Theology and intersex. (birth control, beliefs, homosexuality, genesis, church)

[Willamena]

Thanks for the information.
*bump*

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by Willamena

Thanks for the information.
*bump*

No problem.

I'm still bouncing around websites trying to find out some more information on the major religious beliefs on this but cannot find much. Several forums and blogs on people within those religions asking the same question but no consensus on the Christian, Islamic, Jewish...most religions.

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by gnomon

Anyone know their religions modern theological view on intersex?

Considering that marriage, stem cell and abortion have all been considered why not intersex? Why not gonadal dysgenesis, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, mosaicism, etc?

I know there are certain religious beliefs, and quite old ones as well, that actually considered hermaphroditism as just a different gender. However, as far as I know there is no recorded case of a true human hermaphrodite. Actually, the term hermaphrodite is no longer used medically as far as I know.

When the biological sciences are showing us that the male/female binary view may no longer be as sound as we once believed how are modern religious views considering this? Ignoring it?

edit: I won't bite!

I'll tackle this myself.

From a Christian perspective, and those which share a similar concept, the idea of the Fall would be an explanation for how, when God created them male and female, we now see that humans no longer develop as such a perfect creation.

Would that be a correct view? It's short but even when I was among the Baptists I never really accepted this idea of the Fall popular among Christians and New Age enthusiasts.

Besides, what would that imply about those individuals? Would they be less than perfect? Why should they suffer so in God's eyes for something that is no choice of their own?

I don't know enough about the Hindu religion's concept of human creation. However, I think this is a valid question for those who follow the "Abrahamic" paths.

[Draka]

I don't believe that there is any real "stance" held by Pagans in general about intersex. I'm sure that doesn't help you though.

As far as I know though, there are hermaphrodites and cases of it around. Since I happen to know one I'm pretty sure of this.

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by Draka

I don't believe that there is any real "stance" held by Pagans in general about intersex. I'm sure that doesn't help you though.

As far as I know though, there are hermaphrodites and cases of it around. Since I happen to know one I'm pretty sure of this.

Aye. I wasn't expecting much from Pagans. Not saying that in a bad way. I just don't know of any theological view expressing a perfect creation of male/female among modern paganism. I might be wrong but male and female tend to be more symbolic in importance rather than the actual biological definition.

I would be skeptical of the hermaphrodite claim. A human hermaphrodite would have to have functional testes and ovaries. I'm thinking of the mythological hermaphrodite. However, if you are talking about gonadal mosaicism, which is called true hermaphroditism then I definitely agree.

Here is an interesting story.

BORN TRUE HERMAPHRODITE - Pictorial Profile

[Draka]

Originally Posted by gnomon

Aye. I wasn't expecting much from Pagans. Not saying that in a bad way. I just don't know of any theological view expressing a perfect creation of male/female among modern paganism. I might be wrong but male and female tend to be more symbolic in importance rather than the actual biological definition.

I would be skeptical of the hermaphrodite claim. A human hermaphrodite would have to have functional testes and ovaries. I'm thinking of the mythological hermaphrodite. However, if you are talking about gonadal mosaicism, which is called true hermaphroditism then I definitely agree.

Here is an interesting story.

BORN TRUE HERMAPHRODITE - Pictorial Profile

Well, I don't know what you would want to call it. I only know what she has shared with me. She has had children of her own. Given birth to them. She definitely goes as a female. BUT she has a penis, which does become erect when aroused and functions fully as far as she has told me. It's not like I asked her about her testes you know? Though she did comment once that she could get another woman pregnant. I haven't exactly examined her, but her husband maintains that she is telling the truth as well.

She also has a brother that was born the same way, but he identifies male.

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by Draka

Well, I don't know what you would want to call it. I only know what she has shared with me. She has had children of her own. Given birth to them. She definitely goes as a female. BUT she has a penis, which does become erect when aroused and functions fully as far as she has told me. It's not like I asked her about her testes you know? Though she did comment once that she could get another woman pregnant. I haven't exactly examined her, but her husband maintains that she is telling the truth as well.

She also has a brother that was born the same way, but he identifies male.

I'm not arguing. Most stories I've read do not mention any account of someone who has two functioning sex traits. I stand corrected.

And yes, it might not be the best idea to ask her. Even more so to examine her. I imagine that would be very awkward.

[Draka]

Originally Posted by gnomon

And yes, it might not be the best idea to ask her. Even more so to examine her. I imagine that would be very awkward.

Oh, ya think?

I just kind of figure than when an old friend of mine decides to come out and tell me something along those lines, in all confidence, then I'm not about to ask her to "present them" you know?