Fix It Felix

*Trigger warning. Mention of SA.

We sincerely apologize for the long wait, but some of us were moving back home to their homophobic and perfectly religious parents. Some of us also found out that four members of their religion were recently, very recently, arrested due to SA (Sexual Abuse) of minors.

Link here.

Well, well, well

Do we want to unpack this? I want to mention therapy to my parents, but how much do you want to bet that they'll give me a scripture to think about and then proceed to throw a pastor in my face to pray the trauma away?

"That therapist will try to change your belief in God. We can't risk that."

Yes, because therapists are famously known for their conversion strategies and vigorous indoctrination of their clients. Way to call the kettle black, pot.

Dear You,

Be yourself, but only how I want you to.

Love,

Your Parents

I would bet a lot.

One thing I realized about organized religions today, and this is not an attack on any level, is that most people in those religions want their problems to go away magically. They want to pray and "leave it to God" to fix it for them. Yes, because God is famously known for his work as Felix, in Fix It Felix. To quote a scripture myself, "Faith without works, is dead."

Now, how many religions believe that these "works" include simply preaching about what they believe? Helping other humans gain, "everlasting life" or a "free ticket to heaven?" How many religions believe that helping other people is helping them "find God" so they cannot be destroyed in the afterlife? Wait, did I miss something? Are we already in the afterlife? Why skip over this life?

I used to go from door to door, telling people about the good news from God, and how it will help them and change their lives immensely, and I truly believed that. Those very same people were unemployed with families to take care of, children that had been out of school due to a lack of funds for years and, going to sleep at night, with absolutely nothing in their stomachs. And there I was, teaching them about God's will. Telling them to devote their lives to God, (the God I worshipped), because that will make them happier and solve all of their problems.

. . . What?

This does not mean that God is a fantasy. Far from it. It only means that we can do a lot to help other people, other than warn them about their next life when they aren't even dead yet. Now, I am trying to do what I can to help the community around me. Now, a few hours before I have to leave with my parents for a church meeting, yes, the very same one (just closeted queer teen things), I implore you to make a change, in whatever way you can. I implore you to live a life that is yours, in all the ways that you can. I implore you to look for yourself amidst all the confusion of who you are told you should be, who you are forced to be ever since you could walk, who your parents and society "decided" you will be from the second you are conceived, and love whoever that is till death do you part from this life.

Step out of society's shoes, and into your own. They may have been comfortable and safe to wear and walk around in before, but that way of life does not work for you anymore, does it? Do you still wear the shoes you had when you were five? That's right. As you grow up, you need bigger shoes. As you grow, you're gonna need to make room for you. Shrinking yourself for other people is no longer an option. Find your voice, we would love to hear it!

Ready, set. . . Go be beautifully you!

Make a difference in someone's world by being yourself unapologetically. Showing them that it is possible to love you for exactly who you are. Nothing more and nothing less.

Love,

Miles