After reading the chapter in my psychology book about homosexuality, I am reminded of the moment I realized organized religion was not for me.

I was 13 and had heard that it was a sin to be gay. I can't recall where I first learned it--probably in Bible camp during middle school. The concept of sexual orientation being a sin was foreign to me, even though I didn't know half of what I do now about gays. The church I went to always preached love and kindness. Jesus had died for us, each and every one of us, no matter how small or great our sins were. And we all had sinned, even from the time we took our first breath, because Eve had eaten the apple when God told her not to. But that didn't matter--all we had to do was accept Jesus and everything would be all right. Yes, love, kindness and compassion was the theme and everyone would sit in the pews with their flowery skirts and tweed suits and spend an hour loving the Lord. Everyone looked so nice and thoughtful. They'd ask how you were and ofter to say a prayer if you were not doing so well. I often enjoyed going to church each Sunday. That's why I was so astonished to learn that it was a sin to be gay. Even then I had the notion that gay people couldn't "help" being gay-it wasn't their fault. Who would choose to be a stigmatized minority? And even if they did choose it, who cares?

One day I decided to ask my youth leader what the Bible said about being gay and if it was OK or not. Surely, he'd tell me that it was fine, that God loves everyone just the same. Instead, he rattled off some verses about marriage been only for a man and woman and anything else being sinful. I remember being so disappointed, and shortly thereafter I lost all faith in the church. God supposedly made us in His image and we are to accept how He made us. So why would He create something He hated? It didn't make sense to me, and it still doesn't today.

I was raised a Roman Catholic and I'm almost sorry to say that, since this religion has been the subject of more hypocrisy, scandal and condemnation than any loving and just god would desire. Oh, the nasty comments I'll probably get over this one, but oh well.