All up in your forum

[ursus]

I go by many names, but for some reason the forum would only give me a few letters, so I had to abbreviate myself.

I was ursa smaller, but now I'm just ursus. I'm a Canadian ex-mennonite evangelical. I come from humble beginnings, attended a year of mission-based bible school. I took a couple of trips to Africa.

For years I thought I was frigid. It was shortly after my faith came crashing down that I allowed myself to consider the more likely possibility that I was a lesbian.

I have been out for just over a year, now. My family disagrees with my lifestyle but we don't really talk about it. They've long since stopped trying to convince me to attend re-orientation therapy. I'm currently living near Boston where I attend college and live with my girlfriend and her family.

I no longer identify with any specific religion, though the tattoo on my arm reminds me to remember what is good and discard what is useless, be patient and learn what I can wherever I may find it. However, if there's anything I understand, it's the frustration of not fitting into the christian crowd, the fear of coming out to religious family members, and the frustration of feeling isolated and alone. And I speak fluent christianese.

So here I am. I'll try to adjust my social interactions to the status quo.

[Gennee]

Welcome to the forums, Ursus. I'm transgender and a Christian for 37 years. God affirmed me as His child. I know a number of gay and lesbian Christians who love God and serve Him.

Perhaps your tatoo reminds you of the good things you've experienced. Sadly, many use the bible to demean and hurt GLBTQ people. You were created as you are and God has a woderful plan for your life.

Gennee

[ursus]

Hey Gennee!

My tattoo is specifically kanji symbols for Ninjutsu, which is the closest I have to a religion. It's a practice that encourages usefulness, survival, and courage. But, it reminds me that everything I learned while a christian wasn't bad, and I should hold on to those things that were helpful to me. It's very easy to grow resentful, which isn't useful at all.

Seems like you're the only regular poster around here. It's so quiet on these boards.

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by ursus

Hey Gennee!

My tattoo is specifically kanji symbols for Ninjutsu, which is the closest I have to a religion. It's a practice that encourages usefulness, survival, and courage. But, it reminds me that everything I learned while a christian wasn't bad, and I should hold on to those things that were helpful to me. It's very easy to grow resentful, which isn't useful at all.

Seems like you're the only regular poster around here. It's so quiet on these boards.

It has been of late but ususally it's quite active and lively from time to time. Haven't heard from some of the regulars in a while but I'm sure that you will in time.

Gennee

[BrianB]

Welcome ursus. Have you ever heard of Steven K. Hayes? He studied Ninjutsu in Japan as a young man. He has a training center here in Dayton, OH. I find his books very interesting and instructive. It's hard to put some of his stuff in to practice when you have a spinal defect though.

[BruceChris]

Welcome to our forums, LadyBear.

BruceChris

[ursus]

Originally Posted by BrianB

Welcome ursus. Have you ever heard of Steven K. Hayes? He studied Ninjutsu in Japan as a young man. He has a training center here in Dayton, OH. I find his books very interesting and instructive. It's hard to put some of his stuff in to practice when you have a spinal defect though.

I feel like his name is familiar, but I don't know anything about him. I'll look up his books. I have a small growing collection on the subject of Ninjutsu. It's hard to find credible sources on the subject that don't cater to the stereotype.

I can imagine it would be hard to do endless breakfall rolls when you have a spinal defect. There are, however, philosophical aspects to it that you might find interesting/beneficial. There's a book called "The spiritual practices of the Ninja" that I really like, but I can't remember the name of the author right now.