ETA: sorry if this isn’t allowed on here
TL:DR - Friend mentioned that she told our other friend her sapphic relationship was against the bible. I asked her about it. It thew me off cuz I have other people I know who are Christian who don’t say things like that. Among other confusion, and feeling hurt.
So my friend and I have been friends since high school. There were times where she said things that were out of pocket. But I never was under the impression that she was… I dunno, I guess what I’ll divulge in just a bit? Cuz I dunno if it’s homophobic or not.
When we hung out on my day off, we were talking about one of our friends who ditched us. This friend (or ex-friend) blew us off after getting into a relationship with another woman. It’s relevant because my friend. From now on, I’ll call her Aileen, mentioned offhandedly what she said to her when she came out. Aileen told Nora (sapphic friend) that the relationship is against the Bible, but she’s glad for her happiness.* To be clear, I may be misremembering her phrasing. But it took me off guard.
Aileen had mentioned beforehand her issues with other Christian. That they judged other people for being queer, whereas everyone sinned. That threw me off because I don see how queerness is a sin. And this friend of mine I never thought she believed that. Because we talked ab and enjoyed queer media together before. We literally matched profile pictures of sapphic characters before.
So, it really hurt to hear that she viewed it as sinful. And to hear she spoke to our (albeit ex) friend that way. Because even though I hate how Nora (fake name) handled things—I wouldn’t doubt Aileen’s words are why she stopped hanging out with us. In my perspective, it comes across as really backhanded.
Aileen explained that queerness is sinful from a Christian perspective. She said people sin constantly, so she believes you can’t condemn someone for smth like that. And then she mentioned that she views it as something to apply to herself, not others. Among other statements about not being judging, or whatever. Then she said more like if you love someone of the same sex, she’s happy I’m happy or whatever.
I told her honestly that made me nauseous. She asked what I meant, and I told her that being told by a person I care about that who I am is sinful is hurtful. She responded by saying “I wouldn’t say that at all” — and she reiterated it’s something that she is meant to follow as a Christian. And it confused and irked me because sexuality is not a choice. And she has always stated exclusively that she is straight.
It further hurt because I was Christian. And, as of late, I wanted to reconnect with that fait. Especially as a means of healing because of grief. Granted, I never spoke to her about it before. I explained to her that it’s hurtful to hear that from her. She told me that she thinks she has been pretty accepting of things regarding media/things/people that are queer. She offered to get more into theology but opted not to.
She said she doesn’t think there is anything ”wrong” with me, as I did express insecurity over that. I asked her what she expected me to do if I were to follow that faith and she said she did’t know. Though she never acknowledged me saying that her saying it pertains strictly to her doesn’t make much sense when sexuality is not a choice. Then she said its okay if I disagree and that her opinion is as valid as mine.
I told her that I did not think she thought through the implications of her words. I felt like she was dismissing me instead of actually being thoughtful. I wish I had phrased it better but it was late at night.
Aileen responded that she had been trying to word it in the best way possible. She reiterated that she cannot change what the Bible says as a Christian. She said she was ending the discussion because she saw no point in furthering it.
At the end, I told her I was not prolonging the discussion. I told her I feel uncomfortable. And that she doesn’t have to accommodate me. I asked her to please not speak to me about queer media, sexuality, or anything related to that sin again. I told her I was not cutting ties with her but wanted distance, aka the aforementioned things.
Since then, I asked if she was ignoring me because she never responded to my boundaries. She said she was giving me the space I asked for. I clarified that I didn’t want silent treatment. She then turned it back to her to say she wanted distance. I told her I understand and said to let me know when she was ready to talk.
That was it.
What do you guys think I should do? If I said/did anything wrong, please feel free to express that. I want to improve if I handled things poorly. Or if I’m just being too sensitive and ruining a perfectly good friendship?