Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Kia Ora,

Well it would seem no one took the bait from my comment in another thread, so it looks like Ms Polly (the poll lady) will have to take it upon herself ...

Ok so it would seem some secular/state schools do give the student the option to 'learn about' different religions and not just about one specific religion...

I went to a state school, (1960s UK an all boy secondary ) we had to sit through prayers at assembly in the morning (If you were Jewish or Atheist you could skip it) and once a week there was religious instruction for half an hour (Christian of course) I had no real interest, so I would either doodle or look out the window daydreaming ...

I don't think I ever hear the term 'homosexual' at school, in other words there was no homophobic rants in the RI classes, and it was never brought up by any of the teachers or students, however the students did use the term "pansy & sissy " pansy being a quite common put down used to ridicule other students (even if the other students did not show effeminate traits)   ::) Boy will be boys... ::) 

So how about you ? How was your "Tom Brown's school days" ?
(Which reminds me  "->-bleeped-<-"=A student at a British public school who is required to perform menial tasks)

Metta Zenda :)

I was homeschooled, which turned into a collective named Heritage Christian School for more advanced (read: hard for a single family to pull off) subjects.

For college, I had Wheaton - colloquially, the Christian version of Harvard.

Homosexuality and its variants were, to be sure, disallowed (in practice, along with premarital sex and drinking) and those suffering unBiblical temptations were (in a congenial fashion) encouraged to seek counseling. Overall, an exemplary conservative Christian environment - not for everyone, and not meant to be.

Nope. I went to a public school for twelve years and then hit the road. I think if my Mom and Dad would have tried to put me in a religious based school, I would have probably been a runaway and not of the "Cherrybomb" sort. I also couldn't attend a school that forces the wearing of uniforms. Nothing wrong with them though it's just me and how I feel about self expression.

Quote from: ZoeM on June 21, 2013, 03:58:14 PMOverall, an exemplary conservative Christian environment - not for everyone, and not meant to be.

Bloody Protestants, sorry, no offence intended but if not 'part of club' then "bigoted against" for sure!! (i also was hinting at this prior)  . . . "Faith based" ?? YUCK !! I went to a Dominican nun grade school and a Jesuit University and, later of course, we didn't get that at all!!

From my school website:

Quote from: fairfield.edu/diversity/Fairfield University defines diversity in the broadest sense, reflecting its commitment to creating a more inclusive community that is reflective of the richly diverse global community of which we are part. Diversity encompasses not only racial, ethnic, and religious diversity, but also diversity of socioeconomic contexts, cultural perspectives, national origins, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical ability, and educational backgrounds.

The page changed recently, it was "I" who requested GID be included !!!

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 21, 2013, 03:48:32 PM(Which reminds me  "->-bleeped-<-"=A student at a British public school who is required to perform menial tasks)

I thought "a ->-bleeped-<-" was a cigarette ??? LOL

Quote from: Jess42 on June 21, 2013, 04:04:32 PM
I also couldn't attend a school that forces the wearing of uniforms. Nothing wrong with them though it's just me and how I feel about self expression.

Kia Ora Jess,

Most British schools at the time I went, did require students to wear a uniform, and all year round the first year students 'had' to wear shorts-even in the winter time  :icon_yikes: and it was often cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey(fortunately mine were surgically removed in a warmer climate)  ;) ;D

BTW the secondary school I attended no longer exists, the site is now very expensive yuppy apartments-a friend recently sent my some photos of the 'now & then"....I don't miss it...

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Kiera on June 21, 2013, 04:18:04 PM
Bloody Protestants, sorry, no offence intended but if not 'part of club' then "bigoted against" for sure!! (i also was hinting at this prior)  . . . "Faith based" ?? YUCK !! I went to a Dominican nun grade school and a Jesuit University and, later of course, we didn't get that at all!!

From my school website:

The page changed recently, it was "I" who requested GID be included !!!

Kia Ora Kiera,

It sounds like quite a progressive school, flowing with the times...

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: ZoeM on June 21, 2013, 03:58:14 PM
I was homeschooled, which turned into a collective named Heritage Christian School for more advanced (read: hard for a single family to pull off) subjects.

For college, I had Wheaton - colloquially, the Christian version of Harvard.

Homosexuality and its variants were, to be sure, disallowed (in practice, along with premarital sex and drinking) and those suffering unBiblical temptations were (in a congenial fashion) encouraged to seek counseling. Overall, an exemplary conservative Christian environment - not for everyone, and not meant to be.

Kia Ora Zoe,

Did you personally experience any bigotry ?

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 21, 2013, 04:37:43 PM
Kia Ora Zoe,

Did you personally experience any bigotry ?

Metta Zenda :)

Exactly as much as existed, which is to say none.
I may be a little preachy about this, but: Most conservatives aren't bigots (any more than most liberals); most Christians are very nice people; and nobody should be required to view what I or anyone else does as OK.

Quote from: Kiera on June 21, 2013, 04:18:04 PM
Bloody Protestants, sorry, no offence intended but if not 'part of club' then "bigoted against" for sure!! (i also was hinting at this prior)  . . . "Faith based" ?? YUCK !! I went to a Dominican nun grade school and a Jesuit University and, later of course, we didn't get that at all!!

From my school website:

The page changed recently, it was "I" who requested GID be included !!!
I thought "a ->-bleeped-<-" was a cigarette ??? LOL

I'm afraid I don't see why the Christian faith should have to change to accommodate our decisions and mentality. Nor why those who follow it should be ostracized and insulted.

Quote from: ZoeM on June 21, 2013, 04:43:32 PM
I may be a little preachy about this, but: Most conservatives aren't bigots (any more than most liberals); most Christians are very nice people; and nobody should be required to view what I or anyone else does as OK.

I agree with you very much Zoey. Most Chritians that I have run into are pretty nice. Some though I have had quite a run in with. Where I grew up it was rock hard Southern Baptist and Pentecostal. I don't really even think that Transgender was a concern for them about me as much as they thought I was Satanic. Of course the way I dressed and presented myself didn't help much.

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 21, 2013, 04:30:12 PM
Kia Ora Jess,

Most British schools at the time I went, did require students to wear a uniform, and all year round the first year students 'had' to wear shorts-even in the winter time  :icon_yikes: and it was often cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey(fortunately mine were surgically removed in a warmer climate)  ;) ;D

BTW the secondary school I attended no longer exists, the site is now very expensive yuppy apartments-a friend recently sent my some photos of the 'now & then"....I don't miss it...

Metta Zenda :)

See what I wrote above. I have always been the one way out and kind of proud of it too. Four years in the millitary almost killed me. Looking the same, formations, 5:00am PT. 6:30am breakfast. 8:00am work. 4:00 pm off work. Actually it wasn't too bad in Korea but stateside was rough 'cause I already knew the customs and culture so nothing really to learn or take my mind off of things.

I know people from the UK and a little of the lingo. ;D Actually my Grandfather was from Ireland which isn't that far from you. A good swim and you can go back and forth.

But don't it still make you sad in a bittersweet sort of way a little that your old school isn't there anymore? When I heard my old post in Korea closed, I shed a few tears. I am extremely sentimental.

P.S. I wasn't a Satanist. It's just a lot of people thought I was.

Kia Ora Zoe,

Tis true not all conservative Christians are bigoted/openly bigoted- on the surface many might come across as being quite 'tolerant' of ones behavioural expression...

I have Christian friends (some who know of my past and don't think it a big deal) and one in particular whom I work with belongs to a fundamentalist church, however she comes across as quite tolerant(dare I say accepting) of gay people, many gays and one or two trans-clients have come to our office seeking assistance... (I don't think she fully understands the different between ones sexual orientation and ones gender identity-I also have a sneaky suspicion she thinks I'm a lesbian because I 'know' a lot about the local LGBT population... she doesn't know about my past life)...   

At times we can make  kind, understanding, compassionate friends at school, (in any schools) when we are 'in the closet' but once out, then things can often change drastically...

How would you fair if 'you' were to attend a school/college reunion, do you think you would be accepted for who you are ?

Or would you be shunned ? Your desires to express yourself being very 'unChristian'...

( I guess this is an open question to all members)

You don't have to answer this question if you find it somewhat intrusive....

Metta Zenda :)

Kia Ora Jess,

No I don't miss it, I think it was originally a gentry mansion then in the 1800s converted into a school...

"The Paragon's School song was: 'We know not what the future years For us may hold But what we can at present store May prove worth more than gold. So as the moments fly - a - long Let's knowledge gain, with effort strong. Paragon tip - top Strive for this without a stop From good to better then to best Are steps to take without a rest . Paragon tip - top, Paragon tip - top'."


Perhaps this was a form of Buddhist subliminal persuasion/ indoctrination... I was being 'brain washed' ;) ;D


Any way a Now And Then glimpse=

http://www.lyons-family.co.uk/Lyons/1915-lyons-francis-william/Paragon-School/Paragon-school.htm (http://www.lyons-family.co.uk/Lyons/1915-lyons-francis-william/Paragon-School/Paragon-school.htm)

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 21, 2013, 05:34:38 PM
Kia Ora Zoe,

Tis true not all conservative Christians are bigoted/openly bigoted- on the surface many might come across as being quite 'tolerant' of ones behavioural expression...

I have Christian friends (some who know of my past and don't think it a big deal) and one in particular whom I work with belongs to a fundamentalist church, however she comes across as quite tolerant(dare I say accepting) of gay people, many gays and one or two trans-clients have come to our office seeking assistance... (I don't think she fully understands the different between ones sexual orientation and ones gender identity-I also have a sneaky suspicion she thinks I'm a lesbian because I 'know' a lot about the local LGBT population... she doesn't know about my past life)...   

At times we can make  kind, understanding, compassionate friends at school, (in any schools) when we are 'in the closet' but once out, then things can often change drastically...

How would you fair if 'you' were to attend a school/college reunion, do you think you would be accepted for who you are ?

Or would you be shunned ? Your desires to express yourself being very 'unChristian'...

( I guess this is an open question to all members)

You don't have to answer this question if you find it somewhat intrusive....

Metta Zenda :)

I actually asked them this directly, offering to follow their wishes with regards to visits etc.

They had no problem with it, and the lady I was in contact with even used my female name.

Quote from: ZoeM on June 21, 2013, 05:52:14 PM
I actually asked them this directly, offering to follow their wishes with regards to visits etc.

They had no problem with it, and the lady I was in contact with even used my female name.

Kia Ora Zoe,

That must be quite encouraging...I'm happy for you....

Metta Zenda :)

Kia Ora Kiera,

" I thought "a ->-bleeped-<-" was a cigarette  LOL "

This this case no, but their bottoms were often 'smoking' from the beatings they received from the older boys-perhaps that's where the term comes from  ;) ;D

Metta Zenda :)

I went to public school as a kid and attended a non religious University.  So my primary education wasn't religious.  However, I did go to catechism a couple times as a week while growing up.  I was raised Catholic so we were expected to make communion and confirmation which required us to go through years of schooling.  I'm not very fond of those times and don't believe the catholic church is the most open in the area of the lgbt community.  I thought about confessing to a priest that I was cross dressing when I was 12, but after my priest told me that listening to Ozzy would earn me a ticket to hell, I decided it would be wise to avoid that subject.  Nothing against catholics, but I really dislike the church.  I personally know someone who was abused by a priest and they did nothing about it.  Protecting the children and maintaining the integrity of the church should be more important than maintaining a clean public image. 

Quote from: ZoeM on June 21, 2013, 04:43:32 PM
Exactly as much as existed, which is to say none.
I may be a little preachy about this, but: Most conservatives aren't bigots (any more than most liberals); most Christians are very nice people; and nobody should be required to view what I or anyone else does as OK.
I'm afraid I don't see why the Christian faith should have to change to accommodate our decisions and mentality. Nor why those who follow it should be ostracized and insulted.

I don't think most conservatives or Christians are bigots.  However, it is true that they do exist. Anti LGBT sentiment is likely to be more prevalent in right wing groups as those who hate Christians are more likely to be found in the left.  Hatred and bigotry exists in all circles.  Yet, different circles tend to breed different forms of hatred even though both are unacceptable.

I don't think the Christian faith should accommodate our decisions.  They have the right to believe whatever they want.  I just don't think Christians have the right to say their personal view on gays should be the view of the government.  One doesn't need to accept homosexuality in their personal life to believe that ENDA should be public policy.  We should all be free to live our lives within the code of law without having others tell us what to do simply because they personally agree with it.  I don't agree with the Catholic church on many things, but I wouldn't stop my family or anyone from practising their faith even if I dislike the institution.  It's not my place.  Would you agree?

Catholic private schools. From first (1975) through eighth grade (1984, including 2 years in 2nd grade) the schools ere co-ed. High school (1984-88) was all-boys.

Transgender/transsexual was never mentioned at all. Homosexuality wasn't mentioned except for sophomore year religion class, which was all about sexuality and the Catholic church. My classmates were upset that artificial birth control was forbidden for married couples too. But the teaching about homosexuality were that while God is love, homosexual love couldn't be sinful, as love can't be sinful because God is love. That said, since the Bible alledgedly forbids a man to lie with another man as he would with a woman, that's why homosexuals can't have sex without it being sin.

I'm Protestant these days, any my church is pastored by an out-of-the-closet lesbian.

Yes, "Kia Ora," I attended a Buddhist run school...I was tortured by the monks day and night fot not being mindful of my genitals

I don't think Finland even has religion based schools counting out higher education but I don't know how they work so I won't comment anything on that account.

But the elementary and lower secondary schools - which are the obligatory nine years of education for everyone - do have religion as a subject in the same way as math, biology, languages, etc. It's based on the Evangelical Lutheran Christianity because it's the "ruling" religion in Finland.
In the elementary school it was mostly about the stories of Bible which were almost told like fairytales in the books now that I think of it... And if I think about it even more, it seems almost like brainwashing to me. Don't kill me.
In the lower secondary, we started to go through other major religions of the world and also some morality things (lol wut?). Like you need religion to have morality...

But yeah...
All in all, we do have religion as part of education in the form of a regular school subject but that's pretty much it, and it's being taught alongside all the science subjects without problems.

And I think it failed on my part because I turned towards science very early on (before I even went to school) and these days I count myself among the atheists.

Quote from: Tossu-sama on June 21, 2013, 07:44:11 PM
I don't think Finland even has religion based schools counting out higher education but I don't know how they work so I won't comment anything on that account.

But the elementary and lower secondary schools - which are the obligatory nine years of education for everyone - do have religion as a subject in the same way as math, biology, languages, etc. It's based on the Evangelical Lutheran Christianity because it's the "ruling" religion in Finland.
In the elementary school it was mostly about the stories of Bible which were almost told like fairytales in the books now that I think of it... And if I think about it even more, it seems almost like brainwashing to me. Don't kill me.
In the lower secondary, we started to go through other major religions of the world and also some morality things (lol wut?). Like you need religion to have morality...

But yeah...
All in all, we do have religion as part of education in the form of a regular school subject but that's pretty much it, and it's being taught alongside all the science subjects without problems.

And I think it failed on my part because I turned towards science very early on (before I even went to school) and these days I count myself among the atheists.

Kia Ora Tossu,

It would seem Scandinavia is quite a secular part of northern Europe...I think the highest percentage of atheists per population are found in Sweden your next door neighbour...

Metta Zenda :) 

Quote from: peky on June 21, 2013, 07:27:59 PM
Yes, "Kia Ora," I attended a Buddhist run school...I was tortured by the monks day and night fot not being mindful of my genitals

Kia Ora Peky,

::) Was this because you ran around at school exposing them? If this was the case...is it any wonder  ;) ;D

All jokes aside...On a more serious note, correct me if I'm wrong, but I do vaguely remember in a past life you being of the Jewish Persuasion but attended a Catholic school and being taught by Jesuit priests or was it nuns ?

One thing I must say regarding faith based schools, their level of academic achievement was quite high compared to many state schools ...Secular people used to (no doubt some still do) send their children to faith based schools for precisely this reason-to get a good education... 

Metta Zenda :)

It does seem that the private schools, faith based or not has a higher acedemic acheivement. I came from a working class family and with the exception of a few of my classmates everyone else was too. Kids from whitecollar families were the ones that went to the private schools, faith based or not. I also come from a less populated area of the U.S. though and what was true for there is not true for everywhere else. Of course there were exceptions though. I did pretty good in the public school system and could have went to college but chose different paths because of my "adventurous" spirit. I know in my area growing up the private schools had smaller classe sizes and in my school the average class size was 30 + because the district encompassed a big area. With bigger class sizes and cirriculums, it's hard for the teachers to do one on one instructions.

Yes. It was a government funded Catholic public school. So although it was a Catholic school. It was open to all religions.

It seems like the "bigotry" came from Catholics towards other Catholics.

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 21, 2013, 09:36:02 PM
Kia Ora Peky,

::) Was this because you ran around at school exposing them? If this was the case...is it any wonder  ;) ;D

All jokes aside...On a more serious note, correct me if I'm wrong, but I do vaguely remember in a past life you being of the Jewish Persuasion but attended a Catholic school and being taught by Jesuit priests or was it nuns ?

One thing I must say regarding faith based schools, their level of academic achievement was quite high compared to many state schools ...Secular people used to (no doubt some still do) send their children to faith based schools for precisely this reason-to get a good education... 

Metta Zenda :)

You are right my dear Kia Ora, it was catholic priests and monk that did the torturing but I hear that the monks in Thailand and Indonesia do run schools and are of the punishing intolerant persuasion...what I was trying to convey is that most religions have this tendency to use education settings to create zealots...

You are always doing polls on people and asking lifestyle questions...you remind me of the NSA...are you keeping files on people   ::)

Quote from: peky on June 22, 2013, 11:29:16 AM
You are always doing polls on people and asking lifestyle questions...you remind me of the NSA...are you keeping files on people   ::)

Kia Ora 'Paranoid' Peky, (the one who always seems to be complaining)  ;)

What can I say...When it comes to certain people, I have a good memory...If I find a comment interesting then "IPOS" happens =  Input(I take in what I've read) Process(the information is processed -and filtered) Output (delete and expell the garbage-inert-waste ) Storage ( Store items of interest) ...

However don't go getting yourself all  "paranoid" Peky, I can assure you, you have nothing to fear but fear itself and "If you fear you shall suffer...You 'already' suffer what you fear !"

PS The polls/threads I start are so other people can find out where others stand on certain topics ...It is 'not' compulsory for any member to read or comment-(divulge any personal info) on any of my posts if they feel uncomfortable doing so)...

Remember what is divulged in cyber space 'stays' in cyber space! (Our cyber words are still floating around out there)

Metta Zenda :)

Quote from: peky on June 22, 2013, 11:16:25 AM
You are right my dear Kia Ora, it was catholic priests and monk that did the torturing but I hear that the monks in Thailand and Indonesia do run schools and are of the punishing intolerant persuasion...what I was trying to convey is that most religions have this tendency to use education settings to create zealots...

Kia Ora Peky,

And yes of course, there are these types of schools in every religion...

You will find the type of training you have mentioned that goes on in Thailand, are in some temple/wat schools where the students train to become 'monks'(Good merits for the child's family/parents if their son spends some time at a wat school) ...In a sense it's not that much different from a Rabbinical school where Jewish students go to become Rabbis (however, many of the young Thai students 'don't' end up completing their training to become monks-but the family still believe they have accumulated merits, for having 'right' intention and 'right' effort)..

The normal Thai schools are (for want of a better term)  'normal'...Buddhism being the main spiritual path in Thailand there's bound to be some kind of Buddhist teaching(not unlike RI in many Western schools).

Zealot is quite an interesting word...

"Zealotry was originally a political movement in 1st century Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Judaea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force of arms, most notably during the Great Jewish Revolt (66-70). Zealotry was described by Josephus as one of the "four sects" at this time. "

BTW There are Buddhists in Indonesia (along with Hindus) but the bulk of the population is made up of Moslem , so when you referred to the schools in Indonesia are you meaning the Madrasas ?

Madrasa (Arabic: مدرسة‎, madrasah pl. مدارس, madāris) is the Arabic word (of Semitic origin; viz Hebrew midrash) for any type of educational institution, whether secular or religious (of any religion). It is variously transliterated as madrasah, madarasaa, medresa, madrassa, madraza, madarsa, medrese, etc. In English the word normally specifically means any type of religious school or college for the study of the Islamic religion, though this may not be the only subject studied. Today, 20,000 Madrassas educate over 1.5 million students per year.[1]

Metta Zenda :)

Yes,

I went to a 7th Day Adventist school here in the USA from grades 1 through 4. It was kind of conservative, though luckily we didn't have uniforms though the dress code was strictly enforced. It was kind of old-school where there was more than one grade pre classroom with only one teacher. I didn't learn much of anything, which lead to all sorts of problems when I entered a secular public school in 5th grade (I was very far behind in reading, science, and mathematics and had to be put in the "special" classes). The good thing about that school was that it was very culturally/ethnically diverse, so I picked up a little Spanish and was accustomed to speaking with people who had accents, etc. while the public school I attended later on was basically all white kids from the US. Being introduced to diversity at a young age was really beneficial to me. At that religious school I attended, it did really shelter me in other ways, like I never heard of homosexuality and I didn't know of any "bad words" or anything that was active in the current culture (like, I found out that the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys were all the rage with girls my age though I had never heard of them before since I had only heard whatever my mom played on the radio or religious music).

For my last two years of undergrad I had no choice but to attend a Catholic college. It wasn't too conservative, since I was only in the Adult and Continuing Education program. I had to take a theological class, but I really enjoyed it. The professor was Catholic but he was really cool and we talked about all sorts of religions and we had an assignment to attend a church/temple/whatever of a faith other than our own and write about it. It was a really cool assignment. There was a lesbian in one of the classes I was in, and everyone seemed accepting of her. (Though, quite a bit of the other students there were not Catholic or even Christian either, since they were kind of in the same boat as me where this was the only college accommodating of people who worked full-time in the area).

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 22, 2013, 03:36:07 PM
Kia Ora 'Paranoid' Peky, (the one who always seems to be complaining)  ;)

What can I say...When it comes to certain people, I have a good memory...If I find a comment interesting then "IPOS" happens =  Input(I take in what I've read) Process(the information is processed -and filtered) Output (delete and expell the garbage-inert-waste ) Storage ( Store items of interest) ...

However don't go getting yourself all  "paranoid" Peky, I can assure you, you have nothing to fear but fear itself and "If you fear you shall suffer...You 'already' suffer what you fear !"

PS The polls/threads I start are so other people can find out where others stand on certain topics ...It is 'not' compulsory for any member to read or comment-(divulge any personal info) on any of my posts if they feel uncomfortable doing so)...

Remember what is divulged in cyber space 'stays' in cyber space! (Our cyber words are still floating around out there)

Metta Zenda :)

If you your intentions are just

QuoteThe polls/threads I start are so other people can find out where others stand on certain topics

then why not to start by asserting you own "stand in the matter," Kia Ora

Quote from: peky on June 23, 2013, 11:34:21 AM
If you your intentions are just  then why not to start by asserting you own "stand in the matter," Kia Ora

Kia Ora dear Peky,

::) What seems to be 'your' problem ? I mean what 'really' is 'your' problem, if I know, perhaps I can help...

Remember Peky, threads tend to gradually unfold and branch off in different directions (just like where you are attempting to take this one-by making it 'all' about me the 'OP')

Please read my first post...

I quite often enjoy our little sideline debates ,but at times they can get a bit monotonous dare I say boring/tiresome don't you think...It can't be much fun for the other members...

Metta Zenda :)

I went to three different Catholic Elementary/Middle Schools (moved a lot) and a Catholic High School.

Bad experiences in the first three.  Looooooooooooooooooooooooved my High School.  At the time things were more lax, but after I graduated a priest took over the principle position and everything became far more strict.  The school became fenced.  No more seniors eating off campus.  Clothing code upped a notch, etc.  Glad I missed out on that.

We had an awesome teacher there who was extremely tolerant too.  He was let go after the regime change.  I always wonder what happened to him.  Too bad Facebook and stuff wasn't around back then.

I attended a Catholic grade school where nuns (the "brides of christ") beat me routinely for irreverence and priests were worrisome to the cuter boys.  From there my parents enrolled me in a Catholic Military High School where the "brothers", lay faculty, and older students enjoyed issuing corporal punishment and humiliation of sissies like me.  With a scholarship I attended a Catholic College for nursing (RN program) and then a Catholic Hospital School of Anesthesia.  During my anesthesia career I often found myself working in Catholic hospitals where reproductive health care and freedom of expression are not practiced.  By the age of 13 I was quite cynical about the "religious orders" and considered it a refuge for petty tyrants and pedophiles.  I left school and home at age 16 and was relieved to think for myself.  I have witnessed countless acts of good but more discrimination and intolerance to this day from those who espouse fundamentalist ideology.  Currently one of my siblings is convinced that i am possessed and another refers to gods "perfect creation" that I have trifled with to acknowledge being transgender.
In today's world many of my ancient experiences would be illegal offenses and I have moved on to other more positive arenas of activism.

Tessa James

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 21, 2013, 09:26:28 PM
Kia Ora Tossu,

It would seem Scandinavia is quite a secular part of northern Europe...I think the highest percentage of atheists per population are found in Sweden your next door neighbour...

Metta Zenda :)

Sweden is more open-minded law-wise than Finland. Finland still has a law concerning blasphemy and we're the only Nordic country that doesn't allow same sex marriage because of some bigots among the people who decide about these things.

And to split hairs a tiny bit, Finland isn't included in Scandinavia. When it is, it's called Fennoscandia. ;)

Quote from: Tossu-sama on June 25, 2013, 08:24:04 PM
Sweden is more open-minded law-wise than Finland. Finland still has a law concerning blasphemy and we're the only Nordic country that doesn't allow same sex marriage because of some bigots among the people who decide about these things.

And to split hairs a tiny bit, Finland isn't included in Scandinavia. When it is, it's called Fennoscandia. ;)

Kia Ora Tossu,

That's quite interesting thanks for that...Having visited there back in  the early 70s, I just assumed it was a part of Scandinavia, in fact I'm sure somewhere along the line I was taught that this was the case...

Metta Zenda :) 

Quote from: Kuan Yin on June 25, 2013, 10:33:39 PM
Kia Ora Tossu,

That's quite interesting thanks for that...Having visited there back in  the early 70s, I just assumed it was a part of Scandinavia, in fact I'm sure somewhere along the line I was taught that this was the case...

Metta Zenda :)

Hehe, it's a common conception of the thing and it's not completely wrong. There are just certain things that set Finland apart from the other Nordic countries, one being language. Icelandic, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian are North Germanic languages while Finnish is Finno-Ugric language. :D

Here's some more on the matter. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavia#Finland) :)