The Church & Transgenderism

[Dr. Shane]

Dr. Jennifer posted on a subject the church needs to be addressing - Transgenderism.  Most people in society do not know enough about the topic to form an opinion.  People in the church don't know anymore either.  The Adventist church's official position is a moderate one.  I suspect that most people in the church would disagree with it either because they are more accepting or less accepting.  The issue is, and always should be, how to we help people find a satisfyingly relationship with God that fulfills their spiritual and emotional needs.  The truth, wrongfully delivered, sends many straight into the welcoming arms of Satan. 

https://www.jenniferjill.org/post/how-do-you-identify

 

The first thing most people do not understand is that not all transgenders are gay. Caitlyn Jenner, perhaps the most famous transgender, is not gay. She (or he) was born a male and is sexually attracted to females. But, he (or she) identifies as a woman. My son is the in the same situation. He was born a male, is sexually attracted to women, and also identifies as one. We don't have a very reliable research to provide good statistics but from what we know, half of all transgenders are attracted to the opposite sex of their birth sex. This is very important to understand because with many of these people, we are not dealing with immoral sexual behavior. We are dealing strictly with an identity crisis.

 

The second thing is that these people need acceptance more than anything else. Don't give advice unless they ask. If they do ask, the best advice is for them to consult with a Christian counselor. Some secular counselors can be helpful but most have bought into the LGBTQ+ agenda and will likely do more harm than good. In most cases, these people have other issues like depression, anxiety, anger or suicidal thoughts that they need to work through. Few pastors and even fewer church members are equipped to counsel any of those issues, much less a transgender person experiencing them.

 

The third thing is something Dr. Jennifer mentions in this article. "Most of the detrasitioners say they realize their gender dysphoria related to other issues such as autism, anxiety, mood disorders, or body dysmorphia." Social media and college campuses are filled with transgender ideas. Many of those experiencing late-onset gender dysphoria today, had they lived 50 years ago would have been joining the military to go to war in Vietnam, or using drugs and becoming part of the sexual revolution. That is not to say their gender dysphoria isn't real. Society has a very real psychological impact on us. They are struggling with it. It is real. But they are not all that different than previous generations. They are simply experiencing that same identity crisis in a different way.

 

To summarize: don't assume someone is gay simply because they are transgender. Make them feel welcome in the church and don't give advice unless asked (then procede with caution). Finally, remember they are experiencing an identity crisis that is real and not all that different than people have experienced throughout history.

[phkrause]

On 4/11/2023 at 9:46 PM, Dr. Shane said:

The issue is, and always should be, how to we help people find a satisfyingly relationship with God that fulfills their spiritual and emotional needs.  The truth, wrongfully delivered, sends many straight into the welcoming arms of Satan. 

100% agree!!

 

On 4/11/2023 at 9:46 PM, Dr. Shane said:

The first thing most people do not understand is that not all transgenders are gay. Caitlyn Jenner, perhaps the most famous transgender, is not gay. She (or he) was born a male and is sexually attracted to females. But, he (or she) identifies as a woman. My son is the in the same situation. He was born a male, is sexually attracted to women, and also identifies as one. We don't have a very reliable research to provide good statistics but from what we know, half of all transgenders are attracted to the opposite sex of their birth sex. This is very important to understand because with many of these people, we are not dealing with immoral sexual behavior. We are dealing strictly with an identity crisis.

Again I agree 100%

 

On 4/11/2023 at 9:46 PM, Dr. Shane said:

The second thing is that these people need acceptance more than anything else. Don't give advice unless they ask. If they do ask, the best advice is for them to consult with a Christian counselor.

Exactly!!

 

On 4/11/2023 at 9:46 PM, Dr. Shane said:

The third thing is something Dr. Jennifer mentions in this article. "Most of the detrasitioners say they realize their gender dysphoria related to other issues such as autism, anxiety, mood disorders, or body dysmorphia." Social media and college campuses are filled with transgender ideas. Many of those experiencing late-onset gender dysphoria today, had they lived 50 years ago would have been joining the military to go to war in Vietnam, or using drugs and becoming part of the sexual revolution. That is not to say their gender dysphoria isn't real. Society has a very real psychological impact on us. They are struggling with it. It is real. But they are not all that different than previous generations. They are simply experiencing that same identity crisis in a different way.

Excellent points!!

 

On 4/11/2023 at 9:46 PM, Dr. Shane said:

To summarize: don't assume someone is gay simply because they are transgender. Make them feel welcome in the church and don't give advice unless asked (then procede with caution). Finally, remember they are experiencing an identity crisis that is real and not all that different than people have experienced throughout history.

Totally agree!!

Now having made those comments, I do have one other statement to make, personally I believe that God doesn't make mistakes!! How does that figure into your thoughts about this subject??

[Dr. Shane]

On 5/7/2023 at 5:06 PM, phkrause said:

Now having made those comments, I do have one other statement to make, personally I believe that God doesn't make mistakes!! How does that figure into your thoughts about this subject??

We live on a sick planet.  People get cancer.  Babies are born with Downs Syndrome.  Viruses infect and kill.  God didn't cause any of that.  Gender Dysphoria is a disorder comparable to an eating disorder.  We can't blame God for that.  But we can love the people affected by it and demonstrate that God loves them so much that He gave them a friend like us.

[phkrause]

On 5/11/2023 at 12:06 AM, Dr. Shane said:

We live on a sick planet.  People get cancer.  Babies are born with Downs Syndrome.  Viruses infect and kill.  God didn't cause any of that.  Gender Dysphoria is a disorder comparable to an eating disorder.  We can't blame God for that.  But we can love the people affected by it and demonstrate that God loves them so much that He gave them a friend like us.

Amen to that 👍👍!!