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| Our Spirituality |
Transgendered Soul
Does God Disapprove Of Me?
This is the question we all face when we transition. There is no "one" answer that seems to
satisfy everyone, rather it seems to be an individual journey. On this page you will find other
peoples reasons for faith and personal stories, articles on scriptures and more.
I have been working with trans people for a number of years now. It seems we all have
spirituality at our core. Our belief in "God", the Creator, or a higher power, seems to be
what we hang on to through our lives praying and hoping somehow He will fix this "curse".
But what do we do when He doesn't fix us and we finally are forced to transition to survive?
Are we doing the "right" thing by transitioning? Does God expect us to stay this way in
misery, on the verge of suicide? The church communities would have us believe that this is
our cross to bear and we are supposed to bear it. I wonder how many of them would do
what they expect us to do?
Funny, despite bringing brought up to think that people like us are somehow wrong, we
never FEEL that God disapproves of us. Isn't that enough? Somehow it isn't. We all want
that SIGN, or word from above, or validation that transitioning is okay. God doesn't seem
to answer this for us, but rather we each seek to answer the question for ourselves. If He
doesn't think it is such a big deal that it needs His "answer", then what should we think of it?
So Why DO We Have This Incongruence Between Body
And Mind, And What Does God Expect From Us?
My personal opinion is that everyone is born with their own set of difficulties. It is how we
face those difficulties and what we become by facing them that is ultimately important to
God. Our body isn't so important, it is only the container we live in while we struggle to
become the person God wants us to be. Transitioning has made me a better person. I hope
you find what is best for you and reasons for faith as you go through your journey.
Articles by Topic
Transsexuality and Scripture
Are We Sinning? - Printed below, scroll down.
Gender Variance and Theology - Online
http://home.comcast.net/~francie_p/theology.html
God's Gift to the Transgendered by: Rachel Miller - Online
http://www.whosoever.org/v6i4/miller.html
Homosexuality and Scripture
Paul's Greek: First Aid for Mistranslation by: Lawrence A. Reh - online
http://www.whosoever.org/v4i1/paul.html
Homosexuality in the Hebrew Scriptures - Leviticus 18:22 - online
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibh.htm
The Bible And Homosexuality - online
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibi.htm
A Heterosexual Jewish Rebbe's View on the (Supposedly) Homosexual Texts in the
Hebrew Bible By Reb Gershon Caudill, the Ecokosher Rebbe - online
http://www.affirmation.org/learning/heterosexual_jewish_rebbes_view.shtml
Cross Dressing and Scripture
Cross Dressing and Deuteronomy 22:5 by Rabbi Tilsen - online
http://www.beki.org/crossdress.html
Hate and Rejection
Jesus Land - Online
America, hate and non acceptance of GLBT
http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/12/07_jesusland.html
Links
Emergence Ministries - Website to help Christian Transsexuals
http://www.emergenceministries.org/indexframe.html
Trans Faith On Line.org
http://www.transfaithonline.org/more_resources/
Whosoever - An Online Magazine For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered
Christians
http://whosoever.org/index.shtml
Jewish Resources
http://www.transfaithonline.org/more_resources/jewish_index/
Muslim Resources
http://www.transfaithonline.org/more_resources/muslim_index/
This is the question we all face when we transition. There is no "one" answer that seems to
satisfy everyone, rather it seems to be an individual journey. On this page you will find other
peoples reasons for faith and personal stories, articles on scriptures and more.
I have been working with trans people for a number of years now. It seems we all have
spirituality at our core. Our belief in "God", the Creator, or a higher power, seems to be
what we hang on to through our lives praying and hoping somehow He will fix this "curse".
But what do we do when He doesn't fix us and we finally are forced to transition to survive?
Are we doing the "right" thing by transitioning? Does God expect us to stay this way in
misery, on the verge of suicide? The church communities would have us believe that this is
our cross to bear and we are supposed to bear it. I wonder how many of them would do
what they expect us to do?
Funny, despite bringing brought up to think that people like us are somehow wrong, we
never FEEL that God disapproves of us. Isn't that enough? Somehow it isn't. We all want
that SIGN, or word from above, or validation that transitioning is okay. God doesn't seem
to answer this for us, but rather we each seek to answer the question for ourselves. If He
doesn't think it is such a big deal that it needs His "answer", then what should we think of it?
So Why DO We Have This Incongruence Between Body
And Mind, And What Does God Expect From Us?
My personal opinion is that everyone is born with their own set of difficulties. It is how we
face those difficulties and what we become by facing them that is ultimately important to
God. Our body isn't so important, it is only the container we live in while we struggle to
become the person God wants us to be. Transitioning has made me a better person. I hope
you find what is best for you and reasons for faith as you go through your journey.
Articles by Topic
Transsexuality and Scripture
Are We Sinning? - Printed below, scroll down.
Gender Variance and Theology - Online
http://home.comcast.net/~francie_p/theology.html
God's Gift to the Transgendered by: Rachel Miller - Online
http://www.whosoever.org/v6i4/miller.html
Homosexuality and Scripture
Paul's Greek: First Aid for Mistranslation by: Lawrence A. Reh - online
http://www.whosoever.org/v4i1/paul.html
Homosexuality in the Hebrew Scriptures - Leviticus 18:22 - online
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibh.htm
The Bible And Homosexuality - online
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibi.htm
A Heterosexual Jewish Rebbe's View on the (Supposedly) Homosexual Texts in the
Hebrew Bible By Reb Gershon Caudill, the Ecokosher Rebbe - online
http://www.affirmation.org/learning/heterosexual_jewish_rebbes_view.shtml
Cross Dressing and Scripture
Cross Dressing and Deuteronomy 22:5 by Rabbi Tilsen - online
http://www.beki.org/crossdress.html
Hate and Rejection
Jesus Land - Online
America, hate and non acceptance of GLBT
http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/04/12/07_jesusland.html
Links
Emergence Ministries - Website to help Christian Transsexuals
http://www.emergenceministries.org/indexframe.html
Trans Faith On Line.org
http://www.transfaithonline.org/more_resources/
Whosoever - An Online Magazine For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered
Christians
http://whosoever.org/index.shtml
Jewish Resources
http://www.transfaithonline.org/more_resources/jewish_index/
Muslim Resources
http://www.transfaithonline.org/more_resources/muslim_index/
| Welcome to the Spiritual and Religious Side of Our Lives |
A Little Humor
A Priest, A Minister,
And A Transsexual
A priest, a minister, and a
transsexual woman were standing at
the pearly Gate in front of St. Peter.
First the minister spoke up "I fed
the hungry, clothed the poor, and
spread the word of God throughout
the land". St. Peter said unto him
"you have done well on earth, but
you have sinned against your
brother. You shall spend the next 7
years in purgatory to atone for
those sins you committed then you
shall enter heaven".
The priest spoke next. "I have done
as my brother the minister has, and
I have lived a life of sacrifice,
humility, and chastity. I have served
only God, kept only God's laws,
and I offer my unworthiness to God
now". St. Peter reviewed his notes
and spoke to the priest. "You have
indeed lived a pious life and yet you
too, have sinned, "You shall only
have to spend one year in purgatory
to atone for your sins".
St. Peter then turned to the
transsexual and spoke softly, "Go in
my dear they are waiting for you".
The minister and the priest both
protested to St. Peter. "Why in all
our piety have we been condemned
to purgatory when you let that
creature against whom we openly
preached against and whom we
actively chastised using the
scriptures, merely pass into heaven?'
St. Peter glared at the two and said,
"Boys, thanks to you and people like
you she has already been through
hell".
A Priest, A Minister,
And A Transsexual
A priest, a minister, and a
transsexual woman were standing at
the pearly Gate in front of St. Peter.
First the minister spoke up "I fed
the hungry, clothed the poor, and
spread the word of God throughout
the land". St. Peter said unto him
"you have done well on earth, but
you have sinned against your
brother. You shall spend the next 7
years in purgatory to atone for
those sins you committed then you
shall enter heaven".
The priest spoke next. "I have done
as my brother the minister has, and
I have lived a life of sacrifice,
humility, and chastity. I have served
only God, kept only God's laws,
and I offer my unworthiness to God
now". St. Peter reviewed his notes
and spoke to the priest. "You have
indeed lived a pious life and yet you
too, have sinned, "You shall only
have to spend one year in purgatory
to atone for your sins".
St. Peter then turned to the
transsexual and spoke softly, "Go in
my dear they are waiting for you".
The minister and the priest both
protested to St. Peter. "Why in all
our piety have we been condemned
to purgatory when you let that
creature against whom we openly
preached against and whom we
actively chastised using the
scriptures, merely pass into heaven?'
St. Peter glared at the two and said,
"Boys, thanks to you and people like
you she has already been through
hell".
| Thank you for visiting the Transgendered Soul International Website!! The Transgendered Soul (TGS) gives only general information relating to transition for individuals with gender disphoria or Intersexed condition. We are not responsible for what the individual does with that information. We do not suggest any results from the information provided here. Our purpose is to offer resources and encouragement to individuals suffering with these conditions in hopes of connecting them with resources useful to them and all aspects of their transition. The TGS will be held harmless from any results an individual gets from a provider or information located on this site. TGS does not engage in the practice of medicine or psychology, is not a medical or psychological authority, and does not claim medical or psychiatric knowledge. TGS recommends that you consult your own physician and psychologist regarding any course of treatment or medication. There are links to other web sites in various places through out our web site. TGS is not responsible for the content of other websites reached from links on our website. Use of this site and its information constitutes an agreement to these terms. |
Only Then...
A rabbi asked his students, "When
is it at dawn that one can tell
the light from the darkness?"
One student replied, "When I can
tell a goat from a donkey."
"No," answered the rabbi.
Another said, "When I can tell a
palm tree from a fig."
"No," answered the rabbi again.
"Well, then what is the answer?"
his students pressed him.
"Only when you look into the face
of every man and every woman
and see your brother and your
sister," said the rabbi. "Only then
have you seen the light. All else is
still darkness."
Author - Unknown
A rabbi asked his students, "When
is it at dawn that one can tell
the light from the darkness?"
One student replied, "When I can
tell a goat from a donkey."
"No," answered the rabbi.
Another said, "When I can tell a
palm tree from a fig."
"No," answered the rabbi again.
"Well, then what is the answer?"
his students pressed him.
"Only when you look into the face
of every man and every woman
and see your brother and your
sister," said the rabbi. "Only then
have you seen the light. All else is
still darkness."
Author - Unknown
Are We Sinning?
By Mr. P
When I decided to transition, I became concerned about what my Christian family would say. With fear and trepidation I started transition. My family
was not happy and will not use my new name. I said to my niece the other day, "I really wish your mom would respect my wishes and call me by my
new name." She replied, " My mom thinks that if she accepts what you are doing, then she is a party to your sin." I said to her, "Who said this was a
sin?" Is becoming who I am inside a sin before God?
To understand whether we are sinning, you must first "know" what we are and what we are doing. What is a transsexual/transgendered person? We are
individuals who feel that our brain is the opposite gender to our body. We think, feel and process life from the opposite gender to our body gender. This
disharmony causes us great distress, depression and pain. We feel we must change our body to be in harmony with our mind, to feel "whole" and be at
peace.
Are We Sinning When We Change Our Bodies?
What is sinning? Sinning is disobedience to God's will. How could anyone know if changing our bodies is against God's will for us? How do you know
that we were not designed by God to do this very thing? How do you know that we are not here at this time, for the very purpose of challenging the
world's understanding of God and His love that extends to us as we are, and become? Of all the trans people I have talked to, I have found none of them
felt rejected by God for transitioning. They did on the other hand, feel rejected by their families, and society at large.
God Doesn't Make Mistakes!
Well meaning individuals, tell us that God doesn't make mistakes! By this statement, I gather they think we should not be changing what God gave us. By
that logic, no one should be getting nose jobs, boob jobs or any other corrective surgery, because God doesn't make mistakes. You have what you have
because God designed it that way! We probably shouldn't even try to prevent dying! After all if that's what God wants, why fight it? Now, does that
really make any sense to anyone? We live in an imperfect world. Birth defects happen. God gave us intelligence and the gift of understanding his
creation, and we know He doesn't make mistakes! So why shouldn't we use His gifts to correct birth defects, fight disease and more?
Transsexual/transgendered people agree that God didn't make a mistake when He made us. Many of us who live through this insanity, of having our mind
and body gender not match, have come to view this as a gift from God. Even though it is a difficult burden to bear throughout our lives, whether we
transition or not. We understand things about what it is to be female and male that others will never understand. We come to appreciate our differences
and attributes. God did not make a mistake no matter how difficult this life is.
It is family, friends, church, and society make this life unbearable for us.
Does It Really Matter If This Change Is sin?
Does it really matter if changing our bodies is a sin? I say no. Why? Because before God all sins are equal. One sin is not worse than another sin. That
means that if you told a lied today or mistreated your spouse or child, you sinned and stepped outside Gods perfect will for you! So why is my (alleged)
sin greater than yours? Both your actions and mine would offend Him if they were not His will for our lives. So sin is sin. If I sin, I sin in ignorance.
God will forgive me.
Does Scripture Speak Out Against Transitioning?
Some would try to use scripture to prove that what we are doing is wrong, like 1 Corinthians 6:9:
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our
God." (NIV)
First, I see no mention of anyone changing their body. Second, have you ever committed any of the these sins yourself? Ever in your life? Were you
ever, sexually immoral, did you ever steal from someone, were you greedy, drunken or did you ever cheat someone? If you said yes to any of those
things, consider that people who change their gender aren't listed up there. Further, the scripture also says, "But you were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." So obviously it is possible to be washed clean of such sins. Even if
I was listed up there, I could be forgiven. So why are you worried about me? Why do you condemn me?
See what Jesus has to say about sin and judgement in John 8:7
"....If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (NIV)
Despite Jesus words about sin, you, "religion and society" hate us, reject us, ridicule us and even kill us.... God's creation. Why? Because we don't
measure up to your expectations? Are you a respecter of persons, showing favoritism to some and not to others? James 2:1 - 13
"1) My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2) Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring
and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3) If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good
seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4) have you not discriminated among yourselves and become
judges with evil thoughts?
5) Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised
those who love him? 6) But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7) Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8) If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9) But if you show favoritism, you sin and
are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11) For he
who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12) Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13) because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who
has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (NIV)
How do you think God views your non acceptance of us? He says in James 2:13
"because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (NIV)
Sounds like He doesn't cut any slack for judgmental people.
All He wants is for us to love our neighbor as ourself. (James 2:8) How can you do that when you are hating and judging us?
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps
no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(NIV)
James 3:17, 18
17) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and
sincere. 18) Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (NIV)
By Mr. P
When I decided to transition, I became concerned about what my Christian family would say. With fear and trepidation I started transition. My family
was not happy and will not use my new name. I said to my niece the other day, "I really wish your mom would respect my wishes and call me by my
new name." She replied, " My mom thinks that if she accepts what you are doing, then she is a party to your sin." I said to her, "Who said this was a
sin?" Is becoming who I am inside a sin before God?
To understand whether we are sinning, you must first "know" what we are and what we are doing. What is a transsexual/transgendered person? We are
individuals who feel that our brain is the opposite gender to our body. We think, feel and process life from the opposite gender to our body gender. This
disharmony causes us great distress, depression and pain. We feel we must change our body to be in harmony with our mind, to feel "whole" and be at
peace.
Are We Sinning When We Change Our Bodies?
What is sinning? Sinning is disobedience to God's will. How could anyone know if changing our bodies is against God's will for us? How do you know
that we were not designed by God to do this very thing? How do you know that we are not here at this time, for the very purpose of challenging the
world's understanding of God and His love that extends to us as we are, and become? Of all the trans people I have talked to, I have found none of them
felt rejected by God for transitioning. They did on the other hand, feel rejected by their families, and society at large.
God Doesn't Make Mistakes!
Well meaning individuals, tell us that God doesn't make mistakes! By this statement, I gather they think we should not be changing what God gave us. By
that logic, no one should be getting nose jobs, boob jobs or any other corrective surgery, because God doesn't make mistakes. You have what you have
because God designed it that way! We probably shouldn't even try to prevent dying! After all if that's what God wants, why fight it? Now, does that
really make any sense to anyone? We live in an imperfect world. Birth defects happen. God gave us intelligence and the gift of understanding his
creation, and we know He doesn't make mistakes! So why shouldn't we use His gifts to correct birth defects, fight disease and more?
Transsexual/transgendered people agree that God didn't make a mistake when He made us. Many of us who live through this insanity, of having our mind
and body gender not match, have come to view this as a gift from God. Even though it is a difficult burden to bear throughout our lives, whether we
transition or not. We understand things about what it is to be female and male that others will never understand. We come to appreciate our differences
and attributes. God did not make a mistake no matter how difficult this life is.
It is family, friends, church, and society make this life unbearable for us.
Does It Really Matter If This Change Is sin?
Does it really matter if changing our bodies is a sin? I say no. Why? Because before God all sins are equal. One sin is not worse than another sin. That
means that if you told a lied today or mistreated your spouse or child, you sinned and stepped outside Gods perfect will for you! So why is my (alleged)
sin greater than yours? Both your actions and mine would offend Him if they were not His will for our lives. So sin is sin. If I sin, I sin in ignorance.
God will forgive me.
Does Scripture Speak Out Against Transitioning?
Some would try to use scripture to prove that what we are doing is wrong, like 1 Corinthians 6:9:
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our
God." (NIV)
First, I see no mention of anyone changing their body. Second, have you ever committed any of the these sins yourself? Ever in your life? Were you
ever, sexually immoral, did you ever steal from someone, were you greedy, drunken or did you ever cheat someone? If you said yes to any of those
things, consider that people who change their gender aren't listed up there. Further, the scripture also says, "But you were washed, you were sanctified,
you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." So obviously it is possible to be washed clean of such sins. Even if
I was listed up there, I could be forgiven. So why are you worried about me? Why do you condemn me?
See what Jesus has to say about sin and judgement in John 8:7
"....If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (NIV)
Despite Jesus words about sin, you, "religion and society" hate us, reject us, ridicule us and even kill us.... God's creation. Why? Because we don't
measure up to your expectations? Are you a respecter of persons, showing favoritism to some and not to others? James 2:1 - 13
"1) My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2) Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring
and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3) If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good
seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4) have you not discriminated among yourselves and become
judges with evil thoughts?
5) Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised
those who love him? 6) But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7) Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8) If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. 9) But if you show favoritism, you sin and
are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11) For he
who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12) Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13) because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who
has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (NIV)
How do you think God views your non acceptance of us? He says in James 2:13
"because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (NIV)
Sounds like He doesn't cut any slack for judgmental people.
All He wants is for us to love our neighbor as ourself. (James 2:8) How can you do that when you are hating and judging us?
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps
no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(NIV)
James 3:17, 18
17) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and
sincere. 18) Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (NIV)