved in the health or food services?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't know.
Q: Could you—Is the President concerned about this subject, Larry—
MR. SPEAKES: I haven't heard him express—
Q: —that seems to have evoked so much jocular—
MR. SPEAKES:—concern.
Q: —reaction here? I—you know—
Q: It isn't only the jocks, Lester.
Q: Has he sworn off water faucets—
Q: No, but, I mean, is he going to do anything, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: Lester, I have not heard him express anything on it. Sorry.
Q: You mean he has no—expressed no opinion about this epidemic?
MR. SPEAKES: No, but I must confess I haven't asked him about it. (Laughter.)
Q: Would you ask him Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: Have you been checked? (Laughter.)

Now go read Gabrielle's story about what it was they all found so funny.

 http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/12/flashback-reagan-white-house-thought-aids-was-pretty-hilarious-1982

John Grant - Glacier

Via The Humor Page / FB:

Via Purple Clover / FB:

Via Buddhist Network / FB:

Flower of the Day: 12/01/14

"The first step towards integration is identifying the denied parts within us. What in you separates yourself from others? What are you ashamed of? If it’s difficult for you to identify the parts you’re ashamed of, just take a look at your life. These parts within you create a negative inner state that is constantly being projected onto your relationships. The conflicts and difficulties that repeat themselves are indicators of the parts in you that are denied. When these parts come to your awareness, you have the opportunity to understand them, and through this understanding you can integrate them."

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

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Bedside Bodhisattva | December 1, 2014

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May I be scripture for those inspired by words:
A koan, a rhapsody, a proverb, a psalm.
For those who question, an unbiased ear;
For those who believe, a holder of the faith.

- Pamela Gayle White, "Bedside Bodhisattva"

Via George Takei / FB: Conan: 1 Pat: 0

Flower of the Day: 11/30/14

“Whenever you are being squeezed by life and you feel like you are suffering, stop for a moment and get in touch with that suffering. Try asking what this suffering is trying to tell you: ‘Why am I suffering so much?’ If you are truly willing to see the truth, you will immediately receive an answer.”

Sri Prem Baba

Strain Out Whatever's Inessential | November 30, 2014 Zazen [meditation] and poetry are both studies of the mind. I find the internal pressure exerted by emotion and by a koan to be similar in surprising and unpredictable ways. Zen is a wonderful sieve through which to pour a poem. It strains out whatever’s inessential. - Chase Twichell, "The Ghost of Eden"

Flower of the Day: 11/29/14

“All events that occur in life happen due to the law of karma; they act under the law of cause and effect. Still, not everything that happens to you is related to an image from your past. You can tell whether or not a particular event is actually related to a past frozen image by looking at the nature of the repetition and noticing whether it causes any internal division. If your conscious will is heading towards a particular direction, but life's experiences bring you to the exact opposite direction, then there is still an image from the past that needs to be dissolved. In order to dissolve an image that attracts negative situations, one needs to illuminate the value of acceptance.”

Sri Prem Baba

Via Daily Dharma

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Being No One | November 29, 2014

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Allow yourself to be no one; allow your mind to be empty of thought, unfurnished, until the identities gradually filter back in. Notice the space between your identities and the awareness of them. Notice if a similar gap appears at other times during the day, an empty space that you may have ignored before but can now lean into and prolong. Continue to open to the openness.

- Stephan Bodian, "Being No One"

Flower of the Day: 11/28/14

“The experience of jumping into the abyss of denied feelings can only happen once you have understood the importance of this experience. If you have not yet understood this, you won't be able to jump because you will be terrified. At this moment, you become aware of your false faith. Without true faith, you could remain paralyzed on the edge of the abyss unable to jump for a long time, perhaps for many life times. Such skepticism is actually an elevated state of consciousness since it acts as a bridge that leads from false faith to true faith. In order to go beyond skepticism, it’s necessary to understand the importance of re-experiencing one’s denied feelings.”

Sri Prem Baba

Via Dialy Dharma

Grief Bringing Us Home | November 28, 2014 It is our grief / heavy, relentless, / trudging / us, however resistant, / to the decaying and / rotten / bottom of things: / our grief bringing / us home. - Alice Walker, "Turning Madness into Flowers"

Via Zeit online: Wie eine Perversion menschlicher Natur

Wie eine Perversion menschlicher Natur

Ich bin schwul und Anhänger der Bahai-Religion. Ein Dilemma, denn die Bahai erlauben keine Homosexualität. Ein Leserartikel von Lukas Jung

A very free google translation into English follows:

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 A few years ago I resigned from the church and converted to the Baha'i faith. Baha'is believe that the Divine for humans is not clear but is revealed through spiritual personalities in different cultures and eras. These figures include not only Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha'i faith, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna, and the founders of other religions.

The aim of the Baha'i Revelation is the unity of mankind in diversity. Bahai not proselytize why. They recognize the other religions unconditionally and enter into a dialogue with them. You want to build a peaceful and united society of people in all their diversity.
These views and the lived spirituality in the form of simple devotions, prayers, meditations and the service of the people told me too much. In a pretty young church I learned to better understand the scriptures, to broaden my horizons to develop myself spiritual, human and intellectual further. Soon I also took over functions in the community. I became a member of spiritual councils, even once chairman of such Council. It was a wonderful time.

But I could never resolve a conflict: I'm gay - gay Bahais but may not live their sexuality. I should seek therapeutic help me and take steps towards heterosexuality, I was advised. They gave me writings of religious figures from the 1950s to read, where homosexuality is described as a disease as a disorder, as a perversion of human nature.

However, the Baha'is believe that religion and science are to enter into a harmonious relationship. If the religious teachings contain something that is contrary to science, it must be revised. This is a fundamental principle of the Baha'i faith. And while it is being applied in other areas, it is ignored when it comes to homosexuality.

Due to some failed relationships with men I took the writings on homosexuality unfortunately very much to heart. I began to think that the problems in the gay community had its basis in homosexuality. I began to see myself as a perversion of human nature. For two years I denied myself and tried to develop feelings that I had not. Every time I saw an attractive man, I told myself that it was wrong to feel that way. I hated myself.

Fortunately, I finally met capable therapists who advised me, myself, so assume I am. So I began again more open with my homosexuality. I also told them some Bahai and only learned tolerant to very positive reactions. However, some of the religious leaders advised me not to serve within the community. Above all, I should not conduct children's classes and youth groups. The highest national body, the National Council, called on me in a letter not to participate in activities for children.

I was shocked and hurt. Was that the much-vaunted unity in diversity? The abolition of prejudice? The harmony of science and religion?

     Why Readers item?
     Write reader articles
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     Text and image contributions from our readers enrich our content with additional perspectives, experiences and opinions. You are from people who know what they are talking because they have experienced it themselves or are directly affected. Or because they are familiar very well in a particular subject. Tell our readers the stories we can not tell. And show them the pictures and videos that should see them. Back to the category input

I sought contact with other lesbian and gay Bahai. I found them online. Tucked away. Injured. Excluded. The website gaybahai.net lists some of their stories. There are stories of pain, suffering and self-hatred - fueled by a religion that is committed to the aim of reducing prejudice and to create unity in diversity.

At the moment I consider myself as an agnostic rather than a believer. Much of the Bahai I see now critical. Even my connection to spirituality, religion and belief, I have lost, weakened to God. I guess I should leave the Bahai, on the other hand I love and appreciate my community.

I still believe that the Baha'i religion has great potential to contribute good in the world. But first she must be self-critical and its principles match with their dogmas. You must finally the issue of homosexuality the same openness have placed such other topics as well.

The author writes under a pseudonym. His real name is known to the editors.

This post is part of our series who believes it.  

The original is here