Off those who grew up within a religious household...

[Allie Lowell]

...who have embraced the faith their parents instilled in them and who have rebelled totally against it?

I fall into the latter category. My two sisters and I were bought up in a Salvation Army environment. My sisters are older than me. I did what they did, cos it was the norm. At seven I became a Junior Soilder. I had to give up swimming lessons which I really enjoyed cos of singing and band practice down at the army. My Sunday's were spent in a stuffy uniform, sitting through sermon's I took no notice of. I felt totally emabarrased in that uniform. I hated being seen in public in it. At 15 I left after mush hassle and argument off my parents. It had all come to a head when my form teacher was heavily involved in the Salvation Army and she started getting to familiar with me. Obviously thinking I actually enjoyed being in the Army. I didn't, I HATED it with a passion.

I don't and have NEVER believed in God. Not in the way them in the SA believe or people of other religions. What really made me hate religion is when my mother said God comes first, not me, not her living breathing family, but some 'myth' created to brainwash people into thinking something is out there that is generally regarded to be male, although I suspect it may either not exist or is perhaps non male and non female. It just is.

I hate the bible. I don't want to offend those that are religious, but to me, the bible is used to control lives, not guide. It's what I describe as a HUGE chinese whisper, that has been twisted and written in a way that demoralises people, especially women.

God is what you think it is. To me it's just a label. To me, you just have to be a good person, with a kind heart and even those who are deeply religious murder if their faith is in any way stained cos somebody rejects it. To me, religion causes war's, murder, I'd rather just be what I am, not what some religion dictates.

[bluehorizonx10]

Welcome to the board Allie. I'm sorry that your early childhood wasn't what you'd have liked it to be. Unfortunately sometimes we do get sidetracked into believeing the Bible and God is not what they actually are. God is love, simply. The Bible is the guideline for believer's in God and His Son. It tells us the history of our world and faith. It also gives us the prophecy of what will come. The most important thing I believe it teaches is love for God, Jesus, our family, and everyone. Through that love our life is richer and more joyous. Living a life of belief in God and the Bible teachings isn't meant to be a burden or a routine we follow. It's meant to bring us all life and life abundantly. That was God's promise to us.

It is very hard for a child to understand that they don't come first. But by putting God first He gives all we need to make our family and children first here on earth. God is our Heavenly Father, thus our obedience is to Him first of all. All we have to do is ask in true faith and love, and He will provide. I don't believe forcing a child or young person to do against their will is going to accomplish much. But by showing them that faith and love, and living with others that put love first instead of protocol will instill the deep faith and belief we need. But it's never too late to feel that love and faith. I actually heard a few weeks ago of a man in his eighty's that decided to put his trust in God and faith that there will be a Heaven through Jesus Christ where he can live forever. It's my prayer that everyone would feel that peace and love. :)

[gggggg]

God is badass! have you ever read the Old Testament? he lays down some cool ass COLD S**T! I mean that guy is just badass on wheels, it doesn't matter who you are, God will strike you DOWN like a homie if you interfere with his plans... I mean I think God is actually SHAFT...


I thought the New Testament was a bit of a cop out though, a bad sequel which softened the blow because of political correctness or some other mad ass ****... I mean, there's not even any SCAT in the New Testament! theres loads in the Old one...

[Allie Lowell]

Sorry, ggggggggggggg, but I never got NONE of that.

The only good thing to come out of ny upbringing is that I don't smoke, but the rest of the stuff drinking (bacardi & coke), swearing like Sister Wendy flooding for the first time in her life, I do.

[BeautifulTheory]

I definitely fall into the latter...which really sucks at the moment.

[Mattio]

Originally posted by Allie Lowell
swearing like Sister Wendy flooding for the first time in her life, I do. LOL! :biggrin:

[Earl Purple]

Stop mixing up the old and the new testament.

Either follow the Old Testament or follow the new one. You cannot follow both.

I was also brought up in a religious home and had a rebellious stage but came back by myself.

[Mattio]

I follow the CROWD, thanks.

[oldernow]

4 new posters in the religion forum in one day?

[tiger_rascal]

I follow the Holy Bible, which includes both the OT and the NT. :)

[Allie Lowell]

I follow Entertainment. Since I had SKY installed I've been in heaven. 'Kate & Allie' is the program I worship at the moment. Paramount stuffed up AGAIN t'day though. They had better not stuff up 'The Last Temptation of Allie' cos they will be hearing from me if they do. Or 'Allie's First Date'...I worship Jane Curtin...*get's on knees*...in a non obsessive and non lesbian way.

[Mattio]

Nike - you might like http://www.ptext.com

[butterfly]

I agree with a lot of what Allie said, and with a lot of what blue horizon said.

I'm sorry for what you had to go through Allie. I think your parents lost sight of what God is really about, which as blue horizon says is purely and simply love.

The Bible is full of so much stuff that's easy to misinterpret. Much of it was rewritten in the 4th century by the Emperor Constantine, there's a lot of things in there that I believe were suggestions rather than commands. All that's important is that we treat each other with love and respect, and if we believe (like I do) that there is a Heaven, where we all go when we leave here, that belief enriches our lives. I was terribly unhappy when I was an atheist, I felt I was worthless, just a random cosmic accident, but now I know that God really does love me, and I'm so glad he/she (the gender thing is irrelevant really) made me.

I believe that God's love is unconditional. I had a whole day of it once, so I know what I'm talking about. Whatever we've done, I believe we're all forgiven, every single one of us. I've done some pretty bad things myself, the worst being two suicide attempts, but God told me herself (she was in female mode at the time) that I was forgiven, that she loved me, and that I shouldn't worry about dying, because she wouldn't let me die. That was the day I was born again, the happiest day of my life. 25th September 2003. I appreciate everything a lot more since then, it all seems more real somehow. I enjoy being alive a lot more.

I didn't actually become a Christian until 5 weeks later after talking to a friend. I wasn't really sure which religion to go with until then. I know I made the right decision because, a few days later, and I've never told anyone this before, I happened to look out of my kitchen window, and you know when there are lots of clouds in the sky and you get some lighter ones behind the darker ones? Well, at that moment, the way the clouds were arranged, the lighter clouds made the shape of a cross against the darker ones. It was unmistakeable, and I took it as God telling me that I'd made the right decision.

Yes, I forget sometimes, when life events take over, and I still say things I regret, but I've got a lot of bad habits to unlearn and it's still early days.

[bekahbeans]

wow, that's a really cool story, Butterfly!

[bluehorizonx10]

Butterfly, that testimony turned something totally around for me today and I hope a lot of others. Thank you more than words can say. It was an answer to a prayer. God bless you.

[Earl Purple]

I'm not a new poster in this forum, I was posting here over 2 years ago under a different alias.

And try this link http://pub157.ezboard.com/bmessiahtruth

[butterfly]

Thanks bekahbeans and blue horizon! God bless both of you!

I'm also a resurrected former poster. I used to be Vicky_W and before that, Marcster. Don't know if you remember me. I was a bit screwed up back then.

I wasn't sure about posting here because I've had some bad experiences with transphobia and homophobia in the COT forum in the past, and handled it badly, but one of my new year's resolutions was to try not to be afraid, because fear is the enemy of us all, and it's fear that causes homophobia and transphobia.

I believe that God made me transsexual for a reason, and that he wants me to transition. I know other TSs who've been told by God that what they are isn't sinful. I chose the name butterfly because I feel like I'm transforming from a caterpillar into a butterfly.

I'm sure you remember Lauren (of Just N*joying N*Sync fame). Well, we've been an item since August! Unfortunately she doesn't get much time online these days. Hopefully she'll be around at some point though.

Luv n hugs,
Vicky. xxxxxxxxxxxx

[bekahbeans]

Oooh! I remember you! :D You seem much more peaceful now. I'm glad you're back because you did seem to be an incredibly interesting person. Weclome back :)

[butterfly]

Thanks bekah (I may call you that, mayn't I?)! I feel more peaceful now, and I have the Lord to thank for that, well, and therapy too... ;)

I like your sig btw, George Harrison is cool. I met him once, but it was only in a dream, so it doesn't really count. It was just after he left us, and I had the presence of mind to point out to him that "you're dead"! He replied that it was just a rumour spread by the NME! Great sense of humour. Although, as it was my dream, presumably it was my sense of humour...hmmm, confusing!

[bekahbeans]

Yes, you may call me Bekah ;)

Ooh, I met him too once! Mine was a dream as well hehe. Actually I met all of the Beatles, and when I had the dream only John was dead. We were at this...summer camp or something and I was swimming with Paul and then we went to go find the rest of them and they were all there! It was coo, except that John was in a wheelchair for some reason and the whole dream was in sepia tone.

:D

[butterfly]

Oh, that's really cool! I'm sure I've had dreams about the other Beatles too, but they were probably parts of other dreams where everything gets mixed up and I can never remember them.

'All Things Must Pass' is a brilliant album, I used to have it on vinyl and I wish I still did.

[bekahbeans]

Yes it is. My dad has it on record and now on CD too. I love it.

I have a George record too...it's just called George Harrison and it's really good but I can't find it on CD. *sigh* so sad.

[Allie Lowell]

Originally posted by Mattio
Nike - you might like http://www.ptext.com

:confused: I've emailed them, but I have no idea what they are.

[butterfly]

Sorry to turn Allie's thread into a George Harrison discussion but...

None of George's later albums have been released on CD outside of Japan (and even in Japan, they weren't available for long). Apparently 'George Harrison' is one of the best, and it's one of the few I haven't ever heard!

I think there are plans to remaster and reissue all of them fairly soon though.

The ones I have on CD are 'Wonderwall Music', 'Electronic Sound' (both very weird) and of course, 'All Things Must Pass'. And 'The Best Of George Harrison'.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Originally posted by butterfly
Thanks bekahbeans and blue horizon! God bless both of you!

I'm also a resurrected former poster. I used to be Vicky_W and before that, Marcster. Don't know if you remember me. I was a bit screwed up back then.

I wasn't sure about posting here because I've had some bad experiences with transphobia and homophobia in the COT forum in the past, and handled it badly, but one of my new year's resolutions was to try not to be afraid, because fear is the enemy of us all, and it's fear that causes homophobia and transphobia.

I believe that God made me transsexual for a reason, and that he wants me to transition. I know other TSs who've been told by God that what they are isn't sinful. I chose the name butterfly because I feel like I'm transforming from a caterpillar into a butterfly.

I'm sure you remember Lauren (of Just N*joying N*Sync fame). Well, we've been an item since August! Unfortunately she doesn't get much time online these days. Hopefully she'll be around at some point though.

Luv n hugs,
Vicky. xxxxxxxxxxxx

Congratulatons and welcome back. Are you transitioning from male to female then?

[bekahbeans]

Originally posted by butterfly
Sorry to turn Allie's thread into a George Harrison discussion but...

None of George's later albums have been released on CD outside of Japan (and even in Japan, they weren't available for long). Apparently 'George Harrison' is one of the best, and it's one of the few I haven't ever heard!

I think there are plans to remaster and reissue all of them fairly soon though.

The ones I have on CD are 'Wonderwall Music', 'Electronic Sound' (both very weird) and of course, 'All Things Must Pass'. And 'The Best Of George Harrison'.

Weird...I wonder how that album got here then. I found it for sale at a library for like 50cents. I love it but it's kinda old so it would be great to have on CD.

I hope they're all remastered and released soon. That would rock. We've only got George Harrison, All Things Must Pass...and I could swear we have another one. I'll have to check.

What was this thread abuot anyway? I've forgotten amidst the George convo. hehe, sorry.

[butterfly]

Oh, it was released on vinyl and presumably cassette pretty much everywhere, just that the CD only came out in Japan.

I bought a really nice mono first pressing of 'Sgt. Pepper' last year for £55 (that must be $80-90 or something?). Most expensive record I've ever bought! I'd love to be able to afford that kind of thing more often. I wish they'd put the mono mix out on CD though, the stereo ones in those days were really bad.

Yep, I am transitioning from male to female. I've been on hormones for just over 4 months, and my breasts are growing nicely now. I'm going to have to start wearing a bra soon. Electrolysis is going well too, I'm past the stage where I'll ever have to shave my face again.

It's interesting how a lot of TSs refer to having surgery in terms of being born again, kind of similar to a religious conversion. I suppose both are connected with discovering who we really are. I feel I'm moving closer towards the real me, and not just from one direction. It's wonderful! Still a long way to go though.

Hmm, what was the thread about? Oh yes, the people who grew up in a religious household and whether they rebelled against it. I suppose I did the opposite, I grew up in a non-religious household and became religious. They had me baptised, but that was pretty much it. My dad doesn't believe in God, I don't think my mum has thought about it, she'd probably say it wasn't really her thing. I think my dad would like to believe, because he's scared of dying and he's not happy being an atheist, but I haven't even told them about my vision, because my dad's the kind of person who needs absolute proof, and my mum treats me like I'm mentally disabled anyway.