Overview

The book is in Russian and includes a full English translation. It is authored by an Eastern Orthodox Bishop for LGBT individuals in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Russia. The book will resonate with Eastern European LGBT persons who are out and proud, out to a select few, and those who live quiet lives of isolation and hopelessness. The Bishop answers a series of questions about social, political, religious, and spiritual issues that directly impact LGBT persons in Eastern Europe. His answers provide love, comfort, and support to those enduring homophobia. The questions presented reflect those that many LGBT individuals struggle with in Eastern Europe. They are answered in plain, simple language often referencing Orthodox thinkers, theologians, and philosophers from Eastern Europe. Table of Contents 1. For whom is this book written? 2. Why would a Bishop in a major Orthodox Church write this book? 3. Why am I different? 4. Should I feel ashamed? 5. Why am I lonely and isolated? 6. I'm confused. Do I have a mental illness? Am I a national security threat? 7. Will I become a pedophile? 8. Isn't LGBT a life style choice? Don't I have a choice not to be in a same-sex relationship? 9. Isn't being LGBT about sex? 10. Isn't homosexuality a problem brought in by the secular West? 11. If it's not a lifestyle choice can I pray away this burden? 12. Will getting married to someone of the opposite sex make my same-sex attraction go away? 13. If it is normal to be LGBT, how can so many people in society, religion, and government be wrong? 14. I'm scared. What should I do? 15. What about government law? 16. Should I tell my parents or close friends that I'm LGBT? What if they reject me? 17. Am I a sinner for wanting to love and be loved? 18. Religious leaders call me a sinner. Aren't they God's representatives? 19. Am I rebelling against God's natural order? 20. Doesn't God condemn what I am in the Bible? 21. Is HIV and AIDS God's punishment of homosexuals? 22. Will I burn in hell? 23. Am I trying to change the Word of God or Church Tradition by wanting to be accepted as a LGBT person? 24. How can I be lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender and still be a good Christian? 25. What is the Rainbow Flag? What is the Pink Triangle? 26. What does God expect of me as a LGBT person? 27. Am I blessed for being different? 28. What must I always remember? Prayer Resources LANGUAGES: RUSSIAN & ENGLISH

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9781470088026

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After prayerful reflection and discussions with priests and lay persons the author decided to publish the book using his title, Bishop, in a major Eastern Orthodox Church rather than his name. He did so for several reasons, but the most important stems from his hope that the focus will be on the book's contents and not on the likely perceived heresy he may have committed. Ultimately, the only thing that matters is having a civil, honest, and respectful discussion in the spirit of Christian love and non-judgement about a significant, yet marginalized and persecuted population in Eastern Europe. The Bishop prays that dialogue and communication is established where Church leaders hear and listen to LGBT persons. He believes that Church leadership must reassess its negative views on homosexuality. According to the Bishop, accepting and understanding God's LGBT children does not change Church tradition or attempt to impose modern secular values on God. It expands our ability to better love, better understand, and better integrate logic, science, and common sense into our lives. In doing so we mature spiritually and draw closer to God.

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