I wasn’t aware Ray Boltz was as successful in Christian music circles as indicated in The Blade article, I only know I really like a lot of his work. He’s made 16 albums. Didn’t know that. Sold 4.5 million and isn’t known outside evangelical circles. Sad story really. He’s now 55 years old, he could never have had a career in religious evangelical music if he’d told the truth.
His ex-wife is now working with Soulforce.
Ray Boltz was tired of living a lie.
He’d gotten to a point nearly three years before where he couldn’t’t continue down the road his life had gone.
His 33-year marriage to ex-wife Carol was, he says, largely a happy one. It produced four children — three daughters and a son who are now between 22 and 32 — but family life and going through the motions of being straight had grown so wearying to Boltz, he was in a serious depression, had been in therapy for years, was on Prozac and other anti-depressants and had been, for a time, suicidal.
“I thought I hid it really well,” he says. “I didn’t know people could see what I was going through, the darkness and the struggle. After I came out to my family, one of my daughters said she was afraid to walk in my bedroom because she was afraid she’d find me — that I’d done something to myself. And I didn’t even know they’d picked it up.”
The Boltz family remembers Dec. 26, 2004 for two reasons: the tsunami in the Indian Ocean but also the tsunami that their husband and father unleashed when he told them what had been bothering him for so many years.
He hadn’t planned a major announcement — but sitting around the kitchen table at his daughter’s house, Boltz’s son, Philip, asked him what was wrong.
“I thought, ‘Well, I can just do what I always do and hide the truth or I can take a risk and be honest,’” Boltz says. “That day, with the tsunami, has become very symbolic in our family.”
Nobody was sure, at the time, what the ramifications of the revelation would be, least of all Ray.
“It’s hard to say I came out because I didn’t have all the answers. I just admitted what I was struggling with and what I was feeling. It’s hard to go, ‘This is the point where I accepted my sexuality and who I was,’ but I came out to them and shared with them what I’d been going through.”
He isn’t interested in being a poster child, and now that he and his family have come to terms with his orientation, it’s doubtful “CCM’ audiences will. Producer Joe Hogue:
“There are a lot of closeted people in Christian music,” says Hogue, who now lives in California and works with gay singers like Nemesis and Jason & DeMarco. “And, you know, it’s not even really the artists that care about it so much, they just know their audience will.”
No artist of Boltz’s prominence has come out. A few minor CCM players have, but their decisions were hardly celebrated.
…Marsha Stevens, a Jesus Movement songwriter famous for the Christian folk song, “For Those Tears I Died,” a favorite in youth camps and churches for decades, came out in 1980. She was famously renounced by Bill Gaither, whom she’d been photographed with at one of his “Homecoming” concerts, in 2006.
Kirk Talley, a Southern Gospel singer (a slightly different genre than CCM, though there’s some overlap of the players), confessed to struggling with homosexuality and came out in GQ in 2005. He’s continued singing in churches but only because he’s categorized his sexual orientation as a burden to be carried.
Talley initially declined to be interviewed for this story saying he’d “been through enough hell,” but did consent to one comment: “I will definitely be in prayer for Ray,” he said in an e-mail. “He has no idea the crap he will have to endure.”
Good for Ray Boltz.
I’m sorry he has had to hide from himself, his family and his fans for so long, and I wish him and his family peace. I’ve had the opportunity to see him in concert, have a couple of his CD’s and I really didn’t know he was such a big ’star.’ He’s a heck of a composer. Watch the Lamb. What if I gave all? Lion of Judah. The Hammer. Narrative, minimalist, in his performing he seems to get out of the way to let the music and the words reach the listener. Boltz the composer didn’t fall into the ‘me and Jesus’ themes that pervades CCM.
I don’t like the Gibson graphics on this video, but I’m putting it up to give people who have not heard Boltz an idea of why he succeeded in “CCM”; the evangelical music market.
Published 3 months, 4 weeks ago59 Responses to “Ray Boltz comes out”
Leave a Reply
Search
Subscribe 
You are currently browsing the Bene Diction Blogs On weblog archives.
Related Entries
- No related posts
For blog design, Wordpress or MovableType coding or blog consulting, see cre8d design.
Wow! That’s certainly shocking. Good for Ray though, it must have taken a lot of courage being in his position. I know a few fans (probably ex-fans by now) that will be very unhappy with the news.
Wasn’t a Ray Boltz fan , but am one now! And i am straight! It takes guts to follow your gut when it goes against the grain. Ray Boltz is a real man !
His sexual orientation does not negate his talent, his professionalism nor his faith.
I long for the day when ‘coming out’ will not generate unhappy fans and ex-fans.
I think both Ray and his wife have shown honesty and courage in the face of the hyper-sexualized conditioning of some sectors of the NA church.
Can’t imagine living under that kind of fear.
CCM folks like to toss the flawed folks overboard; Michael English and Amy Grant (to a lesser extent) come to mind.
The Boltz songs will likely stay in the oldie-bin rotation; a decade on and some of English’s stuff (he had a child out of wedlock and had substance abuse problems thereafter) from the 90s has been rediscovered as of late.
Boltz as a performer might have a tougher road to hoe; there isn’t big gay-friendly CCM crowd at present. The more evangelical folks will turn their back and there isn’t much of a mainline Christian music scene; you have Christian-flavored folk like David Lamotte, but not a scene to speak of.
. . . could never have had a career in religious music if he’d told the truth. . . .
—————-
More accurately, you should have said Evangelical music.
It seems to me that Evangelicals are very intolerant of gays
and others and wish them to be cast out from their flock.
That’s their loss and mainstream Christianity’s gain.
——————
On a side note: Is it me or do I get the idea that evangelicals
are more concerned about money than ministry?
No matter what one’s theology may be, or whether one is part of that “evangelical” group or not, it’s hard not to feel pain for the struggle that he and his family have been through. It’s also impossible to look down at anyone else’s struggle with any issue, no matter what it is, and feel any sense of superiority at all.
As someone who struggles in many areas, I hope and pray that Boltz encounters people of grace and truth in the evangelical community, even among those who may not agree on this or any other issue.
Torontonian:
I think you are correct, and I changed the wording from religious to evangelical. CCM is it’s own industry. While there are a lot of evangelical leaders caught up in technique, numbers, size etc. we don’t hear about many thousands who aren’t and who are quietly going about the business of the kingdom, “unnoticed on this earth.”
But yes, sorry to say I agree, we don’t have to look very far to see corporate, professional evangelicalism demanding attention.
The numbers thing is like people are being led by obsessive-complusives.:^)
Darryl:
I don’t think most evangelicals are going to change, they’ve been hammered with lies from parachurch groups such as Fotf for too many years. This is reality.
There are thousands of believers shut out of our churches, something I have no doubt you know a great deal more about than I do.
It doesn’t matter how sincerely held beliefs are, evangelicals have made their mark embracing exclusion regardless of the fact many of those beliefs are carefully built on foundations of lies, medically, socially, spiritually; well planted watered and harvested by an anti-gay political/ religious movement worth millions and millions of dollars.
We’ve caused this pain with our prejudice, rejection, fear and ignorance.
Darryl, thanks for all you do: “Thank you for giving to the Lord, I am a life that has been changed, I am so glad you gave.”
Soulforce, beyond exgay are vital to the health of the body of Christ and it’s good to see Carol Boltz step up and get to work.
Every church needs what is written on this page so that they know how to deal with people, even if they have different beliefs on the issue:
http://www.newdirection.ca/content.xjp?id=214
“God loves all people including those who question, struggle or embrace diverse sexual identities. Same-gender attracted people should be treated with the justice and respect that is consistent with the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Even those who hold to a conservative view can embrace this.
Why didnt he come out years ago, so I would know not to listen to this losers music.
How hypicritical.
The bible says the act of homosexuality is against what God created.
I think Satan worked on him until he gave in to the dark side.
How sad that he will be going to hell for his sin.
How wise and tricky the devil is.
I will pray for God to help him see the light, homosexuality is sinful and the world is not listening.
He will face God and be told.
All his cds will be thrown in the garbage in my home.
I do not want my children who I love and nurish to think homosexuality is normal.
Why not years ago? Probably because coming out is a process, and probably for the reasons mentioned in the article and what you are saying. Why be put through facing your attitude?
Loser
Hypocrit
Sinner
Giver in to the dark side
going to hell
I am through with him
Homosexuality is not a sin.
Have you read Walter Wink?
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-walter-wink
How about Patrick Chapman?
http://www.haidukpress.com/gay-evangelicals/gay-evangelicals.html
read any evangelical Christians at beyond ex-gay?
Know the followers of Christ at Soulforce?
I’m not going to argue with you, I’m pointing out there are many believers who believe differently than you do.
Chapman addresses parents briefly in the online chapter.
I have enjoyed many of Ray Boltz songs for years and am saddended to hear he has made the choice to walk in the opposite direction of what he has sang for years. I do feel for how he has struggled with this issue for years but I know God is a God of GRACE and he mets us all where we are. To struggle is not sin but when we choose to give in to the struggle and walk our own way that is when it becomes sin. God will allow us to make choices even if they are not in His will, He will not force us to walk in the way that is right but He stands with open arms for us to turn from sin and back to Him. God loves us unconditionally but He loves us to much to let us continue on a path of distruction without putting some correction in our lives. Living in His Truth is the only way to have truce freedom and peace.
Teena:
Who taught you homosexuality is a sin?
Where you also taught hetreosexuality is a sin?
Bene:
Having done some reading on this topic, I happen to believe that homosexual activity is sinful. I’m sure we disagree and that is fine.
However, I also believe that everyone is broken sexually; that it must be unbelievably difficult to experience same-sex attraction in the context of believing that acting on these attractions is sinful. I believe that many of the things told to us by conservative Christians about homosexuality are unhelpful, uncharitable, and sometimes just plain wrong.
We need to do a lot better at (a) admitting our own sinfulness and (b) not defining others only by the sins that we see in them.
I didn’t say homosexuality activity is not sinful - it can be.
Just as heterosexuality activity can be sinful.
You know where I stand - I believe GLBT had the right to a relationship and that is not sin anymore than you and your wife are in sin. I have no problem with the fact we don’t agree, it’s okay I do believe you have studied this thoughtfully. We do agree on respect, love and worth and I can’t imagine you spouting off love the sinner hate the sin or other such foolishness.
You quoted Wendy Gritter; she’d go to a GLBT wedding, so would I.
I appreciate your circumstances are such that doing so would jeopardize your job and your professional relationships.
I said homosexuality is not a sin.
And if you look at how the American Family Association (for example) covered Botlz, they took his words out of context and twisted them to suit their purposes; that is what they do. They make a lot of money at it, not listening can also be a sin.
I see so many different views here from so many different perspectives that can be respected. I never was a Ray Boltz fan, but a friend was who is now in total shock.
Of course God loves Ray Boltz, but it does not mean the behavior is correct. If I decided to steal a car and murder a friend it would not mean my earthly dad does not love me. Point being there are still consequences to stealing & murder by earthly law. Same with God’s law…there is forgiveness with repentence, but you can expect to continue living in unadulterated sin and not expect to see the eternal consequences.
God does love Ray Boltz, but that does not free him from the eternal consequences of his newfound homosexual identity, which should be in Christ. Ray Boltz needs to recognize his new found lifestyle as a sin & repent. Up to this point of his wordly “coming out” he has lied, decieved & dishonered many. He has been somewhat of a hypocrite and masquerading as a wolf in sheeps clothes.
Don’t be decieved that Ray Boltz behavior is OK wirth God as the Bible states that it is clearly not. (Romans 1:27). No doubt that their will be punishement for Ray Boltz behavior. God is a just & righteous God and his love is pure, but that does not mean we can get away with behavior opposed to God’s word. Don’t be decieved!
Comparing homosexuality to murder is deeply offensive and an inapt and incorrect comparison.
Can we move past that kind of thinking?
What deeply disturbs me lora, is that political groups such as the AFA have decided to twist what was written.
I can appreciate people having strong feelings when a celebrity makes an announcement, there is emotional attachment. I can appreciate your friend needs to feel what they feel and perhaps even grieve. I’m sorry, I am not able to understand shock.
Regarding the Boltz announcement, I’ve seen Soulforce called a terrorist group.
I’ve read a leader in the New Jersey Family Council take information by Frances Collins (a world famous scientist) and twist it to suit his ideology about Ray Boltz.
Then he calls Christian gays and lebsians liars and liars for quoting Collins correctly.
The American Family Association throws this up on their news aggregator and twists this story without even linking to the original. I think that is were a lot of reinforcing chatter is coming from of course. That is not a surprise.
It’s as if people cannot or won’t read.
It’s as if the bible is not a two edged sword, it is one we cherry-pick from to satiate our assumptions.
I’m seeing assumptions made about a phrase of a Boltz statement -’dating’ where we see the Levitical code and linear or binary thinking that uses naturalistic fallacy in reaction.
Do we then assume every heterosexual Christian reacting gets laid on a first date?
I’ve seen little expression and empathy for the decisions the Boltz family has made. I’ve seen little compassion for the pain of depression, suicidal ideation and self-condemnation Boltz went through before speaking to the evangelical society he was formerly a part of.
Many evangelicals are straight, not narrow.
Sir Cliff Richards(another high profile singer) who supports gay marriage also gets verbally swarmed.
I’m seeing what psychologists call folk theory in play.
In this comment thread I’ve placed plenty of resources from followers of Jesus Christ who do not buy into the 20-30 years of reparative therapy embraced by money making evangelical groups.
I’m not going to argue with anyone, if they are interested they can follow the links.
I also suggest using the resources at http://www.religioustolerance.org/homosexu.htm
Or look at this exchange here at BDBO between a Canadian commenter who holds his point of view and a fellow believer who doesn’t.
http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2007/06/27/former-reparative-therapy-workers-speak-up/#comment-90278
Bene Diction…Your response is very typical in your trying to separatie murder & homosexuality into to distinctive categories . Did you forget that sin is sin to God whether it is murder, theft, adultry or homosexuality??? People with your worldly rational would have to say that it is ok for your spouse to cheat on you. No big deal, God loves my spouse whether he or she cheats on me or not. If you had your Bible theology correct then you would know this.
Regarding Ray Boltz he apparently never thought to learn that his identity should be in Christ. You can be sympathetic to Ray Boltz for what he has gone through, but the fact remains that Boltz has “chosen” to live a life outside of that which “God” would have him live. Is there any repentence in Ray Boltz for chosing to partake in a wordly lifestyle that is considered an abomination in the sight of God? Let’s hope so.
So many want to justify that homosexuality is ok Biblically and that there will never be any accountability for this behavior. Not to mention the accountability for the lives he has destroyed by chosing to partake in this behavior. If this behavior was so ok & honorable then why did his marriage to a beautiful woman end in divorce?? That is the consequence for his choosing a lifestyle outside the will of God. It would be no different if he decided he wanted to have a mistress on the side. Would that be ok?? Based on logic yes it would. I would put you in the deceived column. I have nothing against homosexuals as yourself, but I do have a problem with people trying to convince others that it is ok.
Bene Diction….I highly-highly recommend that you let the Bible be YOUR resource for this type of issue and NOT run-of-the-mill online blog post.
It seems you look for confirmation to justify your world view from anything & everything other than the Bible. If you chose to live your homosexual lifestyle then that is your perogative, but don’t try to justify that the behavior is ok Biblically when the Bible say it is clearly not.
I’m sorry but I have read through some of these comments and can’t believe what I’m reading!!! I feel for Ray Boltz… I truly do!! That fact that is has struggled with this for years!! TEENA I really appreciated what you had to say and frankly are right on!!!
I guess my question to Bene D is: What Bible do you read? Because the Bible that I read says homosexuality is a sin! We can twist and add but when it comes right down to it homosexuality is a sin.
I for one am saddened that Ray has chosen this path and I pray for him and his family. I pray that God will open Rays eyes to see the truth and the light!
I’ll take that as rhetorical Catherine.
Lora:
Someday you will confronted by a gay Christian friend ready to kill themself. Not unlike Ray Boltz.
I want you to remember your rant and your anger and your fear here. I want your voice burned into your soul.
I want you to never forget what conclusions you chose to jump to and more than anything else I want you to have a place to turn to help your friend.
The bible is about God, not sex.
I’d like you to remember when you are confronted with a suicidal friend many believers throughout history have walked this road, and that there is hope.
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-gay-christian
Ask yourself why Carol Boltz has chosen to work with Soulforce.
Bene Diction-If that what makes you feel better and eases your conscience then by all means go ahead! LOL! Obviously you haven’t read about Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible! I think that pretty much sums it all up!
Bene Diction-
It seems that you will readily quote anyone who “agrees” with your stance on this issue, but are quick to rebuke anyone or anything that does not. True Christianity is following the infallible Word of God, even when it isn’t popular. No one thinks for a moment that the popular position to take on this subject is to believe the “wages of sin is death”, but as Christians who believe the full Gospel stand true to that. It’s not a “way of thinking” that we should or can get away from (as you so bluntly suggested) that causes us to compare murder with homosexuality. Sin is sin. Lies, cheating, homosexuality, murder….it’s all sin. Any way you slice it or dice it, “coming out” as a liar or as a murderer or as a homosexual will, inevitably, provide a wage of death.
I have to agree with Lora & Catherine.
No matter how much you sugar-coat the issue, or any other for that
matter, it’s still a sin.
I’m not passing judgement, by any means because only God has
the authority to pass judgement, but I simply do testify that it is
most assuredly a sin & a disappointment to God, as are my sins.
I don’t agree with homosexuality because I believe that God made
one man & one woman for everyone. I do feel that there are ways
to mess things up, as humans, but I also feel that there are ways
to ‘fix’ those types of preferences.
Catherine at least two of these links lead to discussion on Sodom and Gomorrah.
What do you see as their sin and what does it have to do with Ray Boltz?
This is sick.
Bene Diction - I have read those “online blog posts” and frankly the Bible is the final authority in my life. It is my guide in life and in everything I do and I hope that is what my children choose to. All I can do is teach them , hope and pray that they will choose that. In the end they have the final decision to make (free will) Free will is something that God created each and everyone of us with and in the end we all have to give account for the decisions we make in our life.
Obviously the Bible has no bearing in your life. It doesn’t take a Bible Scholar to read Genesis 19 and see the connection between the lives those people lived and the life that Ray Boltz has chosen to live. Very clear direct and easy to understand.
Bene- The other day I read all the links except for this one. Homosexuality and the Bible by Walter Wink. Today I finished this article and frankly need to say that I’m a firm believer in the Bible and I believe that God is the same yesterday and today. He doesn’t change. If he destests something years ago he detests it today. If it is an abomination years ago it is an abomination today.
It is sad how people will twist the the Bible to justify their actions and how they choose to live.
In reference to Genesis 19 about Sodom and Gomorrah…no matter how you look at it….from whichever way, it was still an act of homosexuality that God disapproves of and sees as an abomination, gang related or not.
God instituted marriage and preformed the first marriage ever as recorded in the Bible between Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. (Not trying to be funny but truthful) A union (marriage) is meant for one man and one woman.
Ray must be catholic. What other religion could he be to sin like hell all week long and then end up at church on Sunday?
Katrina:
Where are you getting the idea Ray Boltz is sinning like hell all week long and going to church on Sunday?
Catholic bashing. That was unnecessary. I suggest you read their Catachism: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#2357
Read the BDBO site policy policy. Play nice.
Here is a list of what various denominations believe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominational_positions_on_homosexuality
Catherine: You have my respect and regard for following the links and reading. We’ll agree to disagree.
Interesting reading here……….sexual orientation is a HOT topic. Having read the Bible from cover to cover and spending countless hours studying different subjects over the last 20 plus years, I’ve found a few subjects that are mentioned or covered:
1-Before The Mosiac Law
2-In The Law of Moses
3-In The New Testament.
Homosexuality is one of those subjects. It is NEVER mentioned in a positive or favorable way, Old or New Testament. You can never use the Scripture to justify homosexual behavior, or any other sin for that matter. Having said that, all sin that is repented of can be forgiven. Being tempted is not a sin. Acting upon the temptation is where the sin lies. Repentance is the key to forgiveness. Jesus came to deliver us from sin, not to give us permission to live in it. The Bible is the final authority on right and wrong, not some scientific study that says “You can’t help yourself, it’s who you are, it’s in your genes.” According to them, the alcoholics have a disease which they can’t help, the homesexuals are irreversibly born that way, those that are unfaithful to their spouses have a “gene” that makes them act that way, etc. It’s contrary to Scripture. Don’t buy the lie…….
Some guy -AMEN! Couldn’t of said it any better!
The bible clearly instructs believers to love the sinner, not the sin. Yes, I believe that he can continue to love God despite his choice to be sinning. Don’t all of us who claim Christ? One sin isn’t greater than another in God’s eyes. Sin is sin is sin…BUT God doesn’t hear the prayers of the unrighteous either. AND to LOVE God is to do HIS WILL not our own. But we should not pick at the toothpick in our brothers eye when we have a log in our own. We need to walk carefully in these times. The enemy knows the way to make us doubt.
There was this problem between Abraham and Lot. They decided to part ways and Lot chose for himself the lands of the plains as they were well watered and were like the garden of eden. Abraham went the other way. Soon Lot was living in Sodom, from which we get the term Sodomite. This is one of the cities that was judged by God with total destruction. Where is the present day site of the city which was in the plain like the garden of God? Most believe it is the area known as the dead sea. Nothing lives there. As far as I know it is one of the lowest places above ground on earth. It is a source of mineral wealth mostly in the form of salts. The Dead sea bears little resemblance to the garden of God (eden) Some have said that this has nothing to do with homosexuality. I think is does.
The initial chapters of Romans depicts homosexuality among other behaviors as perversions, that we as humans strive to achieve. Struggling to escape our universal knowledge of God, he gives us the desire of our hearts and we are let to drop to the next lower level. What happens to a person who chooses to run away from what he knows in his heart is true and good? A loving father chastens this one for his good.
Does God exist Ray? Do you fear him? Did you write these songs of faith all the while chasing after what the Bible depicts as a perverted thing? I don’t think so. Come on Ray. Come on back. You can you know. Change your goal, repent. Choose the light. I think the darkness and the light are about to have a real rumble. Don’t choose the dark. The dark is going down. We could use your help.
Well, I just heard about Ray’s ‘coming out’. My heart goes out to him. He is still my brother in the Lord. I love and respect him. He is in my prayers. I certainly am not a famous person, but I went through the same thing. For many years I struggled silently, and then not so silently. I suffered much with my same sex attractions and relationships. I am also a Christian who is and was and will always be VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH JESUS. I have been free of those plaguing desires and miraculously transformed from them for about 14 yrs now;but it was a painful journey. God walked with me every step of the way. He never left me, and never stopped loving me…though many of His children did! I am not going to be one of them where Ray is concerned, no matter how he chooses to live his life from now on. My love, compassion, concern and prayers will go out to him always.
Hi. My name is Joe.
I’ve been living my life for 31 years now and I have been living a lie. I have never told anyone this because I was afraid. I was afraid of being rejected because, you see, I am a Christian. All my family and friends are Christian and I was afraid to tell them that what they thought they knew about me was absolutely false.
You see, I am a Pastor. Actually a Youth Pastor. Everyone loves the fact that I want to help the youth and minister to their needs. However, they don’t know 1 thing about me that would change their entire view of who I am. They will hate me. They wouldn’t let me be a Pastor, let alone a youth pastor. I know this because, in my studies I have seen all the Bible verses that say that what I am struggling with is a sin, a bad sin. I know the Bible says its wrong.
And now, because of Ray Boltz, a fellow brother in Christ, I am able to finally live who God created me to be. Ray is right, if God created me this way and I am not changing, then I might as well live who I am. Maybe the Church and the Bible got it wrong this whole time. I hated the struggle to fight these feelings, and now I don’t have to struggle anymore. God won’t condemn me because he created me this way. I might even feel closer to God now.
Now, I must be honest and open. I am coming out…
You see, I am a pedophile. I really like to sleep with high school girls (sometimes Jr. High girls too), especially the cheerleaders. That why I became a youth pastor, because I could be around them and they would admire me. I never did anything because I would lose my job, but I got to look a lot. But that just increased my desire to a point where I wouldn’t mind raping them. Thank God for people like Ray.
Now, I just need to move to a place where no one knows me and there are a lot of high school cheerleaders.
Hi Joe:
So in your mind pedophilia is no different than heterosexuality or homosexuality.
In Canada pedophilia is against the law. Hetero and homosexual relationships and marriage between consenting adults are not.
You have stated you wish to break the law.
I am required by Cdn law to report your comment to authorities.
Statistically paedophiles are overwhelmingly heterosexual.
Child rape is not a joke, it is about power, and your comment is an utter mockery of the pain abuse survivors experience and the lifelong healing they face.
Law enforcement can decide how funny they think you are.
1) Your header information and comment has been passed to Cyper-tips - Case #28907.
2) I have also reported the same information to your ISP administrator since this is a cross border comment.
Your Yahoo account is fake, that information has also been forwarded to integrated law enforcement authorities.
Two thumbs up for Bene D !!! Whether they’re mocking, joking, or serious, it’s no laughing matter…….
Joe: I also heard back from the ISP.
Wouldn’t matter if you proxied or not.
CyberTips have been succient and prompt in their responses.
You have also been reported to Yahoo Abuse.
this is crazy
joe you are a sick man
Bene D-Thanks for reporting that!! Joe you need some serious help! God didn’t create you that way, you made yourself that way!
Haha yeah hes a real man. Cuz real men are sexually attracted to other men. (dripping with sarcasm)
I think one thing has to be clear. We all struggle with sin but Christ will forgive us if we genuinely ask. Repentance is an action, meaning you turn away from the sin, you don’t just say sorry to God for the sake of verbally admitting you were wrong. There is a difference between messing up and sinning vs living in sin. So if you believe that being gay is a sin than this man is living in sin. If you are a christian and believe in the Bible and don’t believe homosexuality is a sin then read Romans 1:25-32 and 1 Timothy 1:8-11. Not too mention there are plenty of scriptures that talk about the sin of immorality. God created Adam and Eve (man and woman to be joined together) not Adam and Steve.
I am not a “gay basher” Just stating my beliefs like everyone else except mine are actually based on something. I’m not just blurting out nonsense off the top of my head. Do some research and base your beliefs on something before you give Ray a thumbs up for his coming out.
Bene D-Go to Romans 1:21-32 , these few verses plainly discribe
what the truth is, we cannot change the truth. We can say and or
believe what we want , but it just won’t change the truth.
Becky:
Romans 1:18-32
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=2335
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_essa.htm
Paul was aware of Greco-Roman temples, the sexual slavery and exploitation involved as well as addressing idolotry and grace.
Romans 1 (video) Dr. L. Smedes
You know we loved Ray Boltz’s music …. especially Thank You for Giving to the Lord. My parents retired as Youth Directos of 20 years and that was the theme somg of their video.
It is amazing what the wheels of a Honda Accord can do to his CD’s/Music Collection that you own.
This really makes us ill and we almost couldn’t get the car clean from him either.
I will pray for Ray and his family since I know firsthand how difficult this is.
I do find it sad that Christians seem to be the only ones who shoot their wounded. Ray has made a great contribution to Christianity and to Christian Musi and Ministry, and I believe the Lord is saying “Well done my good and Faithful servent!”
I have followed Ray’s music since the begining. I was saddened to here about hsi coming out. Yes Homosexuality is a sin no matter how you slice it. His music has always been an insperation to me and I have sung alot of his music over the years. His gift come from God not man. Ray and his family will be in my prayers. By God’s grace he can be forgiven but only if he rejects this lifestyle and repents his sin. We can all forgive him for this sin but only God can restore Ray. To all who will continue to support Ray and pray for his deliverence I thank you.
Homosexuality is not a sin.
If people of faith can’t get their language correct how is the rest of what they are trying to say going to have any credibility.
I think a lot of people are supporting Ray Boltz.
I’m deeply saddened to hear this about Ray. The powerful messages in his lyrics are so awesome.
We are not the ones to be judging. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. Those are the words of Jesus. We will all be judged when we face God. It is sad that Ray has chosen the road he has, BUT, he knows the way in which his life should go. Satan is attacking in any way he possibly can, in churches and families. He wants to destroy any home he can.
I believe Ray will make things right, who can sing those songs and NOT know what’s right? This is all an attack of the enemy, that’s all it is.
I’m praying for Ray and his family in this difficult time, we all need to.
Dorinda:
His music hasn’t changed, and I know this is difficult for some commenters to grasp - not all Christians think homosexuality is a sin.
Public admission of sexual orientation has nothing to do with the devil.
I’m beginning to wonder if this post wound up on a fundamentalist forum somewhere.
What does Boltz have to ‘make right?” Seems to me he has finally has. Being a CCM star isn’t worth hypocrisy, peace of mind, integrity and he and his family have chosen to leave a culture which has a tendency to willfully practise ignorance.
He left three years ago, if you read the article his family is doing well. Love doesn’t break when someone tells the truth.
I agree, prayer is a gift we can practise.
Too bad, he is an amazing singer. I feel for the guy, I am not gay, but I struggle with sexual sins. Though homosexuality is a sin, as said for instance in Romans 1, Romans 1 also states adultry, fornication and other sexual sins, and not just sexual sins are sin. JUst because he is gay does not mean he is definatly going to hell, but if he does know Christ as his personal saviour he will answer for his sins and so will I. I don’t support his sin, but neither my sin either.
Homosexuality IS a sin. Read your Bible and you’ll find it for yourself.
Being homosexual isn’t of Christ. He didn’t create it. He created man and woman to be together, not 2 men or 2 women to be together.
What Ray has to “make right” is his life with Christ before his time on this earth is up. If he chooses not to, then he’ll spend eternity in hell.
Read it for yourself…..It’s all in scripture.
I had this debate with a coworker about this issue a while ago. I don’t question he has a “natural” draw towards that, but that doesn’t make it ok and something you “live with”. Heck, I wanna tap everything everything in a skirt, but that doesn’t make it ok for me to do that. There are weirdo’s out there that are “naturally” drawn to kids. That’s definitely not ok (and I’d be hard pressed to find anyone to disagree)! Just because it’s “natural”, doesn’t mean it’s ok.
This is not a “God hates fags” post. This is not to negate his talent as a writer. It’s just to point out, neither he nor I should boast in our sins.
I can imagine the pain and anguish that Ray and his family have have been going through and I could not help but pray for peace, love, comfort and blessings for him and his family. I read everyone’s comment and responses. One thing that struck me is a comment like…”What Ray has to “make right” is his life with Christ before his time on this earth is up. If he chooses not to, then he’ll spend eternity in hell”. This sounds like a final judgment for Ray…I believe that none of us except God himself has the authority to pass such judgment. Romans 3:23..”For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, Romans 6:23 For the wages of SIN is death..BUT the gift of God is eternal life THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ..Romans 12:1…But as many as believe Him to them He gave power to become children (adopted) of God even to them who believe in His Name. I also believe a verse in the Bible that says…”For by grace are ye saved through faith…and is not of yourself…not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, not of good works, lest anyone should boast (so no one can brag that they are better than the other or that they are saved because they are sooooo good and perfect)…. Can you imagine if man’s salvation is based on good works or “righteous living”?, then NONE of us in this world will be saved…I thank my God that He is not going to judge me and send me to hell based on my good works. Otherwise, I will be spending eternity in hell because I know that 24/7 I cannot live a “perfect, righteous, sinless” life. I am convinced that God loves us and calls us His own children NOT because of what we have done but because of what Jesus did (shed blood..death on the cross) which is more than enough to cover all our sins (lies, anger, idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, covetousness, including homosexuality and all other sins that one can imagine of, etc). “He has buried our sins from the depths of the earth…and as far as the east is from the west… He remembers them no more…When God looks at me, He sees the blood of Jesus that washed away and covers all my sins…I know that NONE of my good work or righteousness can add to my or anyone’s salvation from hell… what Jesus did on the cross is more than enough to save me..It says in God’s word that my righteousness (good works) is like a “filthy rug” in the eyes of God! Therefore I have to rely upon God’s righteousness through our Lord Jesus Christ…which I obtained when I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior….We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ… I also believe that if I fail to live a life that is not pleasing (sinful) to God, He will not send me straight to hell…no one…He said in His Words, ….”no one can pluck me out of His hands…things on earth, under the earth, in heaven…things to come…even angels..The SIN that will definitely send me straight to hell is if I REFUSE to ACCEPT the GIFT of LIFE HIMSELF JESUS CHRIST…John 14:6…Jesus said…”I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE…no one can come to the Father but through ME”
So what then? If we commit any of the sins mentioned above..will we have a chance to go to heaven or are we all going straight to hell? I personally believe that even though I may commit any of those sins…I have a chance of heaven because my salvation is a gift from God through Jesus Christ and I did not work for it…otherwise Jesus’ death on the cross would be senseless and of no value. My good work, righteous living is only a by-product of the salvation I received trhough Jesus. I once was dead (spiritually), condemned because of sin, but now alive and saved because of Jesus and not because of what I have done or will do. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold old things are become new..(once spiritually dead but now alive in Christ). One last thing I know the Bible says…Let your light (life) shine before men that may see your good works AND glorify Your father which is in Heaven…hmmm..does this mean we are commanded to shine our light (to live like Christ) for His glory or so we can be saved? I believe……He commanded us to live a life for His glory and it has nothing to do with wether I would be saved or not. If we confess our sins, He is holy and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” Should I continue on sinning then? As much as I can…absolutely not..for what I sow..I will reap…I believe that for every sin I commit there is a consequence (displeased, disappointed God and man…etc..) but I do not believe that God will send me straight to hell because I committed a sin…like lying…anger…..etc. Whether or not I can survive a day without sinning….everyday, I have to ask for God’s strength, power and wisdom that I may live a life pleasing to God…I can do ALL things through Christ who strenghtens me..” and praise God that my salvation and promise of eternal life is secured in heaven and is sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ which can NEVER be taken away from me just because I committed a sin.
This is just my personal conviction and is not intended to offend anyone’s belief nor to be relied upon by anynone as the basis of his/her personal relationship with God and most importantly used as a guide for recieving eternal life. Everyone should search and study the scripture themselves and decide whether you want to follow what the Bible says regarding salvation, eternal life and eternal death. Thanks! and Peace and Love to Everyone!
I have been reading some of the comments on Ray Boltz and I must say that the Church of Jesus Christ has to come into a certain maturity. Homosexuality is a sin, so is lying, stealing, pride, etc. All sin is sin in the eyes of God. Mr. Boltz needs deliverance from a devil called a “perverse spirit” of which homosexuality is only one of the manifestations of this spirit. The “perverse spirit” is one of the “strong men” mentioned in the Bible along with a “spirit of whoredom”, a “lying spirit”, a “spirit of error”, a “deaf and dumb spirit” (of which epilepsy is only one manifestation), etc. Persons who are into porn and pedophilia are also victims of this “perverse spirit”. A very large portion of Jesus’ ministry was in deliverance, and that is what is sorely lacking in the house of God today. This is so as we have been drenched in excesses in this ministry with people immersing themselves in it who do not have the requisite relationship with God, thus making this service hated and misunderstood. These people have a devil for everything, whereas the bible gives clear directions in this area.
I am sure that there are Christians in America who can approach Mr. Boltz with the anwer, which is deliverance from this devil, and then help him with the necessary follow-up ministry until he is out of the woods. Possibly Ray Boltz has become despondent and lacking in hope because he has not been given this opportunity. I see where people say that he has made this choice. Has he really or has he done so because he feels this is the only answer. I do now know.
I heard this in church yesterday morning for the first time and I was quite moved. I bowed my head and prayed for Mr. Boltz, as I know that Jesus Christ has provided an answer for everything that would try and overtake us in this Christian walk. He is the answer.
You Christians who are serving God with an undivided heart, you who seek to please him every day and not seek to use your faith for fame and fortune. You Davidic people, rise up and held the man in Jesus name. You have the power. He has given you power over every work of the enemy. In His name you will cast out devils. Resist the devil and he will flee. I know that most of us in this category are very private and seek God in our own time and place, trying to escape the tangents that the house of God has gone out on. I know you, you are charged with prayer, worship and fasting. Come out now and help the man.
In conclusion, if Mr. Boltz has been offered help and refuse it, then there is nothing we can do but contine to pray that God will remove the scales from his eyes. The choice is his.
“Concerned”
I am very sad to hear that Ray Bolz is homesexual. I very strongly disagree with the guy who said that Mr. Bolz would go to hell for his sin. Yes, homosexual activity is a sin (if you disagree, see Sodom and Gomorrah) but God says we should hate the sin but love the sinner. I hope that Mr. Bolz will turn back to the ways of the Lord.
I am deeply saddened by this news. By choosing homosexuality, Ray Boltz has divorced his wife, broken up a family and is now living a promiscous homosexual lifestyle.
Hopefully, he will turn back to God. For those condemning him…remember that we as Christians are to hate the sin, but love the sinner.
I loved Ray Boltz before and I love him now.Nothing has changed.I am a Christian and believe that he is a Christian man.I don’t believe God would put such a beautiful gift in the hands of an “abomination”.God knew he was gay all along.
My husband owes a good bit of his accepting Christ to Ray Boltz’ music.It made him understand a lot of things.
Ray Boltz had a song called the shpeherd boy.I believe ,I TRULY believe that when others see a shepherd boy,God may see a king.While others are seeing a homosexual in Ray Boltz,God is seeing a miracle in the making.