Was watching a TV show last night and it got me thinking about a particular topic that I wanted to ask your thoughts on. It is pretty contentious so I understand if you refrain from commenting!
Questionn – What might God expect of trans-gender people? (Read on to better understand my question.)
Let me explain why I ask this. I was watching Eli Stone last night and one of the story lines running through the show was of a church pastor suing his church for ‘wrongful dismissal’…because HE had been a SHE when first hired, but had a sex change. The general thought presented throughout the show is that this is a prejudice that should not exist. Now, I doubt the writers of the show were trying to tackle this from a Christian perspective, but it opens up many, MANY questions.
I don’t myself really want to talk about whether trans-gender people should be pastors or not, that is a whole new level of deep and contentious thought. But what it got me thinking is, if a trans-gender person comes to Christ… what do they do? Would they be expected to do anything?
To explain this I need to give an illustration. It is ‘general’ (but not total) consensus that homosexuality and faith don’t mix. This isn’t to say that homosexuals cannot be saved, but that generally they would either have to decide to remain celibate OR look for heterosexual relationships only. I admit this isn’t what all streams of christian faith espouse, but it would have to be the main response. Though this is tough…it is entirely possible and you hear many stories of this happening.
So, what about trans-gender? The issues associated here aren’t so much sexuality (though they come into it) but also just about the person’s sex. Would it be expected of them that they go back to living ‘as God created them’ or would it be ok for them to continue living as their new sex? Does God HAVE an expectation here?
I don’t know if we can actually answer this because it would require constructing a box. Some streams of faith believe creating boxes is pivotal and some believe creating boxes is limiting God and the freedom he desires for us. But what about you? How would you approach the situation if a trans-gender person began attending your church? What is your theology, or your churches theology, or just your thoughts on this?
You see…I actually find it very hard to answer this very question. The ‘inner Pharisee’(thanks for that Hamo!) in me has me asking ‘Why are you even asking this question, of COURSE it would be expected that they live as God made them’. But then…this answer just doesn’t sit quite right. I am stuck between the tension of black and white land vs grey land.
Hmmm, this topic is challenging my mind greatly. Any thoughts from the blogosphere?
