Interview with a Gay Cuban Jehovah’s Witness
“God gives you your human condition and free will”.
By Yusimi Rodriguez
HAVANA TIMES – Alfredo Nunez Elias was born with a congenital malformation which resulted in him losing a leg when he was 33 years old. This hasn’t prevented him from becoming a hairdresser and stylist, the creator of a hair-straightening product, a fashion designer and pastry chef.
When I met him in 2011, he was living in an apartment high up in a building that was in danger of collapsing in Central Havana. He used to go up and down those stairs several times a day, with the bike that he used to travel through Havana on. He was convinced that he would leave that place soon; the success of his product would allow him to make a lot of money and buy an apartment.
In 2014, he left… but he moved into a homeless shelter. His cubicle was on the ground floor, but he needed to walk 15 meters to get to the bathroom, crossing over puddles of dirty water. As he was now in the Santos Suarez barrio instead of the center of town, he had lost a large number of his regular clients. He used to need to carry water in a bucket to wash their hair. Four years later and he’s still there.
Instead of complaining, he has improvised a bathroom so that he can shower and attend to his most pressing needs, in his room. He made a system from the doorway to carry water to the sink where he washes his customer’s hair. He keeps an eye on the Constitutional Reform process, confident that the economy will open up to the private sector and will allow him to manufacture and sell his product without needing to belong to a cooperative.
His ironclad determination remains a mystery to many people. According to him, it’s obvious: he owes all of his talents and ability to overcome obstacles to Jehovah, his creator. However, as well as being a Jehovah’s Witness, Alfredo is also a homosexual.
HT: Isn’t it contradictory to be a Jehovah’s Witness and a homosexual at the same time?
Alfredo: I don’t believe there is a contradiction. A human being is who they are and that’s all there is to it. God gives you your human condition and free will. You choose, responsibly. There are three fundamental principles, in my opinion: Thanks to God for my life, respect for God and regard for God. Everyone has their own preference.
HT: Do you not feel like a sinner for being homosexual?
Alfredo: I am a sinner, like everyone else in this world, but not because I am a homosexual. That is one of my sins; there are so many sins in this world for you to call yourself a sinner. However, when I went to church, I didn’t go as a homosexual, to fix a problem, I went out of love for God. Those who are aware of their spiritual needs are happy people. Shopping malls, movie theaters and theaters can’t satisfy these. I feel fulfilled when I listen to the things they say at my congregation. Of course, there are superstitious people and extremists, like in every congregation, which distort this God of love.
Even as a sinner, I prefer to be on level one, which would be to love Jehovah our God and to be saved by Jesus Christ, his son. Just imagine what levels injustice, greed, envy, murder, trickery etc., would be on!
HT: I’m guessing that people in your congregation know or suspect your homosexuality.
Alfredo: I don’t go talking about my sexual orientation there. There are other places where I can do that. I go to meet up with sinners just like myself and to listen to God’s word. I feel good about myself and I leave in a jolly mood.
HT: You know that one of the most controversial issues in the new draft Constitution that is being reviewed by the public is the redefinition of marriage as the union between two people, which would allow same-sex marriage in the future. Several Christian Churches are campaigning against this. What do you think about the chance of same-sex marriage being allowed and the Church’s campaign against it.
Alfredo: It’s a possibility for anyone who wants to go ahead with it. Let’s go back to free will. If the law allows it, who can oppose it? The Bible talks about union between man and a woman, but this decision is everyone’s own. The Bible says that you will carry penance in sins. However, I believe that if I’m not tricking any woman about my sexual condition, even if I am a sinner, I am being less cruel. Churches are governed by the Bible, which sets out that marriage is the union between a man and a woman, for their entire lives, not for them to separate like people freely choose to do so. They are trying to guide people’s lives in keeping with the Bible. The State, as the State, can approve this union. These unions would allow people to adjust their assets and legal rights.
HT: I can understand that churches try to guide Christian people’s lives, for example your Church prohibits you from marrying another man, as a Jehovah’s Witness. However, I don’t understand how they can try to guide the lives of those of us who aren’t Christian and don’t follow the Bible’s every word.
Alfredo: Churches can’t interfere in anyone’s free will. You will do what you feel like doing, in keeping with what life has planned for you. God and Jesus Christ’s journeys serve as an example for us to lose the chains that human things hold us with, which don’t compare with religion’s wonders. When you are filled with spirituality, you don’t see homosexuals, Black people, rich people, poor people or handicapped people, you just see God’s magnanimity and the step Jesus Christ took in order to save our souls. I believe that it is important to strike a balance between the spiritual and material side of things in our lives. I think that many people will get married for financial reasons.
I am not interested in marrying any man. However, someone could come along one day and convince me to take this step. I will ask Jehovah our God for his permission.
HT: Jehovah God or your congregation?
Alfredo: I am one with Jehovah God. I respect my congregation when I go and I stick to the parameters people follow there so they can share their things with God. My congregation doesn’t get mixed up in my personal business.
Hello,
I am also a gay Jehovah’s Witness. Maybe you would enjoy this Website on being gay and Christian:
https://www.supportforgayjehovahswitnesses.com
Take care,
John
I concur
That is a fact.
You know that sounds very silly. That’s all I have to say.
Yes, I too was baptized as a witness, many years ago, I fell away and on my way back. I have done lots of things to that I know was not right. But I prayed all the time asking for forgiveness. But I never said that I was a witness while I fornicated, did drugs, homeless, etc. How could I and live Jehovah too? I couldn’t, and thank goodness I had/have the strength to do what I know is right, do what makes him happy. I’m sure that gay guy knows he can’t be a true witness and be gay. It doesn’t work like that. I hope he gets the help he needs and find out the real meaning of what is exceptable to Jehovah.
What are the reasons that Jehova is against homosexuality adulterous behaviour and perverse behaviour
-jesus must have had an open mind about all issues it is difficult for all of us as people none of us are perfect it’s hard to fight against our feelings I’m sure Jesus would guide us and comfort us and put us on the right path
Get to know your facts before posting things about Jehovah’s witnesses..
A homosexual cannot be a Jehovah’s witness, Because it is against the Bible.
Correct, His sexual orientation can be homosexual. But if he is not engaging in sex with a man (or a woman outside of marriage) he is considered morally and be a Jehovah Witness in good standing.clean. He stated his orientation. He never said he was having sex with other men.
Face reality of this world do not just defend some of us has been raised in.this so called jw ,life is a hustle, too much pretence
Thanks for your comment it helps. Me realize i am doing the right thing by waiting on jehovah to clean out his organization and clear up any false doctrines.
I think jehovahs wittnesses organization. Is run by. Demon angels. My ex husband was a real angel that went to heaven and made my life miserable on earth and. He still is one of jehovahs wittnesses
Under the Law of Moses, no homosexual was permitted to exist within God’s congregation. This same condemnation was repeated to the early Christians. Persons who practiced homosexuality may come into Jehovah God’s favor, but they have to abandon that lifestyle. There are some who strive to please God but still struggle with homosexual urges however. I don’t know this person, but if he professes to be one of Jehovah’s Witness but he’s practicing that, then obviously he’s one in name only.
That is really true. Jehovah definitely dont support gay people. I am gay and I have a crush on a girl who is a jehovah’s witness and she won’t come out even though I think most people know she gay and it’s because of her parents. She not masculine or anything but she has a gay vibe and she stares at me intensely and then looks away and looks again. I know she has a crush on me but I’m afraid of asking her out because I’m a pussy and scared of rejection and scared of her reject something because of her religion. Anyway her cousin is a close friend of mine and their both jehovah witnesses and they seem like cool normal people except for the fact she been brainwash to think me and my family and most of the world will not go to heaven. Even if we did have a relationship wouldn’t she get kicked out of her religion for acting on her lesbian urges. I’m thinking of asking her out because after these next 5-6 months I will probably never see her again. We are both 14 by the way. Or maybe nothing’s there and I’m delusional and I shouldnt do it. IDK
Thank you for sharing your story.
“Do not give what is holy to dogs nor throw your pearls before swine, so that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open.
Therefore, to them who hate:
Judge not, let ye be judged and keep on —Matthew 7
Furthermore:
Atonement In the Hebrew Scriptures, the concept was connected with sacrifices that were made to allow people to approach God and worship him. Under the Mosaic Law, sacrifices were made, particularly on the annual Day of Atonement, in order to effect reconciliation with God despite the sins of individuals and of the whole nation. Those sacrifices pointed to Jesus’ sacrifice, which completely atoned for mankind’s sins once for all time, giving people the opportunity to be reconciled to Jehovah.?—Le 5:10; 23:28; Col 1:20; Heb 9:12.
You shall prevail Alfredo…”Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you; for everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking, it will be opened.
Naaa…this man ain’t a witness
Maybe he has been disfollowed tryin to act shit..the one who did the interview has wasted his time
Nkwasiasem kwa
You have said it all. Most pastor do worst than that but when Jw do such a thing there will be a great blast every where. Imperfect makes everyone sin but going to the Kingdom Hall or attending meetings doesn’t mean he is a Jw
Lol… That guy is never a JW. He’s an apostate. And for people talking about Child Abuse and blah blah blah.. I wouldn’t want to go into that. But I’m wondering ,why is everyone so interested in tarnishing the reputation of the organization? A Jw dances and it’ll be in the news. Whereas, every other church has so many members doing the same thing. It’s just pure hate! And how can you hate and claim that you’re serving God? In my neighborhood, when people see a girl who’s just committed fornication and a JW, they’ll talk about it forever. Forgetting that a whole lot of people in other churches in the same street do more. Let’s stop this lies. I’m not a JW. I’m a regular church goer. I have them as friends n family. And they’re very good people. Yes they’re imperfect like everyone of us, so they sin. Pastors yes our pastors here sleep with our girls, everyone knows. If it were a JW head, it’ll be all over the news. Enough said already
foolish
Some commentators have brought up the famous other passages where the New Testament seems to condemn homosexuality: I Corinthians 6: 9, 10, and I Timothy 1: 9,10.
Everyone who quotes these passages does so naively, believing that it says so in the originals. There are multiple modes of homosexual behavior, and because the words used in the originals of these passages do not appear anywhere else, (in the Bible, nor on contemporary writings), we do not have an idea of ??what the writer meant. And so we only receive the prejudiced translation of anti-homosexual Christians.
Several theologians, (Scroggs, and others) indicate to us that the words translated there traditionally as “effeminate” and “homosexuals”, are not so clear. The Greek word “malakoi” literally means “soft”, and that is why it has been interpreted as “effeminate”, thinking about the effeminate gestures of some homosexuals. This is only a prejudice, because besides many homosexuals not being effeminate, some other translations have seen here “the softness of moral laxity”, “the excessive indulgence against moral principles in a general sense” without reference to a specific practice. And even a Catholic Bible, interpreted, based on a particular Catholic obsession, that masturbation was being forbidden here, as for them, this was then the best example of self-indulgence par excellence. THE MOST REASONABLE CONCLUSION IN LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS IS THAT THE PASSAGE CONDEMNS IMMORALITY, WITHOUT A SPECIFIC ACT BEING POSSIBLY IDENTIFIED..
The other word, “arsenokoitai”, literally means “man-bed” or “man lying down” for sexual purposes. But this must be put in its historical context, and could literally mean “male f-u-ck-e-r” or “j-o-d-e-d-o-r”, (the Spanish vulgar expression), perhaps as an unjustified extension, “male prostitute”, without indicating in any case if the act is heterosexual or homosexual. This would condemn the multiple unauthorized sexual relations outside of marriage.
This word “arsenokoitai” is put in context in 1 Tim 1: 19,20 with the words “pornoi” and “andrapodistai”. Although in the Ancient Greek “pornoi” referred to a male prostitute, in the Bible itself it refers to immorality in general, as the “pornographic” of our day. “Andrapodistai”, on the other hand, meant. “Kidnapper” or “child seller”.
Based on a cultural analysis, it has been interpreted that the three words when appearing together, could refer to a behavior, legal at that time of the Roman Empire, but condemnable for a Christian. Being slavery a legal affair, the beautiful children of conquered nations were kidnapped and sold in a lucrative market of prostitution. And perhaps it could be interpreted, that the three words refer to the “kidnapper” (= andrapodistai), who is responsible for procuring the victim (“the prostitute” or “pornoi”), for the commercial use of the “male f-u-c-k-e-r (arsenokoitai).”
But all these modes of homosexual behavior are nuanced by exploitation and abuse, and can not be cited to condemn free and committed homosexual love.
As responsible Christians, enlightened in moral and psychological development, we must understand how the man who seeks God has been subject to the ups and downs of increased knowledge of human nature, and make our laws more humane. The homosexual should not be treated as a sinner, as a schizophrenic should no longer be treated as a demonically possessed, as was the basis of the then limited scientific knowledge.
The Bible does not allow a foundation for any of these religious conceptions against homosexuality. Each and every one of the passages involved can be neutralized through the process of demonstrating the ambiguity that exists in possible translations. All that remains for the translator and the hater of the homosexual is his prejudice.
You are wrong. Jw.org acknowledges that there are many gay JWs, and they have not been able to “correct” their gay feelings. So, as long as they remain insensible as rocks, and do not do homosexual acts, they may remain in the congregation, being seeing and perceived as inferior persons. If they just understood this is an erroneous Bible interpretation! How easy it would be for these oppressed souls.
Excellent analysis!
It’s great how JWs don’t notify the police when someone has been accused of child sex abuse, yet they believe that two consenting men having sex makes you deserving of being killed by God.
How can you laugh at news surrounding child molesters getting away with their abuse in your congregations?
How can you just ignore this information and the news? Children are being abused in your organisation and you don’t have the brain power to see how wrong that is?
being ‘helped’ with your born sexual orientation is not a thing.
It’s not an illness you can suddenly cure.
Lol – there is only one hall in Cuba !
You have his name.
If your so concerned, call the hall and find out for yourself.
.
Your one judgemental SOD.
Apostate?
Like all the apostate driven lies about Child Sex Abuse in the Org?
You mean like this?
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/09/27/us/ap-us-jehovahs-witnesses-child-abuse.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6224251/Jury-awards-35-million-woman-says-Jehovahs-Witnesses-covered-sexual-abuse-child.html
https://eu.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/09/19/jehovahs-witnesses-accused-mishandling-abuse-montana-thompson-falls/1362323002/
https://eu.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/09/27/montana-jury-jehovahs-witnesses-must-pay-34-m-abuse-survivor/1443995002/
https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/montana-jury-awards-m-in-sex-abuse-lawsuit-against-jehovah/article_1bcabb7c-7381-574b-a2ba-e011cc0250a6.html
https://www.scledger.net/story/2018/09/27/news/35-million-judgment-in-jehovahs-witnesses-case/1823.html
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/jehovahs-witnesses-begin-trial-monday-over-sexual-abuse
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2018-09-27/jury-jehovahs-witnesses-must-pay-34m-to-abuse-survivor
http://www.startribune.com/jehovah-s-witnesses-accused-of-mishandling-abuse-in-montana/493779331/
https://nixlaw.com/news/judge-orders-jehovahs-witnesses-to-turn-over-internal-documents-related-to-childhood-sexual-abuse/
What are the lies Georgie?
Now be careful….i have the old Russell publications.
Lol fake report by an apostate site. Why wasting your times trying to put dirt on JW. Too bad for you
What a poor comment. God creates us all with differing qualities and desires. It is our choice whether or not to act upon these. Jehovah reads our hearts, he knows how many hairs are on our heads. I know of many closeted/semi open non-practicing homosexuals within various congregations around the world. They are trying very hard to do the right thing and should be commended for their very large sacrifice. The most of us do not realise half of the personal trials these particular bros and sis endure through everyday. So long as they are doing their best to serve Jehovah we as their Brothers and Sisters should be there for them, showing extra support and looking out for them where nessisary. Keep them in your prayers. Jehovah sees all, especially kind deeds towards those enduring hardships
the publication is a fallacious one just to confuse people but if it is true then there is a problem with the so-called Alfredo, we all sin but he has gone far. Jehovah protect him and save him. If indeed he claims to be a witness he should provide his congregation’s name for verification. He is a liar and Bible he is holding does not mean he is a true JW
This can’t be true. Sometimes, when I read these kind of news, I just laughed because I can see Satan in action. Jehovah’s organization will never accommodate an homosexual. It’s a sin. The Bible condemn men who lies with men. Alfredo, I will advice you to stop deceiving yourself. God can not be mocked. What a person sow, he will reap. Remember (1cor 6:9,10). We are Jehovah’s witnesses…. We are not homosexuals, and we don’t associate with homosexuals.
this is pure lie!!! he can never ever be a Jehovah’s witness and he’s a gay. NEVER!!!! Nowhere in the world do Jehovah’s witnesses condone ungodly way of life like being a gay. Its either he’s an interested person ( one who attends our meetings but is not a baptised member) or he’s an apostate (those who stopped being a witness and spread malicious lies about witnesses)
spreading news about jw’s has become a very lucrative business these days! just wondering though! many have tried to paint this name in time past! try your best to paint it more! spread news or incomplete info’s just to earn more clicks. it won’t take you anywhere! You can never look taller by pushing others down. (that a fact). the fact that someone attends JW gatherings never makes you a JW!
God Jehovah is the Creator of us all…There are no mistakes just non believers…Our bodies are temporary vessels, but our Spirits live forever listen to your Spirit and love wholly. Agape
Hmm! He did not even give a good excuse for his act. Anyway, only God judges..
Wrong! You don’t qualify if you are gay. They are rules and everyone follows them. Like any club there are rules.
It is true that one is not permitted to be a jw and engage in homosexua acts with one exception, if one engages in sexual activity with a child he or she is reprimanded but the matter is kept secret and the person is protected from prosecution by secular authorities. They believe that allowing this to become public will bring reproach or tarnish the reputation of the organization. As a result these disgusting individuals repeat these horrible abuses on more and more children of unsuspecting fellow members. The Australian Royal Commision found them to be in violation of laws regarding disclosure of known pedophiles and courts in the u.s. and u.k. have awarded victims large settlements after finding that their abusers were known by the Jehovah’s witness organization to be pedophiles but the information was suppressed. This is the primary reason many of us have left this religion. More unbiased information and heavily researched details about the JW organization can be found at jwfacts.com.
The people that are posting this message they are the ramaining people that kill Jese Christ. Don’t reply them, they know what they are doing. If anyone is homosexsual he can NOT BE A JEHOVAH WITNESS AT ALL. he can being going to their meetings so that he can change to a better person. But that dose not mean he is one of JEHOVAH witness
Fifty years of being one of Jehovah’ s Witnesses, I never met anyone openly practicing same sex relationship, such unclean practices have no place in Jehovah’s Organization. Heterosexuals do not have the right to practice ‘Fornication’ nor do Married individuals have the right to commit ‘Adultery’. These sexual practices are unclean and forbidden. The Apostle Paul warned the congregations that people willfully practicing uncleaniness can not and will not inherit God’s Kingdom. In order to maintain a clean standing before Jehovah, people who habitually practice these unclean habits they will shunned from the congregation until they seek repentant.
heterosexual does not have the right to practice fornication, nor do married couples or people have the right to practice Adultery. Adultery and Fornication are unclean sexual acts that are forbidden by Jehovah God’s Laws
Pls iam a sinner just like u and a ministarial servant, I strongly believe the elders in ur congregation ar nt aware, talk to them. Brothers of such sexuall orientation have been helped and they ar relived by the elders. Seek help .every1 needs jah. God pls. We ar not perfect
All lies!!!!
That’s right!!!
That’s right!!!
If one reads 1 Corin 6:9-10, then one must also read verse 11.
One can be homosexual and be a Jehovah’s witness, as long as they don’t act on those desires. Just as one can be a Jehovah’s witness, be straight and single, as long as they don’t engage in premarital sex, or sex outside of their marriage. Similarly, one cannot smoke and be a Jehovah’s witness, but once they stop smoking they can be part of the faith. We make choices to do (preach) or not do (smoke, premarital sex) certain things to gain Jehovah God’s approval.
Too bad you make statements JW’s don’t believe.
It matters little what man thinks concerning this subject. It’s God’s thoughts that count.
Old Testament : (Leviticus 20:13) 13?“‘If a man lies down with a male the same as one lies down with a woman, both of them have done a detestable thing. They should be put to death without fail. Their own blood is upon them.
New Testament : Rom. 1:24-27: “God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts, gave them up to uncleanness, that their bodies might be dishonored among them . . . God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites, for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature; and likewise even the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full recompense, which was due for their error.”
Both Old and New testament reveal God’s view on this matter. ‘Homosexuality is not an issue that is new. The Bible sets out God’s unchanging viewpoint in very clear language.
In life one can love the person but hate the act. One can also change with God’s help.
Read 1st Corinthians 6:9-10…
it a shame to do such a thing and still come to listening to the words of
God.
I am sure the elders haven’t seen him yet
He is right we are all sining, but we shouldn’t think because someone is sining it is OK for us to also sin but in a different way. The people u mentioned above are not siners ,Jesus never condemned being rich or poor, black or white but there are many circumstances the Bible condemned being homosexual ,am not sure u love Jehovah like u saying cos if u do u wouldn’t do anything that would hurt him especially if u yourself knows what u doing is wrong. I hope you have not forgotten this Bible account that says it is bad to do what u ‘know’ is wrong. how do u feel reading the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, I am a sinner but I don’t praise my sins, but rather feel sorry for myself and always pray for forgiveness , To show that u love God u should worship him with a pure heart
You are a very courageous Man, Alfredo! God be with you and bless you. You are a beautiful human being. I hope one day people will clearly see the integrity of love for a partner of your choosing, and the pitfalls of promiscuity. There is a big difference. I also feel one day you will find someone to be with and love. Shame on the bigots who spurn you…wherever they are found. Vaya con dios.
Stories like this sadden me, instead of living the one life that we know we have, he’s living his life by a religion that claims to be true when it isn’t. Deut. 18:22: “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” The founder falsely prophesied that the end would come in 1914, then when that didn’t happen 1925, when that didn’t happen 1975, and when that didn’t happen “soon.” God was supposed to have chosen JWs as his chosen people in 1919, when they were still espousing false doctrines such as white color being the original and when black people are resurrected their bodies would be remade with white bodies. I hope he wakes up before he misses out on a chance to live.
then he for stop because it against the rule of the Bible