I got two questions.

[kynnyh]

 My first question is how can I respond to people telling me that being trans is a sin? People keep telling me that here in Oklahoma and it's suffocating me.. I live in a very rural area like an hour away from Tulsa.

My second question is I want to be a doctor and I'm gender fluid. Would I even get hired? I heard the medical field is super hard on trans people. How would I be treated? It really makes me anxious. Even though I'm only 16 I have a passion for the human body and I'm a huge planner.

[Rejennyrated]

I dont know about the USA but I'm several decades postop in the UK and currently a medical student - so the doctoring part is a yes, although by the sound of it possibly not in your current hometown.

As for the sin part nobody has told me that in a very long time, but if they did I'd tell them that:-

a.) they need to go and read their bible WITH a brain switched on so they actually understood it rather than just listening to some idiot preacher who clearly doesnt. and
b.) I'd thank them for telling me their opinion and suggest that they go read the passages about not judging others. Then
C.) if they reply (as some fools do) with the bit about being my brothers keeper I'd say "well thank you for your concern but this is between me and my God, and so if you want me to go on being friendly and accepting you for who you are I suggest you keep such opinions to yourself in future"

At which point I tend to walk off. If they persist I just say "Now you're getting boring. You're wrong, I don't have to justify myself to you, its not my job to educate you over medical science, of which you are clearly ignorant, so go away please."

In short I refuse to engage - "never apologise never explain" because I don't feel have to convince anyone. I am who I am - if they don't like that they can go swivel, because its the only me on offer.

[kynnyh]

Thank you! Yeah most people here look down on it and don't even know what transgender is.  It's really suffocating. My biggest fear is conversion therapy which I learned is LEGAL in Oklahoma. My friend just got out of some catholic place today..

[Ms Grace]

Ask them where exactly in the bible it says being transgender is a sin. Tell them to get back to you with the specific wording, chapter, verse, etc.

As for being hired as a doctor - I think you will find there are already some trans doctors with top jobs. Saw a couple in a doco last week. I wouldn't let that get in the way of you wanting to transition or be a doctor.

[poznetpunk]

The best response I've ever given when told by religious people that homosexuality and such is a sin "the bible also says that to judge another is a sin, and that the commandments say that you are to love thy niebor" you could also bring up the fact that the Bible also says that divorse, wearing certain clothing, eating certain foods, working on sunday, and about a thousand other things are a sin and you don't see them saying anything to everyone who does those things. If they try to respond with "well, those sins aren't as bad" remind them that the Bible says that all sin is equal in God's eyes. Hmm I guess I did learn something at church XD

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[Cynobyte]

1.  Here in the us, you will love being in the medical field, so go for it.
2.  99.9 doctors dont believe in the bible..  the one tent of a percent that does, be careful!

[Cynobyte]

I didnt get to finish.  Religion is good for some, but to others, its a weapon for hate and violence.  Basically if someone wants to get into religion with you, you already won.  Just walk away..  can you really convince a cow its a chicken?  If you can, then go for it..  but if you shake someones religion, it doesnt end well..  my suggestion is to move to somewhere like-minded and never look back..  good luck;)

[Cindy]

I'm a Doctor and I'm trans sexual. Neither relate to each other!

As for the Bible? I saw this today:

You realize that Leviticus was the law for the nation of Israel, right?" "Yes" "Are you an Israeli?" "No." "Then you are a Gentile and the book of Leviticus does not apply to you, neither does Deuteronomy or numbers."

[Eva Marie]

I have fun with these kinds of people - there are *so* many ways to respond.

I would begin by (as someone else said) asking them to specifically quote the chapters and verses that they are using to condemn you - most of them have never read the bible and this one question will shut them down.

If they can quote a verse it may be Deuteronomy 22:5. A through examination of that verse as has been done in Gill's exposition of the bible and by other bible scholars tell us that verse refers to avoiding military duty by men dressing as a woman, or tricking your way into being able to fight by women dressing as a man.

If they drag out "clobber verses" verses from Levicitus you can ask them if they are *really* suggesting that we should live by those verses, which applied only to the tribe of Levi who were priests. If the answer is yes then you can point out that Leviticus forbids A) shaving, B) having tattoos, C) eating shellfish, D) not killing disobedient children, E) eating fat, F) working on Sunday, G) selling land permanently - and so on. There are 76 prohibitions in Levicitus, many of which make no sense in today's society. Once you have pointed out the absurdity of trying to live by Leviticual law, ask them if they observe and follow all of the laws set forth in those verses? No? Then isn't it being hugely hypocritical to cherry pick verses from Levicitus and require other people to live by them? You gotta walk the walk if you expect others to do so.

And then you can bring up Luke 6:37 - "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

So, by trying to condemn you they are actually condemning themselves.

As Christians we are to love our neighbors as ourselves; we are not given authority to be the judge of people. So many Christians presume to know Gods heart and speak/act for Him which is it's own sin. They are today's Pharisees.

When someone is hammering you over the head with the bible - they are doing it wrong.

[RavenL]

I haven't really come across many people telling me being trans is a sin. It really doesn't bother me since I'm agnostic. But the few that have well I quote John 8:7 "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" And just follow it up with "Well going by The Bible we are all sinners. So its not your place to judge me." And the few times I've used the argument they can't respond. Or just point that Jesus mostly hung out with the social outcasts throughout The Bible and taught that people love thy neighbor.

As for the medical field like the above posts I wouldn't worry about it. I'm planning on becoming a psychologist and the next city over already has two trans psychologists. But if possible you might find your chances to be better if you look at moving. Oklahoma is not a very trans friendly state at all.

Hugs Lady R

[kynnyh]

You all have been super helpful. Thank you so much!

[Girl Beyond Doubt]

I really hope it is a sin so that I do not have to end up in heaven and endure the company of the "righteous" for all eternity.

[Rachel]

There are trans friendlier cities in the USA. You are 16 and in a few years you will be a major.

I work for a Hospital. I am a Professional Mechanical Engineer and I was in a meeting today ( Committee) with a dozen Doctors reviewing a research project that may provide a new treatment for a certain segment of the population with very low survival rates. I have long hair a purple cell phone case and a Vera Bradley eye glass case. I was chosen for the committee by the Hospital's Chief Executive officer and she knows I am trans.

We have 250 trans patients and a Sexuality and Gender department.

Oh, I operate the campus building systems too. 

[Vanny]

It does not matter if you don't listen.  Do what is right by you!!


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[April41]

In reality, arguing with these people won't work and will just entice them. Using the Bible back at them simply won't work. The question I have is are you religious yourself? I assume a little bit since their views of God may have a bit of an affect of how you feel. If so, I would respond with "I know what the Bible says and I may be wrong in how I interpret it, but my personal relationship with God has lead me to believe that being transgender is not a sin for me. I will continue to pray about it, but I really feel as if God has lead me down this path." Not a lot of people can argue with personal convictions in this light. I'm a Christian and I go to a church that knows I am transgender, but the congregation is free to express their own views, so I'm kind of ready for similar reactions.

As for going into the medical field, life in general isn't kind to a lot of people, but look at Dr. Rachel Levine for inspiration. She was appointed physician general of Pennsylvania this year, so there are those who still excel in the field.

[BenKenobi]

Galatians 3:28 seems pretty clear to me.

[Beth Andrea]

I usually say, "If it's a sin, then that's between me and God...it is not your place to judge me."

If they press, I then remind them that I don't follow their god anyway.

[leacobb]

I 100% agree with you beth that would be exactly what i would say.. i think that being trans can be a gift because you get to learn a type of strength cis people will never know... the strength to stay strong through judgment, the strength to be understanding of others and the strength to be determined and patient with things that we need to do to feel complete

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