It's Adam and Eve, right? Male and female God made them -- Jesus said that, so it must be true. Yes, except that defining male and female and gender differentiation can be quite complex. Take the ongoing discussion of the person pictured above, a South African athlete by the name of Caster Semenya. Semenya was raised as a girl because there was no evidence of male sexual organs and she sees herself as a young woman. The doubt about her gender has come as she competed at a high level as an athlete. It didn't seem to be an issue until she began to win, and then the controversy erupted. When it was pointed out that she looked like a guy in track clothes she went to great pains to appear feminine.
Sadly, officials in South Africa have bungled the situation, requiring Semenya to undergo testing then declaring that she is a hermaphrodite, having both female and male sexual characterics. Suddenly her biology became public knowledge, even as she was attempting to grasp the possibility that what she had taken for granted through a lifetime might not be so straightforward. It was unfair and cruel.
The subject of sexual determination and awareness is addressed in a very readable and bestselling novel, Middlesex. We are beginning to realize that gender differentiation is probably a continuum rather than polar opposites. While this is difficult to grasp, it seems to me that it is important for the Christian community to listen and learn, prayerfully and compassionately.
Does this story trouble you? Why?
This story does trouble me. Why all the fuss, who cares, and it isn't really all that important with all the troubles in the world.
ReplyDeleteI read Middlesex, and there were parts I found difficult to read, but was glad I read it. The struggles of hermaphrodites( and others that don't fall exactly into the sexual norm of society)is something I otherwise might not have spent time fully considering. Ignorance and fear so often are the root of descrimination, it seems. In this age of information we should be evolving to be more understanding humans, I believe.
ReplyDeleteI understand why athletic organizations try to figure out what is fair in terms of competition. I agree with you Irene/Laurie that defining sexuality seems to be a preoccupation in the cultures of the world. I think humans have what might be an innate fear of those who are different. How is it that we are suspicious and even kill one another on the basis of race, colour, creed, gender?
ReplyDeleteLaura, you pick up on the challenge of coming to new understandings without feeling it is compromise of values and convictions.
Thanks to both of you for responding to a rather difficult subject.