Does God Want Me To Be Gay? with Mike Maeshiro
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Mike Maeshiro is the founder of Numa, an organization that supports people in deconstruction, spirituality, and faith. Mike is gay, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast. He is a life coach, speaker and thought leader. In this episode, Mike shares his story of coming out, the beliefs that kept him in the closet for so long, and why he still believes in God as a gay person.
Mike’s Story
As a child, Mike encountered God and had a very close relationship with the church.
Mike remembers the moments he was vividly told about hell and that being gay was a sin.
While a student at Bethel School of Ministry, Mike was outed as a gay man and leadership told him he wouldn’t be graduating mere hours before the graduation ceremony.
Mike was entered into a form conversion therapy that he needed to complete in order to be involved at Bethel.
God Loves Gay People
“God was the first person to advocate for my sexuality.” - Mike Maeshiro
Mike shares how he has always recognized the difference between church and God. Though his relationship with the church has been a troubling one, he has always felt love and acceptance from God.
Mike talks about his experience having hard but important conversations.
“People close to me were hurting me… they didn’t even know how or why! And I had to start finding a way to better advocate for my own humanity.” - Mike Maeshiro
Side B Theology
Side B Theology is essentially the idea that acting out on your same sex attractions is a sin, and that God’s call on any LGBTQ+ person is to commit to lifelong celibacy. Any gay romantic pursuits would be considered a sin.
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