Today, Roberta talks to Garry Ingraham about his new book Am I Gay?: Coming Out of Cultural Christianity & LGBTQ+ Identity Into Authentic Faith in Jesus.

My friend, Pastor John Hawco, reflects a statement from one of his own pastors: “In the American church, my fear is that many people have been inoculated to the gospel. They think they have the real thing, but they’re confusing a form of religion for authentic Christian faith.”

This is a perfect description of the kind of faith I had growing up in my Christian family and church. And I lived with a secret - many shameful secrets. Sexual abuse and early sexualization by peers led to porn addiction and chronic masturbation.

To make matters worse, as a boy and young man growing up in a culture of Christian fundamentalism, my emotional and sexual attractions were toward other guys. I lived in the dominant shadow of a religious, rules-based Christianity, while desire for gay relationships and curiosity about LGBTQ+ culture grew intensely.

Brought to you by Roberta Foster, KNEO Radio and the Sky High Podcast Network.