As attitudes toward LGBTQ inclusion shift, growing numbers are deconstructing or abandoning their faith, despite the painful and often years-long process.
Thanks for this thoughtful piece! We just published a journal special issue on “Trans-Spiritualities” that takes on some of the struggles of us trans-queer folk in religious places, but also how we’ve used religious ritual and community in our transitions. https://www.aprilonline.org/project/vol-75-no-1/
Unfortunately it's not just the Mormon Church that treats people differently if they don't buy into the entire system. I will never understand how a parent or any family member can turn away from you just because you love somebody of the same sex. Some of these religions and I'd say especially in the US go really over board in their belief. It's akin to a cult. Leaving it is akin to leaving a cult, that should tell you something. I myself don't believe in god. I was raised Roman Catholic but my parents weren't "religious" about it lol. They just wanted me to be a good person so learning the 10 commandments, and trying not to break too many of them, was all they asked of me. When I was 13 I quit going to mass and I told my parents I didn't want to go anymore because I didn't believe in it. I had lost my faith. Or as someone told me "I've been 40 years Religion free" ('-') in my case it's 63 years. I don't care if someone wants to go that route, I just wish they'd be kinder and dare I say it more "Christian" in their beliefs. So many of them are extremely judgemental, which to me defeats all that love and mercy you are supposed to show to all your fellow man. I look at all the trump "handmaidens" he surrounds himself with and they invariably wear crucifixes, wether large or small but always prominently. Then they spout the most vile things about their citizens, with glee! Thanks for this story Jake. Maybe someone will read it and realise life doesn't have to be this way. You can live however you want so long as you can keep the basic regards of human kindness in your words and actions.
Thanks for this thoughtful piece! We just published a journal special issue on “Trans-Spiritualities” that takes on some of the struggles of us trans-queer folk in religious places, but also how we’ve used religious ritual and community in our transitions. https://www.aprilonline.org/project/vol-75-no-1/
Unfortunately it's not just the Mormon Church that treats people differently if they don't buy into the entire system. I will never understand how a parent or any family member can turn away from you just because you love somebody of the same sex. Some of these religions and I'd say especially in the US go really over board in their belief. It's akin to a cult. Leaving it is akin to leaving a cult, that should tell you something. I myself don't believe in god. I was raised Roman Catholic but my parents weren't "religious" about it lol. They just wanted me to be a good person so learning the 10 commandments, and trying not to break too many of them, was all they asked of me. When I was 13 I quit going to mass and I told my parents I didn't want to go anymore because I didn't believe in it. I had lost my faith. Or as someone told me "I've been 40 years Religion free" ('-') in my case it's 63 years. I don't care if someone wants to go that route, I just wish they'd be kinder and dare I say it more "Christian" in their beliefs. So many of them are extremely judgemental, which to me defeats all that love and mercy you are supposed to show to all your fellow man. I look at all the trump "handmaidens" he surrounds himself with and they invariably wear crucifixes, wether large or small but always prominently. Then they spout the most vile things about their citizens, with glee! Thanks for this story Jake. Maybe someone will read it and realise life doesn't have to be this way. You can live however you want so long as you can keep the basic regards of human kindness in your words and actions.
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