Ash from Arkansas

[Sere-Kun]

Hello, my name is Ashley (still not legal name :( ). I am 16 years of age and live in Arkansas. My birth name is John. I was raised in an overly-Conservative Southern Baptist family. I am a GLBT activist, not only because I am a bisexual transgender, but I also believe in human rights. I believe that homophobia is a terrible, terrible sin.

I came to SF forums for 2 reasons: 1) A support group that I may access at any given time and 2) to show my support for GLBT people.

I am also trying to find a way that Christianity can "vindicate" itself with me because if the Bible does really say that homosexuals are going to hell, then I renounce my faith. Other than this suspicion, I am also a Christian and a very moral, caring person. I'm hoping that SF can clarify that Christianity does not really teach ignorance and intolerance, but rather acceptance and love.

[BruceChris]

I don't think that I can imagine growing up in a conservative church, in the South. I feel myself fortunate to have grown up in Minneapolis, which is very tolerant, even accepting in places.

I spent several years dating, and later living with Lynn, who spent her first 23 years of life as Alan.

A number of our members here have spent a great deal of time, thought and pain trying to come to terms with Christianity. Many have tried to find a church that will accept them. One of our most "Christian" members, Zerbie, refuses to be called such because of some bad experiences when she was younger.

Please spend some time reading our About, Current, Archives and Resources for background, as well as as many of our members threads and posts, to help you get some background on the struggle that we are all involved in.

Please come back and tell us more about yourself.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Zerbie]

Welcome, Ashley. :rainbow::)

You found a wonderful place. :D

Can't relate much to the Southern Baptist thing: was raised by nominal Christians who never went to church and never told me anything about it, except to intimate that there was something intolerant about Christianity as a social force.

I spent a summer in Arkansas once. Pretty trees, hills, scenery. I didn't feel too much like I fit in, though. :p

How did you happen to find Soulforce?

[Sere-Kun]

Welcome, Ashley. :rainbow::)

You found a wonderful place. :D

Can't relate much to the Southern Baptist thing: was raised by nominal Christians who never went to church and never told me anything about it, except to intimate that there was something intolerant about Christianity as a social force.

I spent a summer in Arkansas once. Pretty trees, hills, scenery. I didn't feel too much like I fit in, though. :p

How did you happen to find Soulforce?

A teacher at my school found the site and gave me a link to it.

[scott snedeker]

I am also trying to find a way that Christianity can "vindicate" itself with me because if the Bible does really say that homosexuals are going to hell, then I renounce my faith. Other than this suspicion, I am also a Christian and a very moral, caring person. I'm hoping that SF can clarify that Christianity does not really teach ignorance and intolerance, but rather acceptance and love.


Hi Ash! My faerie name is Ash also. Short for Ash Phoenix.

I abandoned Christianity long ago. I felt Most christians I came in contact with were very un-Christ-like......until I found this site. Here Folks are very Christ-like in their spiritual hygiene.

I found my self love through a connection to the life energy of all living things. This nature-based spiritual paradigm fits me very well and defines me as a pagan. The spiritual belief that this connection of all living things is love defines me as a Druidic pagan. I had found a much needed spiritual resescuitation to empty nihilism.

But then I was invited to join this site. At first I was a little uneasy, Facing the dreaded christian paradigm again. Until I started to hear something different. A message here that was, well too pagan to find fault with and later began to embrace.

I'm still a pagan deep in my heart. My soul thrives in the woods immersed with the spirit of the forest. I sense the awareness of trees, and love-making in the forest is my most profound connection to spiritual life energy of all creatures and living things.

But I believe Christ too had unique awareness of this connection, the connection of unconditional love. There is no conflict when we let go of barriers and let in love. I see no reason to abandon such a paradigm of spirituality.

It is Still way fun to be a pagan though! Which how life should be! Fun!

Click on the link below if you would like to read a short story about the discovering self love and how by doing so changes one's world

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3925

[Sere-Kun]

To be honest, I'm not a "Christian." However, I believe being a "Christian" means having good morals and following the life of Christ. I only said that because I was afraid of being booted from the site. I did "convert" but I only did it to try something new and as an act of open-mindedness. I am an Agnostic to the core, but I believe in God. I guess you would call me an Agnostic Theist, liberal Christian, or even a pagan. Paganism is such a negative word, really. The "Pagan" gods are the "old" gods. I guess I would be "Neo-Pagan."

But anyway I really need a transgender to help me with something either over PM or on my thread in the Discussion Board about SRS.

Thanks.

~Ashley.

[scott snedeker]

Radical Faerie!


It must be a faerie moon tonight!:D:

Months without any new Radfae's joining and then two in one day! :aparty::magic::cookie:

Wooo Hooo!:applause::applause:

Sweetie! You are, even if you don't know it yet, a Fabulous being called a Radical Faerie:agree: :weee::weee::flower::flower::agree:

Google radical faerie and you'll see what I mean!:cool::cool::cool::cool:
be sure to spell it the same way!

:love::love::love::love:

[Sere-Kun]

Yaaay! lol:p

[scott snedeker]

http://www.radfae.org/faerielist/# 2:cool:

[BruceChris]

Ashley, there are some groups that try very hard to teach and practice unconditional love.

There are others that spend most of their time talking about sin, judging others, and spreading around a lot of guilt, and fear of hell.

The problem is that although they seem to be exact opposites, they both claim to represent Christianity. :confused: :eek: :confused: :unhappy:

I think it helps if you just remember two things:

God made you just the way you are. :agree:

God loves you just the way you are. :agree:

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

P.S: Transgender Resources are found under GLBT News/Issues.

[Gennee]

Welcome to SF, Ashley. I think you'll love it here.

Gennee

:wave::love:

[antiochian]

Welcome! My dad's from Arkansas. It's a beautiful state, but way too conservative for my taste. In fact, Dad's sisters will be visiting this week... will be interesting as I sent them a coming out letter last summer. I'm sure you will find people here to support and uplift you. Best wishes in your journey.

[Vanessa White]

Interesting, how you would be concerned that you would have potentially been booted from here; is that because we appear to be Christian in nature at SF?? If so, give us some needed feedback; it is a discussion that we have long been having about how to reach out to others besides Christians......

I am so glad for you that you found us; there are a few transgender folks, or those that have transgender folks in their lives, who may be able to help you with what you need. I admire your courage and your determination to be who God intended you to be. Enjoy your time here, Peace and love, Vanessa :love:

[Sherrie Z]

Welcome Ash!

I'm so glad that teacher gave you the link to this website ... it's great to have you with us! Just wanted to give you a great big welcome hug!!!

Love,

Sherrie Z

[Sere-Kun]

Thank you, hun.