I have always been a spiritual person, but have had numerous difficulties with "organized religion" aka "The Chruch". My biggest issue, even from the early age of about 8 or 9 years old, was that they could not provide me with the answers that I felt I needed. That put me on my own path of discovery, which led me down some very dark spiritual alleys.
I continued my quest and eventually met a man who was a very kind person. He listened carefully to my questions and gave me the answers I sought. These answers were not definitive, but encouraged me to continue searching because the answers I sought were really out there. Eventually, I found what I was looking for, and suddenly everything made sense.
That was all pre-transition. During my transition journey, I have often questioned how it would affect my beliefs. It has not.
Spirit and body are separate but intimately connected. Since my beliefs focus on the spirit and not on the body, there is no conflict. I no longer see people as bodies inhabited by a spirit. The Bible tells us that God breathed the breath of life into us, and we became living souls. Souls that are ALIVE, not bodies with souls. There is a difference.
The only real obstacles I encounter are engaging with people who have very closed minds. My parents are deeply religious (Catholic), and my dad often asks me how transitioning has affected my relationship with Jesus Christ. I explain to him that it hasn't. Once you are baptised and follow the teaching of Jesus, you are accepted no matter who you are.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:26-29I know that many people wrestle with this topic. Even those who are not trans or intersex. It doesn't help when religious people do not understand and try to force their own version of the Law upon others. That is what drove me away from the church, and in today's society, I see no reason to return. Many people enjoy the social aspects of sharing their worship time with others. There is nothing wrong with that. Many people find peace and enjoy the things that the church offers. I am just not one of them. I can still be a Christian by following the teachings of Christ without going to a public gathering.
I will enjoy hearing from other members chime in on their experiences because I'm kind of the oddball.
