Short Essay I Wrote

[Guest Jenny4]

I wrote this short paper just now to make myself feel better about things, but the I decided it'd be a good idea to read or give this to the many Christians in my area who may think transsexuals are immoral.

I'm not out yet, and it's sort of strange to write about yourself in third person. (and full of typos too)

Tell me your thoughts

Transgender: A Christian's View

   The transgender community has faced discrimination and hatred since the beginings of history. Transsexuals are attacked, both verbally and physically by fellow humans, often times in the name of Jesus. With radical Christian views (take the Westboro Baptist Church for example) influencing today's society, and even our government, transgender people can hardly live a day without being called names or being discriminated against. But does the Bible really back up these conservative views on all things trans?

   Let's start with a debate.

   The Bible clearly says "love your neighbor as yourself," and that's enough for any "Christian" hater to be stopped. However, most anti-gay groups claim they love LGBT people, just disagree with them. They claim the Bible condemns transsexuals and transgenderists, and says the opposite of their argument.

   Many transsexuals, mostly atheist, insist they were a mistake, and that they were born in the wrong body. Conservative Christians retaliate by proving God doesn't make mistakes, and cite the passage,

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . . . My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. . . . your eyes saw my unformed body” 

-God (Psalms 139:13-16). This is an excellent argument, and makes sense, saying that God watched over people, even transsexuals, during developement. This has led most Christian transsexuals to believe that God made no mistake, and that He made them that way as a test to their devotion to Him (much like Job). They then cite the following passage,

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all."

-God (Ecclesiastes 11:5). This verse says humans will never know what happens exactly during developement, and points toward transsexualism being inborn. 

   Once the pro-trans argument is taken into account, most Christians cite an ever-too-famous verse,

"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God."

-God (Deuteronomy 22:5). This creates a sinful nature associated with transvestism. Transgender activists will respond by claiming that the verse was to prevent homosexuality and sexual perversion. 

   These arguments are all defeated once the trans Christians' A-bomb falls. This all-defeating verse supports transgender claims, and also defeats the Deuteronomy 22:5 argument. It is,

"... the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

-God (1 Samuel 16:7). This means, according to pro-trans activists, God sees their gender, not sex. Gender is, according to the American Psychologic Association and the APA, "what is between the ears, not between the legs." If this is so, the Deuteronomy 22:5 argument is rendered useless.

   If the conservative is stubborn enough, and knowledgeable of the Bible, he will cite the verse,

"He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD."

-God (Deuteronomy 23:1). This presents a problem for MtF transsexual Christians. 

   However, that quote was taken from the King James Version, which has been retranslated countless times. Conservatives will deny any mistranslations, however. The pro-trans side retaliates however, saying (truthfuly) that the word originally used was 'eunuch.' A eunuch is different than a transsexual, but the way the KJV describes one makes it sound like a MtF transperson. An eunuch was a pagan who had had his genitals cut off, usually during childhood. The KJV has also changed the term 'male prostitute' to 'effimate' in a certain verse in the New Testiment.

   By now, our conservative should be getting tired, and cites multiple verses calling one's body God's temple. Pro-trans retaliates, once again, citing 1 Samuel 16:7, saying that they are "correcting" their genitals to match their gender. The conservative then goes into citing verses in Leviticus about cutting body parts. This is easily swatted down by simply saying the verse clearly mentions the cutting as part of a pagan ritual.

   That is all very well, and goes to show that the Bible does not condemn transsexuality. The question might be asked, "so why do conservatives claim transsexualism is a sin?" This is because of simple transphobia. Transphobia is a nonexistent, unreal word coined after the gay rights movement misused the term 'homophobia' to describe the fear of homosexuals. After the term 'transphobia' was coined, the T joined LGBT.

   The joining of the transgender and homosexual/bisexual movements was much regarded as a good thing, after all, there are strength in numbers. However, it caused many people to confuse transsexuals with homosexuals (see South Park). This created a new wave of attacks from conservative Christian organizations against the transgender community.

   The transphobia in the Church, dispite findings by the APA, the APA, and the AMA, launched wave after wave of hate science. Reparative therapy, a method abandoned by the APA over 20 years ago, was introduced to transsexuals to "cure" them of GID. Many a sexologist attemted to find another reason for GID, whether it be autogenipilia or rape as a child, the Church is out to find it.

   The Church denies the "transphobia," claiming that they just want to help these "broken people." The most popular theory amongst conservatives is that the child grew up in a dysfunctional family, and the MtF didn't spend enough time with the father and vice versa. Conservatives argue that Hod doesn't want people to "mutilate their bodies like that," and that it is "just sick," and also that God wants you to "live how you were born,"

   The last of those arguments is attacked by transsexuals, who claim that what they have is a birth defect, and it, like any other, should be corrected. The pro-trans argument compares transsexualism with many other "birth defects."

   But one of the many controversial issues is whether or not transsexuals should be able to change their birth certificate and/or marry.

   Conservatives argue that changing a birth certificate would "allow transsexuals to lie to their spouces that they are the opposite sex." The conservative arguement also claims that "born that gender, you can't alter a fact of history."

   The pro-trans arguement claims that Gender is in the mind, and if gender and sex are incongruent, the "gender" marker on the birth certificate is wrong. They say it should be "corrected" as it was a "mistake."

   On marriage, conservatives say gender in marriage should be based on genes and sex, which opposes 1 Samuel 16:7. The pro-trans side argues that marriage should be based on gender, not sex. Both sides agree that allowing widespread transsexual marriage would open doors to same-sex marriage.

   When it comes down to it, it depends on one thing, is transsexualism a sin? Pro-trans Christian activists argue that "to put it simply, no," and to finish off their 'live and let live' philosophy, cite a passage,

"Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men."

-God (Romans 14:13-18)

   Conservatives argue that it is "logical" to live the way you were made, and say efforts to change one's body are rebellious against God's plan for you. 

The part that disturbs me is that the stuff in quotation marks, people actually said. I can't believe people are that stupid...

It is sort of obvious I'm in favor of the transgender community.

Tell me what you thought of this, too short, stuff I'm missing... Keep in mind I'm only 14.

[Guest Girl Emily]

Jenny,

I am very impressed with both your skill as a writer but also your deep understanding and knowledge of the bible and the overall message contained within its pages. You have effectively countered all of the arguments against transgenderism that I have heard put forth. I don't believe I had your insight into the Gospel until I was at least 28 years old and two years at a Christian university with a trip to Israel. Very,very nice work. If you don't mind I would like to use your essay in my coming out letter to my evangelical Christian parents with proper credit given to you. I attempted a similar essay but it doesn't flow as well as yours and I used different verses to support my position.

I would only add an emphasis on the second of Jesus's commandments: Love your neighbor as you would yourself. Also John 3:16 is very inclusive "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I don't see any exclusions in that verse for those suffering GID.

Nice work!

Huggs,

[Guest Donna Jean]

Jenny......

Very impressive, Honey....you really have a firm grasp on the whole thing....

And I would just like my .02 to be added to the pot...

God doesn't make mistakes....true!

God made me Transsexual....

He gave me the task of making my life work with this...not to bury it, but like any other life...let it bloom!

And that is exactly what we are all doing.....

Love....

Donna Jean

[Guest Bailey]

Very well written. I want to make a comment about the Quote from Deuteronomy 22:5. I was watching a discussion on the Bible the other day and this quote was mentioned. According to several noted Hebrew scholors the original text as written says that a man should not dress as a woman to go into a woman's place, and vice versa. It was refering to disguising oneself as the opposite gender to gain entry into gender only areas such as bath houses and such. In this light, even transvestites are not breaking a Biblical law. Just thought I would throw that out for everyone.

With Love in Christ,

Bailey

[Guest Genie]

Jenny, the spirit of God is with you!

While you're writing does show how new you are to the faith, you have displayed yourself quite well!

God bless you and continue in your study.

/bighug

Love,

Genie

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Jenny - I agree. Devinely inspired! You are either a 34 year old posing (doubtful) or you have a very important gift!

I am most often assulted by the quote in Deuteronomy 22:5 - which is well addressed by Bailey:

According to several noted Hebrew scholors the original text as written says that a man should not dress as a woman to go into a woman's place, and vice versa. It was refering to disguising oneself as the opposite gender to gain entry into gender only areas such as bath houses and such. In this light, even transvestites are not breaking a Biblical law. Just thought I would throw that out for everyone.

I am told I am misinterpreting the word of God. That's when I smile and walk away.

Lizzy

[Guest Donna Jean]

Very well written. I want to make a comment about the Quote from Deuteronomy 22:5. I was watching a discussion on the Bible the other day and this quote was mentioned. According to several noted Hebrew scholors the original text as written says that a man should not dress as a woman to go into a woman's place, and vice versa. It was refering to disguising oneself as the opposite gender to gain entry into gender only areas such as bath houses and such. In this light, even transvestites are not breaking a Biblical law. Just thought I would throw that out for everyone.

With Love in Christ,

Bailey

The secret is in the context......

Manipulation of the Bible has always been from the convenient practice of leaving out key parts of the sentance to make it fit one's needs.....

*sigh*

Donna Jean