God, Trans*, Why

[DriftingCrow]

As seen in another thread today (well, technically yesterday now  ), some trans folks who identify as religious are quite angry at God for making them trans and can't understand the reason why they were born this way.

The way I see it, is that you're born a certain way for a reason, whether it's being born trans, physically disabled, cis-female, etc. To me, there's no point in indulging in anger, I believe we're here to learn something and then move on (whether it's to another life as I believe or to face Judgment as others may believe). God isn't a big magician in the sky here to grant all of our wishes, because our wishes might not be what we actually need to develop as a better soul.

I think in a prior life I must have been intolerant to something, and Waheguru (God) thought I'd learn tolerance better if I was born as a trans person. Perhaps I was a male chauvinist who needed to learn to appreciate women, maybe I did something bad to a trans person, perhaps I was just filled with intolerance in general to anyone who wasn't like me. Or, instead of seeing being trans as a punishment for bad karma, maybe being trans is a reward, being trans does give me a certain amount of freedom, it's just a punishment in our society, maybe it's not spiritually.

Being trans has made me a better person, though I am still far from being perfect and still have a lot to learn. As being an outcast in society who's misunderstood and would face extreme prejudice if I came out to my employer, some family members,  and so on, I've learned to be more empathetic to other minorities and to be aware of prejudice and discrimination where it might normally be overlooked if I was just a member of the majority. Being born FAAB and socialized as female, I am more aware of the hardships women face in society and the inequalities for both genders. Since people look at me and see something different that what I actually am, I've learned to not be so judgmental of people by placing on them what I think they should be or how I want them to be, but force myself to try to see them as they actually are and how they want to be seen.

Being born transgender isn't something for me to get angry about or to think that it's not fair. Life is a gift and my job here on Earth is to make the best of it, to better myself, and see what comes next.

While some anger is probably just a natural human feeling that might pass over time, if you have a religion and actually believe in it, that's where you need to put your trust and faith; if you believe that God created you, you need to ask God to show you the reasons why you were given the burden/gift of being trans so you can get over your anger and disappointment. Harboring ill feelings won't allow you to progress spiritually.

These are just my thoughts, feel free to express yours.

Ik ongkar
Henry

[Danielle Emmalee]

I don't personally believe that everything happens for a reason.  I think there is a lot of randomness in the world, and sometimes things just happen that don't seem right or normal.  In this case, its also pointless to obsess over things that make you angry because, God or not, fate or not, a life full of anger gets you nowhere and isn't healthy.  Sure its normal to get mad sometimes but if you focus that anger inward or towards God or towards any type of negative behavior, it doesn't do you any good.  If you can focus it towards doing something positive that will improve the situation that got you angry in the first place, so much can be done.  Also if you are religious, usually one of the main focuses is supposed to be forgiveness.  Forgive God, forgive people who did you wrong, forgive yourself, and you will have nothing to be angry about and you can focus on how to make things better.

[DriftingCrow]

Forgive God

That's beautiful, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say that before.

[King Malachite]

I always said to myself that in my past life I must have pissed off a girlfriend of mine who was into voodoo and she cursed me to be a female in the next life.

The way I see it, it is what it is.  If I had my way, I would be a 6'4 Caucasian fit biological male on this Earth.  Bar the fit part, praying won't get me that, however, so I'm stuck in this body.  I can't say for sure why I'm trans, whether it be because of the fall or because my God likes to see me suffer.  It's probably both.  Either way it, trying to figure out why won't give me a penis so I just have to roll with the punches.

[Darkie]

I once saw a great explanation for this.

People say that God doesn't make mistakes, so what about Trans* people?  It means it is a choice right?  WRONG.

You were born from two humans, who created your body together.  God is the one that created your soul.  Your heart. 

When I explained it to my mom that way, who had never been able to accept the fact I have friends who are trans (she isn't a bigot just uninformed), a light seemed to go on.  She said she had never really thought of it that way and that that made more sense to her.

[Adam (birkin)]

You were born from two humans, who created your body together.  God is the one that created your soul.  Your heart. 

I like this. I wonder if my grandmother might find this enlightening.

I don't know if I think everything happens for a reason. I'd like to think so, because there are some people on this planet who really deserve to walk in another person's shoes. I'm also inclined to believe we are reincarnated, though I can't really explain why i feel this way.

I also don't know if being trans has made me a better person, it's hard to say. I have a lot of bitterness and much, but not all of it, surrounds this condition.

Kind of scattered thoughts there, might add more to this thread later.

[JLT1]

I booked marked this one because it is a strange topic for me: it never occurred to me to ask God "Why, why am I trans?".  I have looked upon being a trans-woman as a gift, not a curse. I'm saying "Thank You".  For the first time in my life I have found something I have never known: Joy.  Finally, I'm right with the world. A weight that has been literally killing me has been replaced by something much lighter.   Isn't that, at least in part, what transitioning is supposed to be about?

Yea, this is tough and I have lost friends, family and am losing my wife.  I have been starred at, ridiculed and harassed. My job is safe but I'm practically bleeding money from the cost of transition.  Yet, I have been through worse than this, much worse, unutterable badness.  This process, this is just a hurdle on the road to finding...me, the real person God created.  I'm just excited that I can get there.  So few people in this world ever even get the chance because they have problems they can't even see.

Please, do not misunderstand me, I have asked God "Why?" in the past and I understand why some people ask that question.  I'm also assuming that I will ask God again "Why?".  But not about this.  So many people go through lives not knowing joy but only knowing pain.  And they share that pain with others so there is misery, loneliness, bitterness, hate etc.  Shouldn't there be some positive things about knowing yourself enough that there is hope?  And because we act, hope will not lead us to a bad place.    And being there, we can share with others, as we are supposed to do, so that others may also know joy.

Yea, the journey has some seriously bad times in it.  But the destination will be better and what we find along the way is worth the trip in and of itself.

[Annaiyah]

As seen in another thread today (well, technically yesterday now  ), some trans folks who identify as religious are quite angry at God for making them trans and can't understand the reason why they were born this way.

The way I see it, is that you're born a certain way for a reason, whether it's being born trans, physically disabled, cis-female, etc. To me, there's no point in indulging in anger, I believe we're here to learn something and then move on (whether it's to another life as I believe or to face Judgment as others may believe). God isn't a big magician in the sky here to grant all of our wishes, because our wishes might not be what we actually need to develop as a better soul.

I think in a prior life I must have been intolerant to something, and Waheguru (God) thought I'd learn tolerance better if I was born as a trans person. Perhaps I was a male chauvinist who needed to learn to appreciate women, maybe I did something bad to a trans person, perhaps I was just filled with intolerance in general to anyone who wasn't like me. Or, instead of seeing being trans as a punishment for bad karma, maybe being trans is a reward, being trans does give me a certain amount of freedom, it's just a punishment in our society, maybe it's not spiritually.

Being trans has made me a better person, though I am still far from being perfect and still have a lot to learn. As being an outcast in society who's misunderstood and would face extreme prejudice if I came out to my employer, some family members,  and so on, I've learned to be more empathetic to other minorities and to be aware of prejudice and discrimination where it might normally be overlooked if I was just a member of the majority. Being born FAAB and socialized as female, I am more aware of the hardships women face in society and the inequalities for both genders. Since people look at me and see something different that what I actually am, I've learned to not be so judgmental of people by placing on them what I think they should be or how I want them to be, but force myself to try to see them as they actually are and how they want to be seen.

Being born transgender isn't something for me to get angry about or to think that it's not fair. Life is a gift and my job here on Earth is to make the best of it, to better myself, and see what comes next.

While some anger is probably just a natural human feeling that might pass over time, if you have a religion and actually believe in it, that's where you need to put your trust and faith; if you believe that God created you, you need to ask God to show you the reasons why you were given the burden/gift of being trans so you can get over your anger and disappointment. Harboring ill feelings won't allow you to progress spiritually.

These are just my thoughts, feel free to express yours.

Ik ongkar
Henry

Hi, Henry,

While I have nothing but respect for your opinion and/or belief, I just have this to say in my most respectful of ways possible, and as I say it I will speak for myself though I'm brave enough to bet money that other trans people such as myself may feel the same way --

Here's where I stand as far as the whole "God had a good reason for making you transgender" prophecy goes:

If God/Universe/whoever higher being up there has a good reason for making me trans, fine, but I don't care. If God did have a good reason for making me transgender then do I have a good reason for wanting to change the body that God gave me? I'm not expecting a "yes" or "no" answer to that. But I will tell the short story that for a few years prior to her conversion to atheism, my mom's been lecturing me that God knew what He was doing when He decided I should be born male and that if God wanted me to be a girl, I would've been born a girl, and that I'm being selfish and disrespectful to God for wanting to change the body he gave me and for not caring that he's had a good reason for not letting me be born female, yada yada yada... Well let me just say for certain: She's already added to the pain that I've been already enduring.

If those were the cases, I wouldn't be transgender anymore if I cared! I wouldn't have any desire or reason to transition because I care so much about the "good reasons" God had or has for making me a girl in a boy's body.

No disrespect toward God by any means whatsoever, but I feel that I definitely and indeed should have been born female and there is absolutely nothing no one could ever say to me to convince me otherwise. You couldn't hold a gun or knife on me and lead me out of that belief. I do also hold the believe that if God really and truely wanted me to keep the body that he gave me, he would've either let me be born a girl from the get-go or made me so that I'm fully male with a male persona (which I'm glad he didn't do) and I'm guessing the same goes for the whole trans community as a whole too, that's why we're transgender.

In fact, this is why I tend to stay away from religion! I mean, religion is what lead people into believing that being trans/homosexuality is a sin! Because people are afriad of what they can't understand but I just had to get this out.

My co-worker at work once: "You shouldn't be mad at 'the man upstairs' because God knows far better than you."
My response should've been this: "Really? Did Al Quida (however it's spelled) knew what they were doing when 9/11 took place? I take it, the people who lost their families and loved ones should be mad at the masterminds who intended to destroy the World Trade Center?"

But if there is anything that I agree with, it's the stuff you say about anger in general. It took me a while to really learn this but when you're angry at anyone God, an earthly human, or whomever, your anger is only eating you away, not the person or being whom the anger is directed. I mean, I've grown as a person over the years and it took me a while to learn that (I knew it but I didn't know it, if that makes sense). My point being: I'm no longer holding any anger toward God, the Universe or whoever higher being decided that I should be male. Granted, I still have beyond every possible intention of changing "the body that God gave me" and that's not to say I'm not trans anymore, just that God's given me the grace to not carry that anger at being born male as it's only going to manifest more anger and animosity and do me more self-destruction in the long run. Is there anything else that helped? Yes! People who stopped lecturing me that God had a good reason for not letting me be a girl, etc. and that I shouldn't be mad at God, blah-blah-blah. I feel so much better without people telling me that but I thank you, Henry, for opening this thread so that I could get this off my chest.

[DriftingCrow]

Hi AnnaiyanStar:

Glad you could get that off your chest. I hope you didn't think I was saying that people should not transition because they'd be overruling God's will or something like that. We all have personal choice.   You do have a valid reason for wanting to transition even if it was God's will to be maab, because its your decision and maybe it was the journey you were meant to experience. I think it is a bit presumptious of some people to think they know God's plan for another's life solely based on how the other was born.

Henry

[Danielle Emmalee]

As for people believing that homosexuality is a sin, what I have a problem with is that people seem to make it out to be some kind of "Ultimate Sin" like God said to Moses, "And remember the worst sin of all is homosexuality, the rest is just take it or leave it"  If you are going to protest homosexual organizations you should also protest clothing manufacturers, grocery stores, businesses open on Sundays, etc.  Otherwise you just look like a hypocrite.

[izzy]

I don't personally believe that everything happens for a reason.  I think there is a lot of randomness in the world, and sometimes things just happen that don't seem right or normal.  In this case, its also pointless to obsess over things that make you angry because, God or not, fate or not, a life full of anger gets you nowhere and isn't healthy.  Sure its normal to get mad sometimes but if you focus that anger inward or towards God or towards any type of negative behavior, it doesn't do you any good.  If you can focus it towards doing something positive that will improve the situation that got you angry in the first place, so much can be done.  Also if you are religious, usually one of the main focuses is supposed to be forgiveness.  Forgive God, forgive people who did you wrong, forgive yourself, and you will have nothing to be angry about and you can focus on how to make things better.

I agree about the chaos in this universe is something that happens not within gods control. but then it also means god is also not all powerful.

[Danielle Emmalee]

I agree about the chaos in this universe is something that happens not within gods control. but then it also means god is also not all powerful.

Incorrect, all it means is that if there is a God, either He is not all powerful, or He intentionally does not use His power to control everything.  The latter is a fairly common belief, He could make us all do what He wants but willfully declines to leave it up to us.

[ukftminneed]

As for people believing that homosexuality is a sin, what I have a problem with is that people seem to make it out to be some kind of "Ultimate Sin" like God said to Moses, "And remember the worst sin of all is homosexuality, the rest is just take it or leave it"  If you are going to protest homosexual organizations you should also protest clothing manufacturers, grocery stores, businesses open on Sundays, etc.  Otherwise you just look like a hypocrite.

I really hate it when people say that about gays !
I believe in god but not the bible or organised religion , I believe you find god in life , he's always there you just have to open your eyes to feel your heart , I believe god is great , and that the bible is away to distract people from god and nature , I dont believe homosexuality is a sin , where made in gods image , we live on gods land , the earth is natures not mans , and whats more natural than diversity , after all being gay helps with over population , for people that need a scientificy reason ,

But I truely belief theres someone greater then us , 
im trans and i pray to god everyday , I think it just means we have more spirit
were all so special , but those blind to see it , blink and miss the magic they search in life to find 

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

All that "sin" means is to "miss the mark" and for the most part one could argue that those who cherry pick bible verses to suit their prejudice nature, quite often 'miss the mark' by over looking the important messages of love thy neighbour and being non judgemental...

Metta Zenda

[Talitha Cumi]

All that "sin" means is to "miss the mark" and for the most part one could argue that those who cherry pick bible verses to suit their prejudice nature, quite often 'miss the mark' by over looking the important messages of love thy neighbour and being non judgemental...

Metta Zenda

Amen, to that. God is Love. If we don't love how can anyone know God or be in a relationship with God, transgendered or not transgendered. 

[Chaos]

I was born Trans*,Had an accident at birth which caused me to be developmentally handicapped (aka have the brain of a 3rd grader) and now over all mental issues (anxiety,agoraphobia,social,attacks/episode) and even through ALL that,i would never blame God.Know why?

1) the accident at birth has indeed left me at a disadvantage mentally.But with that,my emotional aspect has tripled and allowed me to see people with my heart and not mind
2) Being born Trans* has given me wisdom over the entire gender spectrum.I know the feelings/pains of being a woman but i have found *now* who i really am and during it all,have become strong-a better man then i would have if i was born with the right body.
3) My mental issues and anxiety,fear-has taught me over a long period of time,how to find MY own strength.I have been teaching myself how to trust,accept,love,forgive through all the pain i have suffered my entire life.To fight through it and realze that,good things DO happen and i just have to believe and work for it.So in the end,i will not only have this beat but also have wisdom when it tries to creep up again.

So from my point of view,IF all these *negative* things are from God-then he has made me 100% stronger and the bible says *He will not place more on you then you can handle* and as the saying goes *then i must be stronger then a Mach truck* and i believe that completely.I have learned so much and become alot stronger,like a stone with a soft and loving heart.Its amazing.So i thank him for it all and most of all,letting me know who i *really* am.

[Lauren5]

Four possibilities why I am trans from a religious standpoint:
1. (The) God(s) hate(s) me and wish(es) to punish me and have put me in the wrong body.
2. (The) God(s) hate(s) humanity and like to see them suffer.
3. (The) God(s) are/is not concerned about earth and is focused on something else.
4. (The) God(s) cannot exist.

[Vicky]

To us it is Chaos because we are not God. 

[Del]

There are teachings whereby God has made people one way or another and the opposition saying it is sin or whatever. There are some things no longer taught that might be worth considering.

All that God made he called "good." That was before Adam and Eve sinned. Then things changed and man was no longer "good" as Adam was originally created. That is why both John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching repentance. That is also why Peter came preaching repentance.

Once Adam and Eve transgressed and sin came into the world man started being born ill and such. From that point on man's evil desires had to be repented of. From that time on man needed physicians and such for illnesses. Man was no longer made good but as scripture says created subject to vanity.

For the above reasons it is correct and scripturally sound to say that God did not make people gay, transgender, sick and such. He merely allows these things and it is up to us to deal with them. Some receive healings and deliverances and such and some do not. These are all areas far too lengthily to go into here however.

May God bless.

[Cindy]

There are teachings whereby God has made people one way or another and the opposition saying it is sin or whatever. There are some things no longer taught that might be worth considering.

All that God made he called "good." That was before Adam and Eve sinned. Then things changed and man was no longer "good" as Adam was originally created. That is why both John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching repentance. That is also why Peter came preaching repentance.

Once Adam and Eve transgressed and sin came into the world man started being born ill and such. From that point on man's evil desires had to be repented of. From that time on man needed physicians and such for illnesses. Man was no longer made good but as scripture says created subject to vanity.

For the above reasons it is correct and scripturally sound to say that God did not make people gay, transgender, sick and such. He merely allows these things and it is up to us to deal with them. Some receive healings and deliverances and such and some do not. These are all areas far too lengthily to go into here however.

May God bless.

So a Down's syndrome person can be delivered from their birth? A person with cystic fibrosis? Come on Del think. I wasn't 'allowed' to be transgender, I am. A homosexual person doesn't choose their sexuality, it is. A baby with a congenital heart defect didn't choose it. A baby is without sin, according to your Doctrines, you can't have it both ways.

Please !