Well folks I have turned my back on my Christian faith once and for all...I had someone who I thought was a real friend turn her back on me,she said that what I am doing is not Gods will,I am so angry and hurt I cant tell you,I feel betrayed by her as I have been there continiously for the last few years....this has given me a real emotional wobble I tell you.
But those who have transitioned and those who still are understand me when I say that I have to be true to myself and rejection by folk is common place...oh well move on eh?,but I am still smarting and trusting folk is getting ever harder.....
what I am doing is not Gods will
I'd hold out for g*d telling me, not some mere mortal, what's would they know of the plan of the almighty?
I'm really sorry that you had to experience that. I know it really isn't pleasant at all.
I agree with Tekla on this. I've prayed about this and God has given me my answer and I know hes OK with it. I know theres some religious people who try to tell us what we're doing is wrong, but I think they're just ignorant and don't know what they're talking about. They try to act like they are God and make up their own rules and it really is sad.
It is unfortunate that we run into these people, but what can you do?
I also agree with Tekla. This 'friend' of yours does not speak for God. Being a Christian is about your own personal relationship with your god. You can chuck your religion for any other reason, but not on the word of some bigoted bitch, ok?
I'm a committed atheist but I think I understand the Christian ideology better than your ex-friend (that doesn't sound arrogant does it?) and anyone who uses the religion to justify oppression and hate is an a$$hole, not a Christian.
This reaction is exactly what I feared when I told my best friend, and I told her so - she nearly beat me up for thinking she might be like that...
On the bright side at least she didn't try to "fix" you...
I second what everyone here has said. Your "friend" can't possibly know what God really thinks. I think the idea that being trans is "wrong" has permeated our culture and is subscribed to by those who don't understand and aren't willing to make an attempt to do so. This attitude is one of the things that makes it so hard for some trans people (especially Christians) to accept themselves. That's been my experience anyway.
Thanks folks, your understanding goes a long way and I know that I am not alone even tho it feels I am.
It does scare me when that many people agree with me.
It was C. S. Lewis who said that most of what passes for "love" is really the desire of one human being to consume another. That is the type of "love" your friend had for you, the desire to make you into a mindless copy of herself so that you cease to exist as an independent person. That's the kind of "love" you find in the sentence, "I love a good cheeseburger."
I think that the one that created you probably understands you, unlike your friend. How exactly does your friend know what God's will is for you? Your friend has missed the point.
The only reason that I am where I am at with my transition is because I told God that if He made this way for some reason, then He was in charge of my transition. His answer; Of course I am, my daughter.
Mistress Janet
Quote from: Janet Lynn on August 11, 2008, 10:59:13 PM
The only reason that I am where I am at with my transition is because I told God that if He made this way for some reason, then He was in charge of my transition. His answer; Of course I am, my daughter.
Mistress Janet
I am at the point in my life where I find those masculine pronouns for god to be jarring. They create a "god is male" mindset that depreciates women. And it ignores the many places in the Bible where god is described in feminine terms. This is especially jarring for me because I have gotten used to attending churches that are more intentional about gender-inclusive language. So for example for "the Lord's prayer" we address "our Mother/Father, God in heaven."
Lisbeth
Quote from: Ellie's Lisbeff on August 12, 2008, 08:47:32 AM
Quote from: Janet Lynn on August 11, 2008, 10:59:13 PM
The only reason that I am where I am at with my transition is because I told God that if He made this way for some reason, then He was in charge of my transition. His answer; Of course I am, my daughter.
Mistress Janet
I am at the point in my life where I find those masculine pronouns for god to be jarring. They create a "god is male" mindset that depreciates women. And it ignores the many places in the Bible where god is described in feminine terms. This is especially jarring for me because I have gotten used to attending churches that are more intentional about gender-inclusive language. So for example for "the Lord's prayer" we address "our Mother/Father, God in heaven."
Lisbeth
Both of the above posts resonated for me. I don't attend church anymore, though. My church is wherever I happen to be standing.
When my relatives, good christians all, found out about my transition (which was already under way) my grown niece wrote to me and told me I was destroying god's creation. I said to her, so, if someone is born with a birth defect, we shouldn't let them correct it, then? Because that would be destroying god's creation? Or are there terms and conditions and exceptions? And who decides, you? A minister? A judge? What hogwash.
I understand about starting to feel like, who can i trust? That's why I'm stealth.
Stealth
I agree that God was made in man's image, not the other way around. But I still view God as male. Just as the Goddess is female. I was mad at God many years ago and basically kick Him out of my life. I was and have been so hateful and mean because of my GID. But when I began transition this time, I had that conversation with God and I have found that while I still get angry when frustrated, I am not so hateful.
I still don't cry much but then again I haven't really started full time just yet. But soon. And then the angry will also go away.
Mistress Janet
Stealthgrrl's post resonated with me.
Mother is everywhere. I have noticed this though about Her. When She speaks to me, She only talks to me about me. No one else. She guides my steps. I would imagine She speaks to other's about their steps. That way, I don't have to clog myself up with policing everyone else's behavior and thoughts.
She has made us various; my presumption is that She likes variety. Humans often don't like variety. But, that's their problem not Her's.
Be at peace within yourself, luv. It's the only peace that you will be truly able to effect in this life.
Nichole