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Pastor says student's suicide was tipping point for his coming out

The founder and pastor of a Georgia megachurch said Saturday that the September suicide of a Rutgers University student was the tipping point for his decision to come out of the closet to his congregation.

"For some reason, his situation was kind of the tipping point with me," said Jim Swilley, who calls himself as a bishop. "There comes a point in your life where you say - how much time do we have left in our lives? Are we going to be authentic or not?"

Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, 18, jumped off a bridge after a secretly-taped sexual encounter between him and another man was posted on the internet.

Swilley, 52, said that he has known he is gay since childhood, but that he never thought he would live openly. He came out recently after more than 20 years of marriage to his former wife, who continues to work at their church.

"At a certain point, you are who you are," said Swilley, who has four children from two marriages..................................>>>>....................>>>>...............http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/.....s-coming-out/?hpt=C1

No news here.  This guy "calls himself a bishop" which brings into question everything else about his authenticity.  Not sure what their mission is and his sexual leaning is for him and his wife to deal  with.   If his statement is true about coming out because of the young man who committed suicide than that young man did more for someone than many people do in a lifetime.  A non-story at  best.  

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No news here.  This guy "calls himself a bishop" which brings into question everything else about his authenticity.  Not sure what their mission is and his sexual leaning is for him and his wife to deal  with.   If his statement is true about coming out because of the young man who committed suicide than that young man did more for someone than many people do in a lifetime.  A non-story at  best.  

I absolutely agree. And with this said, I think that ALL religions should recognize the gay lifestyle.  Gays/lesbians who are called by God to serve, should be allowed to do so in ALL religions. A Gay Pope....why not? A Gay Christian President...why not?

Like boomy said,

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because of the young man who committed suicide than that young man did more for someone than many people do in a lifetime

It is apparently time that religions stop with their intolerance. These people were born like this....it is not their fault or decision. GOD 'CREATED' THEM LIKE THIS.......and like that old saying goes.....GOD DON'T MAKE JUNK..................no?????

God did not create gay people. God creates perfect people in His image.  God also created sin, and gave His creations the gift of free will.

I believe that it's a decision - be it a decision based on upbringing, society or peer pressure. I personally don't buy into the "theory" that some people are born with a "gay gene".

God does not hate homosexuals,  nor does he "instruct/teach" others to hate. We're taught, in and by the leaders of the Catholic Church, based on scripture, to detest the sin, not the sinner. He's also given the gift of forgiveness and tolerance. Let the first that is without sin, cast the first stone.

Homosexuality, in God's eye, is a sin.

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God did not create gay people. God creates perfect people in His image.  God also created sin, and gave His creations the gift of free will.

Homosexuality, in God's eye, is a sin.

No, God did not create sin. God is holy and He would not create that which is contrary to His nature. Sinfulness is the opposite of holiness.

If God 'created' sin, which is impossible.........being gay or any other 'sin' would obviously not be classified as a sin!

The idea of God 'creating' sin is just an unproven man derived 'theory' that has become the teachings in some religions.

However....the bible makes it clear!

In providing and creating free-will, God gave us the decision to follow the law or not.  Obedience or disobedience. Law or lawlessness. Perfection or sinner.

We are all sinners before God. We live each day of our lives to be pleasing to God in that He will forgive us our sins on our judgement day.

MT--God made us in his image--ALL of us.

Who cares about this subject.

Probably no one.  

Gay or not....choice or not.....God will take care of it......in the mean time,,,,keep praying

If God is I AM and I am made in Gods image therefore I AM

I AM=personal choice and responsibility