The Transangelical Church is a religious based faith and once it satisfies the requirements as defined by the government it will qualify as a non-profit organization and its members will enjoy the same rights and protections as other religious beliefs.

The Transangelical Church is a circle where all are equal.  At its core are the Heavenly Parents.  The Heavenly Parents send their love outward to the members through angelic connections.  Thus trans+angelical and the name.

The Church is all about love and acceptance.  It encourages everyone to be who they are and judges no one.

Some of the Core Beliefs of the Transangelical Church:
1. We are all creations of the Heavenly Parents.
2. The Heavenly Parents have no human qualities. They are spiritual beings. They have no bodies. They have no gender. They don't get married and have sex. They don't get angry. They are not jealous or petty. They are filled with infinite love.
3. The Angels bring that love to us in whatever quantities we desire. There are no expectations we have to give them or our Heavenly Parents anything in return. In fact whatever love we get from the Heavenly Parents, they expect we pass it on to someone else.
4. The Church believes each one of is unique. The Church discourages conformity and sameness.  It believes the only way to be everything your Heavenly Parents made you is to allow complete freedom to be yourself.
5. The Church believes we should help one another and never cause another harm. In a variation of the Golden Rule, it believes we should not do unto others that which we do not want done to us.  (That takes care of the masochist loophole.)

Feel free to add, alter, delete as you wish.  This is a community effort.

BTW, there are no leaders who interpret for the members. There are no go betweens between members and the Heavenly Parents.  No person is closer to the Heavenly Parents than another or knows them better.  This will hopefully discourage opportunists.

And once this thing gets off the ground and satisfies all the requirements, you can go out into the world presenting as you wish and if you are discriminated against you can file suit for religious discrimination. Who needs ENDA!

Okay.  Since there have been no comments, alterations or additions made to the beliefs of the Transangelical Church, I guess it's perfect just as is so we can move on to the next step.

Does this religion satisfy the definition as determined by the government?

In the U.S., the Supreme Court has interpreted religion to mean a sincere and meaningful belief that occupies in the life of its possessor a place parallel to the place held by God in the lives of other persons. The religion or religious concept need not include belief in the existence of God or a supreme being to be within the scope of the First Amendment.

I'd say, YES.

Also: The Supreme Court must look to the sincerity of a person's beliefs to help decide if those beliefs constitute a religion that deserves constitutional protection.

I'm sincere about this.  I'd actually become a member of a church like the one described above.  PASSED.

Does it have to be traditional?

In addition, a belief does not need to be stated in traditional terms to fall within First Amendment protection. The Supreme Court has deliberately avoided establishing an exact or a narrow definition of religion because freedom of religion is a dynamic guarantee that was written in a manner to ensure flexibility and responsiveness to the passage of time and the development of the United States. Thus, religion is not limited to traditional denominations.

This Church has a mix of traditional and non-traditional beliefs.  We believe in a God but not just one and not just a male God.  Of course, ancient religions believed in many Gods.  Anyway, I see no problems here.  PASSED.

So now we move to the Establishment Clause.

This prohibits the government from interfering with individual religious beliefs. The government cannot enact laws aiding any religion or establishing an official state religion. The courts have interpreted the Establishment Clause to accomplish the separation of church and state on both the national and state levels of government.

This will have to be addressed as challenges to our religion are made.

Next is the Free Exercise Clause.

This guarantees a person the right to practice a religion and propagate it without government interference. This right is a liberty interest that cannot be deprived without due process of law.

No doubt there will be some phobes who challenge our religion.  So we'll need some funds to hire an attorney when that happens.  That will most likely happen after one of our members walks into work presenting in his or her identified gender and gets fired for it.  Then the fired employee sues and the media brings this to the attention of the general public.  A phobe reads it, is appalled and some phobe organization with the words 'family values' in it challenges our religion.

But this can't be interpreted as a cult, which is the major fear many have about new religions.  There are no similarities unless someone makes them up.  And no doubt, someone will.  But we'll be ready.

One other thing, we do not require anyone to leave their old belief system, their church, their faith, to be a member.  We are open to all and in competition with none.  Look at this as a faith that fills in the gaps.  And another thing, amendments can be made to the original charter so long as a majority of the members vote them in.

Now we need some members. Who's in?

I'm in! What's not to love? In fact, that could be one of our pillar traditions or motto's.

I'm a little less okay about not needing a leader of sorts. I'd like to nominate myself as a minister, and write off all of my ministerial expenses. Gas is expensive these days, you know.
Our religion necessitates that I spend time in the community evangelizing the newly faithful. We like to meet in Mexican restaurants on 2 for 1 night!

Honestly, what in God's name, (I couldn't resist), is any different with this faith than their's?

I told Julie tonight that I was thinking this a.m. about starting a church which prays to certain billionaires. In our culture, they are God like anyway. We could write them, and ask them for donations-that way we could accomplish what the Occupy Wall Streeter's are trying to do. Oops. there I go hijacking a thread.

Anyway, I'm in. Tranangelicalism- I like it!

How much of my mony or anybody's monies do they want

Jen61

I wanna stay an atheist. Can I worship physics and math (and music as a function of these two concepts) as the embodiment of the Heavenly Parents?

I'm all for us getting rights and protections come hell or high water, by any means.

Quote from: Jen61 on October 26, 2011, 09:10:16 PM
How much of my mony or anybody's monies do they want

Jen61

If you're a billionaire or multi-millionaire, all of it.  Then we'll share what we get with the rest of the flock.

Quote from: Felix on October 27, 2011, 01:50:15 AM
I wanna stay an atheist. Can I worship physics and math (and music as a function of these two concepts) as the embodiment of the Heavenly Parents?

I'm all for us getting rights and protections come hell or high water, by any means.

The beauty of this is there are no expectations, requirements, or demands as to how you think or believe.  The core of this faith is be yourself, acceptance of self and others.  Our Heavenly Parents made each of us unique and we believe it is through this uniqueness we are best able to fulfill our potential and give back to humanity and pay forward for future generations.  Follow your heart, follow your dreams, so long as you bring harm to no one.   

At first I thought this was an offshoot of the Episcopal Church USA or the Church of England.

Quote from: SandraJane on October 27, 2011, 07:40:39 AM
At first I thought this was an offshoot of the Episcopal Church USA or the Church of England.

If you're a member of either of those churches and you present a "certain way" or are in a same sex relationship, does the church doctrine support you if you claim religious reasons for your presentation or choice of partner?

Well, love the concept! Any room for the inspired bible at all? I consider myself a "Heavenly Parent" much to the chagrin of all the "imperfect people" around here; those good 'ole folks that Southern Baptist "not-for-profit" Minister's otherwise love to cater toward so much!

Was gonna post this in response elsewhere, perhaps here is better, that way nobody can take HIGH OFFENCE at the suggestion most "transpeople" are missing their mission and calling in this life by trivializing our very "raison d'être".

Is this board even ready for this? lol We shall see!

a eunuch
[yo̅o̅′nək]
Etymology: Gk, eune, couch, echein, to guard
a male whose testicles have been destroyed or removed. If this occurs before puberty, secondary sex characteristics fail to develop, and symptoms such as a feminine voice and absence of facial hair can result from the reduced level of male hormones in the blood. See also:

Quote from: secondary sex characteristic.
n. Any of various characteristics specific to females or males but not directly concerned with reproduction at all.

Quote from: Rabbit on October 27, 2011, 03:57:38 AM. . . be ourselves and find someone who is interested in us.

And why is that? Because, sexually at least, your afraid of being alone?

Quote from: Rabbit on October 27, 2011, 03:57:38 AMIn the end, the only thing we can really do is  . . .

. . . selflessly devote ourselves to humanity in general like God intended ALL, not just "trans", to do. You have been given a great calling, but do not see it as such, and to simply content oneself with being that which you think will make you satisfied & happy "as female" is to miss the point of living the way we really should in the first place.

I am not "religious" in the least, you probably hate the breed as much as I do for sure, but in our never ending search for "validation", why we even exist, there's no better source of inspiration than the old and new testaments as "trans-humans" have been around for thousands of years and indeed have an important purpose to serve. For me it's my 2 children and the struggle against the feminist biatch (sorry!) who bore them like so many other good father's these days have to endure . . .

•Isaiah 56:3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,
"The Lord will surely separate me from his people";
and let not the eunuch say,
"Behold, I am a dry tree."
4 For thus says the Lord:
"To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose the things that please me
and hold fast my covenant,
5 I will give in my house and within my walls
a monument and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.
( lol no pun intended i think! )

Quote from: Julie Marie on October 25, 2011, 10:18:44 AM
In a variation of the Golden Rule, it believes we should not do unto others that which we do not want done to us.  (That takes care of the masochist loophole.)

Except that you are still leaving masochists out.  Since masochists like pain (to some extent, anyway) then it would actually be advantageous to cause them pain (to the extent that they want it, anyway)

A better rule would be:

Do unto others as they would have you do unto them

Quote from: Kiera on October 27, 2011, 08:04:46 AM
Well, love the concept! Any room for the inspired bible at all?

Acceptance is the foundation of this belief.  However, and I guess there will have to be some rules and regulations, we will not allow someone to take things from Holy Books or ancient writings out of context nor will we allow those writings to cited in such a way as to harm another.

And our doctrine will support you should you go to work presenting in a way deemed socially unacceptable provided you identify that as who you are.  That means you can't go to work dressed like Bozo the Clown just to piss your boss off then claim religious persecution when he fires you and expect Church doctrine to support that.

Quote from: VeryGnawty on October 27, 2011, 08:13:12 AM
Except that you are still leaving masochists out.  Since masochists like pain (to some extent, anyway) then it would actually be advantageous to cause them pain (to the extent that they want it, anyway)

A better rule would be:

Do unto others as they would have you do unto them

But what if I want you to give me all your money, wait on me hand and foot, or entertain me endlessly?  Damn loopholes!  How about we examine the "cause no one harm" concept?

Quote from: Julie Marie on October 27, 2011, 08:28:12 AM
Acceptance is the foundation of this belief.  However, and I guess there will have to be some rules and regulations, we will not allow . . .  those writings to cited in such a way as to harm another.

Touché'! In other words if ya gonna quote so-called authority, invoke the true intended Spirit of The Laws, then like mama always said:

The Pensées, "an (attempted) Apology for the Christian Religion which was never completed" but is still solely needed, especially today! For all ye stubborn, wanna be "athiests" out there see Pascal's Wager

Quote. . . "to live as though they had faith, which may subvert their irrational passions and lead them to genuine belief".

Idols Which Beset Man's Mind ( lol ok ok i'll shut up! stop posting as if computer & i've been LOCKED UP for the past 5 years! )

In 1751 the Catholic Church added L'esprit des lois (Spirit of the Law) to its Index Librorum Prohibitorum ("List of Prohibited Books")

Kiera, I think you're on to something.  Anything that the Catholic Church considered prohibitive in the 18th century is a must do in today's world.  So yes, we shall invoke L'esprit des lois.  I'm likin' it!

If you want the Transangelical church to be able to preform mariages then there must be some form of certification process for those who would be ordained.

Quote from: cynthialee on October 27, 2011, 11:28:59 PM
If you want the Transangelical church to be able to preform mariages then there must be some form of certification process for those who would be ordained.

That's an easy one...

Meh, I'm not feeling Pascal's wager. I'm really fired up by and spiritual-feeling about so many everyday things that I'd rather not bother with forcing myself to believe in any deities. I don't think the universe has a personality that correlates with the human mind in such a way that we could understand it as having words and desires.

I'm not stubborn though, and I love church sometimes. I grew up in the choir, listening to the gospel, reading psalms, and it's often religious organizations that give my family food and comfort. I've been baptist, messianic jew, and catholic (with touches of voodoo and superstition), and I've explored hinduism, buddhism, and animism. I like science best. It's beautiful and inspiring to me.

I would join the Transangelical Church in a heartbeat.

The Transangelical Church really has no specific spiritual ideology and does not tell anyone what to believe about spirituality, the afterlife, or any of those other things many refer to as faith, belief and religion.  Whatever you believe is fine because the foundation of the Church is acceptance and support to be oneself. 

"We are all as unique as our fingerprints and the Church fully encourages growth of the individual spirit." 

In that statement, "spirit" is defined as that which makes us who we are.  Whether "that" comes from the personality we are born with or through life experiences, or both, depends on the individual.  No matter what "that" is, the Church accepts you for who you are and encourages your personal growth.

This isn't the first time the idea of creating a religion that allows for full freedom of expression has been discussed.  And maybe it's time a serious discussion begins to create a belief system that encourages individuality, provided no harm is caused to another.  And you can't claim your sensibilities have been harmed and expect that to qualify as personal harm.  If you use your sensibilities as a means to justify controlling someone else, maybe your sensibilities need an adjustment.   

Imagine a world where we are encouraged to focus on and grow our individual talents and reach our full potential rather than succumbing to conformity and being placed in a box.

lol this church sounds like a carbon copy of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

The Transangelical Church "doctrine"
1. We are all creations of the Heavenly Parents.
2. The Heavenly Parents have no human qualities. They are spiritual beings. They have no bodies. They have no gender. They don't get married and have sex. They don't get angry. They are not jealous or petty. They are filled with infinite love.
3. The Angels bring that love to us in whatever quantities we desire. There are no expectations we have to give them or our Heavenly Parents anything in return. In fact whatever love we get from the Heavenly Parents, they expect we pass it on to someone else.
4. The Church believes each one of is unique. The Church discourages conformity and sameness.  It believes the only way to be everything your Heavenly Parents made you is to allow complete freedom to be yourself.
5. The Church believes we should help one another and never cause another harm. In a variation of the Golden Rule, it believes we should not do unto others that which we do not want done to us.  (That takes care of the masochist loophole.)

The Unitarian Universalist "doctrine":
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

    * The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
    * Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
    * Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
    * A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
    * The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
    * The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
    * Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

It may save you time and money if you just join the UU church (plus, they are pretty freakin awesome)

I'm in!

As far as books and or elements are concerned, I'd say go with the twelve-step doctrine.  Take what works and leave the rest.

I.E. if it helps you to connect with the spiritual and interpret your feelings, then go for it, regardless of it's source.

That would include the bible as well as the regulations for electrical engineering in commercial structures.  Whatever, works...

-Sandy