Is being gay the ultimate burden?

I’ve been reflecting on some deeply challenging questions, and I’d really value your perspective as a Christian.

If we believe in a loving and just God, how do we reconcile the unique and heavy burden placed on gay people within Christianity? For straight Christians, the path to God doesn’t require denying love, connection, or companionship. Even priests, who choose celibacy, still have the option to step away from their vows and pursue love if they choose. But gay people? They’re told their very capacity to love is inherently sinful and must be denied for life.

When people say, “Because it’s in the Bible,” it feels like an oversimplified answer—especially when you consider that the Bible isn’t as straightforward as we might assume. Entire scriptures and writings have been removed or excluded over time. For example: 1. Books like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter, and the Shepherd of Hermas—widely read in the early church—were left out of the canon because they didn’t align with emerging theological views. 2. The Apocrypha, including books like Tobit, Judith, and the Wisdom of Solomon, are still accepted in some traditions but were removed by others. 3. Influential figures like Marcion and Valentinus, who shaped early Christian thought, were labeled heretics, and their teachings were excluded.

The Bible we have today is the result of centuries of human decisions, shaped by cultural norms and power dynamics. When we use “because it’s in the Bible” as the foundation of an argument, aren’t we ignoring the complexity of how those texts were chosen and the biases that shaped them?

Some questions I’ve been wrestling with: 1. Why would God create someone with the capacity to love, only to forbid them from expressing it? 2. If love and connection are core human needs, why are gay people asked to sacrifice this, while straight people are not? 3. The Bible says all sins are equal, but is a fleeting temptation like greed or lust really comparable to asking someone to give up love, partnership, and connection for their entire life? 4. If Jesus taught love, grace, and compassion, why are some interpretations of scripture used to single out and exclude gay people so profoundly? 5. If the purpose of marriage is solely for procreation, does that mean infertile couples or those who choose not to have children are also going against God’s design?

I’m not trying to attack anyone’s faith—this is a genuine conversation. But I struggle to see how asking gay people to deny such a core part of their humanity aligns with the God of love, fairness, and compassion we believe in.

How do you reconcile this within your faith? I’d really love to hear your thoughts.