As a religious person who identifies as bisexual, I have felt the impact of being excluded from my faith community due to my sexual orientation. This has affected my sense of divine belonging and personal identity in several ways, including my feelings of spiritual isolation, loss of confidence in my spiritual beliefs, difficulty finding supportive peers, and disconnection from my faith tradition's teachings. In this article, I will explore how these effects can manifest and offer strategies for finding healing and wholeness within the context of one's faith community.
Effects of Sustained Exclusion from Faith Communities
One effect of sustained exclusion from faith communities is spiritual isolation. When members of the LGBTQ+ community are rejected or ignored, they may feel alone and unsure of their place within the larger body of believers. They may question whether they truly belong to God or if He even cares about them. This can lead to a lack of motivation to attend church services or participate in other activities that were once meaningful.
It can result in a feeling of alienation from the Christian community altogether, which can be difficult to overcome.
Another effect is the loss of confidence in one's spiritual beliefs. When someone is consistently denied access to the teachings and practices of their faith tradition, they may begin to doubt its truthfulness or relevance. They may wonder why they should continue to pursue a relationship with God when their own community seems unwilling to do so. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and confusion, all of which can undermine the foundation of one's faith.
Finding supportive peers who share similar experiences can also prove challenging for bisexual believers. Without being able to connect with others who understand their unique struggles, they may feel isolated and misunderstood. This can make it difficult to find a safe space to explore their questions, doubts, and fears, leading to further emotional distress. It can also create barriers to forming lasting friendships and finding mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement.
Sustained exclusion can cause disconnection from one's faith tradition's teachings. When a person feels rejected by their religious group, they may become frustrated or resentful toward those teachings, seeing them as unjust or hypocritical. This can erode trust in the Bible and other authoritative sources of spiritual wisdom, making it harder to grow in faith over time.
This can lead to a sense of distance between oneself and the divine, which can be devastating for any believer.
Healing and Wholeness within Faith Communities
Despite these challenges, there are strategies that can help bisexual believers find healing and wholeness within their faith communities. One approach is to seek out affirming churches or ministries that welcome LGBTQ+ members without judgment or condemnation. These groups offer a place of refuge where individuals can worship freely and openly without fear of rejection or shaming. They can also provide opportunities for community-building, mentorship, and spiritual growth that may have been lacking before.
Another strategy is to focus on developing a deeper relationship with God outside of church settings. Prayer, meditation, and personal study can all help strengthen one's connection to the divine, providing comfort and support during times of struggle. It can also help build confidence in one's own beliefs, even when others question them.
Connecting with other like-minded individuals through social media or online forums can also be helpful. By sharing experiences, struggles, and triumphs, bisexual believers can form bonds of friendship and solidarity that transcend physical distance. This can create a sense of belonging and validation that can be especially valuable during periods of isolation or loneliness.
Engaging in intentional self-care practices such as journaling, therapy, or creative expression can help manage stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions related to exclusion. By prioritizing one's mental and emotional health, bisexual believers can better cope with difficult circumstances while maintaining hope for the future.
Sustained exclusion from faith communities has profound effects on bisexual believers' sense of divine belonging and personal identity.
There are strategies available to help them find healing and wholeness within their religious community. Seeking out affirming churches or ministries, deepening relationships with God, connecting with peers, and engaging in self-care practices can all provide much-needed support and encouragement. With patience, persistence, and grace, these challenges can become opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation.
How does sustained exclusion from faith communities affect bisexual believers' sense of divine belonging and personal identity?
The experience of sustained exclusion from faith communities may have various negative effects on the sense of divine belonging and personal identity of bisexual individuals, including decreased self-esteem, increased feelings of isolation, and a sense of rejection by God. These experiences can lead to internalized homophobia and biphobia, which further contributes to the marginalization of bisexuals within religious contexts.