I have to say it..this has been a major problem to me.. for at least the last ten years or so..too much exposure to them..
Conservative christianity is the 21st century rendition of the pharisee sect!!!

Wow!! Finally said it!!!

I have always found that even ministers,preachers,when teaching from the bible, take a "topic" and pick out verses from everywhere that has reference to that. I struggle with this as you can take anything and read it for what it is instead of its context,where it is placed. Read the whole story surrounding the verse chosen to see its context. Most bibles will have a small heading prior relating to the context . For example the good news bible says "Jesus heals the blind man" in small letters then has ten or so verse relating to that.

Quote from: Lady Smith on March 23, 2015, 05:54:49 AM
It constantly amazes me that many folk who call themselves Christian forget about Mark 12:30-31.

At its heart Christianity is such a simple religion, - even a child can understand it!

There's another old religious principle which is worth bearing in mind and it's this.  'The measure by which you judge others shall be used to judge you.'
And John 8:7 also tells us concerning the woman caught in adultery; - "And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."

So why do so many folk who call themselves Christian spend so much time judging other people?
As a Franciscan I take very much to heart St. Francis's teaching that, 'One should always preach the Gospel and only if it is necessary use your mouth '.

By the way "repentance" means to turn about and to leave your wrong-doing behind you.  As a Sister of Penance this is something that occupies my meditations and prayers on a regular basis.  That I haven't stopped being the woman I know myself to be yet should tell you that I know very well in my heart that being a trans-woman is not wrong-doing.

Tell your Mum to go work in a homeless shelter as a volunteer for a couple of months because she hasn't realised what Christianity is yet and she needs to learn.

I just came across this thread, and wow... this post is really the best interpretation of Christianity (or indeed any religion) that I have seen.

P.S. I am not Christian but went to a Christian school.

Religious people..like your mother are; what gives christianity a black eye. , Chases people (myself included) away from orginised
churches..and of course alienate family members..I don't think she is using Mother Mary or any other fine example of womanhood
as a role model..Or is focused on Christ's loving example. But; is instead influenced by a money and power hungry pastor that spews forth bigoted-hatred and self-righteousness.
But; Again majority rules?? Mmm..Is this a shinning example of christianity and love for your fellow man?? Of course tg's arn't
Included!!

Thank you for the responses everyone! All the information both relevant and off topic were interesting to read and very informative.      I waited awhile before posting to see where the thread would go and honestly I'm very impressed on how useful it has become.  Though my mother will instantly shoot down the thread as "none believing satanists who need to read the bible" I will try to have her read some of these responses and ask her to follow the additional rules of the era she so often quotes.  The married to your rapist and such would be a good start I think...and if your wondering I still have not responded to her original message.

Also to answer a question regarding my personal beliefs in a previous post. Yes I am Christian, however I simply follow the ten commandments and not much beyond that.



An idea regarding the broad statements like "you will always be the man/woman you were born as regardless of your transition progress" from the bigots and haters.. Which is a response I often see when anything "trans" is involved. Haters also say things like god hates us and were going to hell etc etc.  Well today a thought occurred to me about this statement! I was pondering how these haters  are sooo focused on how we will always be that original man or woman in their eyes.  Then I asked myself, "if that is true then how can a transwoman be attracted to women only and be a sinner? Or how can a transman be attracted to men and be a sinner?" Because by their own frame of argument, neither of these two fit the "homosexual" bill they so often charge us.  Now looking past my horrid sentence structure; has anyone else thought about this or tried use information like this in a conversation?

I find it funny that people that cry "you haven't read the bible" actually haven't read the bible themselves, or at least from start to finish like a normal book. Though...whenever someone has said "You have no idea about <subject>" to me I actually knew a good deal about said subject. hmmm....

Anyway I've often wondered about that. Maybe it's still the whole "trying to be what they're not" thing. If so then I'd just shoot back that they have no authority on that matter.

Quote from: BenKenobi on April 25, 2015, 09:08:07 PM
I find it funny that people that cry "you haven't read the bible" actually haven't read the bible themselves, or at least from start to finish like a normal book. Though...whenever someone has said "You have no idea about <subject>" to me I actually knew a good deal about said subject. hmmm....

Anyway I've often wondered about that. Maybe it's still the whole "trying to be what they're not" thing. If so then I'd just shoot back that they have no authority on that matter.

I'm an atheist.. Not only have I read several translations of the Bible, I've also read modern english translations of the Koran and the Torah. Makes me an interesting person to argue with. I'm also just a phone call away from a university level biblical scholar - who has also studied the history of the period..