Trigger warning: This one may stir some friction. It also might cause independent thinking, the audacity to be at peace, and the courage to honor your authentic self.

This podcast is really a continuation of episode 3. If you haven’t listened to that episode, you may want to go back. This one will make more sense.

I’d like you to think about why you feel the need to go to a church to be close to God. Is it because you like the music? The people? The sermon? Does it make you feel at peace? Do you get energized when you leave that space? Maybe you go because you’ve always gone and because that’s what your peers do.

I’d also like you to consider other avenues of spiritual connection. As mentioned in Episode 3, I was abruptly removed from the church because of my sexuality. I was forced to reexamine my faith and how it would be able to be present in my life again. I believe that I went through a grieving process in a way. When I got to the other side of the shock, denial, bargaining, anger, guilt, depression and finally acceptance, I found that there is a whole world outside of the teachings of the church. I also found an authenticity in people who were not burdened down with the dogma of needing a savior and the reminder of being a perpetual sinner.

Recorded @ www.the-co-lab.com