Expert: Father Dave Bechtel - 1/30/2012

Question
i experianced sex and homo sexuality ever since i was small first i was too little to know that it was bad but as i got older i knew but kept on trying to justify it and i continued masturbating and having sex with the same sex not because im gay cause im not but for the hunger of the feeling and eventually i stopped feeling guilty but now i feel guilty again and i know its wrong could god forgive me for this i want to quit and i beleive i can what do i do

Answer
First we need to define the terms:

Homosexual (same sex) attraction refers to a person who experiences a sexual attraction to members of the same sex.  This is not sinful.  A person cannot help who they are attracted to. (assuming same sex tendencies are innate and not learned at some point) A same sex attraction is fundamentally disordered.  To say this however should not offend anymore then to say a disposition towards alcoholism is fundamentally disordered.

Gay means that the person who experiences a same sex attraction also ACTS on them.  That is to say they enter into same sex relationships both sexually and emotionally. This is sinful--because while a person cannot help who they are attracted to, they can control their sexual appitites and urges.  We are not animals.  Animals can only do what their nature tells them.  We however can reason, and we have the ability to control and master our passions.

Now that we have our terms defined we also must understand that NO ONE goes to Hell because they commit Sin.  God knows and understands that we are not perfect.  That is, after all, why He sent Jesus.  What people go to Hell for is FAILURE to recognize Sin when Sin is pointed out, and a refusal to repent for Sin and seek God's ways. What people go to Hell for is calling Sin good and rebellion against God's laws.  God loves all sinners, God does not love unrepentence.

In your case I can see a spirit of repentance and I can see a recognition that you should not be entering into gay relationships.  That is what matters to God. God knows we fall, but what is important is when we admit it and repent and ask his forgiveness.  You can be assured that every time you fall, if you repent and ask God's forgiveness you will receive it.  There is no sin to big to forgive expect unrepentence. Simply continue to try and seek God's forgiveness when and if you fail.