DEACON 11: «Genders»

I was wondering about this one. It is a complicated issue. First we start out with a quote from Genesis 1:26-27: «God created Adam in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female God created them«. But the male and female part is a trifle confusing. It can be interpreted as a way of including any gender that goes from male to female and inclusive of both, or just two genders: male and female.

However, Jewish rabbinical literature recognises six different genders, to include the tumtum who is a person born with ambiguous gender and/or sex and the androgynous as being persons characterized with elements of both sexes.

Interestingly the rabbis recognised these genders only as biological and not culturally conditioned as we think about genders now. In the teaching of many rabbinical scholars one can find references to God having created the first human as an androgynous being possessing two faces and two sexes. Psalm 139:5 says: “You have formed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.”

But the human psyche is a delicate thing and we, as a caring and kind-hearted society must ensure that all persons, regardless of how they see themselves, are afforded the opportunity to live a life that is fulfilling and happy. Rules and impositions based upon beliefs should not limit the individual’s desire for growth and for development in the way they desire and in the way that brings the individual peace, tranquillity and freedom.

The person’s gender is not the issue, the heart is. Acceptance is the way towards peace. Tolerance is the way towards understanding each other. Justice is the way towards the future, a future where everyone can feel a participant. We all are children of God (whether some know it or recognise it or not) and we all seek peace in our lives.

The imposition of a binary system by a government is a crime against humanity. It can create traumas in people. It is cruel and unusual and must not be condoned, neither from the point of view of ethics (morality) or religion. God is not a limited being that only accepts two sexes. God is limitless and big enough to accept all.

CHEERS