Welcome. There is a support group through the Catholic church called Courage. It’s for those who struggle with SSA and offers strengh and support and encourages members to be chaste. Most groups use the 12 step program, and they usually have a priest present at their meetings. Some have found this group very helpful. You should see if there are any groups near you.Hello I was wondering what I should do (in the best interest of my faith) if I were dealing with SSA. I have just started to notice this in the last few years, and want to know if even having SSA (same sex attraction) is a sin. I know that I will never act upon the impulses, and am just wondering what I should do, and of course whether or not having SSA is a sin.
They use the 12 step program like AA? Homosexuality is considered an addiction that needs to be beaten by this group? That is rough. I feel horrible for anyone that is involved in any of these programs.
You have it all wrong. It’s to help people stay chaste, and I believe it’s actually a 14 step program, but not all groups use this model. Just like people who do not want to give into lust or adultery or desires of the flesh outside of marriage, there is help for those who struggle to stay chaste in mind, body and spirit.
I understand this, and not giving into desires of the flesh is likely to improve quality of life…but not giving into feelings of love and affection for people (even if they are the same sex as you) is just going to bring down their quality of life. I don’t know if you are married, but can you imagine belonging to a church that said that if you had a relationship with your spouse it was sinful and that they had a 12 step program to help you not give into your desires to love your spouse? That would be horrible, and that is exactly what many of these people are likely going through.
True love and affection, like those found in platonic friendships, are healthy because they don’t cross boundaries. When I say crossing boundaries I mean having sex or romantic feelings of love towards those of the same sex. The Catholic church calls these attractions
How can you say that about support groups? Have you been in Courage?
No, being cursed with SSA is NOT a sin. It’s something that has was done to you by no fault of your own. I, too, share this curse. I have no idea whether I did anything to deserve it or if I’m being punished for someone else’s sin, but I do know that it is a curse (Rom. 1:24-27).Hello I was wondering what I should do (in the best interest of my faith) if I were dealing with SSA. I have just started to notice this in the last few years, and want to know if even having SSA (same sex attraction) is a sin. I know that I will never act upon the impulses, and am just wondering what I should do, and of course whether or not having SSA is a sin.
Wow, that doesn’t paint a very good picture.
You’re right…it’s not a pretty picture.Wow, that doesn’t paint a very good picture.
I don’t look at it as a curse but something that was internalized early in my development. If you read post #12, you will see the likely origins of why you feel the way I do. I say “likely” because nothing is set in stone. There are plenty of strugglers of SSA who received a certain amount of emotional healing from past hurts and abuse and went on to lead very productive lives. I met a priest through Courage who struggled with these feelings, but as long as priests are celibate they can become priests. Also, there are people who are strugglers who’ve gone on to be married, who were further emotionally healed. Remember, God is the Great Physician.
For some the healing is quick, for others it’s a journey, but if we trust in God and turn to Him with our pain and disappointment, He will heal us if we ask Him. First, He wants a relationship with us though and will draw us closer through the pain and struggle. It can make us stronger and closer to God if we don’t act out on it. Peace to you.
Another good encouraging resource to look at of those who have overcome SSA but may be tempted now and then is exodusinternational.org. It has wonderful resources of people who give their testimonies of what God has done in their lives and how they have gone on to be married or live very productive lives.
) as well as the notion that sex is dirty and demeaning to women (yes, that’s the message I got when I was a young Christian).The advice you have been given in this thread is good, and I would only add this: be patient. I, for a long while, thought I was gay, but it inexplicably went away recently. I have been contemplating why it went away, and I have, I think, come up with the following reasons:Hello I was wondering what I should do (in the best interest of my faith) if I were dealing with SSA. I have just started to notice this in the last few years, and want to know if even having SSA (same sex attraction) is a sin. I know that I will never act upon the impulses, and am just wondering what I should do, and of course whether or not having SSA is a sin.
Be patient is my advice, you never know who you might change.Why do bad things happen to anyone? Some people have no legs or no arms, why? Maybe they find strength in their struggle. But I do know that the thorn that Paul had made him strong in the Lord and dependent on Him which enabled him to accomplish great things for Christ. “My grace is sufficient for you because when I’m weak then I’m strong” was Paul’s motto and look how he was used for Christ!You’re right…it’s not a pretty picture.
That’s why I’ve actually chosen the path of healing. I’ve done a lot of work on the father issues, the mother issues, am working on the peer issues, but I’m kinda stuck on God. That being the philosophical question: how can one trust someone who would sit by and watch while others harmed you and, having the power to send encouragement or some means of help, do nothing? That’s the problem I have with regard to God right now. I accept that it’s happened (I can do no other, after all, I can’t travel back in time without messing up the space-time continuum…unless the multiverse theory is true, but I’m from this universe…anyway, I digress), but I wish I knew I was subjected tot his.
I’ve lost most sexual interest in men and have found my eye is drawn to legs, faces and hair on women. I still have a lot of issues to overcome when it comes to women, i.e., trust as well as my own body shame issues (I’m also obese.