The Worship Warship: Navigating Faith’s Virtual Realities

Imagine a world where faith is a virtual reality game. As a child, I was entranced, eagerly awaiting my mission to spread the word. My autism made this mission my world – a singular focus where I believed I was playing a pivotal role.

Embarking on the Mission:

Each hymn I sang as a child felt like a level-up in this grand spiritual adventure. When I finally embarked on my two-year mission, it was my rite of passage. In my eyes, I was a hero in a divine narrative, tasked with guiding the ‘humbled’ – those whom my church deemed ready for our message.

Facing Reality in a ‘Difficult’ Country:

Serving in a country labeled ‘difficult’ by my church was like being in the hardest level of a VR game, but without the cheat codes. I tirelessly worked to ‘plant seeds’, but the results weren’t tangible. This was a stark contrast to stories from other missionaries in more receptive areas.

Disillusionment and Betrayal:

The game turned sour when a high-ranking church member betrayed me, leading to bankruptcy. The same institution I had devoted my life and savings to turned its back on me. This betrayal was a glitch in the reality I had known, shattering the virtual world I was living in.

A New Battle: Military Life and Internal Struggles:

Seeking a way out, I found refuge in the military, pausing my university studies. Here, I faced a different kind of challenge – one that tested my resilience in new ways. Yet, the most daunting battle was internal, dealing with my sexuality and the church’s damning response.

Rebooting Identity: Liberation and Acceptance:

Years of therapy helped me dismantle the demeaning beliefs ingrained by my church. It was like debugging a complex VR program and finding my true self in the code. My children and I left the church, finding freedom and acceptance outside its confines.

Conclusion:

Today, I stand liberated from the guilt and shame once imposed on me. I’ve learned that the repetitive doctrines of such institutions can trap you in a virtual loop. It’s essential to question and critically evaluate these beliefs. My journey from a virtual believer to a seeker of real truths has been arduous, but it’s a path to genuine peace and acceptance.

Call to Action:

I invite you to share your journey. Have you ever felt trapped in a ‘virtual’ belief system? How did you find your way to reality?

#mentalhealth #VR #LGBT #technology #spirituality #LGBTQ