Quote from: Cindi Jones on February 12, 2007, 08:57:21 PM
But I need to accept those who are sincere in their beliefs. I would hope that we all can. To be clear, I can not condone intolerance, bigotry, and hatred in any form. But those who can follow the tenants of their faith and walk the path of peace.... I'll gladly accept with open arms.
Thank you Cindi. It is a sad commentary on the human species that most people have a need to feel superior to another person or group, to condemn their beliefs, actions or lifestyle and we see it every day from the "Religious Right" (they are neither). The problem is, as some posts reflect, that need to feel superior is not limited to those being condemned here. Yes, many TG people have been badly hurt by, so called, Christians but many others have been accepted with love and understanding. I've known of people who, after coming out as TG, were asked to leave their church; in many cases the church they had grown up in. I've also known of people who, after coming out as TG, were baptized with their new name and welcomed.
And just to show you that it happens within our own community, let me relate this story. At a transgender conference, a large group of people were sitting around talking and the subject of one girls upcoming surgery came up. Another person tried to ask a question and was told disdainfully, "You're just a crossdresser, you wouldn't understand." A third person, who was also going soon for surgery read the riot act to the first girl, then turned and answered all the questions the second girl had.
Just as the attitude of that one person did not make me feel that all TS's feel superior to CD's; just as being spit on in 1969 while walking through an airport in uniform did not make me feel that all peace activists against the Viet Nam war were idiots, so shouldn't the actions of some hiding behind a cloak of religion make you think that all Christians are war-mongering bigots. We're not.
I respect the beliefs of anyone, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, atheist, etc. and support your right to express those beliefs. But please don't spit on me just because I wear the uniform.
Peace be with you,
Bev