I am a lapsed Catholic thinking very seriously of re-entering the Church, but at the same time I'm fairly certain that I'm transgendered. At any rate, I'm a biological female that's attracted to females. Religion/spirituality/philosophy is very, very important to me, but I'm not sure that I can count myself as a member of the Roman Catholic Church when I'm lesbian/trans/whatever. Has anyone -- of any religion, but Catholic would be particularly nice -- been through this? Do you have any advice? I realise that the Church is imperfect, but it does mean quite a lot to me.
2006-11-12 07:52:17 · 7 answers · asked by Rat 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Thanks for your answer, Richard x, but the thing that bothers me (or one of them, anyway) is that the Eucharist is such a beautiful thing and I know that God is WAY more important than silly manmade rules, but I am very afraid that if I transition into a male or even date a female then I will be denied that most awesome gift.
2006-11-12 08:05:55 · update #1
It's not that I'm dead set against conversion, but I am not willling to compromise my faith or twist it around to suit my whims. I think that can lead down a very dangerous path of spiritual relativism.
I know that my faith and my sexuality have serious conflicts with each other, but I do not think that they should. I am not willing to compromise what I think is the greatest truth and justice ever, but I am not willing to compromise a core part of myself, either. It's not selfishness... it's that the two shouldn't conflict, and it's really giving me problems.
2006-11-12 10:29:24 · update #2
I would look into the MCC or Metro Community Church's which are nationwide and may be across the world. Its home for catholics and Protestants alike as its ministry is the GLBT community.
2006-11-12 07:56:53 · answer #1 · answered by tjnstlouismo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a former Roman Catholic. A little over a year ago, I converted to Lutheran. I really liked that church but we moved away from there and now my wife and I are becoming Methodists. That church's philisophy is come as you are. I do not believe that anyone in that church would have a problem with homosexuality or tg. I am a tg but I am not out to anyone. The thing I mostly have a problem with most of these religions is the hippocracy. The Jesus that I have always read about always taught tolerance and acceptance. The Roman Catholic church teaches that it is a sin and could go to hell for it. This really bothers me because all other religions and the bible teaches that Jesus died on the cross, and forgave our sins. Anyway sorry for rambling, I think that the important thing is find one that you are comfortable with.
2006-11-12 16:53:09 · answer #2 · answered by JML 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about all these daft rules and silly notions that there are surrounding sexuality, however if you seriously believe in Jesus and God then have that relationship. You don't need all the trappings of church to have faith in your God. God is everywhere is he(she?) not? If you wish to worship as a Catholic, what is more important to you? Their rules and man made ideals, or your faith in Jesus and God? Put another way do you worship the church or do you worship God?
I'm not religious at all btw just so you know my bias, but I do know that your faith has the most beauty and simplicity when it is all directed towards it's truth alone, without distractions. In your case this is the Holy Trinity. Put your faith like a laser to where it's most important-the Divine and leave the burdens of mans' rules out of it. If God is perfect, he cannot create imperfect beings unless he chose to and he will love you the same or he loves no-one :-).
2006-11-12 15:59:09 · answer #3 · answered by karnautrahl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Please allow me to just state my opinion. It is my view and you can of course reject it and I will respect that.
I take your words to be serious and I do accept that you do have faith. Now on what is your faith based? That in my view is the real question that I see in my view your words are ignoring. Is your faith based upon the constantly consistent truth or is it based upon an idea or concept that you have accepted as truth in your view?
It is written that the truth will set you free. I have read that but I have never read that the truth will give one conflicts. I am personally convinced that the acceptance of the pure truth never hurts anyone but the rejection of pure truth does cause harm and conflicts.
My friend I read that My God did make both male and female for a purpose and for his purposes. I can not read where God made a 3rd, 4th, or 5 th sex or whatever. If you find that you are [based on how I read your words] in another position that a male or female with the stated desires of a female for a male or a male for a female in the bible then I would first question that aspect as to why. I find that seems to me to be different than what I see My God did design origionally. I also find something not good said about such by the Apostle Paul in the book of Acts in respect for this kind of in place condition. This leads me back to the question as to what is your faith based upon.
If you do want to keep your faith as it is based upon what it is, there are many groups that will accept you. Many do think as you say you do and do declare that they are in the same condition as you are. Now what is important to you?
Should you have a faith based upon the constantly consistent truth? If so seek the truth from the one who did design the truth. If you desire to keep your faith based upon what you have it based upon now, then why is yiour God not fixing the area of your conflict. The way I do read the Bible My God not only can fix anything, but He also can do anything. That anything means fixing all conflicts. Why is your god not fixing yours for My God does always fix mine by always changing me and my outlook for all the problems are always within me. Yes, such is because I am truly not perfect and I do need to be fixed. Maybe such is the same with you? Only youcan answer that question.
I did give my opinion and again I say it is my opinon only. You are free to reject it and I will accept that OK
Now have a great day and do question your God as to why He is not fixing your problem. Maybe your God can not fix it?
2006-11-12 22:38:08 · answer #4 · answered by cjkeysjr 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was raised Lutheran, but now I'm sort of a Christian Heretic. I have faith in God and Jesus, but not in the doctrine of those who claim to represent them.
A friend of mine who was raised Catholic got disillusioned with the Catholic church, and wound up converting to... I think it was Anglican. He says it's like Catholicism with a good deal less corruption, bigotry and hypocrisy.
(I'm not completely sure that it was Anglican, though.)
2006-11-12 16:09:38 · answer #5 · answered by angiekaos 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You may find some advice at Sister Paula's website at http://www.sisterpaula.org/Welcome.html
She's a transgendered preacher with a blog and podcast.
2006-11-13 11:14:40 · answer #6 · answered by Dana X 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm trans and a religious person myself. None of my divines have turned their backs on me because of my transition. In fact, transitioning has allowed me to get over some of my personal issues and allowed me to get stronger in my faith. Oh, and I'm wiccan.
2006-11-12 18:05:34 · answer #7 · answered by carora13 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋