Approximate reading time: 3 minutes

Born in a traditional Christian family in Halifax, Ethan’s spiritual journey reflects the deep connection between his faith and identity as a gay individual.

Stage 1: Primal or Undifferentiated Faith “Baby Trust Stage”

In Ethan’s early years (0-2), he was nurtured by his caring parents. This consistent love and care laid the foundation of trust and a sense of divine safety. He began to view the world as a comforting place where his needs would be met.

Stage 2: Intuitive-Projective Faith “Imaginative Belief Stage”

During the ages of 3–7, Ethan began attending Sunday school and participating in family prayers, absorbing the Christian traditions of his family. His imagination flourished as he learned about biblical stories, merging this newfound knowledge with his existing understanding of the world.

Stage 3: Mythic-Literal Faith “Literal Faith Stage”

As Ethan grew older (8-12), he joined a Christian community for kids. He began to comprehend faith more concretely, guided by his peers’ and community’s beliefs. For instance, Ethan began to accept God as a caring entity watching over him, mirroring his community’s perspective.

Stage 4: Synthetic-Conventional Faith “Group Belief Stage”

During his adolescence, Ethan conformed to the beliefs and practices of his family and community, often participating in religious events and activities. As he became aware of his sexual orientation, he felt conflicted, as his church held conservative views about homosexuality.

Stage 5: Individuative-Reflective Faith “Personal Belief Stage”

In his young adulthood, Ethan began to question his inherited beliefs. He moved to Toronto for university, where exposure to diverse views on spirituality and sexual orientation prompted self-reflection. Ethan began to reconcile his faith with his identity as a gay man, forming an inclusive understanding of Christianity that respected his sexual orientation.

Stage 6: Conjunctive Faith “Mysterious Faith Stage”

Entering mid-life, Ethan embraced the complexities and paradoxes of life and faith. He acknowledged that religious texts and interpretations could be flexible and multifaceted. This allowed him to appreciate the abstract elements of spirituality, mirroring his acceptance of abstract art’s varied interpretations.

Stage 7: Universalizing Faith “Selfless Faith Stage”

In the later years of his life, Ethan dedicated himself to advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion in religious spaces. His faith became a driving force for his activism. His deep belief in love and acceptance for all, regardless of sexuality, demonstrated his transition to a selfless faith stage.

Ethan’s journey offers a remarkable perspective on how an individual’s spirituality can evolve over time, shaped by personal experiences, self-identity, and shifting understandings of the world.