Check out a guest post I did for Pastor Morgan Guyton’s blog.
Mercy not Sacrifice
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Category Archives: Conditions
Hating Transgender Kids
Why some Christians insist on harsh rhetoric, fear mongering, and hopeless political battles is beyond me. If you hate transgender kids so much, then share the Gospel with them. It’s the only weapon you have capable of victory.
Where will your justification for hatred be when medicine can change chromosomes? Instead of looking to pop science, why not consider what Scripture has to say about the issue?
In Acts 8:26 is recorded the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch.
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
No harsh rhetoric there. No Pharisaical man-made rules. No chromosomes. Philip didn’t require anything extra before baptism.
Have you considered that Philip didn’t heal the eunuch? And yet, earlier in chapter 8, it says that
Acts 8:6,7: “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.”
Perhaps the eunuch’s sexual difference was something that didn’t need healing? At the very least, we have God’s promise that remaining a eunuch was for his good. (Romans 8:28)
Matthew 19:12 says “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”
Jesus doesn’t condemn any of these people, but what the Bible does make clear is that eunuchs were not the same as males. Sexual status can be something other than male or female, and it can change.
I’m not saying that transgender kids are eunuchs. What I’m trying to point out is how the Gospel treats someone who is sexually different than your standard male or female, boy or girl. And that the Bible acknowledges that at least some sexual variations away from typical male or female are “from their mother’s womb.”
If you think that gender is entirely learned, I’d love to hear your Biblical argument for it. Might I suggest that such a view stems rather from feminism or our culture’s distorted view of the theories of Dr. John Money?
For years physicians used surgery and hormones to turn intersex babies into girls on the theory that, with the proper reinforcement from parents, the child would develop a feminine gender identity. Here’s a case typical of the sorts of failures that occurred.
As an experiment, they even tried to raise a boy as a girl. As an infant David Reimer had lost his penis in a circumcision accident. Dr. John Money (pictured below) recommended castration and raising the child as a girl. If gender was learned, then David should be happy as Brenda. Here’s one telling of the sad story:
Isaiah 56:1-8 says
“Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.”
Let me repeat part of that quote, in case you missed it.
“For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.”
God has promised “a name better than of sons and daughters” for covenant-keeping eunuchs. He could have said as good as or the same as, but He didn’t. Even in blessing, God makes a distinction between eunuch(intersex, castrata, trans?) and male or female.
God has promised to bring in some of the people you hate the most. Share the Gospel with them and let the Holy Spirit and God’s Grace take care of whatever needs to be done in their lives.
You disagree? That’s great! Rather than slamming me, why not show me from Scripture where I’m wrong? I’m open to reproof and correction. I’d love to hear from you.
GA Allows Transgender Girl To Use—Oh My!—The Girls’ Room
10/09/2014 – I have removed the bulk of this post at the request of those involved. Please note that this is not due to any issues with either the girl herself or with her presence in the Georgia public school system.
An Intersex Primer
Hermaphroditus–that mythological creature both male and female–the double-sexed child of the Olympian gods Hermes and Aphrodite–does it survive today?
Human sexual development is a complex process involving differentiation into male and female, from fetus to adult. The process can be misdirected genetically, or break down along the way, resulting in a reproductive system that remains unfinished. Intersex is a blanket term for the various conditions resulting in these differences.
Actually, DSD–Disorder of Sexual Development–is the term some prefer, intersex/intersexed being somewhat politically incorrect, and hermaphrodite so often misunderstood.
Although the markers of sex–genetics, gonads, genitals, etc.–aren’t all on the male side or the female side, in intersex the choice of gender isn’t an issue as often as one might think.
Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) leaves the body unable to process male hormones. An XY conception becomes a female child with testes in her abdomen and no ovaries or uterus. The testes don’t produce sperm, but some of the testosterone is converted into estrogen, which gives the child a feminine puberty.
Swyer Syndrome or Pure Gonadal Dysgenesis is a condition in which the testes don’t form; the result is an XY female with a uterus but no ovaries.
Turner Syndrome results from the loss of the second sex chromosome. Turner babies are female, but their ovaries are only streaks of tissue. Because the sex chromosomes help determine height, Turner Syndrome women are short-statured, averaging something like four-foot-eight as adults.
Klinefelter’s(XXY) and Kallman’s are two intersex conditions affecting men. They don’t ordinarily result in genital ambiguity. Because of the extra sex chromosome, the average adult height in Klinefelter’s is greater than in XY.
None of these intersex conditions result in the mythological hermaphrodite, at least not in the sense of having both sex organs. When intersex affects the genitals, they turn out somewhere between male and female. The Quigley Scale describes the range of intersex genital shapes.
Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome(PAIS) results in ambiguous genitals, and breast development at puberty. The severity varies depending on which genetic mutation is responsible.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia can result in masculine genital development in an XX baby, sometimes enough so that the child is raised male. Although CAH can be fatal if not treated, most CAH girls can bear children. One possible complication in CAH children being raised as boys is a feminizing puberty.
A 5-Alpha Reductase deficiency in an XY baby results in feminine genitals, but masculine development at puberty. 5-Alpha children, although sometimes castrated by their doctors and raised as girls, can be fertile males.
Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis is a partial form of Turner Syndrome. Some cells have a Y chromosome; some don’t. The distribution of the cells during fetal development determines how the gonads develop and how tall the child will grow.
The medical definition of hermaphroditism is having both testicular and ovarian tissue. In Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis, the child may be born with one testis and one streak ovary. Or they may have two ovatestes. Streak ovaries are non-functional and mixed gonadal tissue often results in cancer.
When a child is born with ambiguous genitals, parents and physicians must decide whether the child should be raised as a girl or a boy. Most experts recommend that a gender be chosen for the baby, but cosmetic surgeries be put off until the child can participate in treatment decisions. Until then, it’s important for parents to preserve their child’s options.
With or without surgical intervention, some children reject the gender assigned them. Determining when a gender change is appropriate may be difficult. Children aren’t always willing to verbalize their feelings and may not be aware of their options.
An Intersex Primer
Hermaphroditus–that mythological creature both male and female–the double-sexed child of the Olympian gods Hermes and Aphrodite–does it survive today?
Human sexual development is a complex process involving differentiation into male and female, from fetus to adult. The process can be misdirected genetically, or break down along the way, resulting in a reproductive system that remains unfinished. Intersex is a blanket term for the various conditions resulting in these differences.
Actually, DSD–Disorder of Sexual Development–is the term some prefer, intersex/intersexed being somewhat politically incorrect, and hermaphrodite so often misunderstood.
Although the markers of sex–genetics, gonads, genitals, etc.–aren’t all on the male side or the female side, in intersex the choice of gender isn’t an issue as often as one might think.
Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) leaves the body unable to process male hormones. An XY conception becomes a female child with testes in her abdomen and no ovaries or uterus. The testes don’t produce sperm, but some of the testosterone is converted into estrogen, which gives the child a feminine puberty.
Swyer Syndrome or Pure Gonadal Dysgenesis is a condition in which the testes don’t form; the result is an XY female with a uterus but no ovaries.
Turner Syndrome results from the loss of the second sex chromosome. Turner babies are female, but their ovaries are only streaks of tissue. Because the sex chromosomes help determine height, Turner Syndrome women are short-statured, averaging something like four-foot-eight as adults.
Klinefelter’s(XXY) and Kallman’s are two intersex conditions affecting men. They don’t ordinarily result in genital ambiguity. Because of the extra sex chromosome, the average adult height in Klinefelter’s is greater than in XY.
None of these intersex conditions result in the mythological hermaphrodite, at least not in the sense of having both sex organs. When intersex affects the genitals, they turn out somewhere between male and female. The Quigley Scale describes the range of intersex genital shapes.
Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome(PAIS) results in ambiguous genitals, and breast development at puberty. The severity varies depending on which genetic mutation is responsible.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia can result in masculine genital development in an XX baby, sometimes enough so that the child is raised male. Although CAH can be fatal if not treated, most CAH girls can bear children. One possible complication in CAH children being raised as boys is a feminizing puberty.
A 5-Alpha Reductase deficiency in an XY baby results in feminine genitals, but masculine development at puberty. 5-Alpha children, although sometimes castrated by their doctors and raised as girls, can be fertile males.
Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis is a partial form of Turner Syndrome. Some cells have a Y chromosome; some don’t. The distribution of the cells during fetal development determines how the gonads develop and how tall the child will grow.
The medical definition of hermaphroditism is having both testicular and ovarian tissue. In Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis, the child may be born with one testis and one streak ovary. Or they may have two ovatestes. Streak ovaries are non-functional and mixed gonadal tissue often results in cancer.
When a child is born with ambiguous genitals, parents and physicians must decide whether the child should be raised as a girl or a boy. Most experts recommend that a gender be chosen for the baby, but cosmetic surgeries be put off until the child can participate in treatment decisions. Until then, it’s important for parents to preserve their child’s options.
With or without surgical intervention, some children reject the gender assigned them. Determining when a gender change is appropriate may be difficult. Children aren’t always willing to verbalize their feelings and may not be aware of their options.
Phoebe Hart – Orchids: my intersex adventure
Phoebe Hart is a documentary filmmaker. Orchids: My Intersex Adventure presents her story of self-discovery. Thank you so much for being here, Phoebe. Would you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m Phoebe Hart. I am a documentary filmmaker and CAIS woman based in Brisbane Australia
How and when were you told your diagnosis?
My mother told me I didn’t have a womb and couldn’t menstruate or get pregnant when I was about 11. She then filled in all the gaps when I was about 17 and I’ve been researching it ever since!
Can you explain a little about your condition?
CAIS is a congenital condition whereby I have 46XY chromosomes and testes but androgens such as testosterone have no effect on my body so I developed as feminine in the uterus.
What do you like the most and the least about having a difference of sexual development?
I don’t like being different. But, at the same time, it’s pretty cool (being different).
Making a movie is a pretty bold move. How has the publicity affected you and your family?
The movie I made – Orchids: My Intersex Adventure – was therapeutic but in the way that shock therapy is therapeutic. It was something that created waves but in the end has helped my family come together. It was something I had to get off my chest and, not really by choice, I had to drag everyone I love along with me. Otherwise, I was surprised how few people recognized me after it was broadcast in Australia!! (Phew!)
How has your condition affected your relationships?
Not really. I’m married now and, after quite some years of marriage, my husband did grieve not having the opportunity to have his own biological children. But you never know what life has planned and he may get his wish yet.
Has it affected your religious views? How have Christians treated you?
I was raised to be a leftwing atheist. If anything, nowadays I have an Eastern religious perspective along the lines of Buddhism. I have some views about intersex and spirituality along the lines of “two spirit” beings. However, I’ve never had any bad reactions from other religions including Christianity. In fact, the church-going people I tell about my CAIS generally congratulate me on my courage, and then tell me about the godly virtues of adoption, etc. It might be easier for religious people to accept AIS as it’s “god’s choice” and part of the glory of his/her creation rather than an individual wandering off the righteous path.
Have you ever thought about who you might have been without your condition?
I would be a boy, yes. I would have probably really loved that. But, it’s my destiny to live in this body, and perhaps my kharma – what I needed to learn in this lifetime.
Is there something you’d like to share that might surprise people?
My movie is going to show on the TV in America – on Showtime.
What’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?
I’m a nice person, but I’m not perfect. Far from it. However, I believe there’s a power to telling our stories and that should be celebrated.
Thanks for sharing. More information on the film may be found the website or on Facebook
Amy – Gonadal Dysgenesis
Some of my friends, who also happen to have intersex conditions, have agreed to short interviews. Today, we welcome Amy, who has Gonadal Dysgenesis.
Thank you so much for being here, Amy. Would you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, my name is Amy! I am the second oldest of nine children, 6 younger sisters and 2 brothers. I have struggled with addictions over the last 20 years as I have sought to learn who I am. I was sober 9.5 years until I relapsed and now am sober this round 5 years. I am 44 years old and I don’t want to lose any more time trying to “find myself”. I am now divorced. I began dating women and have been in a two-year relationship. I work as a training coordinator for persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness. I do not discuss my condition with many people.
How and when were you told your diagnosis?
I was told for many years before my doctor visit that if I had not had a period by the time I was 17 that my mom was going to take me to see why. I waited for the magical age, the period never came, and I was swooped off to a doctor in Richmond Va. where I lived. All I remember from that day was a blur as we sat in the doctor’s office and I received my diagnosis which I didn’t understand. All I remember hearing is you won’t have children and had you been of normal height you would only have been 5’9. They gave me a diagnosis of Turners Syndrome and stated they didn’t know much about my diagnosis and while I really didn’t have all the symptoms of Turners, they gave me the diagnosis as they didn’t know what else to call it. I had one symptom of Turners, no ovaries. I had been born without ovaries. I was Catholic; my world felt crushed. My value of a woman was wrapped up in having children.
Can you explain a little about your condition?
My real diagnosis is XX Gonadal Dysgenesis. The best I understand is that a part of the arm of one of the X chromosomes broke off. This was the part that governed height and the development of Ovaries. While I would have been tall due to a father that is 6’4, I am now taller just because. At 17, I was tall as a rail. I was flat chested. I had not developed pubic hair or hair under my arms. It appeared I was stunted. I was growing taller and taller. They put me on Estrogen and Progesterone to induce a period as I do have a uterus. They threatened that I would not stop growing if I didn’t take my estrogen. HRT helped me develop breasts and hair yet I still had no hips, a flat butt and now a loaded chest. I looked in the mirror one day and didn’t recognize myself.
What do you like the most and the least about having a difference of sexual development?
I like the most that I do not have a period as many woman do. I do not have to suffer through these ill effects. The least not going through puberty as other people did. I felt left out and when I heard stories I regretted that I didn’t get to experience things other kids did. I spent time wondering what was wrong with me and in high school I felt so different that I volunteered in the snack stand at school so I didn’t have to sit with others I knew and worried about taking someone else’s chair. I couldn’t relate to any normal teenage angst.
How has it affected your relationships?
I didn’t date in high school, and I married the first man who showed an interest, especially marriage material when he said he didn’t want kids and he said I was all woman. I was with him for 10 years and I found out he was cheating on me the whole time. I wondered what was real and what was wrong with me as a woman that he would want to sleep with others. I felt very less then.
Has it affected your religious views?
I was brought up Catholic. I felt for sure I was being punished for something bad.
What’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?
That even though I am 6’1″, I’m harmless, cannot fight and am all mouth. I wish people wouldn’t make assumptions. Get to know me then you can voice an opinion. Stop calling me a boy all the time or saying yes sir. I have breasts that are DD and yet people continually say sir, yes sir, etc. I don’t think I look like a boy.
Erin – Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Some of my friends, who also happen to have intersex conditions, have agreed to short interviews. Today, we welcome Erin, who has Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome.
Thank you so much for being here, Erin. Would you tell us a little about yourself?
I am 29 years old and I am currently finishing up a degree in public health.
How and when were you told your diagnosis?
I was sixteen and had not had my period. I went to a series of doctors and was called in to meet with my pediatrician who broke the news to my parents and myself. I knew something was wrong when I walked into the room and my doctor started to cry before I even sat down. I asked her if I was going to die and she said “oh no”, then asked her if I was going to be able to have a child and she started crying again. I walked out and drove myself back to school. I was 20 before I fully understood what I had (CAIS). I was 27 before I began to accept it.
Can you explain a little about your condition?
I have CAIS. I developed externally like any other girl. I have curves and breasts and feminine features and I have female genitalia that looks like any other woman’s. However internally I had no cervix, uterus or ovaries, instead I had internal testes. Some of the benefits in my personal case are that I have very little body hair. I don’t even need to shave under my arms. My armpits are totally hairless and I don’t really have body odor and I have never had pimples or broken out. I do know that two of my maternal grandmothers sisters were unable to have children. The eldest sadly committed suicide before I was born and as for the other sister we decided it was best not to open up this can of worms to an unsuspecting eighty-year-old woman.
What do you like the most and the least about having a difference of sexual development (DSD)?
I think it has made me more compassionate to anyone who does not fit a societal mold. I obviously dislike not having the option to have a biological child. I also have a really hard time with all of the misinformation and ignorance that surrounds Disorders of Sexual Development, my eyes have been opened to what types of stereotypes I might be buying into. I have learned to always have my eyes wide open and always be mindful of people’s feelings.
How has it affected your relationships?
The short answer is I have never disclosed to anyone. The only people that know are my parents and my sister. However, I know that my sister has told her boyfriends over the years. The long answer would need to be discussed with a glass of wine and I am all out.
Has it affected your religious views?
Wow. This is a very interesting question that I feel is perhaps even more personal than talking about my physical development. I grew up going to church and I attended Catholic school and my mother is very active in the church. I am an atheist and I tend to think I would be regardless of having CAIS. I can see how some people might have issues after getting their diagnosis. I know my mom had a crisis of faith after I was diagnosed but I think in the end she feels she has become stronger in her faith.
What’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?
I am a woman that just faces a different set of challenges than the average person.
Thanks, Erin.