Here in I hope to discuss religion, Christianity and the LGBTI community. I certainly will not tell you all that I have all the answers, I don’t; I am still uncovering the questions myself. I however have come to the realization that religion, or better religiosity, and Christianity are two entirely different things. Just as many think gender and sex are the same, never having given it any thought, most in society would tell you that Christianity is just another religion.
Having pondered the reactions to the gender community from both sides, the religious and the LGBTI community, I find you can easily end up in a quagmire of opinions on religion and lifestyles. Both sides however I believe have some valid points.
Let us first look at the religious perspective of the LGBTI community. Most of the religious community will tell you they believe a homosexual lifestyle is wrong. They go further in stating that the ‘family’ cannot survive made up of two parents of the same gender. Most condemn sexual assignment surgery while at the same time condoning ‘normalization’ surgery on neonates that do not meet the norm when it comes to genital appearance calling it instead an abnormality, a “social and medical emergency”. In most cases there is NO health risk whatsoever. This surgery initially designed to end the guilt and shame of ‘being different’ has only led to more of the same and more surgeries later in life for the majority of these un-consenting neonates.
Many in society are quick to point out the pernicious and promiscuous lifestyle of those in the LGBTI community; and their, our, agenda. While I am sure that this type of lifestyle does exist within the LGBTI community, facts support that it also exists in the remainder of society including the church! As a small pointed example look what pastors were doing to young boys in the Catholic Church. Should we take this to mean that ALL pastors are doing likewise? Most likely this is a small percentage and likewise I am sure that the numbers in the LGBTI community leading a detrimental lifestyle are likewise. Both examples however are classic of societal focus to further an agenda and in this case generalizing the majority by the minority.
In my own church I have heard generalizations that the children in the LGBTI families ‘suffer greatly’ because of the lifestyle their same gendered parents lead. Truth be known there are an equal number of issues with all of society and should I speculate that there may even be less in the LGBTI community because of the diversity and willingness to go the extra mile to bring children into a loving relationship. Same gender couples have been blamed for ‘promoting the destructive homosexual agenda’; I have yet to find out exactly what this ‘agenda’ is other than to be an equal part of society.
Lets look a bit a religion, not picking on Catholics but the Catholic Church is one that has been around the longest. Here is a quick list of some of the things done in the name of religion.
Catholic Church
In ~AD107 Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch was the first to use the term "catholic church", referring to all Christians (considered to be one in faith), in a letter to Christians in Smyrna.
In 300 Prayers For The Dead
In 300 Making The Sign Of The Cross
In 431 the Council of Ephesus affirmed the Virgin Mary as Theotokos, God bearer or Mother of God.
In 440, Leo, bishop of Rome was the first to declare himself the successor of St. Peter and laid claim to the role of Universal Bishop, a forerunner of papal authority.
In 593, unbiblical doctrine of purgatory
In 600 the required use of Latin in prayer and worship
In 600 the required prayers be said to Mary, dead saints and angels
In 604 Gregory I, was given the title of universal "Pope" (Latin "papas" or father) by the wicked emperor Phocas
In 610 Title of pope, or universal bishop, given to Boniface III by emperor Phocas
In 700 Circa -- Roman Catholic began to kill and torture "heretics", beginning Inquisition
The next four hundred years saw many more new beliefs added to the church:
709 the ritual kissing of the Pope's foot, began with pope Constantine750 political powers granted to the Pope 786 worship of the crucifix, images and relics 788 worship of Mary and the Saints850 / 1000 holy water mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by a priest 890 the worship of St. Joseph 927 the establishment of the College of Cardinals to elect the popes 965 the baptism of bells 995 the canonization of dead saints 998 prescribed fasting on Fridays and during lent The Mass, developed gradually as a sacrifice, attendance made obligatory in the 11th century
In 1054 A break in the church occurred over a relatively trivial issue, when the Eastern Church condemned the Western Church for the use of unleavened bread in the Eucharist
1079 / 1123, Pope Gregory VII declared the shocking decree of celibacy for the priesthood, more unbiblical doctrine
In 1090 Peter the Hermit invented the technique of praying with rosary beads
A few of the other beliefs and practices authorized by the church were:
In 1184 the inquisition of alleged heretics
1190 the sale of indulgences (paying a priest for your sins in money)
12th century, this had changed, and the Church suddenly realized the sword is actually a lot mightier than the pen.
The first implementations of this policy were the Crusades, which involved sending armies out to forcibly convert those who didn't agree with the Pope (specifically the Muslims inhabiting the Holy Lands)
The first Crusade went really well, but subsequent efforts to recapture the magic were miserable failures.
After a series of embarrassing setbacks, the Church turned its attention inward, busying itself with the task of rooting out the disloyal and misguided within its own domains, primarily Europe.
That's when the Inquisition was born. 1233, Pope Gregory IX pronounced the official beginning of "The Inquisition,". Inquisitions lasted well into the 1800s.
1215 the doctrine of transubstantiation of the Wafer. Through transubstantiation, the wafer/host and the wine supposedly become the actual blood and body of Jesus Christ
1215 auricular confession of sins to a priest instead of to God
1220 adoration of the wafer (Host), decreed by Pope Honorius III
1229 the forbidding of Bible reading by laity
1251 /1287 the Scapular, invented by Simon Stock, an English monk
1303 -- Roman Catholic Church as the only Catholic Church
1414 the forbidding of sharing the communion cup with laity by Council of Constance
1438-9 the establishment of purgatory as an irrefutable dogma
1508 and the composition of the "Ave Maria" (part of the last half was completed 50 years later and approved by pope Sixtus V at the end of the 16th century); 1508 (Hail Mary sometimes called the Angelical salutation)
In 1521 Luther spent his time translating the New Testament into German so that everyone might have access to the Bible, he was in exile as he the supremacy of the Pope and the infallibility of general councils.
In 1529 – 1530 Luther’s movement had gained great fame with the local folk but was smothered. That however saw the beginning of the "Protestants" as we know them today.
1545 Tradition declared of equal authority with the Bible by the Council of Trent
1545 Justification (Putting into right standing with God) by good works, not by faith alone
1545-6 Apocryphal books added to the Bible
1854 Immaculate conception of Mary, proclaimed by pope Pius IX
1864 Syllabus of Errors, proclaimed by pope Pius IX, and ratified by the Vatican Council; condemned freedom of religion, conscience, speech, press, and scientific discoveries which are disapproved by the Roman Church; asserted the pope s temporal authority over all civil rulers
1870 Roman Catholic Pope lost the secular power enjoyed over most of Western Europe, called the Papal States.
1870 Roman Catholic Pope Pius IX, convened Vatican Council I. Main item on the agenda was the infallibility of the Pope. "After much intensive lobbying and some very unchristianlike pressure, the pope suffered a major moral defeat when, out of over 1,000 bishops entitled to take part in the Council, only 451 voted for infallibility. But by a strategy of politicking and threatening all but two of the dissenters left Rome before a final vote was taken. At the last meeting of the council, on July 18, 1870, it was decided by 533 votes to 2 that the pope was infallible when defining a doctrine concerning faith or morals."
1950 Assumption of Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death), proclaimed by Pope Pius XII
References:
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
Rose Scapular
The Secrets Of Romanism
The Roman Catholic Church of the Middle Ages
Reformation Men and Theology by Dr. Jack L. Arnold
http://www.thirdmill.org/files/english/html/ch/CH.Arnold.RMT.1.HTML
While not all are bad you can see that religion has a way of taking on a life of its own.
Today much discussion seems to center around marriage, upholding the sanctity of the marital relationship. In a world of McMarriages (as in fast food McDonalds) and multiple divorces, remarrying exponentially, I pause in wonder as to why anyone would attack a relationship that has spanned a decade, two or more, just because the individuals are the same gender. To seriously consider saving the sanctity of marriage more options like allowing only one marriage during a lifetime should be considered. Let us get serious about dealing with adultery and the pernicious lifestyles. By considering these we could put the earnestness back in the consideration of entering into a life long, unconditional relationship. We would also be restricting the choices of society . . . but is that not exactly what the LGBTI community is facing today?
A few facts before we transition to the other perspective. These should leave you something to ponder and consider what it would take when considering the definition of male and female.
In the past there have indeed been attempts to define male and female. Some work better than others. Procreation is surely one aspect of this however if a woman cannot conceive, is she any less a woman?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) attempted to define male and female through chromosome testing. ‘Ewa Klobukowska, a Polish sprinter, was the first woman to fail the Barr test after having passed a (humiliating) visual inspection of her body the previous year. The doctors at the 1968 Olympics stated she had "one chromosome too many to be declared a woman . . . was stripped of her Olympic and other medals and removed from the competition. She, like six women in a thousand, have XXY chromosomes. After the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Endocrine Society, the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society, and the American Society of Human Genetics all pleaded with the IOC that testing was ineffective they discontinued the chromosome test in 1999.
The reality is humans do not sort into two neat chromosomal packages, with all females coming out XX and all males XY. Humans exist within a broad range of chromosomal and hormonal possibilities. Many females carry an extra X or a Y, while males may carry an extra Y or an X. Some males are born without testicles. Others can appear as "normal" males, yet also have a uterus. Gender is determined by a combination of chromosomes, hormones, gonads, external genitalia and the assigned gender given at birth.’ (Media Watch) Today we know that the Y chromosome does not make one male, it’s the SRY gene within that all males do not have.
The American Journal of Human Biology also states "The belief that Homo sapiens is absolutely dimorphic with the respect to sex chromosome composition, gonadal structure, hormone levels, and the structure of the internal genital duct systems and external genitalia, derives from the platonic ideal that for each sex there is a single, universally correct developmental pathway and outcome. We surveyed the medical literature from 1955 to the present for studies of the frequency of eviation from the ideal male or female. We conclude that this frequency (of ambiguity at birth) may be as high as 2% of live births."
Today we know that there are hundreds of conditions and syndromes (Dr Kerlin) that are categorized under the intersex umbrella. The latest numbers of those born intersex is 4:100 (Intersex and Identity, Preeves 2004) therefore about 12 million individuals in the US are intersexed. Some have no idea of that which they carry as it has never been an issue . . . until we attempt to define male and female.
Many of you may have heard 1:2000 representing the intersex however this number is representative of those born with ambiguous genitals where assignment of gender is difficult. While decisions made by doctors and parents are in the majority for being correct, there are indeed too many that are incorrectly assigned. Today, unconsenting surgery is being performed on these individuals; something that must stop until the individual concerned has a say in the final outcome. Some individuals like those born with 5-Alpha Reductase Deficiency, similar to the androgen resistance syndromes, despite a female appearance during childhood, by the onset of puberty, the body will masculinize. Those with Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (or adrenogenital syndrome) a genetic error in adrenal glands causes excessive secretion of androgens during fetal life. The genitals these children are masculinized to a variable degree. Both groups have the potential to be assigned the incorrect gender at birth.
(For more on these and other intersex conditions see AKS Definitions.html)
Consider that even the high numbers of intersex individuals provided herein far outweigh the numbers of those born with Cyistic Fibrosis which is 1:2500. You may be wondering by now why you do not know more or hear more about these gender issues. Until late many have been an invisible part of the community. As was indicated prior in the past doctors attempted to ‘normalize’ intersex neonates as well as other children, ‘helping’ them conform to the socitial norms to stop the guilt and shame of being different. Today we know that only the individual knows best after having weighted the options one of which may be surgery. Humanity differs in more ways than skin tone however when it comes to gender it has been so infused into our society that many cannot accept more than the dimorphic choices.
Consider what the "New Scientist" says in its article on genes, one of many studies available today. (Gender Identity) “It may be your brain not your genitals that decides what sex you really are. Our brains could be hard-wired to be male or female long before we begin to grow testes or ovaries in the womb. This discovery might explain why some people feel trapped in a body that's the wrong sex, and could also lead to tests that reveal the 'brain sex' of babies born with ambiguous genitalia.”
See AKS Definitions.html
We already have the facts from more than one study where chromosomally male fish, salmon, are physiologically female caused by endocrine disruption in the environment. With self induced disruption through the ingestion of Diethylstilbestrol (DES), Acutaine and Flidamide, in the rush to get new products to the market before they are known to be safe has always caused problems. We are seeing the results of this sometimes three generations later even after these aforementioned drugs have been removed from the pharmaceutical market. If we know this occurs in nature as it did with the fish, why is it so wrong to think that just maybe we have done something to humanity and it is not “all in their heads”. While there is more investigating to be done to reach definitive conclusions that completed to date should be ample evidence to ponder the cause for diversity in humanity.
It really matters not what side you subscribe to, so called normal relationships or a same gender relationship, as you may be in the opposite group and not even know it. What then will become of existing marriages if testing is formalized? Will perspective marriages of obviously male and female individuals be forbidden because they do not meet the mandated criteria? Will marriages of obviously same gendered individuals be granted? as has been done today.
When the Pandora’s Box of marriage, gender validation, is opened there will be many questions that must be answered. We as a society need to stop and reflect on the true meaning of entering into a life long unconditional relationship with another individual. How many of you have ever had karyotyping, or blood chromosome analysis? If different would you be any less the individual you are today? Where will the church stand on this when it comes to light? As politically powerful as some religions are today will the full story even be told?
From the GLBT I perspective I believe that many are asking the question . . . what is a gay lifestyle, the homosexual agenda that the LGBTI community is said to be perpetuating? While I do believe that there is a small percentage of those in society as a whole that are involved in a pernicious or promiscuous lifestyle I think it just that, a small percentage the LGBTI community has been given an all too large share of the blame as well adjusted, happy people of any orientation do not engage in such activities.
I have seen groups from both sides stand on street corners yelling at one another but seldom if ever have they sat down and discussed the facts. It is my belief that religiosity has gotten in the way of what being a Christian is all about. Many have left organized religion because they have been pushed away, not fitting into the expected mold. I ask you who does fit into the mold that Christ has left for us? Surely not I, however that is indeed a goal worth striving for. If we continue to categories people, not allowing those that ‘do not fit’ to worship with us then what message are we ultimately sending? Are Christians not to open the hearts, mind and doors to all? Christ teaching in parables like that recorded in Luke 10 speaking about the Samaritan that went out of his way to care for someone in need. Now that was a witness for the Lord as the Samaritan had no clue as to who this individual he was helping was. We also see that Christ was chastised for eating with the wrong crowd (tax collectors and prostitutes), even asking a Samaritan woman for a drink, John 4, but in doing so He was communicating the thing we often overlook, that everyone is our neighbor. There is no exclusionary clause when it comes to being a true Christian. Christ was ask to teach us how to pray and He begun with “Our Father”, or better Our Creator, one need to go no further to understand the inclusiveness of the Creators love for us all and all that is ask in return is to love the Creator and your neighbor.
When we begin to embrace people, collectively seeking to worship the Creator, we will experience that which the Lord was trying to have us understand; we will find that who is worshiping beside us does not matter.
I would like to also say something about healing. There are some that would have you believe that healing is available for the LGBTI community. I actually believe this, However, I believe that heeling comes in many different forms and is not the same for everyone. Just as different people have different gifts I believe that healing comes in different ways to different people. I say this with confidence having known people on both sides. With healing comes a peace that is unsurpassed and can only come from the Creator. Having experienced this peace and received many blessings from the Creator it is easy for me to believe that others are indeed free from their burden. For me it was the acceptance of my intersex self. The giving of it all to the Creator that opened doors when I thought there were no options let alone doors of opportunity. Because of what I have been through when someone tells me that they indeed are healed of their trans nature, or their gay lifestyle and I see the same peace in their lives, I believe. What I cannot accept are those that think everyone receives the same healing.
To paraphrase something C.S. Lewis said ‘the devil has nothing to worry about so long as Christians continue to bicker about origination, building funds, committees’ and who fits in the expected mold. We must focus on our relationship with the Creator and the Lord as only by doing this can we begin to realize the wonders that are in store of us. Nothing of this world should cause us to loose that focus and if maintained others will indeed follow our example.
Let us not forget how Christ summarized the bible in two short commands; Love the Creator with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . and . . .Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22) It is my belief that if we want to see change in our society then we must go back to these simple commands. We must embrace one another whatever their belief and let the Creator work in their lives. We cannot continue to ostracize and oppress for the sake of religiosity. We should not be mandating people conform, rather be transformed through example and by the Creator. We must collectively focus on the things that matter. As we walk with Christ things will change as did to those on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24 and it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. And it came to pass, when He had sat down with them to eat, He took the bread and blessed; and breaking it He gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him . . .
Let us do likewise.
by Dalelynn
Organisation Intersex International
A Christian perspective on the GLBTI community
