Gender Fluidity in the Mormon Church



The Mormons have had the same problem gender as other conservative branches of Christianity. Since their entire version of the faith is different their responses to gender issue has been a little different as well. Mostly though it has had the same view as some others in the faith, how a person refers their gender is something that can be correct or not correct. And, if it is not correct it needs to be managed by leaders in the faith. These leaders can instruct followers on the proper answer to the question, "What is my gender?"

The Mormon fancy footwork on gender, as well as nearly all other socially conservative branches, reminded me of something believers often say to me. They say, "I can see you are struggling with your religious views."  I do not "struggle" at all with them. Gay people are often said by religious people to be "struggling with their sexual identity." There may be some who cannot figure out their gender or which gender they are attracted to but the vast majority are not "struggling" at all. 

It the Christian faith that is "struggling." Denominations are splitting of gender. Within individual churches there is bitter disagreement. There are proposals to change existing theology.

This entire thing about "managing" which gender a person is or "managing" which gender a person is attracted to is a cruel part of Christianity. When one changes from male to female or visa versa or finds he/she is attracted to same sex if often told he is headed for torment in eternity. Sometimes parents tell this to their own children. That someone really believes another is headed for an eternity in a fiery hell is not honest because there is no proof this is true. Its purpose is simply revenge for enjoying a life the Christian does not approve of.

The Mormon church has changed its positions somewhat over time. While it is healthy to change when change is demanded a better strategy of all branches of Christianity is to back out of gender politics. Having no position at all is better than having the wrong position.

https://religionnews.com/2020/05/29/mormonisms-surprising-gender-fluidity/



Comments

  1. Ardy BJune 2, 2020 at 5:43 AM

    Jon,
    From the link: gender is a social construct. We have the father-god, the son-god, and the divine he-spirit. For some reason I thought the Holy Spirit might be referred to with the pronoun “it”. Reading up on your post yesterday I found the Holy Spirit always referred to using the pronoun “he”. Dummy me for being so naive. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is said to be the one unforgivable sin and generally takes the form of refusing to accept “his” offer of salvation — an offer you must not refuse. I will likely seal my fate once again but a gender fluid or gender neutral Holy Ghost seems reasonable to me. It mitigates some of the machismo of the Christian trinity. Just a thought from an outsider.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jon LindgrenJune 2, 2020 at 6:38 AM

    Ardy B "...Holy Spirit might be referred to with ..'it'"

    Is that blasphemy or not, good question. And what if someone refers with "she." Is that blasphemy? Or would it be blasphemy to call Holy Spirit "Bi"? Since the Holy Spirit has never been gender specific maybe he/she has some gender uncertainty or struggle.

    ReplyDelete
  3. little helperJune 2, 2020 at 6:48 PM

    See Wiki; "gender of the Holy spirit". It varies by Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic, and the contextual function of the Holy Ghost / Spirit. Most consider it neutral apart from context of subject, with exceptions such as nephish (breath) feminine.
    Did an exhaustive word study, and interestingly , Holy Ghost / Spirit was preceded by "The", and not followed by "he, she, or it", indicating primarily neutral.
    I have always understood the Holy spirit as neutral, without a hint of speculative "gender uncertainty or struggle."

    ReplyDelete
  4. little helperJune 2, 2020 at 7:06 PM

    PS. I've never considered it important. I'm an equal opportunity advocate for the position. I come from a long line of women. My mother was one. Her "Nepesh" breath of life/ soul was helpful.

    ReplyDelete

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