ZAP ep 13 - GAY AND RELIGIOUS!?

ZAP questions? email me at MailMachelli@gmail.com


On my "Getting to know you" video, I was asked the following question by ALECSARKAS: "Which was your favorite film from the Original Star Wars Trilogy?"
Well, Alec, can I call you Alec? Mr. Sarkas? Really? Okay...jerk. Well, Mr. Sarkas, when I was a kid I definitely preferred Return of the Jedi, because it had a million things going on at any given point, Luke was entering into really dark territory, confronting his father AND the Emperor, and Darth Vader finally redeemed himself. But now I'd say that Empire Strikes Back is my favorite, because otherwise my filmkid friends will beat me up.
Okay. On to business. This week, HASSAN HERE asked: "How prevalent is the stereotype that gay people cannot be openly gay and be religious at the same time?"
Obviously, I can't speak for everyone, but I'd have to say "very prevalent."
A lot of people seem to think that the two are mutually exclusive. You can't be religious and gay at the same time. They don't mix. In fact, in a previous video, I believe I made the following analogy: "Like lemons and heavy cream"
I've since been informed that lemons and heavy cream are key ingredients in several delicious dishes such as custard and alfredo sauce.
This actually makes the point I was hoping to make in this video. Religion and Homosexuality can and often do mix quite well. As prevalent as the stereotype of the atheist gay person is, I can assure you that there are many gay people who are still religious, and there are many religions that don't really care if you're gay or not.
I'm sure you guys can come up with an exhaustive list of accepting religions, but one that springs to mind immediately is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
"It's true you know." (Actual Lutheran)
The important distinction, I think, is in how the individual perceives his or her religion. I know that when I first came out, I did a lot of reading on this topic, and I even went to see my Priest to ask what the church's stance on homosexuality is. Obviously he told me that the Roman Catholic church didn't exactly see it as a positive thing, but that sometimes, a person needs to go above the church and just ask God.
And that's what I did. And that's shaped my view of religion since. Religion to me is a very personal thing, and I think you'll find that some of the more inquisitive souls out there have arrived at the same conclusion. Religion is an ingredient that means different things to different people. It can be really sour to some, or -- in the right hands -- it can fit into your life and turn something potentially bitter into alfredos and custards.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• homosexuality
• religion
• christian
• christianity
• gay
• lgbt
• stereotype
• star
• wars
• return
• of
• the
• jedi
• empire
• strikes
• back
• lutheran
• roman
• catholic

[IAGuy06]

So, by looking at the description section for this video am I to take it that a transcript of this particular video will be unavailable for the asking for those who would like to review what was covered in this video at a later date... at our leisure... when a computer is unavailable... at.. the exact time.. we would like to view........ it?

[thamewt]

@IAGuy06 Haha. Well, I figured, if I'm gonna write a script for this one, I might as well give people the pleasure of reading my words as well as listening to them. I don't wanna hold out on you guys.

[CSUFSteve]

I have to admit: during most of the video I was distracted by the tie. I really like how much the red contrasts with the midnight blue. No, seriously. But, yes, good message as well. :) I have plenty of gay friends that are religious, most of them Ba'hai actually.

[dreamingmandala]

I've written and erased a billion questions here.... so nevermind and keep on rawkin in the free world

[BrizyComics]

@nameproof He could start it by talking about Bullwinkle & Rocky and it would still be ten steps above any other video that broaches this touchy subject with condemning remarks. And so far, no luck finding a church.

[nameproof]

@BrizyComics Well-presented!? He started a gay video with Star Wars. raaandom and pointless is more like it. Also, good luck finding a church that'll accept you. The only people who accept gays are other gays.

[BrizyComics]

Matt, that was very eloquent and well-presented. As a gay Catholic myself, I found (much to my chagrin) that my faith and my sexuality went together about as well as ice cream and mayonnaise. Or perhaps peanut butter and tomatoes. Or chocolate sauce and beef stroganoff. You get the idea. I'm still trying to find a Dignity service (by/for gay Catholics) that isn't over an hour away.

[gvcdkg]

Hey Matt, Thanks for another great zap! It didn't show up in my new video list on my subscription page, so i thought you might have been too busy or something. :( but then i went to your page and found it. cool. :) I wonder what your next one is going to be about. lets see...um....could be about gay movies. and how most of em are lame. (very weird story lines, drugs, ect)

[cagnazzo82]

I know this might sound weird, but I actually keep forgetting that you're gay sometimes ^_^

Anyhow, as to the topic at hand...

In terms of Christianity, there isn't a single attributable passage to Jesus referring to homosexuals at all. Not even once.

Rather time and time again, he reminds his followers not to judge, not to cast stones at others, do unto others as they would have done unto them.

This I think says enough for me.  At the end of the day, I pray to Jesus and not the pope.

[omfffffg]

i think u would be able to convince me of anything! great speaking skill, i can't stop listening to you haha :)

[abitmoredetail]

You've got another great video up. Me, I was raised in the United Church of Canada (my mother's denomination; Dad's Roman Catholic, but we didn't go with and he stopped attending after the first sex scandals). We dropped church entirely one day when we decided we weren't getting anything out of it, but I've since been experimenting with some Anglican and other friends. I've gotten some good things out of it; I'm glad I've been doing this.

[BrattieRemix]

You are very eloquent and adorable, Those are thinks that also mesh well