Gender Blending: Is it Wrong?

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by Prodigal

Consideration should be given to the fact that an estimated 1 in 1500 are born "intersexed" or are determined to be neither exclusively male or female. Actual rates are higher since these rates are determined when a "specialist" in sex assignment is called in.

Depending on "culture", intersexed individuals have been expected to conform to either a male or female "gender role". In some cultures, intersexed individuals are included in a "third gender" classification.

To quote the Intersex Society of North America:

"In cases of intersex, doctors and parents need to recognize, however, that gender assignment of infants with intersex conditions as boy or girl, as with assignment of any infant, is preliminary. Any child—intersex or not—may decide later in life that she or he was given the wrong gender assignment; but children with certain intersex conditions have significantly higher rates of gender transition than the general population, with or without treatment".

It would appear that based on these scientic facts, not everyone is born either exclusively male or female, and that "gender identity" is more of what is between your ears rather than what form of genitalia you were born with.

I would think that the occurance of intersexed births would blur the lines of sexual/gender distinctives that are typically culturally based.

Thank you for being the voice of reason in this discussion.

As much as some people would like it to be, it's not a black or white issue. So much of gender is biological. And just as someone can be born with both types of genetalia, there is also the possibility of too much (or too little) of a particular type of hormone.

Hypothetically, if a male has too little testosterone, and too much estrogen floating around in his body, can we call his effeminate nature sinful?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I know, me too. When Oprah had HER on the show, they announced her as a "pregnant man." I told my mother, NO, she is a pregnant woman...of course.

What stupidity we have going on in our culture. They act as if she's some kind of miracle of science or something. LOL!!!!

Yep. The only miracle is that in spite of being a confused deviant, she did not mutilate herself to the point that she could not get pregnant.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Thank you for being the voice of reason in this discussion.

As much as some people would like it to be, it's not a black or white issue. So much of gender is biological. And just as someone can be born with both types of genetalia, there is also the possibility of too much (or too little) of a particular type of hormone.

Hypothetically, if a male has too little testosterone, and too much estrogen floating around in his body, can we call his effeminate nature sinful?

Humankind is born with the propensity and ability toward all kinds of sin. So yes, it can still be called sin--even if one is born with the tendency.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Humankind is born with the propensity and ability toward all kinds of sin. So yes, it can still be called sin--even if one is born with the tendency.

Miss B ~ I have always admired you, and think that you are pretty intelligent, even though we vastly disagree on many topics. That's why I am really disappointed in this post.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Miss B ~ I have always admired you, and think that you are pretty intelligent, even though we vastly disagree on many topics. That's why I am really disappointed in this post.

Think of it this way.

Both parents are alcoholics and give birth to a son. His chances of being an alcoholic is extremely high. Does that make it not a sin?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Miss B ~ I have always admired you, and think that you are pretty intelligent, even though we vastly disagree on many topics. That's why I am really disappointed in this post.

I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mich. However, the deeper issue is that being born with a tendency does not require us to act upon it. To be glib for a moment, let's say someone is born with a hot temper and tendency toward violence--and perhaps due in part to a hormonal imbalance--is that person then excused both by society and God if they commit murder in a fit of rage?

No. We can feel some compassion for their state, but ultimately the act itself is not excused.

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Think of it this way.

Both parents are alcoholics and give birth to a son. His chances of being an alcoholic is extremely high. Does that make it not a sin?

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mich. However, the deeper issue is that being born with a tendency does not require us to act upon it. To be glib for a moment, let's say someone is born with a hot temper and tendency toward violence--and perhaps due in part to a hormonal imbalance--is that person then excused both by society and God if they commit murder in a fit of rage?

No. We can feel some compassion for their state, but ultimately the act itself is not excused.

I am certainly not implying that our genes are stronger than our behavior in all cases! Of course, I may physically be attracted to a man, but that does not mean I must sleep with him.

I guess what I am asking, is what really determines gender? It is simply physical? Baby's with are a boy or girl depending on their outside parts? My point is, that often the inside endocrine system, and the outside parts, don't match. Then what? Or what if there is just one little hormone that's off?

Where do we draw the line? When do we determine that it's sin? Does a man with too little testosterone, who has a higher voice than most men, and is not as physically strong, does that make him effeminate and a rank sinner? (Notice, I am not asking does he go fool around with other men, or wear women's clothing....that stuff he can obviously control)

[Steve Epley]

The wiseman said sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind somewhat 80 years after women put their pants on and bobbed their hair now you have this gender confusion. Butchy women and girly men.

[Baron1710]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

The wiseman said sow to the wind and reap the whirlwind somewhat 80 years after women put their pants on and bobbed their hair now you have this gender confusion. Butchy women and girly men.

Not seeing the connection. Effeminate men and masculine women have been issues in every society.

[Carpenter]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Humankind is born with the propensity and ability toward all kinds of sin. So yes, it can still be called sin--even if one is born with the tendency.

I think you are absolutely 100% correct. I appreciate you too Missy...but you know that already!