A Sense of Spirituality
Another poem from my gay-interest blog today for those readers who never visit it for whatever reason. Interestingly, though, I do hear from gay-friendly straight people from time to time who seem to find it.. well, .'interesting' is the most used adjective, but 'informative' and 'illuminating' pop up from time to time, even 'educational'; there are, of course, numerous antonyms to these as well; that's human nature for you.
As a gay man and someone who does not subscribe to any religion, I am often criticised for claiming a strong sense of spirituality. I get it from nature and my personal experience of the kinder side of human nature. The human spirit is common to us all so why should religion be seen as having a monopoly on spirituality? These are two separate phenomena that can, and often do, go hand in hand, but no one deserves to be be put down for not accepting one or the other; similarly, no one deserves to be put down for embracing both. It has long been my view and personal experience that world religions are often responsible for fostering the more judgemental aspects of human nature, and I say this as a fellow human being not just a gay man.
Love does not discriminate; it is as much an integral part of the human spirit whether those engaging with it are gay, straight, transgender or bisexual. Religion and sexuality are not mutually exclusive, only where society and/or dogma would have it so.
A friend of mine attends his church regularly, but has not been able to bring himself to tell his friends and colleagues in the congregation that he is gay. Yes, it snacks of hypocrisy, but who is the greater hypocrite, I ask you!
Labels: bigotry, culture, dogma, human nature, human spirit, humanity, life, love, mind-body-spirit, personal space, poetry, prejudice, religion, sexuality, society
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