Judgemental

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

I am finding that many of my Christian brothers are more judgemental than non Christians. Everything went well this morning at Easter sunrise service until I went to my church Easter dinner. Me and my Christian sisters sat outside since it was a nice afternoon. The minute I stood up a Christian brother that was sitting behind us with his wife commented to her directly relating to me, "that is a man". I did not say anything and just prayed that the hurt would go away from what he said. He and his wife then moved quickly to another table. The next instance was at the same table when a family sat down behind us. Same thing, the husband commented to his wife and children that I was a man. So untrue. By this time I was ready to just run out of there and never to return to the church, but then that would be giving Satan power. I stayed until my Christian sister was ready to go. I am blind so she usually takes me to church and other places, she is such a blessing to me.

Angelgrlsue

[Charlize]

I am sorry you experienced that. People can be so cruel. I don't think it is as much that they are Christian as that they have never read the Sermon on the Mount or perhaps that they have never seen how it fits in this days world. I'm glad you have the care of your sister.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest alexaz]

Hi Angelgrlsue

I was raised in a very catholic family and most of my families friends were Christians/ Catholic.

As I grew I discovered a few things about people.

Not all that profess to be religious/christians are and some of those who profess to be non religious are like christians.

Im not saying that all people are hypocrites but some are.

I have known some "Christians" that were evil and have known non religious people who were saints.

Its not weather you go to a building and pray its whats in your heart and soul.

I gave up going to church many years ago and feel that I am a better christian now than when I went to church and was an alter boy every day. . I could go on and on with stories about both sides but think you can get my drift.

As long as you truly believe and walk your talk. You are what you say you are.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Alexaz

[Guest noeleena]

Hi,

I know I don't know all the details and who these people are so I,ll just relate form my own detail , I been involved with church groups for some 57 years and know many people so have a good understanding of what they belive and what not ,and yes I studied up their belief ,s and all ,

Plus I did study the bible and did other studies that back up whats written ,

Now no where in any writings in the bible does it say to reject people who are different infact it says to to love every one the same no matter what they wear or how they look now if the Lord has said we are to love others then why is it so hard for ...church members not to , well its what they have been taught and in many case,s wrongly because they are being controlled by those in charge or you do as I say or your gone , from the teachers.

now I know this from my time with in the last 4 years with two groups who wont accept myself because im different and been told so , and I have more right to be accepted because of how I was born and this has nothing to do with my clothes or what I wear ,

As an intersexed female and because I don't look female enough to pass or blend in as one they reject me as a person end of ,

they refuse to accept any one who is different , why because they don't know the Lord yet say they do and then teach we must love every one because Jesus told them to , right so im not loved or accepted because im not human okay so how come I was born at st Helens in Invercargill New Zealand , 67 y 8 months ago seems strange to me if im documented by the Govt departments and so on .

nope they refuse , you see they accept what they only wont to and throw the rest out to suit them selfs

Don't be concerned with these people don't let them control you because that's all they will do , some times these people are there to test us , and I have been , just I saw what was going on and just removed myself and went else where, quess what I have more friends over the last 9 years than I had in my early 58 years, and accepted as I am for who I am ,

Just think some times I see what I have gone through and it made me very strong and I had to be to go through what I did .

Don't let them break you , become a strong person ,

...noeleena...

[Guest Raya]

Such a bummer that you were hurt at church, on Easter even. I need to keep it simple, so I refer to Jesus's 2 commandments: love the Lord your God with all your heart, Love your neighbor as yourself. I will add my own twist, using Stephen Covey's platinum rule: treat people as they would like to be treated. This is a significant departure from the golden rule for me, because for years I did not feel self love, yet wanted to be loving.

Meanness and backbiting have no proper place in spiritual life, but people are broken and imperfect, so let's pray that these 2 males will get a clue and that you will grow even stronger as a result!

So inspiring to hear from ladies that have had the courage to be themselves

[Guest Angelgrlsue]

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and support. I needed that so much. I saw my associate pastor today upon his request and we discussed on how I was doing relating to the cancer and recovery process of the three months of harsh chemo I had to endure. I praise God that he helped me through it too. I did not inform him about what happened on Easter, however he did want to discuss my gender identity. We discussed this in the past and his beliefs are different than mine and he flat out told me today that I am a man. Completely disrespectful and I just told him bluntly that I am a woman and was born as such. He does not understand or does not want to understand. I even informed him the GID is considered a birth defect. He still believes that God made me a male at birth and that is what I should remain as or in my case go back to. I told him that I would be going back as someone I am not and never will be. He is basing everything by genitalia, just like most of society does. I am just giving this all up to God.

Angelgrlsue

[VickySGV]

There are churches where you will be highly welcome, and where they recognize that your gender began long before birth. I have been assured in my meditations that I was known long before a doctor had the chance to see my anatomy and make the wrong decision about me. Isaiah was told by God that God knew him in his mother's womb. Samuel got rapped with the idea that God sees things men do not in His choosing people for things (King David in that case). It may well be time to do as the 70 people sent by Christ did when refused by a town or person, they shook the dust of the place off their feet and went on to a place where they would be received. I know that's a mishmash of scripture there, but its a take on it that helps us.

[Guest Raya]

...He does not want to understand.

Angelgrlsue, you said it so well, if he chooses ignorance that is his problem

...I am just giving this all up to God.

Good move!

And like Vicky said, there are many accepting churches, finding one was a big first step on my path to transition. I get the feeling you are strong enough and stubborn enough to try to tough it out there, but I dont think i could handle it, and would need to move on.

May God bless you and keep you in perfect peace!

[Guest Razilee]

This reminds me of my arrest on my first venture out en femme. The police seemed both confused and threatened by my presentation. These men may have felt that they were protecting their wife, their family, but I suspect that they are also protecting their own gender identity. It's sad that as Christians we can't all be free of the temptation to judge, but if the temptation was not within us Jesus would not have warned us not to judge, lest we be judged.

Re-watching an old "All in the Family'' episode, I saw that Edith also was tempted to not to return to church after the Bunkers' friend Beverley was killed for being ''different''. The issues that the show tried to deal with then are with us still! ""Vive la difference.''

Love

Raz

[tracy_j]

It has been my experience through my travels in the community (via my job) through multiple faiths that most people are caring and considerate whether they like what I am or not. I think we always hear the one voice in the crowd but there are many others who perhaps say little but who are caring people. Don't be put off - just smile and think of their obsolescence

Tracy