Diversity of Trans* Part 5: A Christian’s Journey from Male to Female: Addie
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2021
- Addie was raised in a conservative Christian home and has always had a strong faith in Jesus. Addie also has experienced severe gender dysphoria from a young age, and after much prayer, study, and seeking counsel, she decided to transition from male to female toward the end of college.
Add is very happy with her decision, believes it was the right thing for her to do, and still has a robust faith in Jesus. Addie is still theologically and politically conservative, so she doesn’t fit neatly into the categories that people often have of trans* people.
If you would like to learn more about the trans* conversation from a Christian perspective, check out my new book Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say: www.amazon.com/Embodied-Trans...
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I wish you posted a link to Addie’s social media!!! I would love to hear her more or be able to reach out with Questions!!!
Thank you for this conversation! So blown away by Addie!
Really blessed by this conversation. As a conservative Christian & also a transgender woman, it is hard to find supportive voices like Addie.
I'm learning a lot. Thank you.
Glad to hear a story that isn't about detransition. I became a Christian before I came out as a transwoman. I knew God could see my heart and knew who I was inside. I went from "something" was wrong with me to I know who I am and I am glad.
This was an eye opening conversation really made me think thank you 😊
I only wish I was as gracious, Christlike and wise as Addie. She inspired me to be diligent to accept the things I cannot change, have the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Thank you for this important conversation.
Is there away that I can meet her? Cause she's awesome! The most BASED girl on the planet!
You deserve good things, thanks for sharing
I love this lady. The answer to all of these sexual problems is learning, understanding, and living these people.
Interesting perspective. Addie seems bright and well spoken. Grateful she came on.
Loved the respectful and welcoming tone of this conversation. It broadens people's horizons to get to know a trans person. I would have liked to hear Addie's interpretation of the several scriptures that condemn homosexual activity. Addie did not comment on the morality of same sex activity in relation to biblical teaching. This is important to me because these are issues that come up in conversations in the public square all the time. It's important to me as a Christian to develop a language that is both loving and honest in approaching these issues. Perhaps in another conversation, Preston can have this discussion.
I like Addie’s comparison of dysphoria to autism because I do believe we live in a fallen world where we are often born with disabilities/disorders (mental and physical). I love her practical and graceful understanding of people who have been unkind to her. I have huge compassion and love for Addie and everyone who struggles with dysphoria. I am still not convinced, however, that transitioning is the answer to this disorder. I will keep my mind own though.
Transitioning isn't _the_ answer for everyone struggling with gender dysphoria, but it can be an answer for a lot of us.
In attempting to live with my own dysphoria I did everything I, counsellors, therapists, theologians, philosophers, academics, pastors etc., could think of to no avail -- for decades. It was only after starting HRT that I realised just how off I felt, and how severe my depression was. And I'm someone who wanted to do anything but take steps towards transitioning. The reality is we live in a fallen world, and we don't always have the choices we want to have. I was facing the decision of taking steps towards transition or risking severe depression and worse. HRT, for as life complicating as it is, relieved what I had thought was unassailable misery.
So I think what's somewhat frustrating is the scepticism others display when I and others say that what we've done has meaningfully, substantially helped. In my case, it wasn't a decision taken lightly -- far from it. But as someone who has some insight into the condition, I have an idea of what I'm talking about. Dysphoria may be disordering but that's been an intellectual driver more than a detractor. When others dismiss what's helped me and people like me, because they aren't 'convinced', then what? Is it that you or others aren't convinced that transition is the answer, or aren't convinced that the person struggling with dysphoria has it together? Maybe both? I've always taken 'not convinced' to be unjustified scepticism of the person.
But anyway, as someone who didn't want transitioning to be the answer, it's frustratingly turned out to be what's helped the most. Being a medically diagnosable condition, and all.
It's a simple as this: no matter what you "say" if you dishonour the Creator by disposing of the body He gave you , you are worshipping the creature more than the Creator. Psalm 139
I desperately needed this as a trans man myself…
Yess girl. God loves you all the way. All that transgender is is someone is born one sex inside and the other inside. They accept who they are within and express that outside. The world and churches may hate that but girrrrl I love that. You go!
So moved by what Addie said about having a Christ-like attitude & making ourselves uncomfortable to be at the margins. (44:29) Thank you
Congratz bro!
@32:30-34 - I wonder if the electric feelings and disturbances could have been caused by an evil spirit? I went through this recently so I saw some parallels… love her and love this conversation. But evil spirits affecting how we feel and think are more real than I ever cared to believe or accept
Total disconnect of this person's own words: " I didn't transition to be happy...I transitions to be a whole and healthy person" Can anyone tell me the difference ?
Thankyou darling
Here is someone who has gone prodigal and refuses to come into the full knowledge of their true spiritual state. No stand at all from Preston I agree this is sickening.
This persons words "I worked on it on my own"
Interesting! I'd be curious to know Addie's scriptural justification for transitioning.
well there isn't a verse saying "dont be trans" so i don't see a problem
@@bbbloodboy6121 I mean her response to "clobber passages."
It amazing to hear how different Addie’s experience is from Helena’s and the others on Pique Resilience with a “different kind of trans*.”
Addie, you're a most spectacular Christ-like sister. So proud of you.
Please forgive me since commenting here is the current maximum extent of my courage to be visible?
Whether anyone considers themselves christian or not, may I please include some extra nuance to your conversation? I have no intention of attempting any kind of evangelization in my contribution, I would however like to supply some extra dimensión to the discourse. To advance some concepts I would like to present some quotes.
First:
Isa 56:4-5 KJV 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Second:
Mat 19:11-12 KJV 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Third:
Act 8:26-40 KJV which I consider too long to be quoted here.
I would love to note first that the term eunuch in these quotes seems to be defined by the Lord Jesus himself to include intersex individuals (eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb). Unwilling (some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men) and willing (eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs) individuals appear similarly defined.
May I also note the quote (unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters). I am aware that original Hebrew literally is translated "a hand and a name" greater than of sons and of daughters. I am, however, quite intrigued by the implications that eunuchs are given recognition separate from sons and from daughters.
I consider myself to be a eunuch (trans). I am not exactly a son and not exactly a daughter. I have a woefully masculine face and physique but I am definitely not a son (AMAB MTF post SRS (GCS)). Therefore I do not fit in sons' spaces or daughters' spaces.
I have immersed myself in the philosophical, psychological, political and theological literature and media for a significant portion of seven decades and conclude that I am physically, politically, perceptually and theologically non-binary. Psychologically, I have identified as female since the age of two or three but diligent discipline discouraged any hint or discussion of my feminine identity or behavior. My ideal puberty would have included hormone blockers until a legally acceptable age to begin HRT and GCS (SRS) and then as nearly normal womanhood as attainable.
In actuality, the diligent discipline has induced my voluntary celibacy and perception that I have been insidiously gaslighted and have a subtle incidence of complex traumatic stress disorder by the dismissing, ignoring, denying and suppressing of my gender identity.
I hope my comments and the quotes are discovered to be beneficial. I pray that nothing is found to be triggering because my intent was to be somehow loving, compassionate and empathetic to each and everyone. If you have deigned to read this entire comment, thank you much!
Dear Ms. Williams, I hear your gracious words as the words of Christ in you. Thank you for adding to the conversation.
Wow that’s amazing passages u quoted. Seems there is more positive about eunuchs then any negative!!!
Thank you for sharing your experience and being vulnerable. Out of love for you and genuine curiosity and seeking my own learning, I have a question that I hope will not be offensive . I am grateful you pointed out the eunuchs in the Bible bc this is very important. I have not researched the cultural time context of how eunuchs would have been defined (if other than “abnormal/missing/mixed” genitals), however it is a valid point.
My question is in the course of your experience have you ever considered that your negative experience or “dysphoria” could have been caused by an evil spirit that may have been helped by deliverance ministry aka exorcism and breaking off negative spiritual energies off your family or bloodline etc?
I ask this because I have had a lot of independent learning in this area (with spirits not with lgbtqia issues). And I am trying to figure out for myself if this issue is a true soul problem as people experiencing, or if it is a spiritual bondage that hijacks identity.
Either way, the experiences of people are real and should be respected and that isn’t something to be taken away. I am asking just for my own learning and want to see if people are exploring this area as a means of solution prior to acceptance.
Thank you so much.
We all have a cross to bear as christians surely we are to help each other bear that cross not affirm it.
So, Im half way through and super confused. Is this a progressive christian site?
what is meant by "progressive christian"?
@@colleenmorgan9140 Maybe look into Alyssa Childers. She can give a better understanding of it. But, in short, it's a very liberal version of Christianity and as such, doesn't represent orthodix christianity.
@@theologymatters5127 I've been watching or listening to Preston for a while. I don't believe he is progressive christian (I COULD BE WRONG). He does however challenge Christians to have the difficult conversations. Obviously sin is sin, but have you ever taken the time to learn someone's story instead of just telling them they are going to hell? Watching these videos challenges me to see everyone as a person who needs Jesus just like I needed him. It's not acceptance. It's making sure I see EVERYONE as a human just like me and not "some sinner".
Hey! Yeah I listen to both Alisa Childers and Preston Sprinkle. He's not a progressive christian in the sense that Alisa warns about. He affirms the inerrancy of the Bible and holds to an orthodox Christian faith, including an orthodox view of sexuality. He is just attempting to equip the church to love people in LGBTQ+ community well, and part of that includes listening, dialogue and conversation.
@UC6MiiwWpRS-Ttn_PNyO61ng at the end of the day, everyone’s opinion doesn’t matter. We all have to submit to what God’s Word says. Its very challenging to say the least.
I wonder where this person will be in 10 years or 20 years or 30 years if they live long enough will they repent. Lord have mercy
Deu 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are ABOMINATION unto the LORD thy God.
When something is an ABOMINATION unto God himself, how can that be the law of Moses?
yes but thats not a male... she's a female wearing female clothes
@@bbbloodboy6121 Don't get it twisted, it's a man in women's clothing! Crossdressing transgender!
@@opengates777 I can see how you're confused transgender isn't cross dressing (don't worry I also made this mistake when I heard about transgender)
@@ingrid88 a preop trans woman is still a trans woman .
Yes I am a Christian
@@ingrid88 materialism is irrelevant in this discussion...
Many Christians nowadays are blinded by hate even I was and in this blind hatred we forgot one of our most important rules...
To love thy neighbour no mater their identity ...
I wish for both sides to reach an understanding with each other ...
And maybe even save some atheists
(I'm not trans btw)
Don't forget that Satan can appear as an "Angel of Light". This is completely deceptive ...so sad! Ezekiel 9:4 4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
There is so much here in this conversation.I wrestled with wanting to be a woman since about 12, when I realized what it meant to be saved I was starting college and through my life I have tried to get closer to Jesus and to be obedient to God, but my desire to be a woman never left me. I have heard just say no to sin and submit yourself to God and the devil will flee. I could never resist the desire to dress as a woman, many times I asked God to take the desires away.I never connected what I was doing behind closed doors with being transgender. At 59 I prayed for God to take the desires away and He said embrace them and transition. When I obeyed God it was like a breathe of fresh air, a weight lifted off, freedom, peace.My relationship with God got better. I'm a conservative Christian, I've been Republican since college but I am pretty discouraged. I have seen in the Conservative Christian church about the same as Addie, the scriptures say do to other as you would have them do to you, love your neighbor as your self. What you have done to the least of these you have done to me. Jesus was not concerned about getting into the difficult and uncomfortable places, but the church seems to, there seems to be the thing of don't associate with sinners it will look like you are sinning. I have seen the hurt the church has done to the LGBT community, people told they are not welcome in their church so are afraid to go to a church or turn to another religion.A young transgender woman told me she turned to satanism because she saw more love there, when you know how much Jesus loves us that hurts. I go to a Methodist church now, I belong to the women's mission group and 90% of the women are older then me but they see and treat me as just another woman. They don't worry about being in the bathroom with me, they even have conversation with me there. The dresses,stockings,heels, and makeup are all great, but the greatest thing,Before transition I could not concentrate on prayer, worship, or the sermon, now I am able to focus on the whole service.
I'm about the most manly guy one would ever meet. Think like a guy, act like a guy...But all my life my desire has been to be a female. It is almost as if somewhere deep inside, my soul is female and wants to be in a female package...I love and serve the Lord, but have fought this all my life.
Satan is the author of confusion but there is freedom in Christ
and she has found it
True ,bbbb…nothing like a confused Christian that walks in judgment ,instead of the freedom in Christ that allows you to live your own truth.
i think you are butifull woman . JESUS annd i am not just talk about your phicical appearation and i admir jenner her curage at coming out.
Preston, really? Really? Your fawning is a little sickening. It's one thing to ask questions and listen. But to be so amazed, as if this person had done something heroic of obedience to God or for others...c'mon, man! It'd be nice for those of us listeners who care what the Bible says (since we're listening to two people who supposedly care, right?!) to get to hear a discussion about the hard passages that appear to contraindicate what Add has done. Instead of your sickening fawning!
Every episode he does is sickening.
She is heroic,she has to endure comments like yours that would wish to invalidate her experience .Preston is being considerate and asking questions that require an honest answer and if you listened he did not answer for and her answers could have gone both ways.it seems it did not go your way and now you are upset.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths
Yeah that’s not the case here buddy!
@@Jade-jp7ny ok PAL. Simply because you don't have an actual argument doesn't mean you can hit me with a friendly condescending prejorative.
@@kentfink9509 I have many arguments mam!!!
@@Jade-jp7ny and you haven't given one.
@@kentfink9509 which specifically do u want me to address?
Romans 16:1 to Romans 16:32
Deuteronomy 22:5
The Word of God is Blessed!
You need to read "Unclobber"
Those scriptures are the words of fallen men not god. God is love and does not judge,yet you indulging in those opinions of man are doing just that. Jesus on the other hand said judge not lest you be judged.the love we should show another must come from our hearts ,hearts alive to the risen Christ then we connect to the gift that was offered at the foot of the cross.
What a great conversation … my only concern is that she was brought up in a possibly cessationist denomination. This means spiritual healing likely wasn’t addressed. Evil spirits and generational issues are very real and if she never had deliverance (if it was something spiritual) she will never know if that was contributing to this dysphoria or not… bless her and may we all grab closer to Jesus and receive wholeness from Him 💜
Not to sound ignorant but I find it difficult to believe that God is okay with transitioning. In effect, you’re saying God’s design for you is a mistake, and that you need to correct that.
My exact thoughts. God doesn't make mistakes.
But where do we draw the line? Not correcting cleft palate because God made them that way?
But what about braces correcting your teeth if God doesn't make mistakes 🤷♀️
Many people are born blind or handicapped in some way.
Well your comment sounds quite ignorant,I am a Christian and god is love,the mistake is to attribute human wishes and desires about what god thinks of us all and replace a non judgmental love with a human opinion wrapped around a flaky picture of a god that designed us all as neat little cooky cutter clones of one another.
Would you want this person in your children's life?
My prayer is that he will realize that God made him a man and that's no mistake. God doesn't make mistakes.
Tell that to someone born without limbs.
@@tracygeddes5867 Hardly the same thing.
@@colleennewell3264 from an anti transgender position, sure! Any rational is ok when you plain just don’t like or understand something. Tell someone with a congenital heart condition, don’t get surgery, god does not make mistakes, just live a short life it’s ok. So easy when you are not the one. Tell a transgender ,it’s all in your head ,how do I know, well……..ITS NOT IN MINE …and god does not make mistakes…..trivialising another’s reality with ignorance and speaking for god is easy when all you have is opinions formed in the mist of anti trans euphoria.
@@colleennewell3264 did you complain about my reply to your statement and have it removed? Tell a hermafradite ,one born with both sex characteristics that they are a man or woman. we let doctors choose the final sex, or are we better than those that would wish the best for them. why because we think that putting the burden on them to live a life less fruitful is ok ,god did not make a mistake so we say, live with it.
This is wicked.
No it is not. All one is doing is accepting who they are within and showing that on the outside.
@@kateofone actually, it's the opposite of that. Who we are "within" is our biological sex. This doesn’t mean we have to be stereotypical men or women. In fact, it's the trans movement that stereotypes, that says "if you don't fit into the typical male or female box, you are unfit to be male or female (respectively)." It's (ironically) the opposite of tolerance.
@@Luke_Radiosmash Wrong, the trans movement says if you are a trans man this is you and if you are a trans female this is you. The non binary crowd took it all over. They are just confused.
If this is so wicked where are the scriptures to prove it?
Leo is correct. This is not Christianity.