Julie Marie Nemecek, formerly known as John Nemecek, has recently filed a suit against Spring Arbor University (SAU). The University is firing the transgender professor/Baptist minisiter effective June 1st, choosing not to tolerate Nemecek’s transformation from John to Julie Marie:
Pastor Tom Ramundo is superintendent for the southern Michigan conference of the Free Methodist Church, a conservative evangelical denomination with which the university is affiliated. He says Nemecek has been a cause célèbre for homosexual activist groups like PFLAG — Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
“It seems very carefully orchestrated,” says Ramundo in reference to the discrimination claim; “the way they’re going about it, the legal connections, the public relations move. I feel this professor has been very carefully coached on how to respond, on how to ‘come out,’ on how to build a case.”
According to Ramundo, Nemecek had been ignoring clear guidelines the school had laid out for him. “I know that university really well, and I know its leadership,” he says. “I am sure they have endeavored to treat him in a redemptive way.” The Free Methodist superintendent describes the situation as “just one of those issues where there’s that tension between love and purity, and the school’s just finally having to take a strong biblical stand.”
Can one be a transgender Christian? Rev. Ramundo apparently doesn’t think so. Neither does Spring Arbor University President Gayle Beebe, who has stated that Nemecek’s transition is “not in keeping with Biblical principles” and “inconsistent with the Christian faith.”
Neither, apparently, does Jerry Leach of Reality Resources (an Exodus International affiliated ministry). In a piece entitled Ex-Transsexual or Ex-Christian?, Leach quotes letter writer “Misty:”
After that I had been faced with the truth of the wickedness in what I had been doing as a post-operative male-to-female transsexual. The Bible says that sodomy between males is wrong. That physical, sexual relationships between men is wrong, just as it is between women. Devastated, I cried, “Oh dear ! Where does that leave me?”
Although I had been keeping pretty much to myself, I cut off all physical contact with other men. I then began to dress primarily in pants and tops, but I still looked like a woman. I then stopped taking the female hormones.
I want to glorify my God and recommence living as a man, but it’s a hard road to hoe. Just getting the courage to start taking males hormones is a real battle. Living as a man again will inevitably destroy existing friendships. I will be shocking to people who have come to know me as a woman. But I can’t go on like this for much longer.
Leach adds his own comments:
[Misty’s] personal regrets coupled with the ongoing inward prompting of a loving God; as well as the many Christian people sent his way, created a divided heart. Finally his heart was awakened to the reality that if he was to be a Christian, he had to abandon his false-feminine-self and become an authentic person.
And…
He has discovered that to be an ex-transsexual is more fulfilling than being an ex-Christian.
Yet despite the comments of Ramundo, Beebe, and Leach, one of the interesting issues that’s been brought up in Professor Nemecek’s legal complaint is that officials at Spring Arbor University have never precisely identified the Christian principles Nemecek violated. In other words, apparently Spring Arbor University has never spelled out exactly why it believes one can’t be transgender and Christian — to either Professor Nemecek or her attorney Randi Barnabee (one of the attorneys that litigated the Smith v. Salem case).
Professor Nemecek has herself pointed out that:
* In both undergraduate and graduate classes, SAU teaches an affirmative understanding of my medical condition and treatment consistent with what I am doing.
* The Free Methodist Book of Discipline lists gender identity issues – along with organ transplants and environmental issues – as ethical dilemmas not sin or something perverse.
* I have met with a Christian counselor – ordained by the Free Methodist Church – who has informed the university that my diagnosis is accurate, the treatment is effective and necessary, and that neither the diagnosis or treatment have any negative impact on my ability to do my job or continue a faithful Christian walk.
The answer one hears to the question of whether one can be transgender and Christian depends on who one asks. However, I tend to agree with general idea Timothy Kincaid put forth in his article for The Advocate entitled “Ex-gay” lies and God’s love:
…But the most damaging and difficult lie of all is that you cannot be gay and Christian.
Change the word “gay” to “transgender” in Timothy’s statement, and you’ll have a statement Julie Marie Nemecek and I would know as true.
——
Further reading:
– Transgender Professor Runs Afoul of ‘Ideals’ at Christian University, on Chronicle of Higher Education
– University firing transgender prof, by Dr. Jillian Todd Weiss on Transgender Workplace Diversity
“It seems very carefully orchestrated,” says Ramundo in reference to the discrimination claim; “the way they’re going about it, the legal connections, the public relations move. I feel this professor has been very carefully coached on how to respond, on how to ‘come out,’ on how to build a case.”
As opposed to… what, running around campus screaming “YEEEEEHAWWWW!!! LEMME KEEP MAH JAWB!!!”?
Thanks Autumn for a very well-reasoned summation. I believe that much of what you have said (and there is much more we have) will make their presumed legal defense untenable. I confronted Rev. Ramundo in person after writing him (his office is about 1/2 mile away) and he said he was “misquoted”. There is more on his repeated “misquotes” at my youngest son’s blog (MyFatherShe.com). Thanks again!
The process of coming out as a transgender person is complicated by the fact that there are legal changes such as name changing, revising past documents, and so on. Even simple workplace rules and laws regarding protection of one’s own job are complicated. In that respect, the coming out process is orchestrated because that’s what society wants and also what the person needs in order to protect themself.
I would like to comment though on the “ex-transsexual” counselors and people. I am going to go out on a limb and say that despite the best efforts of modern psychiatry and the safeguards they have in place, some people do indeed slip through the cracks. Once in a while mistakes are indeed made. We all are, after all, only human. As a post-operation transsexual myself, I can see the mistakes coming a mile away, any time someone comes to me seeking advice.
I myself conversed once with one of the most vocal “ex-transsexuals” out there. Recently I received an incredibly disturbing email from him. It seems that being an “ex-transsexual” and a christian, did not cure this person, only drives them to the brink of contemplating suicide on a day-to-day basis. Never have I talked to an unhappier person, except maybe for those who are seeking to have thier sex changes beforehand. It seems that a lot of times what these “reparative therapy” organizations do, is to find a person in a moment of weakness (it was a breakup from a long term relationship for this person) and prey upon this person, inculcating them with the bylines “It’s a sin, It’s bad, etc etc”. This to me is the worst kind of slop psychiatry in the history of humankind and how this can continue is beyond me. The crazy thing is, if this person ends up committing suicide, then the ex-transsexual movement steps backs and with hands up and declare “It wasn’t me. I didn’t do anything.”. If the person on the other hand re-transitions (and I have met a few of these people as well), then the same group throws up their hands and says “See this person won’t give up thier sinful ways.”. In other words, no matter what the outcome, they can never admit when they are wrong, since it would provide scientific evidence that thier brand of slop psychiatry can be faulty.
This case really ticks me off. My college was affiliated with the Wesleyan Church – a close cousin to the Free Methodists. The Conference Supt. is doing all he needs to do for damage control – blame the victim. That will work wonderfully well for those who do not understand transgenderism and just need a godly elder to reassure them that it is all about sin.
When the underlying theory behind repairitive therapy and practice is bogus, the results are almost always very negative. There needs to be some one who will sue these folks, and going after the repressed memory component present in many cases, would get their liability insurance canceled in a heart beat.
There have been way too many that have committed suicide. Why has no one sued?
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. [The Bible, John, 9:3].
Pastor Ramundo is terribly correct when he states, “It seems very carefully orchestrated….” This entire event, in my opinion, has been orchestrated by the Spirit of God so that the work of God can be put on full public display.
So many Christians are watching this event to observe the moving of the Spirit of God:
– Prof. Nemecek turned the other cheek when her salary was reduced, and carried the burden of the University an extra mile when they forbid her face-to-face contact with her own students. She gave up her tunic and her cloak when “sued” by the University to return to additional Christian psychological counseling. The counselor in turn provided to the University the statements showing that no sin was involved. Clearly, she has not sinned, as the Blind Man had not sinned over 2,000 years ago. Even more so, the Professor has lived Matthew chapter 5 in the midst of a mental disorder (Gender Identity Disorder) that is incredibly earth-shaking to the spouse, friends, sons, daughters, and self.
– But the University has made the error of the disciples of Jesus, and has continued to repeat the elementary question, “Who has sinned?” The proper and mature question is this, “What are the works of God? and How can we display the works of God in this situation?” The answer is that the works of God must be based on Mercy, Faithfulness, and Justice (Matt 23:23) at the very least; and the works must be within the constraints of love without fear of punishment. “God is love. … There is no fear in love, because fear has to do with punishment. The man that fears is not made perfect in love.” [1 John 4:16-18]. The “how” is answered in Galatians 6, by coming alongside of the one that is overcome, and gently restoring whatever you can – if not the gender identity, then at least restore the salary that was taken as punishment.
God, for reasons I do not understand, forced Prof. Nemecek into the scales of Job, and weighed out her life. She did well, for she obeyed the words of Jesus in Matthew 5. Now the Lord God has turned to the University, and states, “… in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” [Matthew 7:1]
If the University does not repent, God may well continue to orchestrate according to His law of measurement — and the University will find its income reduced, the University will find itself cut off from student contact, and the University will find itself seeking multiple legal counsels. Pray for the University that they humble their hearts. Matthew 7:1 is not a joke — it is a promise by Jesus, the Son of God.
Q: Can One Be A Transgender Christian?
A: Good News! Anyone can be a Chistian.
I’m Transsexual and an Atheist. I personally think religion is archaic and all together silly. I feel a great sorrow for the poor soul. Its unfortunate that a mistake was made. As I understand the Christian Religion isn’t there something about forgiveness and “All gods children”? Or did I imagine that during confirmation.
Seriously stop the hate and discrimination and just accept that we’re all human.
If this person really wants to work for a place that doesn’t seem to know their own religion than they should have the right. However my personal advice would be to move on and find people that accept you for who you are and don’t judge you.
The Hebrew and Christian scriptures are chock full of transgender, cross-dressing, genderqueer and gender different people. In fact, the roles of these folks are often instrumental in the positive outcomes of critical Bible narratives.
Peterson,
I can’t at the moment recall any transgender, cross-dressing, genderqueer or gender different popel who were instumental in the positive outcomes of any Bible narratives.
The closest I can think of was the ethiopian eunich. But who else would fit the bill?
This continues to be stunningly perverse. Where in the Bible — Jewish, Christian or Muslim — is there discussion of transgender people? The only inference one can make relates to trans women who were those eunuchs who had themselves castrated (not born eunichoid — intersex — or forced into eunuchood). Isaiah and, I believe, Jesus speak approvingly of these individuals, considering them worthy of a monument and a name “better than sons and daughters,” an “everlasting name” that shall not perish (Isaiah 56:5).
So how can any rational person, a believer or not, put the burden of proof on the more vulnerable party here? Why should the Professor have to defend herself to a group who cannot clearly state their own religious values, and can certainly not point to any scriptural reasoning to buttress their discriminatory actions?
Many (not all) Christian institutions make it clear that unless you conform to their views of gender, gender roles and sexuality that you are unwelcome. This is because in their minds they think you are evil and dangerous. They literally view people who don’t fit into their boxes to be agents of the devil and destroyers of society. They are so terrified and disgusted that your mere presence, your mere existence is threatening to them. Thus they feel justified when they mistreat you. They think it is a sign of their righteousness when they stand up against you. In their eyes you are inferior, unworthy of respect and dignity. Thus they have no restraint when they come against you. They will break their own rules, violate their own beliefs, twist their Scriptures to get you out of their presence. And when challenged, they’ll say that they love, even when all the evidence is otherwise.
Timothy, there are a bunch.
In the Hebrew scriptures, consider Deborah, the warrior, poet and judge of Israel. The eunuch in Queen Esther’s court (without whom, the entire story would have fallen apart), and the role of eunuchs in the downfall of Jezebel. We have God’s promise to eunuch’s in Isaiah that they will have a part in the temple (something excluded by the Levitical law).
And then there is this obscure reference in a critical passage in Mark 14.:
So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
This “man carrying a jar of water” is curious, because typically this was the exclusive work of women and children in Jesus’ time (as it was in Zambia when I lived there as a missionary). I imagine it might have be more rare to witness such a man then, than being told to look for and follow a man today in a US city carrying a large flowered purse.
Why was this man carrying water? Why was he acting outside of the prescribed gender roles? It must have been rare or else the disciples could have followed any number of men instead of this one. We don’t know, but it raises interesting questions.
There are other examples too My next play, Transfigurations, will explore the stories of transgender, genderqueer and gender different people in the Bible woven in with stories from the lives of contemporary trans, genderqueer and gender different people.
Ah, Peterson, I misunderstood you. you are discussing gender roles.
While I agree that God often worked through those who were outside presumed gender expectation – as He did with many who were outcasts or in other ways socially unacceptable – I’d really hesitate to suggest that a man carrying water in some way equates to a transgendered person. I think that may be taking too much liberty with assumptions and reading too much into the limited information for me personally to make that claim.
Nonetheless, I imagine that within theatrical context this could have a powerful message.
Good News! Anyone can be a Chistian.
Perhaps more accurately stated, “anyone can become a Christian.” There is a difference 😉
Conservative Pat Robertson was asked what he thought of transsexuals as Christians. He said that GOD was more interested in what was in someone`s heart, than the outward appearance of their body (1 Samuel 16:7).
I am happy that Pat said this, because I am transgender AND a Conservative Christian. It is time for Julie`s pastor,et al., to read the the above mention verse.
Truth that Does Not Contradict Truth (A Unity of Truth)
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Many Christian Trans* and Intersex individuals inevitably find themselves searching for the truth about themselves; the truth that does not contradict the one truth revealed to them by God in Jesus Christ. Some are apparently of one gendered body but know themselves to be of the other. Is there a scientific basis for their belief? If so, is there a unity of scientific and revealed truth such that one can see both God of creation and God of salvation?
A beautiful statement on such an individual’s journey of faith and discernment is described beautifully, in an unrelated Encyclical, by Pope John Paul II, “Fiedes et Ratio”:
“Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself—so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves (cf. Ex 33:18; Ps 27:8-9; 63:2-3; Jn 14:8; 1 Jn 3:2).”
The scientific truth which informs us about the biological causes of various types of Intersex conditions where one or more of an individuals genetics, hormones, genitalia, phenotype, or gender identity are ambiguous or cross-sexed(*), and the emerging evidence of the biological causes of the Transsexual condition(**), does not contradict the truth in God which He showed to us through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ(***).
Can One Be a Transsexual, Transgendered, or Intersexed Christian?
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Did God make us all in His image? Can a Christian deny any individual their humanity or their seat at the table with the rest of the Body of Christ? If anyone were to attempt to do so, purely because the other’s body was created by God in a different way, well wouldn’t this not be a form of idolitry? Is the Christian in that case not worshipping the image of their own body when they exclude that which they do not see, even as Christians believe God created all that is seen and unseen? Is there not a mystery to/in creation than man should not presume to understand, yet alone conquer or control? Doesn’t man now see imperfectly and know only in part (1Corinthians 13:12)?
Maybe the better question follows:
Can One Be a Transphobic or Intersexphobic Christian?
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No, because then the Christian would lack Charity and be nothing (1Corinthians 13:2).
Lack of charity toward man leads to collective violence on an unrecognized and unimaginable scale.
There is one very horrific truth about the path hateful transphobic and intersexphobic behavior leads. This truth is available to all Chrisitians: the documented mass abortion of babies following prenatal detection of Intersex conditions through abnormal ultrasound findings, amniocentesis, or Chrionic Villus Sampling(****) (similar prenatal testing for Trans* condictions cannot be far behind). This is where hate leads, to the dehumanizing of the human condition. What is charitable in these acts? Where is charity!
Charity is the grace that proves the Christian to be mature in his faith and practice.
Charity is the epitome of perfection in the Christian life. It is the “greatest” of the three abiding virtues (1Corinthians 13:13). It is the “bond of perfectness” (Colossians 3:14) and the “end of the commandment” (1Timothy 1:5). Charity specifically refers to the love that we have toward other men. Paul stresses that we are to walk “charitably” toward our weaker brothers (Romans 14:13-15). He praised the Thessalonians because “the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2Thessalonians 1:3). In 1Peter 4:8-9, Peter told the believers, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
The Bible speaks of charity to point us to a specific kind of love. Charity is the love toward others that suffers long with them and is kind (1Corinthians 13:4), that does not behave unseemly, seek to get its own way, or is easily provoked (1Corinthians 13:5); that rejoices not in the iniquity of others (1Corinthians 13:6); that bears, believes, hopes, and endures (1Corinthians 13:7).
Trans* and Intersex Christians, like all children of God, are God’s creation for which all should be thankful. However, these gifts from God suffer when other Christians do not treat them charitably. Indeed, all Christians then suffer with them (1Corinthians 12:26).
Ironically, Trans* and Intersex Christians, through their own faith and suffering bring about hope in God and, through endurance, salvation. Their’s is a witness to the greatest gift available to mankind: God’s gift of eternal life. These Christians make God’s gift visible to all other Christians and non-Christians alike. In this way too their life narrative is a gift for which others should be thankful.
How Can Christians and the Church’s They Workship in Receive and Give Greater Charity?
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Wake Up! Praise God! Rejoice in the Lord and be glad! God loves each of us, individually, and God desires everyone to know this too!
God desires us and desires of all His children: (1) act freely to give and receive Love; (2) be Charitable by loving all others, if for no other reason than on account of God; and (3) have joyful Hope in the promise of salvation.
(1) In order that we might Love more perfectly, He wants us to confess our sins so that we may be forgiven, and in turn to forgive others so as He forgives us.
(2) In order that we might be more Charitable, He wants us to give Him thanks for what He has given.
The gifts He gives are given to the entire world as embodied in the Totality of His creation, both seen, and unseen. The gifts He gives are given to each of us, individually, whom He has created in His image. Giving thanks enables us to give and receive Love more readily, and more easily.
He desires that in our own free act of giving and receiving Love we will overcome our own human frailty.
(3) In order that we might live each day of our lives with greater joy and less suffering, He wants us to know of the joyful Hope in salvation.
This promise He has given, gratuitously, to each of us, individually, whom He has created in His image.
He wants us to know that joy comes readily and easily when we love and are charitable to one another.
It is only by, with, and through His Love and Grace that our feelings of loss, in all that we mourn, shall be overcome.
—–
So, our hope lies in the promise of being reunited with Him, and our beloved ones, in heaven, forever. As God promises, “I will turn your mourning into dancing”.
God desires that through daily prayer we might remind ourselves of these things: He Loves us; He invites us to receive His gifts; our joyful Hope flows from His promise to each us, individually, whom He has created in His image.
————————————-
(*) (a) The various clinical conditions which have been associated with the term “Intersex” are now commonly known as Disorders of Sexual Differentiation (“DSD”). An excellent resource to begin understanding what DSD’s are, their prevelance, and their etiology can be found at https://www.dsdguidelines.org/ A thorough list of peer-reviewed references can be found at the end of these materials.
(*) (b) Many decades ago, Dr. John Money promoted a theory that suggested babies with ambiguous genitalia could be reared as either a boy or a girl, because Nurture, not Nature (aka Man, not God), created mans gender identity. This atheist’s theory was shattered long ago, see https://www.infocirc.org/rollston.htm for the story. But a Christian would have known that this theory was not based on truth because “God created man in his own image . . . male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27). As stated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (ironically in opposition to the Gender Recognition Bill in that Country): “There is no convincing evidence that a gender can really be changed or aquired, much less chosen.” One day each of our own personal witness, combined with a greater knowledge of the biological causes for transsexualism, will result in the various Christian denominations to recognize that the human body and it’s spiritual soul, gendered, is one body, and at the same time a number of parts. The parts may be afflicted with a physical evil (i.e. cleft palate, dwarfism, DSD, Transsexuality) but these do not thereby condem the body or the soul. “Those parts of the body [of Christ], which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor.” (1Corinthians 12:23)
(**) A comprehensive review of what is currently known in the scientific field about transsexualism (aka atypical gender development) can be found at https://www.gires.org.uk/Text_Assets/ATypical_Gender_Development.pdf A thorough list of peer-reviewed references can be found at the end of these materials. As you can see, a growing body of scientific evidence points to a neurological/biological/genetic basis for this condition.
(***) (a) “let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions” (1John3:18)
(***) (b) We cannot save ourselves but Jesus says, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible” (Matthew 24-26).
(***) (c) “For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this let him receive it” (Mt 19:12).
The following words from Christopher West, “Celibacy for the Kingdom & the Fulfillment of Human Sexuality” (catholiceducation.org):
—-
“A eunuch is someone incapable of sexual relations. Thus, when Christ speaks of eunuchs from birth, he’s referring to people who are incapable of sexual union because of some birth-defect. Today’s medical science understands the etiology of many such conditions such as Disorders of Sexual Differentiation and every day strong evidence is emerging which illuminates biological cuases for transsexualism. This knowledge is a gift from God, but certainly God knew all of this when He spoke these words, didn’t He. When He speaks of those who have been made eunuchs by men, he’s probably referring to those sorry souls who have fallen under the blade of castration. But what is a eunuch for the kingdom?
God’s kingdom would be established by the multitude of Abraham’s descendents. Indeed, the messiah was to come from Abraham’s seed. Hence, those who couldn’t engage in sexual union (i.e., eunuchs) were seen as cursed by God, and even excluded from “the kingdom.”
Yet this Jesus is saying that some men and women who are perfectly capable of sexual union might actually choose to abstain for the whole duration of their lives specifically for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. WHAT?
Christ’s words mark a dramatic turning point in God’s revelation. Such a choice is almost too difficult for the sons and daughters of Abraham to comprehend. Indeed, many of Christ’s followers throughout history would also find the celibate vocation difficult to understand. Some, in fact, as Christ seemed to acknowledge, would not be able to “receive” it at all.”
—-
Others who have a choice to abstain or those born with DSD’s or other conditions causing transsexuality. Still others “born that way” do not even have a choice to abstain, they are never able to procreate, but certainly in devoting their lives to God it is no less for the Kingdom of God? Did God not already know and understand this passage to speak not only to future Catholic priests, but to the Totality of His creation as concerns marriage, human sexuality, and the Kingdom of God?
Omitted footnotes from preceding post:
(****) (a) “In our study population, the overall rate of termination was 81%”
“Variation in the decision to terminate pregnancy in the setting of fetal aneuploidy.”, Prenat Diagn. 2006 Aug;26(8):667-71.
(****) (a) “In all cases with a fetal abnormality seen on ultrasound, pregnancy was terminated.”
“Parental decisions following the prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome abnormalities.”, Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2004 Sep 10;116(1):58-62.
(****) (a) “Forty-nine of 89 pregnancies with sex chromosome aneuploidy were terminated.”
“Factors influencing parental decision making in prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidy.”, Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Jul;104(1):94-101.
(****) (a) “In our study population, the overall rate of termination was 81%.”
“Variation in the decision to terminate pregnancy in the setting of fetal aneuploidy.”, Prenat Diagn. 2006 Aug;26(8):667-71.
(****) (a) See for yourself by executing a search at the National Institutes for Health Website https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed and enter any one or more keywords such as “sex chromosome aneuploidy parental decision abortion”
(****) (a) Prenatal testing for the hormonal or genetic predisposition for transsexualism cannot be far behind. Collective violence enabled by society against such embryos could result. Watch a free video on the latest knowledge in biology of sex and gender, on the recent findings which have challenged previous beliefs about the roles of anatomy, environment, and genetics in the determination of gender, and the evolution of sexual determination at https://www.learner.org/resources/series187.html#program_descriptions goto session 11 Biology of Sex and Gender.
Poster, I appreciate your contributions to the discuss. However, in the future please do not cut and paste long articles here. Instead, give a brief synopsis and a link to the article.
Thanks,
Timothy Kincaid
Sorry, last post correction/addition:
1) On (UN)Christian-Enabled Collective Violence
Regarding the collective violence enabled by others, including righteous Christians and their Churches, we see mass killings of Intersex individuals today via aborted fetuses, the probable extension of this practice to Trans* when diagnostic testing becomes available, but also each year there are countless who are killed due to anti-trans* hatred or prejudice. See https://www.rememberingourdead.org/
2) Text cited from catholiceducation.org is not a direct quote and has been augmented by me, see the link for the original text.
3) Text on charity from Can One Be a Transphobic or Intersexphobic Christian? paragraphs 5 and 6 from another website, didn’t keep the URL, sorry.
Sorry, I got carried away; but as you can tell the subject is very close to my heart. Thanks for the opportunity to share via comments on this article (FYI, only a small portion of my post are quotes from other articles, which are quoted, the rest is my personal witness).
I am a Christian.. and I am appalled at some of these so called Christian based organizations that keep talking about “reperative” therapy and such.. pertaining to Transsexual folk and the homosexual community. It’s like they prey on the vulnerability of people.. trying to condemn them or ‘scare’ them into thinking that God is going to send them to hell if they don’t change their ways.
If they knew the truth.. the fact that, once someone becomes a born-again Christian.. they are a child of God.. and ‘He will NEVER leave them or forsake them.’ He ‘will remember their sins no more’… He will put their sins away from Himself.. ‘as far as the east is from the west.’ God offered His Son up as a sacrifice so that we may not parish but have everlasting life. It’s a gift. The ‘gift of Grace’.. and once we accept it.. we can never lose it. In all reality.. there is absolutely no such thing as an “ex- Christian”.. once one becomes a Christian, they are in. There is no such thing as an ‘ex-Transsexual’ either. TS folk are born TS.. it’s not a choice. They want to talk about the ‘nurcher’ concept.. I certainly wasn’t nurchered into feeling the way I have felt since the age of 3 or 4 years. I believe that God can ‘heal’.. and I also believe that He DOES heal. I also believe that He may choose NOT to heal. He didn’t heal everyone in the Bible of all their aliments. He has a different place for each and every one of us.
People like Jerry Leach and others.. may very well are trying to do a good service. But, just because they were mistaken about their being Transsexual.. doesn’t mean that every TS person is mistaken. It’s like, they can’t be a girl.. and don’t want any of us too, either. We are not a ‘cookie cutter’ creation. What may be good for some of us, may not be good for the rest of us. Some do make a mistake where their gender ‘issues’ are concerned. Not always. How cruel can a person be as to condemn others.. especially after they’ve had surgeries and such. To lead them to believe that they’re condemned to hell for eternity for being TS. If these people are as ‘Christian’ as they want to think they are.. and want everyone else to think they are.. then, they know very well what it takes to inherit the Kingdom of God. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.. PERIOD! To say otherwise is blasphemy.
I really should switch to decaf… ha!
Love, Margo~ xox
The firing of John Nemecek shows the bigotry fosted by religious bigots and Christian Universities that purposly teach ignorance as a virtue. Ignoring the findings of modern medicine and science in general.
Having the right to do something, doesn’t necessarily make it right to do. Thats the mantra of HeartStrong and unfortunately will probably always be.
Until that changes, at least in regards to religious schools and their persecution of GLBT students and others, HeartStrong remains the same as it was more than ten years ago.
It’s for people like Julie that our work is done. Her devotion to the truth and refusal to be hidden/silenced is so empowering.