What is the essential point as a Christian? This is an important question that we all need to ask ourselves. I'm going to first make a disclaimer and say that I am an Orthodox question and there are many dogmatic principles I strongly disagree with in western traditions. However, that does not mean that I condemn such people. That's not my right and thankfully God is much merciful towards mankind than we are towards each other. In addition, although I do believe in Orthodoxy, I also remember as Christ said, "Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow with us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name that will be able to soon speak evil of Me. For he who is not against you is for you." (Mark 9:38-40). Therefore, we must always remember that this is the important thing. Accepting Christ's love and realize it is for all people. We should never be judgmental. I know that I, myself, am lazy, proud, rude, etc. I have no reason to judge others. Unfortunally, many of us women are judged by others. Yet, remember this is not Christian and goes against God's commandments. For do not forget that often the main establishment of Christianity is often not Christian in their ways. Christ also tells us, ""Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name we cast out demons, and in Your name we did many mighty works?' And then I will confess to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you who work iniquity!'(Mat 7:21-23)" Thus, let us see what God tells us are his commandments. It is quite simple really. " Then one of the scribes came, after he heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31)"" I think it is quite clear on the message of the Christian faith. I'm not going to spend too much time rehashing arguments why transsexuality is acceptable, but I shall say a few brief words in review. Although, there are definite rules in Christianity and Orthodoxy all of them should be evaluated in these two commandments. Again, I have stated before, and elsewhere on the Internet there are many articles showing how being Transgendered does not go against, St. Paul's commandments and also agrees with Christ's commandment. As a transgendered woman, admitting this and acting it, I have found that I can love my neighbour much more than before as well as myself. When one is living a lie, it is toward themselves, their neighbours, and God. A liar cannot show love, for they are refusing to show themselves, and instead a facade. It is impossible to love that which is false.
Anyways, How do we live to God's commandments? How can we love God before all else and how do we love our neighbour? This is a change that cannot come externally. Rather, it must come from the internal and through the heart. It must come the completed prayer. Prayer is our weapon. It is how we survive the physical and emotional attacks of Fundamentalists, extremists, and bigots. The Old Beliver Prayerbook (Which I've often used as I find the prayers quite beautiful) says this:
"Prayer is not a part of our life; it is our life. Our every thought, word, deed-indeed, every breath -ought to be part of the soul's constant conversation with the ever-present God, ". . . in [Whom] we live, and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). If we love God with a perfect love, then our every movement will express our aspirations towards union with Him, looking to the day when we may join the unceasing doxologies of His heavenly court."
St. Ignatius Brainchianov says, "Prayer should be [one's] chief task. It should be the centre and heart of all his activities . . . . Prayer is the practical expression of love for God. It is also a practical expression of love for one's neighbour." For we must change the external before we change the internal. We can get all the surgery, therapy, hormone replacement, and wardrobe that we desire. However, until we move our soul constantly towards God we are spiritually dead. Therefore, remember to be Christian is not to judge one another or placing ourselves back under the law like the Pharissees. Rather, it is learning to love God and man, through prayer. We then add scripture reading and readings of the Holy Fathers. Everything else follows natural. For we cannot become true women until we become true Christians.