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How to deal with religious people

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Posts: 2
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Topic starter
(@sammydee)
Active Member     Canada, British Columbia, Vancover
Joined: 5 months ago

Comment how ya’ll handle them?

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(@missbonbon)
Joined: 6 months ago

Active Member     United States of America, Mississippi, Biloxi
Posts: 4

@sammydee religion is a very personal relationship. However, there are some very zealous individuals that are hard to avoid. If you find yourself backed into a corner just remember that you have the right to voice your opinion as well as they have the right to voice theirs.

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Managing Ambassador
(@emilyalt)
Joined: 5 years ago

Estimable Member     United States of America, California, North County San Diego
Posts: 112

@sammydee 

I'll presume you are referring to religious folks that don't approve of trans people.

I rarely encounter those folks.  But I do occasionally encounter people that are misinformed about trans people or are outright transphobic.  I'll echo @michellelarsen1 here. 

Transphobes usually are entrenched in their beliefs and there's no point trying to convince them otherwise.  I won't waste my time.  I simply agree to disagree and walk away.

If I have an opportunity to increase awareness and perhaps build a bridge with someone that is willing to listen, I'll always take that opportunity.  I get regular workouts with one of my neighbors and I know it's making a difference.

If you're going to venture into this territory, you need a fair amount of conviction in your beliefs, the ability to articulate them, and the confidence to stand by them.  If you can't do that, you'll get backed into a corner every time.  That'll just reinforce their belief that there's something 'wrong' with us....or worse.

/LK

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Member
(@memyself)
Joined: 4 months ago

New Member     United States of America, Ohio
Posts: 2
  • @sammydee I think the most important part is to remember that you can state your truth yet its up to others to agree or disagree with you. You can influence somebody but cannot change them, their opinions, beliefs
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Posts: 1029
Managing Ambassador
(@michellelarsen1)
Noble Member     United States of America, Virginia, Front Royal
Joined: 5 years ago

Dee, I'm not sure what you mean. 'Religious people' could mean a lot of things. I mean, transgender people can hold religious beliefs, and in fact, many of them do. I'd go so far as to say that the percentages cut across all segments of society. Even on TGH you will find a Group that discusses religion in a respectful and thoughtful way. Maybe it isn't so much the religion, as it is the person. A conservative person may well ask how to deal with liberal people. Or someone that uses a Linux PC may ask how to deal with someone that uses a Windows PC. I guess in the end, you deal with everyone that may not think and act like you, in the same way as you wish to be treated, with dignity and respect. Hugs

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Member
(@sammydee)
Joined: 5 months ago

Active Member     Canada, British Columbia, Vancover
Posts: 2

@michellelarsen1 thanks for the reply, in particular I meet people who believe in God and think being trans is a sin

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Posts: 1029
Managing Ambassador
(@michellelarsen1)
Noble Member     United States of America, Virginia, Front Royal
Joined: 5 years ago

Okay, that's great. Everyone should believe in something. So, now I guess you have a decision; do you pick and argument with them, do you agree to disagree, or do you feel so inclined that they may be amiable to a respectful and thoughtful discussion. If you decide the argument path, then I guess you have to ask whether or not it is worth it. Personally, I prefer one of the latter ways. If I feel there is a glimmer of hope, then I choose the discussion path, if not, then the agree to disagree. Life is too short and my happiness is worth more that to be wasted on meaningless arguments. hugs

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Posts: 154
Bronze - Annual
(@firefly)
Estimable Member     Panama, Panama, Panama
Joined: 3 years ago

My honest answer:

They are usually a pain in the ass and I try not to argue with them or avoid them as much as possible, to try to carry the party in peace; but I have the joy of knowing some religious people (some transgender) who accept our right to have a dignified and respected life. Time has taught me that those who look at me with hatred and discriminate against me are the ones who have a problem, I don't have any. I do no harm to other people. 

I settle for not being bothered with; although in my country they are quite aggressive and their behavior, with some exceptions, is far from what is expected of a person with deep religious beliefs. More tending towards extreme fanatics than believers. Unfortunately.

Gisela

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Posts: 154
(@alexl)
Estimable Member     United Kingdom, Wiltshire, Marlborough
Joined: 3 years ago

I'm not religious but I am aware that questioning a religious person's beliefs is going to be an insult to them; I start from that premise. Do I want to offend them, is that a polite thing to do?
In the UK religion is not so popular, well under 50% have a religion. I know the US is different so I try and not offend or say things that might.
I'm always courteous and polite when approached by a religious person in the street. I say I respect their belief but I don't share it. They generally go through the usual arguments but like them I have stock answers too.
Everyone has right a to believe what they want, I reserve the right to be respected that I don't believe. Live and let live.

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Posts: 145
Bronze
(@charlenev)
Reputable Member     United States of America, Illinois, near Chicago
Joined: 3 years ago

This topic is of great interest and import to me. 

Why?

Read my profile and you will find that I would fall under the classification of "religious." To the point, I am a born again fundamental Bible believing Baptist. (Is that religious enough for everyone)

I am also trans,  who after more than 6 decades of gender brokenness awareness (my way of explaining being transgender) with 5 of those decades lived as a born again Christian who even now is faithfully living as an evangelical Christian. Over those years I excruciatingly  struggled with the inner turmoil of, "why am I like this,"  Only very recently have I  finally concluded that "my truth" is that body notwithstanding,  I am a woman at my soul level. 

I thank God that I am trans for in living with this condition successfully I have drawn closer to the Lord Jesus Christ than I would have without being trans. 

I will not presume to speak for any other religious system than  my own. Truly I am sorry for anyone (not just trans folk) who has faced a religious zealot who, sans compassion, has confronted them confrontationally.

Personally, I do not like to identify myself as trans, because of the baggage that comes with the term. I do use that term, because it defines very quickly but also very inadequately who we are.

From my perspective as a "religious person", which I am not,  the thing that makes the evangelical Christian so "ant-trans" is the trans activist agenda  which demands our "rights". 

Demanding, forcing, insisting, etc may obtain short term results, but ultimately it sows the seeds of long term resentment and rebellion such as we are seeing in many places today. 

The initial question, 'how to deal with religious  people,?" Graciously be the best you that you can be. You want "them" to understand you, correct? Then give them the same hearing that you would like from them.

Will this win everyone? Obviously not. It was the religious zealots that crucified Christ whom, despite their best attempts, was not condemned for doing anything wrong. But by such an approach, speaking  the truth in love, even today, 2000 plus years later Christ is still winning people of all walks of life to Himself. Yes, even trans folk that will powerfully listen to His Words as preserved in the Bible

Kindly,

Charlene

 

 

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