Does God have the ability to determine a person’s gender at birth? Reverend Drew Phoenix of Maryland has split the Church in his recent sex change and amounted much discussion. History has shown that from birth a person is judged by his or her physical traits – something that usually does not deceive the naked eye. However, there are exceptions to the norm. Although social equality has evolved with time, there are many people still living in the past. As one of the most influential texts on this Earth, the one thing that is inhibiting a majority of the population from having a more accepting attitude, the Bible has damned anything unusual, especially gender confusion. According to Darrell of Dow Blog’s Post-Modern Gender Confusion post, “it isn't science that determines gender. Historic Christianity links physicality and gender. God creates man and woman and assigns distinctive biological traits and gender roles” (Darrell Para. 4). This has become a controversial topic in ecclesiastical news recently because of Reverend Drew Phoenix, previously known as Ann Gordon, of the St. John's United Methodist Church in Charles Village, Maryland. Science and religion have had their battles throughout time and this is just another dispute. Reverend Phoenix is a strong believer in faith but at the same time battles all the naysayers for “young people in particular who are struggling with their gender identity” (Phoenix Para. 1). But Darrell, the creator of Dow Blog and a devout Christian, does not drink this Kool-Aid. Darrell rejects any possibility that a person’s true identity may just be trapped inside a shell of physical restrictions. These internal struggles are experienced around the world everyday but Darrell still refuses to consider life in someone else’s shoes. Darrell, as many Christians believe, “such gender confusion is an abomination” (Darrell Para. 4).
Darrell of Dow’s Blog is right that this point of discussion has become more prevalent in recent times. Along with the Woman’s Rights Movement and push for racial equality, people have maintained the courage and freedom to pursue their own means of living. Freedom for all in the form of self-expression is something that America prides itself on. There have been black marks on our country’s history but all in all we have a very open-minded society. This is not something I can say about Darrell. Faith is not something that should be denounced until it takes away a person’s self-expression and freedom. Who is Darrell to judge a person’s true identity? Unfortunately for him, worries such as this have distracted him from more meaningful agendas that affect his life. It is neither Darrell nor anyone else’s place to judge other people. Instead of focusing concerns on violence or something else that affects many people, Darrell considers “sexual confusion” as an abomination. Contrary to common beliefs, science has much to do with gender. Dow Blog says that it is “we who turn this inside-out with our misguided and sinful conceptions of the alleged fluid and subjective nature of sexual identity” (Darrell Para. 5). For many, such emotions cannot be bottled up and ignored. In an ideal world, all people would be treated equally and sexual barriers could be abandoned. A religious fanatic such as a follower of Dow’s Blog should consider different viewpoints with value. It is difficult for such minorities to gain respect and this is unfortunate.
In a world where anything that is considered different is wrong, society refuses to accept that gender confusion affects many different people. I pity Darrell, a major contributor to Dow’s Blog, because he is trapped in the rules and expectations of a Christian society and is blind to any differing opinions. Respect may be too much to ask for at this instance, but with today’s cultural advancements people should at least be able to accept differences and acknowledge gender confusion for what it is. Whether gay, transgender, or heterosexual, we should all have the freedom of self-expression. If there is a situation in which a person’s physical body does not align with his or her true gender, people like Darrell should accept it and move on. While Darrell refers to “the doctrines of equality” as “heresy” (Darrell Para. 12), it is individualism that he is afraid of in his obstinate state of mind.
Jack, I’m glad to see that someone is reading my blog. Your case, with which I completely disagree is well written and well reasoned given your fundamental assumptions and presuppositions.
ReplyDeleteYou effectively say that I have no right to judge by asking snidely “Who is Darrell to judge a person’s true identity?”
By that same standard how can you possibly render judgment on me? You call me closed-minded, speak of me as a religious fanatic, say that I have an obstinate state of mind, etc. So what then is the standard for cultural criticism? Is it solely what you as an individual “feels”?
You are correct that egalitarianism and individualism go hand-in-glove. They are, as I said, heresies. There is such a thing a biblical equality and biblical individualism. But you are proffering the desire is to be as god, knowing good from evil (Genesis 3:5). You put primacy and sovereignty in the individual. For you then the individual becomes a god, the moulder of his own destiny.
I put sovereignty in a more transcendent source and think that authority, judgment, etc. are only right and true if supported by the Scripture, which I believe to be the infallible word of a living God.
That begs the question, what is your source of authority and judgment?
You also accuse me of a disproportionate concern with these "issues" to the neglect of other items. That simply isn't true. I would like to note that in four years I have seldom written about questions of sexuality, but I've often condemned the stupidity of the Iraq War.