Gender Laws Forced on Churches?

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Esaias

lol

No, I'm just trying to find out what the story is.

Thanks for the info.

I'm not too familiar with how Facebook works, I don't do Facebook.

I found the testimony:

I love my church. I'd like to share something awesome about it. But I have to start with a not so awesome part. It starts when I originally came out publicly as transgender. It was shortly before I was to head off to navy boot camp. This was BEFORE President Obama eliminated the "don't ask don't tell" policy for gays in the military, so I knew I'd have to hide myself for the next four years.

Obviously, I wanted a day to enjoy myself as who I was, and to the fullest. I did this during the St. Martin's Road Fair in Franklin (a suburb of Milwaukee). For those of you who don't know what that is, it's basically a two to three mile rummage sale, I guess. Anyway, St. Martin's Rd is where that church is located. So on this Sunday, church is moved to the previous Saturday, so that the church may open its parking lot to the public, for a donation price. Members of the church parked for free.

Now, I'll spare details, but suffice it to say, only those who knew me knew the truth. I was skinny and convincing; to any who didn't know me, I was female. Period.

Anywho, I went there with my mother. As members of the church, we parked in the church lot. When I was finished with my shopping and returned to the car, I ran across my pastor (name withheld).

This is where the story becomes comparative.

You know what he told me? Not to be seen on church property like that, because people might think the church condoned it. What's worse is that, at the next church service, my parents return home all upset because the pastor rained hell down on THEM for it!

REALLY?

First off, no one even knew I was a guy. In the early morning before it got too crowded, a vendor said "Morning ladies" to my mother and I as we passed. Second, even had I been obvious, how would anyone know I even attended that church? (Which at the time, I did not). Third, since when is it the pastor's job to worry what people outside free church think? Finally, if he was going to come down on anyone, it should've been ME. NOT my parents.

Now the good part. You all at ATC remember how I showed up to my first service there? Black and blue dress, silver high heels. And I know, I didn't look convincing, you all knew I was a male. And how did everyone react, including Pastor Soto himself?

The same way you would with anyone else. With love. With open arms. With comments like "What'd you think, coming back again?" "Glad to have you here!" "Welcome to our church!"

So in closing, let's compare what each pastor accomplished. My former pastor: nothing good. I simply began to hate the man, and swore never to return to his church even should I have gotten right with God. Pastor Soto: My eventual change into the MAN God made me, putting me back on the path to heaven!

Thank God for the churches that still do things right!