Being trans is who we are. It's a gift because we can be a witness to others. Testing comes in many forms and at many times in our lives. To me, it's are we willing to trust God during the testing? Are we going to let him guide us? 

Ya right - why not ask him?

Which brings to mind one of my fav songs (Partial)

The people sat waiting
Out on their blankets in the garden
But God said nothing
So someone asked him: "I beg your pardon:
I'm not quite clear about what you just spoke
Was that a parable, or a very subtle joke?"

  It is.

  It is as well as the other challenges in life given everyone.

  It is what we do about it and how we keep our faith when we do. 

  It is personal.  Nobody can dictate anything to you to do with your personal challenges the Lord has given you.  They may guide ot teach if you ask them.
 
  Joelene

There  was a similar post to this a while ago, and my answer is that I see it as a test, but not for us.
For society it is a test of people's compassion and charity.
Some places do better than others, but all their report cards should be marked, "could do better. Needs to put in more effort." There are a fair number of religious establishments that would likely get failing grade too.

Karen.

It could be a test for those who are not trans.

QuoteThe Bible never addresses the matter...

While not a bible person, I do find it interesting that Jesus kinda did address the matter...in the book of Thomas, which was omitted from the final draft. This guy so many claim to follow (no offense to those who actually do) seemed pretty intolerant of intolerant people. He himself appeared to test a large number of folks.

Kobayashi Maru.

i find it proof a god doesn't exist and if a god exists then its as imperfect as the human race because what god would curse its  creations for no reason ? my opinion no need to get offened i was just saying how i take it

Quote from: xxScarletxx on August 26, 2011, 12:54:36 PM
Think about that...

Yes, it's a test from God for Christians to see if they really follow "love your neighbor as yourself."

Not a test as much as a cross to bear like any medical, physical or mental/emotional condition. Like other conditions it is a sign of Humankinds imperfection or frailty. Do I curse God (I do believe in Jesus), no I don't.

I feel like its more God telling me to accept what I am and not be afraid.

Noticed that some of you feel its more of a test of "the others", how do they treat us. The test is not always for the person afflicted.

Quote from: LilKittyCatZoey on August 30, 2011, 04:40:01 PM
i find it proof a god doesn't exist and if a god exists then its as imperfect as the human race because what god would curse its  creations for no reason ? my opinion no need to get offened i was just saying how i take it

I agree

Considering the fact that the Bible is whole list of tests that people got forced into taking, with varied results, and a whole lot of stuff being written about them, no I don't think that God is testing us any more than He has challenged political entities, clergymen (with their rate of flunk-outs its a surprise that religion is still around) bank presidents, physicists, farmers, ditch diggers etc. 

When I came out to my priest (Episcopal Church) several months ago, she did point out that Trans Folk go through a Transfiguration experience, Mark 9 and Luke 9 when we realize our true selves and they begin to show outwardly, in her case referring to the fact that I have become a much different person in many ways since I began my hormones.   I was on hormones for 18 months before I came out there at church, but people had seen and noticed positive changes in me and my relations with them and were wondering what was up.  Some had even come to the right conclusion but were not asking me about it.  All of them enjoyed it immensely.  There is also an element of a Resurrection experience to it, in that we must put aside (kill) elements of our persons that were constructed for us by other people, and must take on a whole new body that has the potential for making life better for all around us. 

Test no!!  I agree wholly with Annah, its a gift.

Kia Ora,

But why do some Christian trans-people not see it as a "gift" as such...Many view it as more of a curse...

Metta Zenda

They already believe in invisible sky gods, you want logical thought out of them?

Kia Ora,

To answer my own question...I guess it could be seen as a heavenly gift, and this gift could also be in the form of a 'test'...

When it comes to a person's belief in a god, Tis said  "Faith should[or must] be tempered by reason" ...

Metta Zenda

Faith should[or must] be tempered by reason

I doubt that real people of faith would believe it, any more than people of logic and reason would buy the reverse.

Quote from: Zenda on September 09, 2011, 12:13:53 AM
Kia Ora,

But why do some Christian trans-people not see it as a "gift" as such...Many view it as more of a curse...

Metta Zenda

The most possible answer to taking it as a curse is from those who have a literal view of the Christian Scriptures, and in those, we do not fit the "guide book" profile of God's favor.  The thing to this is that it is not US who make it a curse, but those who are frightened by things not in their scriptural confines.  In other words, it is our fellow Christians that make life miserable for us.

I am not one who is confined to the literality of the Bible, and can see the symbolism and metaphor that is in it.  My form of Christianity involves a large helping of personal responsibility in living the teaching of my faith.  I can derive my own wisdom from the teachings and do not have to rely on the superior teachings of others, and if I do derive it by myself, then I am responsible for sharing that wisdom and using it for the good of others and myself. 

The idea of taking our lives as "a cross to bear" is for some people a positive thing, in that we are emulating Christ.  The Cross is a paradoxical gift in that in its simplest terms, its the beginning of the end of life, but the end is in fact a new beginning.  Or the beginning of the greatest reality  was in the ending of another reality.   

Well said Vicky! I believe "The Scriptures" to be Inspired as to Inerrant (never could understand that concept), and to each Believer a right and responsibility to study and interpet. Thankfully I learned to study myself apart from "The Preacherman" telling me what to believe. The Scriptures are something put together by people, it didn't drop out of the sky and say here I am! The Council of Nicaea put together what we now call our Christian Bible, and over the centuries it has been paid for in blood by Believers  (ex., John Wycliffe) in objection to other "Believers".

Also looking upon a "Cross to Bear" as gift had not occurred to me,  I can see your point.

Although we must strive for action in our individual day to day lives in bearing witness to our faith, a Pastor once told me that there's a point where we as Humans can go no further, and it is God working in us that goes the distance from there.

So yeah ( ), a gift can come in any size or shape.

As a straight cisgender Christian that does not agree with transgender ideas I find it a test on whether or not I will still love my neighbor as myself.
Reckon that's why I came back.
Most straight cisgender people sicken me.
Most of them seem to take the Lord for granted and appear judgmental, condemning and many times wicked as defined by scripture in Psalms.
Having said that, For me it is a test and I can only hope that I will please the Lord in not being judgmental or thinking so highly of myself that you need to convert and be like me.
Hope that helps from one cisgender view.
Even though the wording is terrible.

Quote from: Del on October 06, 2011, 12:43:20 AM
As a straight cisgender Christian that does not agree with transgender ideas I find it a test on whether or not I will still love my neighbor as myself.
Reckon that's why I came back.
Most straight cisgender people sicken me.
Most of them seem to take the Lord for granted and appear judgmental, condemning and many times wicked as defined by scripture in Psalms.
Having said that, For me it is a test and I can only hope that I will please the Lord in not being judgmental or thinking so highly of myself that you need to convert and be like me.
Hope that helps from one cisgender view.
Even though the wording is terrible.

ok sorry i read this 5 times but all i see her is you are saying you find transgender wrong and we should all be like you to get gods grace ? i am atheist so don't care but that's some pretty dictator styled beliefs but tell me if i am misunderstanding this

LilKittyCatZoey,
Yep, you're interpreting it wrong.
What does not help is poor wording on my behalf.
Let me try to clarify.
I am cisgender and straight. I have views that many here would hate. I do not share those views because this is a safe haven for transgender people.
I do not bash the views of other Christians here because their faith may be their only safe haven between them and suicide.
Having said this.
Many straight and cisgender people sin and still point a finger at transgender.
The ones who do this disgust me as no where are we to pass judgment.
Transgenders are a test for me(in my eyes) that I won't bash but welcome.
Part of that test is that I see transgenders that love the word of God which straight and cisgender people hate. So, how can I be judgmental against those who love the word of God and happen to be transgender when many of the straight and cisgender people I see hate the word of God?
I am in no way bashing transgenders.
In like manner I would hope that other transgenders would keep in mind that to attempt to bash a transgender Christians views on a Christian forum would be the equivalent of a cisgender like me bashing your psychological theories and saying you all were going to hell.
I do care about transgender Christians and from what I have read from some in opposition to these Christians (on the Christian forum) they may wish to think again how they treat them as their faith may be what keeps them alive from day to day.
In conclusion.
I am not bashing transgenders.
If I gave that view then I am sorry.