AMERICAN IDOL - AIKEN: 'I DON'T STRUGGLE WITH MY FAITH'

AIKEN: 'I DON'T STRUGGLE WITH MY FAITH'

AMERICAN IDOL star CLAY AIKEN has overcome a lifelong "struggle" after years searching for acceptance within his religion as a result of his homosexuality.
The 29-year-old singer revealed he was gay in the new issue of U.S. magazine People, featuring him in a photospread with his new baby son Parker on the cover.
Aiken has revealed it wasn't until he moved out from his North Carolina home to the west coast that he felt comfortable enough to make the admission.
But he admits he also grappled with his personal faith in addition to how the news would affect friends and family before he decided to 'come out'.
He says, "Of course (I feel at odds with my faith). I have to respect the people who disagree with me. I don't struggle with it anymore, but there have been times that I have. And I still consider myself a born-again Christian, and I am absolutely comfortable with that and comfortable with my salvation."