Distinction Between 'Man and Woman' is a Western Idea, Not Universal
We know there have been humans who found themselves neither male nor female or were both in Inda since very ancient times. India, before the British invaded, considered those of neither gender to be revered, or, we would say, holy. They represented the souls of gods who transcended the human bonds of male and female. Once western society took over India and began bashing this ancient idea things got worse for bisexual and trans people. Today they struggle. Yet, history gives us insight into this human experience. There can be no doubt whatsoever non-specific gender is part of human history, part of the human experience.
The ultimate cruel joke that has been made from pulpits is that "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." It turns out the Christian version of a god is not the only game in town. Other gods made Adams and Steves. A wise preacher does not think of himself as a world class standup comedian.
Indian philosophy has long considered the soul as a station beyond gender.
"The supreme being from whom the universe emerged, Brahman, appears in the ancient sacred writings known as the Vedas, without gender. Innumerable mythological stories affirm that a person can choose to embrace the male or female form, depending on the circumstances." (from link)
It took until 2014 for the Indian Parliament to pass a law protecting the rights of the group which does not claim a gender. After the law was passed it took four more years for courts to uphold the law.
After all of that, Western thinking is still alive and well in India on this issue. Great Britain and its Bible should have stayed home.
I think Christianity had done its job well to preach what God has taught and what He wishes his creation to learn and spread the good news. The vast majority is not confused. There are women and men, boys and girls and there are some who are confused because God's opposition wishes to draw them towards Hell. The soul is a spirit. It is without gender. God is a spirit. The Holy Spirit is a spirit. Both are without gender. Jesus Christ is both spirit and flesh.
ReplyDeleteGod made Adam and Eve; Adam a man and Eve a woman.
Matt-- "and some are confused.." by Satan.
DeleteIt is you who is confused. You know there are people who are both male and female. You believe God created all things. That God created people who are both male and female confuses you. How could the God I formed in my mind do that, you reason, if I myself do not approve?
Not to worry. When on imaginary being fails you, just create a different one and blame it. Satan comes riding in to save you from your confusion.
I know that babies are created with gender issues. People have other abnormalities. Regardless, there are two genders.
DeleteThere are lots of shades of black and brown, etc.
Matt--"Regardless there are two genders."
DeleteHistory and current experience shows this is not true. There are genderless people. Some babies are born with indeterminate genders and there are many thousands of adults who mentally find themselves without gender. That there are only two genders comes from the Bible, not reality.
Male, female, and those born with complex issues involving parts of male, female, etc. As to those who have psychological issues, they are now being untreated since a political lobby wants them untreated since they regard them as normal.. This maltreatment, or lack of treatment, serves neither them or society as a whole. Jon, your malice towards people of Faith is a primary reason you and others like you gnaw away at the fabric of our society. You create hatred where it shouldn't exist. I don't hate you but you don't seem to be happy unless you turn people against each other. I know you will claim the Bible, God or Jesus is at fault. The fight between good and evil started with the first family, Adam and Eve. And it didn't take long for the first murder; Cain and Abel.
DeleteMatt--"As to those who have psychological issue, they are now being untreated since a political lobby since a political lobby wants them untreated since they regard them as normal."
DeleteYou are the prototypical cruel Christian that pretends the world is one way when it is factually something else. You look with distain on those you consider lesser. Who, pray tell, is available to change people who determine they are a different gender than that assigned to them at birth? Are they candidates for Catholic exorcism? Or, maybe a preacher like Pat Robertson who will command the devil to leave that person the way he commanded God to route a hurricane around his house? Or, may you yourself are capable of changing such people?
I'd suggest your first patient should be Chaz Bono. He changed from the name and gender of his birth, Chasitity, almost two decades ago and has been happier ever since. He must be lectured on how sinful it is to have found his happiness.