http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-m-weinberg/planting-seeds-of-change-as-lgbt-chistians_b_5613175.html?utm_hp_ref=transgender

"That any church these days would take the step toward full inclusion of the LGBT community is courageous"

Parts of the Epicopal Church have been leaders in accepting L&G folk here in the United States for some time.  Going to El Salvador where all manner of violence is rife and extending the welcome to all LGBT is a really big step, and very brave.

The church I am part of is going to need a lot of new light to have much acceptance for us.  There is one lesbian couple.  I am flat out not out at church and am fairly sure I would not be welcome if I were.  The church leadership does have a "study paper" written by the lead Pastor that does admit that homosexuality is not really THE unpardonable sin, but it sure does not leave much room for LGBT folk to be part of the church.  And that document sort of includes T only as a subset of gay without any understanding of the issues that drive people to need to transition.

Despite the good news in the link; the "Church" here is going to need a lot of careful example and prayer before they begin to understand Trans* and a LOT more before they openly acept.

One can hope...


Erin

Quote from: stephaniec on July 25, 2014, 09:00:39 AM
"That any church these days would take the step toward full inclusion of the LGBT community is courageous"

I don't think it is as courageous as it is nonjudgemental and practicing what they preach. Religion shouldn't be limited to cis and straight people only. I mean really, Christ was persecuted because he claimed to be the messiah, we are persecuted because we claim to be our true inner gender instead of our physical birth gender. God created Christ and God created us. So it only makes full sense to me that any and all churches should include LGBT into their congregations with open arms and respect as another of God's creations and unique individuals with Souls.

I attend a church here in L.A. that is fully accepting of anyone. The congregation is mainly TLGB people. I think that this kind of a church that ministers to the downtrodden/rejected/homeless population is the kind of church that Christ intended church to be. Hopefully my church is setting an example to help the TLGB population gain understanding and acceptance from the outside world through our acts and deeds. We are bearing Christ's fruit.

In my days before I accepted that I am trans I used to attend mainstream churches; I never felt any connection to my creator in those churches. I feel a very strong connection to Him at my new church and I feel this church is where He wants me to be.

It saddens me that so many other churches miss the point of church and become places where hate is taught. Christ was never about hating people.

Quote from: Eva Marie on July 25, 2014, 10:58:47 AM
I attend a church here in L.A. that is fully accepting of anyone. The congregation is mainly TLGB people. I think that this kind of a church that ministers to the downtrodden/rejected/homeless population is the kind of church that Christ intended church to be. Hopefully my church is setting an example to help the TLGB population gain understanding and acceptance from the outside world through our acts and deeds. We are bearing Christ's fruit.

In my days before I accepted that I am trans I used to attend mainstream churches; I never felt any connection to my creator in those churches. I feel a very strong connection to Him at my new church and I feel this church is where He wants me to be.

It saddens me that so many other churches miss the point of church and become places where hate is taught. Christ was never about hating people.

have to agree

I am a member of the Episcopal Church here in the Los Angeles area.  Last Sunday all members of a growing group of TLGB held a special program where several of us who are Trans* helped our LGB fellow to learn about us.  Three Episcopalian church ?activists? were present last Monday at President Obama's signing of the TLGB non discrimination in Federal employment, and yes I know all three, Bishop Gene Robinson (ret), Vivian Taylor (Trans* woman) is the Executive Director of Integrity which is the TLGB organization in the national Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Canon Susan Russell who is the past director of Integrity, who stepped down so that Transgender representation could be better achieved on its board of directors.  The article does not say so, but the author here was also partially responsible for the Rev. Cameron Partridge being the first Trans* Preacher at the National Cathedral last June.  Our work with the Episcopal/Anglican Church is El Salvador to me is business as usual for the U.S. Church, ALL the SACRAMENTS for ALL God's People, and OH YES, all the LOVE too. 

Quote from: Eva Marie on July 25, 2014, 10:58:47 AM
I attend a church here in L.A. that is fully accepting of anyone. The congregation is mainly TLGB people. I think that this kind of a church that ministers to the downtrodden/rejected/homeless population is the kind of church that Christ intended church to be. Hopefully my church is setting an example to help the TLGB population gain understanding and acceptance from the outside world through our acts and deeds. We are bearing Christ's fruit.

In my days before I accepted that I am trans I used to attend mainstream churches; I never felt any connection to my creator in those churches. I feel a very strong connection to Him at my new church and I feel this church is where He wants me to be.

It saddens me that so many other churches miss the point of church and become places where hate is taught. Christ was never about hating people.

I'm not sure I agree with your conclusion.   Christ was hard on the scribes and pharacis.  The religious leaders of the time.  I do think He would have a problem with many today.

Jen

Quote from: JLT1 on July 25, 2014, 10:27:25 PM
I'm not sure I agree with your conclusion.   Christ was hard on the scribes and pharacis.  The religious leaders of the time.  I do think He would have a problem with many today.

Jen

I was thinking about Ephesians 3:19 Jen.

Maybe I should have been more specific - Christ loves those who accept him.

I understand your thoughts and they are good ones.  Mine are not so good.....I guess I am bitter and angry.  I need to work on that.

My background is the fundamentalist Christian, more conservative that say, Southern Baptists.  I see a lot of the Scribe/Pharisee in some of the church leaders.   Not only are they causing problems for themselves, they are causing problems for the people who attend their churches.   Then, the people cause problems with everyone else. 

It takes so much time to even get through to one of the members.  Worth it, but so much time.

Hugs,

Jen

Quote from: JLT1 on July 26, 2014, 10:35:46 PM
I understand your thoughts and they are good ones.  Mine are not so good.....I guess I am bitter and angry.  I need to work on that.

My background is the fundamentalist Christian, more conservative that say, Southern Baptists.  I see a lot of the Scribe/Pharisee in some of the church leaders.   Not only are they causing problems for themselves, they are causing problems for the people who attend their churches.   Then, the people cause problems with everyone else. 

It takes so much time to even get through to one of the members.  Worth it, but so much time.

Hugs,

Jen

Just keep in mind that it isn't God or Christ that have control over these religions. It is all man's perceptions of God and Christ. If you read The Book or Revelation, they are gonna be judged rather harshly from the way it sounds. Not to mention all the false prophets and so on.

I get angry with religion period but not God and Christ. Just remember to place blame where blame is due. In my opinion it is all on the shoulders of man and their vanity and self righteousness.

The thing that annoys me is that many churches still can't tell the difference between sexual orientation and sexual identification.  Being separate issues, they need to work out their stance on each individually, but all too often it's just all thrown under the same bus.

Quote from: luna nyan on July 27, 2014, 07:57:43 AM
The thing that annoys me is that many churches still can't tell the difference between sexual orientation and sexual identification.  Being separate issues, they need to work out their stance on each individually, but all too often it's just all thrown under the same bus.

well, I'm a catholic and the things that clouds all this issues about dealing with sex orientation and identification is the dirty cup of the sex abusers. Christ has nothing to do with those idiots and they should do what Christ said to do and put a mill stone around there necks

Quote from: stephaniec on July 27, 2014, 09:51:12 PM
well, I'm a catholic and the things that clouds all this issues about dealing with sex orientation and identification is the dirty cup of the sex abusers. Christ has nothing to do with those idiots and they should do what Christ said to do and put a mill stone around there necks

It's horrible that someone in such a position can do something like that.  But it is a separate issue altogether.  Let he who is without sin cast the first stone and all...

People forget that church is for sinners, not for the righteous few.  No one is without fault.

Theologically though, there are so many arguments to be had...