A letter to transgender Christians
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- čas přidán 19. 08. 2020
- Too often, transgender people are talked ABOUT. Today, I want to talk TO us, from us. I'm a transgender priest, I've been Christian all of my life, and if you are transgender, I want you to know that I see you, I believe in you, I'm fighting for you. And I know in my heart that God sees us too. That God loves us too. That God is on our side. That we are made in God's image. That God calls us by name... by OUR name.
This is my letter to you.
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Brian G. Murphy and Fr. Shannon TL Kearns created queertheology.com to provide inspiration, resources, and community for LGBTQ Christians and straight cisgender supporters. If you're ready to go beyond asking "Is it OK to be LGBTQ and Christian?" and instead explore how queerness and Christianity enrich one another, we're here for you.
I just... I can't put into words how much I love this video. I've watched it so many times over the past year or two since you made it, and every time it moves me. I watched it the day it came out and here I am again 18 months later. What a blessing.
Im a trans woman at start of her journey I had given up on church because of being judged until I met my girlfriend who took me to her church where they used my name an pronouns an makes me feel welcome an unjudged an accepted
blessings on your journey!
God bless you sweetheart. Im happy for you. Jesus loves all! ❤😊
Jesus loves you, but please accept yourself for who he created you as. To choose to be transgender and to continue to live in your lifestyle is an abomination and is condemned by all orthodox Christian denominations.
They are wrong for doing so.
aanndd im back to being christian. Honestly I needed this.
All a true Christian needs is love. It's right there in Romans 13:8-10.
John 3:16 gets our foot in the door.
Matt 22:34-40 gives us the rules to enter heaven.
I’m a trans woman and you just made me cry 😢 I really needed to hear that today
I’m so glad you heard it then! God loves you endlessly.
also a weeping trans woman, really good and beautiful video
I'm so glad that you found us right when you needed it :)
I transitioned 10 years ago. I left the Church this year. Father, I just don't know if I can bring myself to come back. i miss it so badly..but I just don't feel like there is a place for me in the Church - at least, not around me.
Sophia Willowood Hi Sophia! Fr. Shay here. I totally hear you about missing the church but if there isn’t a place there for you: one that is safe and wholly affirming, there is nothing wrong with not going. You do not have to be in a place that will not love you! Instead find other ways to nurture your connection with your spirit and with God. Find community online or with people outside of the church. Protect your heart. You are loved.
Sophia
I’m not sure if u are in a small town, big city. Perhaps there is a listing on line of churches who love us. If so, may I encourage you to call that church and ask. Jesus died and rose again so that if we believe & have faith in the finished work of Jesus, we are saved & a Christian. Given the virus, it may be difficult. I am not yet out, but transitioning by letting my hair grow, looking at my heart, loving myself for my femininity & submissiveness; & trying to work on my voice. That is tough. I watched this video & broke down in tears. This letter touched my heart ❤️.
Sophia god loves everyone no matter what they do. You can come back to the church but I recommend you go to a real church where people don’t judge you because judging is a sin and you should love everyone. Just remember all Christians( including me) are not perfect.
-Olann ❤️ ✝️
You're not a child of God if you are a trans
Of course there's a place for you in the Church. In God's house, you come in as you are, and leave a changed person forever.
Thank you for seeing us and we see you, also. ❤️
You're welcome Jenny. And thank you. 💜
God Bless everyone. Greetings for you all Christian Transperson 🙏🏻💯
God bless you. Just so people know the truth. If what we do as Christians doesn't align with what the guide (Bible) says then it is sinful.
No disrespect to anyone man, I love y'all, but if you claim to be a in Christ, you cannot be Transformed into something or someone he didn't create but you created for yourself.
I'm a transgender male, and this caused me to cry. I'm 20 years old and I'm trying my best to transition medically. It's just so hard, ya know?
oh, I know! blessings on your journey. reach out any time (queertheology.com/contact/)
Thank You...so many of us need these types of affirmations...The struggles for many of us are often kept private until we can find a means of leaving our current environments.. thank you again
Thank you. This is a beautiful message. Thank you. 🌬️☀️♥️🕊️
I’m not Christian but I really appreciate this. :)
I’m a young trans boy and it really means a lot to see religious people saying “actually no, those people saying our religion doesn’t accept you are just rude.”
Being a true Christian really is easy. (Mostly)
Most people want to impose rules because it gives them lordship over others.
A true Christian simply loves. That love inspires us to help others when we can, even if it costs us. We get paid back for it.
Do that and you're 90% Christian. Believe that Jesus was the Son of God and died to make faith that easy and you're golden.
I wasn't expecting this video to make me cry. Thank you. 💕
You're welcome. So glad to hear that it resonated with you. 💜💜
I broke down in tears also
😂 Why would you admit to crying? It’s vapid cornball stuff that would even be too lowbrow for the Hallmark Channel.
@@gangstadrz9326 Haters gonna hate. Don't you have better things to do with your time than leave mean comments on a CZcams channel. Go find a hobby.
Well.. this is much different than the last video I watched regarding Christianity and transness. I should’ve known, though, with a video titled “How Christians should respond to transgenders!” It was definitely talking ABOUT and not TO..
It’s almost 5:30am and I haven’t been to sleep yet. This video helped me get a little more peace of mind, though. Thanks, Fr. Shay.
I think that's the same video I just watched.
i'm so glad we could be a palate cleanser! We have even more resources over at www.queertheology.com/transgender
put me to tears. thank you, i needed this immensely
you’re so welcome! sending love!
God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it 💜🏳️⚧️
This brought tears to my eyes! Who is the priest in the video?
Hello! So glad this resonated! The priest is Fr. Shannon T.L. Kearns, one of the co-founders of queertheology.com
Thank you, I needed to see this. I’ve been going to church for a couple of weeks now after not going in almost two decades, basically before I started transitioning. I’m lucky I found a church with a queer flag in front, and when I went in I just cried a bunch. I could let out these feelings and trauma and just find comfort and peace finally.
you are so welcome! I'm glad that you found this video and also a church that feels safe and welcoming. if you want to connect more, we've got a whole community and a bunch of resources over at my.queertheology.com (including a private space just for transgender Christians!)
This is for real. Since my late teens I've identified as a woman and in my late 30's a Christian woman. I serve the Lord Jesus and someday intend to have a husband who also loves the Lord
Thank you for sharing!
God loves you.
Never give up on God!
Never give up on your dreams!
Never let fear hold you back.
If your faith ever needs building, find me. I'm an older trans woman and very Christian. I've seen Jesus and been marked by Him so I know I'm saved.
This is nice. Thank you.
you're welcome!
Thank you ❤❤
you're welcome 🙏
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️thank you we needed this
you're welcome! so glad you're here with us
Can I be trans mtf and catholic ? I’m like 14 btw
The Catholic Church as a whole doesn't currently recognize transgender people but that doesn't mean you can't attend one, though safety may vary on region.
Love
so glad to hear that :)
That was beautiful. It took me a long time to find a home in the church after transitioning but the ELCA brought me in and even gave me voting rights!
So glad you found a place that welcomes you!!
This is coming from a place of love and is a genuine question. We as Christian’s believe that God makes no mistakes. I just don’t see how supporting transgender people could line up with my beliefs, knowing that I am, in a large sense, agreeing with people that God made a mistake by putting you in the wrong body
answered that question here: www.queertheology.com/if-god-does-not-make-mistakes-why-are-you-transgender/
@@qtheology That doesn't answer my question. That gives a blanket statement of "you are loved and God made you as you are". It is true that God loves all of us but what it doesn't answer is how we, as Christians, can support and affirm a person's identity that goes completely against the God we believe in. I understand that all people are unique and loved by God, I am not saying that Transgender people are abominations. What I am saying is that WE believe that God is perfect We believe that God makes no mistakes. If we believe that, why would be also believe that God puts people into the wrong body? Does that not admit to God making a mistake?
@@qtheology I don't want this to come off as me being transphobic or anything. I just genuinely have this struggle and it seems that I cannot understand the scriptural basis of affirming Transgender people through my faith. I have done the research and have seen what people say is scripture that supports Transgenderism, but unfortunately those verses, in my opinion, do not justify or explain the affirmation of transgenderism. The only one that I can somewhat understand if the eunuchs. Some of them were eunuchs by choice so that they could play a roll in protecting women and women's areas in the temple or other places. That doesn't describe that they felt as though they were assigned the wrong gender or born with the wrong reproductive organs. It means that some of them voluntarily castrated themselves to serve a greater purpose in God's kingdom. Other were actually forcefully castrated by other eunuchs.
I don't want to be someone who tells a person that is struggling with gender identity that they are wrong, and should not live their truth. But I just can't wrap my head around this contradiction of scripture. Please help me understand.
I don’t know what to tell you. I’m a trans man. I’m a priest. I’ve been a Christian my entire life. I see no contradiction at all between my faith and my identity. I wrote an entire book on trans theology (In the Margins: A transgender man’s journey with Scripture).
We wrote about the Bible here: www.queertheology.com/transgender-christian/
Glad you’re doing your own research. But ultimately trans people exist. Trans Christians exist. And whether you agree with it or not doesn’t change that fact. Nor does it change the fact that there are lots and lots of people of faith who fully affirm trans folks.
@@qtheology that’s fine…I’ll figure out the answer myself
I'm not trans, but this was amazing!
How's this amazing. Being transgender are not according God or its Bible. Its blasphemy and misleading.
I am so confused with my life right now. I am a teenage girl but I dress like a boy and love boy things. I never like dresses, skirts, or anything girly. I want to wear a tux when I am going to special occasions and I like boy haircuts. I have considered many times telling my parents that I think I might be Transgender but I don’t think my mom wants people to be mean or judge me so I stay quiet. I also have another problem. I am a Christian and I know that changing your gender is a sin because God made us the way he wanted us to be so I can’t bring myself to say or do anything because it feels wrong. I am confused because if God made us the way he wanted us to be, then why would he make me feel like I don’t belong in a girls body if he intended for me to be a girl. And I know God didn’t make a mistake because he is perfect and holy and right in every way so he can’t have made a mistake when he made me. I don’t want to disappoint my parents, family, friends, or most importantly God. I don’t know what to do.
Hey there! Totally hear you. There are lots of people (like me!) who are Christians and also transgender and/or nonbinary. We have all sorts of resources on our website that you might find helpful (including an article about God and mistakes): www.queertheology.com/resources/ You are not alone.
@@qtheology Thank you for the support. It means a lot.
@@DarkKnight-ce6cw hey how are you
@@aaliyahclark4179 I’m doing good how about you?
@@aaliyahclark4179 I am also 95% certain that I am transgender.
Thank you.
You're welcome
God bless you
THANK YOU!
Love finds reasons to accept and include.
Those who persecute us are very conflicted.
- They claim we are condemned by our sins _yet_ they admit to being sinners
- They insist we follow this law or that law while _yet_ have no idea the full list of laws to follow
- Jesus died for our sins, saving us from the law _yet_ they bind themselves to the Mosaic laws
- They claim to love and follow Jesus _yet_ they willfully push LGBTQI+ people into darkness, ensuring we never seek Jesus
So many people are convinced their ignorance justifies their reasons to reject and exclude.
Let us be accepting and inclusive - even to them.
Let them believe what they want. *We won't let them dictate our faith.*
0:00 - 2:22 are... Are you stalking me? No... Because that would mean you came from the future, with those last things...
This made me cry lol
Can I date other trans women and do they have to be christian?
(Just wondering cuz I might be developing a small crush on my friend and am wondering if i should say no to myself before it grows into a full on crush)
You do you. The only condemnations in the Bible of same sex activity are either translatable in a different way, or referring to a very specific group of people. Furthermore there are no anti trans verses in the Bible. Do what you wish
As a transgender priest myself I do appreciate you very much. Thank you for your message. Much love from the Anglican Church ❤
You’re amazing and brave❤
Why do you bow to yourself and not Jesus.
I’m a trans Christian
I don’t want to go through surgery but I do want to do HRT
Is that okay
Also, can I date women if I’m a trans woman and a Christian or Is it just safer to date no one
Yes and Yes!
How can you truly experience love if you cannot love yourself?
How can Jesus set you free while you are a prisoner inside your own body?
Find your true expression in a body that reflects the true you. As Jesus says, do not conform to this world. Even Paul beat his body into submission.
Thanks :)
No, true Christianity is about hating yourself and learning humility, do not bow to the temptation of the world. Stay strong. I used to struggle with gay thoughts, but I put Jesus before my lust.
@@r-plattsickening, Jesus said to pick up your cross and follow him. But you rather give into sexual desire. And don’t even say it’s not a sex thing, I don’t see men slapping on tits and saying “it’s because I’m a man”, but you would hear them say “it because I’m a woman”. Why do people change their gender by changing parts related to sex? Because gender is sex. And a male wanting to be a female is definitely envy, one of the seven deadly sins. What ever happened to following Jesus for fulfillment instead of yourself. Not a true Christian, God said those who purposely make his little ones stumble are going to face the worst punishment, so you better repent.
@@charlesterry2113 How can you love others while you hate yourself?
Jesus said, "Love others as you love yourself." (Matt 34-40)
God bless you with LOVE and understanding.
New subscriber here
Welcome!!
I love this.
thanks!
As a biological female identifying as a male, I love god so much and don't want to upset him as I am in the journey of loving myself and having a relationship with him at just 16 years old, but I know he doesn't hate me. I am transitioning medically soon and it's kind of hard having the guilt of upsetting him. Any advice?
Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen.
Roman 1:24-25
True Christians don’t care about loving themselves. Community before the self. Basic teachings of Christ thrown out the window by these people who call themselves “Christian”
A beautiful message to watch on this Transgender Day of Remeberance
Transgender Day of Remembrance? What for?
you know my heart. This is bringing tears. My are so many “christians” hateful & accuse us ?
We do not accuse you my friend.
The Bible says come as you are, but it doesn't says to stay as you are.
God loves this world he has created, but his word says that we have to abide by his laws and commandments as Christians through christ Jesus.
My mom always says the Truth is bitter.
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
(Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves.
Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or
practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people-
none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed;
you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and
by the Spirit of our God.)
Leviticus 18:22
"Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin."
(NLT)
Leviticus 20:13
"If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have
committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense."
(NLT)
2nd Corinthians 5:17 saya
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
These are not my words but of the bible. It might seem difficult but God wants us to identify with what he has created us to be, he gave us unique identity and if we alter it, we sin against him.
First, find your own connection with God. Don't let any person or place dictate what that means. KNOW that you are a child of God and you are saved no matter what happens. Period. End of story.
We are free from the curse of sin. (Heb 7, Rom 13, Gal 2, Gal 5, 1 Cor 13, etc.) So why worry if someone accuses you of sinning? Jesus died for your sins, even if you don't repent. All you need to do is BELIEVE.
They are fools for condemning you as a sinner while claiming to be sinners. Their hearts are hard and that's truly sad. They buries their master's gold and build traps to make others stumble away from Jesus. Then they call their ignorance "truth" when it's anything but truth.
Praise those that condemn you for they validate your place in heaven.
Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden light. All you need do is LOVE. Love God and Love others. It's really that easy and that hard. (There's nothing harder than loving someone unconditionally while they attack you.)
My son is trans and I worry god will judge him.
We firmly believe that your child is beloved and treasured in their transness. That there is no judgment in living out your truth. That, in fact, living into your identity is EXACTLY where your kiddo needs to be!
That's right. God will judge you and your son (or daughter, I don't know how far gone you are and if you call your daughter "son") for blatantly ignoring the Scripture that He gave to you. There is no place for any lust or sexuality conflicts in Christianity. Your body will wither away, but your soul will end up corrupted.
Notice how he never once even said "Christ" in this video, while calling himself Christian, let alone addressed Christ as the Son of God and said that God is the Holy Trinity. The goal of ecumenism is to wipe Christ from the world, and dissolve and adulterate God with the world, by uniting Him with all other "religions" of the world, which are not religions and are actually cults, all of which came from satan. This "pastor" is by no means Christian, because he is deathly afraid of calling Christ the Son of God, and especially afraid to read the Scripture, which says everything you need to know about lust in Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6. It's clear that this pastor is a shining example of the people who are described in Revelations 2.
If you don't want to have to deal with any new age heresies that have been sown by the servants of antichrist, such as this "pastor", who is a wolf in sheep's clothing, then start studying Orthodox Christianity right now. That way you will be able to repent for this.
@@one_step_sideways You may believe as you wish. But "uproot and destroy" sounds like you get to judge and avenge. That is wrong. Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord.
Jesus tells us to build one another up. How are you doing that?
My faith is solid because it is between God and me with no dependence on anyone or anything in this world!
I live by Romans 13:8-10 so all those laws are fulfilled and none apply to me.
You can use the Bible to divide and exclude. But that was not the way of Jesus. He made friends with the worst sinners!
Or you can use the Bible to accept and include. As the saying goes:
Make a friend
Be a friend
Bring a friend to Jesus.
@@one_step_sideways you have no idea what you are talking about.
And your way of approaching people will save nobody while ensuring they turn theirs backs on God forever.
@@r-platt I'm not a fan of telling people comforting lies only for them to discover that the New Testament actually says that their lifestyle will damn them forever unless they give it up, which they will certainly not want to do. Their only choice would be to take the bitter medicine. Don't count on people "not getting saved" because Orthodox Christianity is rapidly expanding in the west, primarily due to the protestants converting to Orthodoxy after being lied to about the (in)significance of Christ and the Most Holy Theotokos according to the ecumenical New Age teachers who are wolves in sheep's clothing that pretend to be Christian. Did you not notice how this """pastor""" never once mentioned Christ in this video, despite calling himself Christian? Run from these people and search for the Truth. Read the teachings of the Holy Fathers if you can't discerns what the Bible actually says
I am a trans woman and this video came at a time where I simply needed to hear these words. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! AMEN
Trans people, you are so beautiful. There is no imperfection on you.
When I read “god created them male and female” I just go
So god is male and female
Why would he just keep us in neat little
Boxes?
Only the ignorant cling to their ideals yet hate others.
Serpent of this world, bowing to desire. You are what Jesus warned us about.
I am trying to find a church that accepts me
go to www.gaychurch.org and search by your location to start! You might have to look at their website to make sure they explicitly mention gender identity, but it will help you narrow in on a place to start!
@@qtheology thank you God Bless! 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️