So I hope that I'm posting this in the right area, and if not, I do apologize.

My entire life I have been raised atheist. My parent's always said that I could believe in whatever religion I wanted and they wouldn't stop me and they would still teach me proper values and such that parents do. The thing is though that I grew up in a very atheist household (both of my parents were raised in religious house holds, so I think there is a pattern that I'm about to get to). I never really had the chance to explore religion. Most of my exposure to it was negative, like I only ever heard about the people who force it down your throat and tell you that you are going to hell for being gay, etc. I never really experienced the "God loves everyone no matter what, even if you don't believe in him" side of religion. So I have a hard time believing in any type of God because of it. Plus, I feel like if I did decide to start going to church or something, my parents wouldn't really be supportive of it.. But they have surprised me before so ya never know.

Recently I have been thinking about religion a lot. Part of me wants to have something to believe in and that will help me feel accepted and normal. But part of me always thinks that if there is a God who wants people to be happy and such, why is there so much misery in the world? Granted, I don't know much about the beliefs so I may be completely wrong, in which case please feel free to correct me.

Since coming to realize my transgender identity, I have felt so alone and I often don't know what keeps me going. I have felt as though there is a constant war between my heart, my head, and my body. But through plenty of internet research, I have noticed that many members of the LGBT community who are religious are more at peace with their identity. It may not be solid fact, just something I have noticed. Has anyone experienced this? That your religion helps give you peace or something?

Also, how do you hold onto your religion after realizing how much harder your life is going to be?

I can't be sure exactly what you're looking for.  Some people seem to find peace of mind in religion.  If that's what you want, pick one that appeals to you and run with it, at least until it stops working for you.  As far as God is concerned, though . . . expecting to find God specifically in this or that religion is almost as hopeless as looking for a living T-Rex at a fossil dig.  And since many of us have a yearning for God at some level, there are plenty of people out there who will try to pass off the wrapper for the candy bar.  No one delivers God; so beware of people who show up at your door.  Nonetheless, be open to possibilities, not closed to them.  And try not to satisfy a yearning for God (which you might not even happen to recognize as such) with the spiritual equivalent of styrofoam packing peanuts.  Or, to put it way too bluntly: don't just cram whatever seems suitable in to the perceived void.  If you don't settle, you might never come to a point where you feel you've actually found God, but a good journey beats a bogus destination any time.  Enjoy the journey, and good luck with the quest.

Honestly, I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for either. I mean, I kind of do but its one of those things that is just impossible to explain. Like explaining the taste of Dr. Pepper to an alien who has never stepped foot on this planet.

I do see what you're saying though. Be open to the possibility of God and just kind of go with the flow, yeah?

I appreciate you're response and the advice contained in it, so thank you!

Quote from: dpadgett628 on June 28, 2013, 09:28:37 PM
Recently I have been thinking about religion a lot. Part of me wants to have something to believe in and that will help me feel accepted and normal. But part of me always thinks that if there is a God who wants people to be happy and such, why is there so much misery in the world? Granted, I don't know much about the beliefs so I may be completely wrong, in which case please feel free to correct me.

Since coming to realize my transgender identity, I have felt so alone and I often don't know what keeps me going. I have felt as though there is a constant war between my heart, my head, and my body. But through plenty of internet research, I have noticed that many members of the LGBT community who are religious are more at peace with their identity. It may not be solid fact, just something I have noticed. Has anyone experienced this? That your religion helps give you peace or something?

Also, how do you hold onto your religion after realizing how much harder your life is going to be?

Tragedy, hardship, suffering and pain are times when faith is most tested.  When life gets hard and it's not easy to make sense of things, and life just doesn't fit into the neat boxes we were shown, we're able to go beyond all that is 'known'.  To reach for the stars.  To find inspiration.  To suddenly find tears of surrender and grace and gratitude when, after a long, long, lonely journey, the first spring bud within the heart blossoms and great love, beyond any we have known fills us, from within.  I don't want to call it 'religion', I just know the signs of the healing.

I've known Faith as many forms in my life.  One way I know Faith is 'blind Faith', which is when it's lonely and dark, but where I just know, that if I wait it out long enough, talk to enough people of love, be kind to myself as I suffer--the Spring Time always--always--returns.  The 'Faith' part is the surety that I never know exactly 'when' Spring of the heart returns, but that Spring 'shall' return, if I keep Faith.  In the lonely places the heart wanders sometimes isolated, sometimes afraid, sometimes in despair or grief, we forget that Spring Time will return.

The other kind of Faith I've known is by direct experiences of great awe, wonder and those flashes you get of the Universe and just how vast and unknowable the dimensions are.  Each time science makes a discovery--we open up another 1000 questions, after answering one.  Faith, for me, is in the unanswered not answered questions.  To surrender to some kind of Faith in an order of existence--because, I'll never know all the answers, so I accept the answers are in 'safe keeping' until I need one, or until an answer 'Dawns' on me.  Some of our common sayings have such beauty and richness--Dawn is such a beautiful moment.

Whatever 'denomination' of Faith people formerly practice, there is the interfaith place of Love in all religions.  Love appears in all faiths.  This, also, brings me great comfort when it gets scary, lonely, and dark.

Kind Regards
stav

QuoteAlso, how do you hold onto your religion after realizing how much harder your life is going to be?

I am at this crossroads. I came to Christ at the age of 22. I am in my late 20s now and finding that since I've made the decision to transition, my faith is kind of up in air. It's not that I don't believe in God, it's that I know that I'm going to have to spend some time developing a new relationship with God as a man.

I'd recommend starting at a very open-minded church, like maybe a Unitarian church or something. They aren't all rah-rah Jesus like a lot of hipster "liberal" churches that are still clinging to their belief in holy marriage and the rigid enforcement of gender binary in group spaces can be a bit much in those sorts of churches as well.

Seek and you shall find...whatever it is you are looking for, I guess. Maybe it's Jesus. Maybe it's Buddha. It's more likely that you are just seeking a physical community to be involved in that won't judge you or your transition process.

I wont lie. I go for the people. I do believe in a higher power, but I try not to get into all of the politics of religion. I go to a small church because it gives me a sense of family. I like to walk in after a few weeks away and have people stop and ask where I was, or say that they missed me. I like having an extended family of sorts. I never knew my grandfather so having so many men who were willing to step in and fill that gap of sorts was nice.

I am not saying that church does not have its own demons (I am most likely going to hell for that pun). There are times where it does suck. There are some beliefs I don't agree with. I do like a lot of the teachings agree with them. I like to think that there is a higher power who has a plan. I like to think of life like a poker game. A higher power is dealing the cards, but it is up to each of us to play them as we see fit. You can see it as everything is predestined, but weather you choose to pick yourself up when things are hard is up to you.

Short story long. I go for the people.

Quote from: Bookworm on July 01, 2013, 06:31:52 PM
I like to think of life like a poker game. A higher power is dealing the cards, but it is up to each of us to play them as we see fit. You can see it as everything is predestined, but weather you choose to pick yourself up when things are hard is up to you.

That is something I think that I could relate to more than the idea that a higher power decides everything for you. I could believe that a higher power presents you with your options and that it is up to you to decide where you go.

Quote from: zombieinc on July 01, 2013, 06:30:09 PM
Seek and you shall find...whatever it is you are looking for, I guess. Maybe it's Jesus. Maybe it's Buddha. It's more likely that you are just seeking a physical community to be involved in that won't judge you or your transition process.

Maybe you're right and I just want a physical community to be involved in and religion is just a part of that. I wouldn't dismiss the idea that, that is in fact what I'm looking for. I guess I'll just have to find out.

Quote from: stavraki on July 01, 2013, 06:18:59 PM
Whatever 'denomination' of Faith people formerly practice, there is the interfaith place of Love in all religions.  Love appears in all faiths.  This, also, brings me great comfort when it gets scary, lonely, and dark.

I think that is also something I'm looking for. The sense of Love and connection when things get hard. Something that will help bring me comfort when things are tough.

A girl I work with and I were talking the other day and her boyfriend had just broken up with her that morning. But about an hour later our boss called her and told her that one of our other stores is looking for assistant managers and wanted to know if she was interested. She said that she felt like that was a sign from God that things are going to be okay and that she is going to make it without her now ex-boyfriend.

Maybe it's that comfort that I'm seeking in religion. And the sense of family that you develop with the people. I don't know, but I look forward to finding out.

Almost all mystic schools in the world's religions including the ancient Greek philosopher's all hold the tenet that truth (god, ultimate reality) comes to you. The looking for truth is more preparing for it, learning to be open, learning to listen, and learning to love.

Quotebut a good journey beats a bogus destination any time.  Enjoy the journey, and good luck with the quest.

I think this sums it up best.

When I was first taking steps towards my truth I decided to take a sampling of all the religions and religious practices that appealed to me and that really helped me figure out what I was doing. I did a bit of yoga, took up meditation, started doing taiji, began reading all kinds of classic religious texts (Tao Te Ching, Qu'ran, etc.) and some other more obscure writings, and all sorts of other ritual and spiritual approaches and then kept the ones that resonated with me. 

I am an atheist and it absolutely chills me to think that had I been subjected to different environmental pressures in my childhood years I would now believe one of the hundreds of thousands of religions which circulate on this planet. Should I re-incarnate, I want it to be on a planet where there is no religion at all; where the concept doesn't even exist, and be a member of a species somewhat more intelligent than human.

I find that being spiritual rather than bound by the rules of a religion works better for some. after all, there's enough argumentatives about how religion in general is pretty fracked up.

Quote from: Kia on July 02, 2013, 12:42:43 AM
Almost all mystic schools in the world's religions including the ancient Greek philosopher's all hold the tenet that truth (god, ultimate reality) comes to you. The looking for truth is more preparing for it, learning to be open, learning to listen, and learning to love.

nice The Gnostic tradition is one that I love in that regard--know God by the inner experience and the doorway to God is through the heart.  Dead Sea Scrolls -- and some really amazing discoveries since, one in an Egyptian vault "the Gospel of Judas" and I'm not sure where they found the Gospel of Mary Magdalene....strangely, the Gnostic Faith with the inner journey is a bit like Buddhism.  Also, I just love the Interfaith Ministry--their Vestments are worn about their necks and they symbolise that group of religions they are versed with.  They compose Sermons by pooling wisdom from different Faiths, cultures and times in history.

It's absolutely beautiful to listen to.

Cheers
stav

I was raised Catholic and I was religious (always had doubts) and then became an atheist...last year I was going through a really rough time and I found myself wishing I was religious again. Much for the same reason you wish you were religious, to feel normal, to feel connected to a group of people and to something bigger than myself. And seeing if, perhaps, there was a religion that would work for me. The thing is, I find that once you are an atheist, it's really hard to find any particular religion to connect with and believe in wholeheartedly. I eventually discovered there was no way I (personally) could believe in any god or any system of beliefs.

The good news is, I've found that, again, for myself, there was no need for religion to get those feelings of normality and connectedness. It's been a little harder, trying to understand my own moral code, my own standpoint in the world, and I am still working on it, but as I find my own values and viewpoints I find I have those feelings of normality even without a religion to help shape them.

I found that, looking around at all sorts of religions, that you can be both trans and religious/spiritual. A lot depends on the religion, your interpretation of it, and if you believe that it's okay to "lunch line" a religion. 

I was raised 7th Day Adventist, didn't like Christianity very much and became Pagan for awhile. I still love a lot of the Pagan beliefs, but then discovered that I am actually probably a Sikh totally by accident one day. Lately, I've been really into Sikhi and may consider converting (taking "Amrit") one day. If you're interested in exploring religions, Sikhi is very LGBT friendly. The main thing with Sikhi is learning to separate the religion from Punjabi culture (which is kinda male-dominated, and not very LGBT-friendly). http://www.sarbat.net/category/sikh-philosophy/  Sikhi is based on equality for all people, regardless is gender, wealth, religion (or lack of religion), class, etc. and there's a good amount of Sikhs (at least in Western cultures) who openly support things like gay marriage.

If you're interested, explore religion/spirituality, but don't try to force yourself into anything. If something is right for you, you'll feel a connection with it after doing a bit of reading.

You say you have been raised atheist and Most of your exposure to it was negative. No surprise for me. Do wonder, you ask your parents why the become atheist ?

For me the only good site of religion is the peace and comfort it can bring. But religions are groups with group-rules ,made to keep "followers" in the group,and have nothing to do with the spiritual side.
Religions,neighborhood an country are all groups fighting to grow and gain more power.
So I go the spiritual way ,the My way. Being amazed by nature ,the universe and the wonder of being. You want something to believe in easy ,  YOURSELF .Read the many stories here most all are about doubt and fear, and thats the same for you, if you are woman,man or trans.
For me I have no friends only acquaintances 

Quote from: dpadgett628 on June 28, 2013, 09:28:37 PM
So I hope that I'm posting this in the right area, and if not, I do apologize.

My entire life I have been raised atheist. My parent's always said that I could believe in whatever religion I wanted and they wouldn't stop me and they would still teach me proper values and such that parents do. The thing is though that I grew up in a very atheist household (both of my parents were raised in religious house holds, so I think there is a pattern that I'm about to get to). I never really had the chance to explore religion. Most of my exposure to it was negative, like I only ever heard about the people who force it down your throat and tell you that you are going to hell for being gay, etc. I never really experienced the "God loves everyone no matter what, even if you don't believe in him" side of religion. So I have a hard time believing in any type of God because of it. Plus, I feel like if I did decide to start going to church or something, my parents wouldn't really be supportive of it.. But they have surprised me before so ya never know.

Recently I have been thinking about religion a lot. Part of me wants to have something to believe in and that will help me feel accepted and normal. But part of me always thinks that if there is a God who wants people to be happy and such, why is there so much misery in the world? Granted, I don't know much about the beliefs so I may be completely wrong, in which case please feel free to correct me.

Since coming to realize my transgender identity, I have felt so alone and I often don't know what keeps me going. I have felt as though there is a constant war between my heart, my head, and my body. But through plenty of internet research, I have noticed that many members of the LGBT community who are religious are more at peace with their identity. It may not be solid fact, just something I have noticed. Has anyone experienced this? That your religion helps give you peace or something?

Also, how do you hold onto your religion after realizing how much harder your life is going to be?

Kia Ora dpadgett628,

"When the student is 'ready' the teacher 'will' appear!"

A belief will find you when you're ready...

Metta Zenda

Quote from: BlonT on July 04, 2013, 05:50:18 AM
You say you have been raised atheist and Most of your exposure to it was negative. No surprise for me. Do wonder, you ask your parents why the become atheist ?

For me the only good site of religion is the peace and comfort it can bring. But religions are groups with group-rules ,made to keep "followers" in the group,and have nothing to do with the spiritual side.
Religions,neighborhood an country are all groups fighting to grow and gain more power.
So I go the spiritual way ,the My way. Being amazed by nature ,the universe and the wonder of being. You want something to believe in easy ,  YOURSELF .Read the many stories here most all are about doubt and fear, and thats the same for you, if you are woman,man or trans.
For me I have no friends only acquaintances 

I'm pretty sure that my parents became atheist because they just didn't agree with what they were being taught. It was forced upon them, or something.

I don't see myself being able to follow a strict group like that. Like, I believe what I believe and no matter what your rules say, I'm still going to believe it. I'll probably end up the same way as you are saying, just kind of doing my own thing and going with it.

I was raise Fundamentalist Southern Baptist and I have after a great deal of growth managed to become atheist. churches actually ended up putting me through reparative therapy and all.

the way I see it if it ain't broke don't fix it.

but if you are looking why don't you take a comparative religion class.

I always think that for people who are trying to discover religion or at least, the concepts of it, would find themselves at ease with a Unitarian Universalist service. the Unitarian Universalist religion is pretty open-minded and accepting, and as long as you do not harm another person, you can have different beliefs and still be a Unitarian Universalist.

They covenant themselves with the Seven Principles, guidelines of conduct between oneself and others, and the Six Sources speak of the sources of the UU Faith. I have a few friends who are Unitarian Universalists.

Quote from: dpadgett628 on June 28, 2013, 09:28:37 PM
Since coming to realize my transgender identity, I have felt so alone and I often don't know what keeps me going. I have felt as though there is a constant war between my heart, my head, and my body. But through plenty of internet research, I have noticed that many members of the LGBT community who are religious are more at peace with their identity. It may not be solid fact, just something I have noticed. Has anyone experienced this? That your religion helps give you peace or something?

Also, how do you hold onto your religion after realizing how much harder your life is going to be?

For me, I grew up in a Christian household, although nominatively. I have explored a few options in my life, from Wicca, to Pureland Buddhism, to the Baha'i Faith, Unitarian Universalism, and I even converted to Hinduism! I also occasionally like watching Richard Dawkins.

I regard myself as a spiritual and religious person, and I presently go to a very traditional (High Church Anglican, or Anglo-Catholic), yet 'affirming' parish. I have been hurt by many 'spiritual' people in many different traditions, and atheists have also been rude to me regarding the nature of my personal faith. However, despite all the painful negativities with people in spiritual communities, I really marched on, because to me, religion is a socio-cultural phenomenon that is always vibrant and mutable, and certainly not stagnant as some may think.

I am an agnostic theist, and a Christian. I know that God exists, but the nature of His reality is very much noospheric and ungraspable as a camel passing through the eye of a needle! But whatever may happen, I know that my self acceptance and self-preservation were two things to keep me going on in life. How can I learn to be inspired, and inspire others, if I can not trudge on?

What I get out of religion is a cultural heritage, a way of life that has been passed down by my own ancestors. When I go to Mass and kneel myself down, I feel humbled from my problems, knowing that there are so many hidden blessings in my life that only need to be seen. As the censor waves back and forth, swinging wafts of incense in the church, I can only smell the deep fragrance of being a miniscule mineral in the ocean of the universes.

And to me, Christ is my archetype for love, being, and divinity of both flesh and spirit, and to receive His presence in the ritual we call 'Holy Communion' gives me comfort. As ordinary unleavened bread and wine are seen by the initiate as spiritualised, so are we; though we perceive ourselves now as human, we all may also share in this divinity of self as rays and representatives of love and mercy.

As a woman with transsexual history, this is who I am: my neurological self and my bodily self do not match, and for me to sustain myself with life, love, and being, I had to complete myself in transitioning from my old to the new. I died to the old self, and rose again with life and clarity of mind. And as such, this is my own, private medical history. As far as I am concerned, I am a daughter of divine nature, and that is all I need to accept with gratitude.

I was raised atheist but I've been exploring Christianity and various new age beliefs for a few years. I would probably benefit from being involved with some kind of group but I tend to skirt the outlines of them and feel somewhat displaced wherever I go and socially anxious so I guess I haven't found the right place yet. Whether I call what I believe in God or something different has also varied.