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Gay celibate Christian feels 'betrayed' following same-sex marriages vote

by Chantalle Edmunds
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David Bennett/Twitter

A theologian and author has told Premier how he was left with a "deep kind of grief" following the decision by the Church in Wales to bless same-sex marriages.

David Bennett, who is a Gay celibate Christian, said he felt betrayed by the decision which he described as "not biblical."

"I can't really describe to you the pain that that causes me to have that God rejected. You know, it's not just me being rejected. It's like the quote, 'I love being rejected by the church' And that's not okay. Like, I can't stand there and say, Oh, fine, yes, just another accommodation. Just another compromise."

"Of course, my heart goes out to gay people who are wrestling with their sexuality. It's incredibly difficult. It is such a hard issue. And God is worth going through it for he really is ... what I've given up to follow Him and be obedient and the amount of relationships I've died to, you know, a few weeks ago, I fell in love with someone. And I gave that up because I love God more, to have your church stomp on that sacrifice and say it doesn't matter and I can just bless same sex marriages."

On Monday, the Church in Wales voted by a two thirds majority to allow clergy to conduct same-sex blessings inside a church building but clergy who are against the move can opt not to take part. All Bishops were in favour.

David added he felt suicidal following the vote: "I was considering wanting to leave, that's how deep this goes. And I wasn't expecting that. I honestly was not expecting that it would affect me the way that it has. I'm okay today. And I've processed it to the point where, like, I haven't had any of it, but I think it's just such a deep kind of grief."

He's now calling on the wider church to do more to listen and support Gay celibate Christians and to develop a theology of celibacy. 

"I'd like to see substantive public voices coming out in support of 'Side B' Gay Christians, saying, just changing the doctrine of marriage, that is not okay, that will crush these people. And to see progressive voices actually, listen. That's what I want to see. That's the change I want to see. And progressive voices don't have to agree. But they have to recognise our suffering. We constantly have accommodated their suffering, we have constantly said, 'Yep, yep, yeah.' But it has to go back the other way. And we're living in a culture that is so against what we stand for. If the church doesn't stand for it, we then get crushed."

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article the Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123.

 

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