FATHER BRIAN: BIBLE IS NO TOOL OF OPPRESSION

[MadelineB]

A Little Bit of Religion: BIBLE IS NO TOOL OF OPPRESSION
By Father Brian D'Arcy
November 25, 2012

http://www.sundayworld.com/columnists/father-brian.php?aid=13553

I RECEIVED a really descriptive letter from a person with an unusual but brave story to tell.

The point of the letter was to ask me to let you know that on November 20, the world celebrates International Transgender Day of Remembrance. The writer however went on to explain what it is like to live in a body which is the opposite of what she wants to be. I found it most enlightening.

"My own personal story is that for sixty years I have lived in fear," she began. "Fear that I would be ridiculed - I often was. Fear that I would be unaccepted - I was often ostracised. Fear that violence would be visited upon me - I was beaten up daily at primary and grammar school all because I was different. I feared being found out as the person I truly am as this was not the person everybody else saw me to be or wanted me to be."

"I have only recently started reading the Bible again and welcomed Jesus back into my life. I have only recently realised the Bible is an instrument of love, not an instrument of spiritual violence... the Bible is not to be used as a club to hurt those who are afraid of. Texts should be understood within the context of the Bible and the society for which they were written.

"I have reached something of answer in that I feel driven to attempt to make a wider society aware of what it feels like to be transgendered - that we are not apart from society but a part of it.

"My fervent wish is that society can accept transgendered people as the people they are, and allow them to be fully functioning human beings who can contribute something valuable to the community without fear, discrimination or abuse...."

[Joelene9]

  "For sixty years".  I could have written that piece in the first person.  This story of a 60 year old transgender woman as told to Father Brian fits me to a "T".  I had the same feelings and ideas of oppression as she had.  It was so much that I stopped going to church and haven't been there since.  Also, my church had changed its policy that was not too kind of those who was in the military during my service in the Vietnam war era.  A double whammy. 
  I feel that I'm a de-churched Christian because of what was said over the years not only with my church denomination, but others as well.  The confusion and the blurring of the definition difference between transgender and homosexual people brought on by certain key members of these different church denominations over the years sure didn't help much.  I know of those who go to church regularly, on the church board, do daily Bible study with notes and turn around and use the Bible as a weapon not only against those who are transgender, but other groups of people as well.  These people often use the Bible out of context of what it is really for. 

  The bible is no tool of oppression.

  Joelene, age 60.  A believer in Jesus The Christ.

[gennee]

  "For sixty years".  I could have written that piece in the first person.  This story of a 60 year old transgender woman as told to Father Brian fits me to a "T".  I had the same feelings and ideas of oppression as she had.  It was so much that I stopped going to church and haven't been there since.  Also, my church had changed its policy that was not too kind of those who was in the military during my service in the Vietnam war era.  A double whammy. 
  I feel that I'm a de-churched Christian because of what was said over the years not only with my church denomination, but others as well.  The confusion and the blurring of the definition difference between transgender and homosexual people brought on by certain key members of these different church denominations over the years sure didn't help much.  I know of those who go to church regularly, on the church board, do daily Bible study with notes and turn around and use the Bible as a weapon not only against those who are transgender, but other groups of people as well.  These people often use the Bible out of context of what it is really for. 

  The bible is no tool of oppression.

  Joelene, age 60.  A believer in Jesus The Christ.

Jolene, I can understand the conclusions that you have arrived at because sadly the bible has been used as a weapon against us. I am fortunate to be attending an affirming and accepting church who welcomes and accepts anybody. I came out to the congregation this past June during pride month. I was accepted with open arms. I have had numerous opportunities to educate people about being transgender. 

Jesus never bashes people because they're different. The bible is a book about love. More people need to live and demonstrate it and not just talk about it.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

As an ex-christian these are truer words never spoken ...

What brutal people the self-righteous have become.

I was literally driven from the church by a religious pastor.  As he beat my with a bible.  I became a witch because my Goddess accept all.

One day the Church will see the true teaching of Christ.

[MaidofOrleans]

I don't need an old book written by old men to tell me how to live. Religion is for those who fear the reaper.