[Azzan]

First of all, let me say this is going to be a little long. I have been thinking about what has been said on this 'welcome' thread for some time now. I've been debating with myself about whether to respond to some comments made here or just continue to ignore them and let others respond. I've decided to engage.

As I've said a few times before I am not here to debate homosexuality, scripture, nor change anyone's mind. And I am not going to start doing that with this post either. I know the rules. I joined here to provide opinions, thoughts, insights, etc. And so I am going to share some of those things with you now.

First of all, this is supposed to be a CHRISTIAN forum is it not? And it's suppose to be a PENTECOSTAL forum, correct? In fact, many posters here are pastors or ministers, no? Given those facts can someone please explain to me why one minister would stoop to such a childish level and publicly taunt another minister with innuendo?

Second, I don't think some of you realize that posts on an Internet forum live on long after the debate has ended and the dust settles. Franky, I was a little ill the other night after reading through a few tirades that took place here. I have a UPC background, born and raised 3rd generation, and so I can understand, to a degree, the thinking and the mindset of Pentecost. I cannot understand what I saw take place here.

Consider these facts please. There are other Azzans, other homosexuals, out there lurking on this forum. And there will be even more homosexuals that stumble across this thread and this forum in the future. I know this to be true because I was such a person. I used to lurk here and I initially found AFF and a particular thread through a Google search.

I can assure you that after reading the posts here, many of those people will NEVER cross the threshold of a Pentecostal church. And you only have yourselves to blame.

I had asked the admin team to consider deleting this thread because I didn't want the posts and attitudes here to be a barrier to someone looking for help. But since it is still here and unlocked I assume that they have decided to keep it.

Third. I don't understand the apparent horror of some here over allowing a homosexual to participate here - provided the rules are followed of course. I really don't understand that all. You people amaze me, and I don't mean that in a good way at all.

For those of you all up in arms about my presence here, I want you to carefully and prayfully consider this point. I have not entered a church for church services for approximately 15 years. I have only prayed a few dozen times and maybe cracked open the Bible once, maybe twice in that time frame.

In the short time I have been on this forum, I have read more scripture, and thought more about God than I have in the entire past 15 years. I have been exposed to debates about thoughts and subjects that I have never thought about before. (And frankly some of those debates give me a headache! LOL). I have talked to ministers and good, caring, God loving folk, something I haven't done in the last 15 years either. One particular minister is really making me think and I thank him for that (you know who you are).

Are you still horrified of my presence here? You shouldn't be. I think Cindy summed it up the best. Sometimes it takes years to reach someone.

Fourth. Some of you may think AFF is only a fellowship of like minded individuals. I think you're dead wrong if you hold that opinion. It's very short sighted and narrow minded. The Internet is a game changer folks! Consider that AFF can be accessed from anywhere in the world at any time by anyone! Have you considered that your words, thoughts, testimonies and attitudes can be read by anyone and everyone?

Do you people even realize the power of AFF? Do you not understand that you now witness on a global scale? Think about it.

I will get off my soap box now. Thanks for listening.