I Am Michael

I know that this isn't something, or a medium of communication that I don't use often. But I think that I'm going to try and start using it more often. 

I know it's also a method of communicating that is quite old fashioned in a world of Vloggers and the like, but there's something about communicating in words.

With a renewed interest of wanting to communicate my thoughts in words, I'm going to try and reinvent my blog. I am pretty sure that it will never take off, but this isn't about attracting people, it's about expressing myself in text.

So, what has provoked this reinterest in writing a blog. At the moment I'm working in Germany and have been here since Sunday (is now Tuesday). I came prepared with plenty of films and just watched 'I Am Michael' starring James Franco & Zachery Quinto. Found the film very good, but this post isn't actually about the film, it's about the thoughts that film has provoked in me. 

If you haven't seen the film, nor heard about, in short it's about a gay guy living in the 00s in America. He's in a stable relationship and works as a gay activist. During a health scare (which refreshingly isn't AIDS related) he prays and it turns out that he's OK. He puts this down to god and after reading a bible, his path to religion starts and renouces that he's gay and that by doing this, he will be accepted by god and will go to heaven.

This post is in no way whatsoever about slamming religion. I believe wholely that people can believe in what ever they want to believe in and I'm in no position whatsoever to judge that. 

It did start me thinking about religion and it's attitude towards sexuality and it's principles. Particularly, those mentioned in this film.

I was firstly amazed at the acceptance that the church gave to the main character, Michael. It got me thinking, is this because they didn't know that he was gay (this was before he renouced his sexuality). And I wondered what the reception would have been if he had made his sexuality more public. 

I know that as I write this, we live in a time when it's more accepted than ever to be gay, and maybe he didn't want to make this public knowledge. Even in the 10 years since this part of the film is based, opinion has changed so dramatically. But, would this question still remain, even today?

My current opinion of religion, and particularly Christianity, is that some places would be OK with this and some wouldn't. And leads me on to my thoughts on how one religion can vary so much within itself. 

I'm the first person to admit my ignorance over the different branches of Christianity, but I don't understand how people worshipping the same god, can have such different thoughts, believes and opinions on things that no one can control.

This then led me onto thinking is Christianity and the followers of it, stupid?

The film is about a gay man who finds god but believes that by being gay, is going to stop him from going to heaven. As soon as he believes this, he himself as a Christian, then starts believing that everything is OK. Just because he doesn't consider himself as gay any more.

How can anyone believe that just because they say they aren't gay anymore, believe that they're not gay? This applies to the main character, and the people that are aware of his past (including the woman that he marries). 

I really hope that anyone religious is in a position to help me understand this. Why would you accept someone knowing that they have no choice in their sexuality, but as soon as they say they're not gay, it's all OK. 

Please do be aware that I'm basing this whole post on my own thoughts, ignorance of how Christianity works (it is bloody confusing) and this film. 

I personally do not believe in a god, nor understand how someone can (I feel) blindly follow someone, so I find it difficult to understand. I would like to, but I'm not sure I ever will.

Anyone, it's my first proper post. If anyone should read this, I mean no offence to anyone.

Love to everyone.