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

[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!

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I did a quick Google search, and every Christian site I came across assumed a binary male/female nature to sexuality. If they acknowledged that there was a dilemma at all, it was with regard to determining which gender an intersex child was "more" like so that the way they would be raised and medical interventions could be chosen (but all assumed that one gender or the other would be definitively chosen - none assumed any sort of middle ground). The few that actually gave any sort of religious or scriptural support for this idea cited Genesis 5:2 - "He created them male and female".

In my personal opinion, I don't see how creating a single individual both "male and female" goes against Genesis 5:2.

I did a quick look through the index of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and nothing applicable jumped out at me (they did cite the same verse of Genesis... though it seemed to be more directed at homosexuality than at intersexuality).

[Rowenn]

I'm (I have) my own religion to a certain extent, and I know that I am open to people of all genders... So, I think my "Higher Power" would be as well (though I don't believe that a supreme being would have care for such things. Perhaps it's simply a form of apathy?)

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by 9-10ths_Penguin

I did a quick Google search, and every Christian site I came across assumed a binary male/female nature to sexuality. If they acknowledged that there was a dilemma at all, it was with regard to determining which gender an intersex child was "more" like so that the way they would be raised and medical interventions could be chosen (but all assumed that one gender or the other would be definitively chosen - none assumed any sort of middle ground). The few that actually gave any sort of religious or scriptural support for this idea cited Genesis 5:2 - "He created them male and female".

In my personal opinion, I don't see how creating a single individual both "male and female" goes against Genesis 5:2.

I did a quick look through the index of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and nothing applicable jumped out at me (they did cite the same verse of Genesis... though it seemed to be more directed at homosexuality than at intersexuality).

Thanks for the reply.

I was truly hoping by now that at least someone could provide some information. At least Victor in another thread tried to find some information as well.

I just find it odd that for those who hold such strong, theological positions on homosexuality cannot find anything, or just don't care, about this as well.

[Mike182]

i'm not at all sure how to answer this from a Pagan perspective. we are very liberal with regards to homosexuality, but i don't know of any writers in the Pagan field to have touched upon this subject, and i myself have not given any thought to it.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Mike182

we are very liberal with regards to homosexuality,

You are !? !

[Somkid]

I'm not sure what you mean by "intersex" but if you mean same sex relationships they are perfectly acceptable, here in Thailand people are openly gay with no problems or harassment as are cross dressing, trans gender and the like.

Marriage is not a "sacrament" nor is it a religious thing many people simply live together and call each other husband and wife.

Stem cell research is legal as is stem cell treatment which they are having great success with.

Abortion however is only legal in certain situations but not the norm primarily because most doctors find it unethical and do not encourage it as a form of birth control

I don't know if that answers your question or not but we are accepting of almost anything.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

You are !? !

apparently so... but that's ok, it's just a fad left over from the Hippy culture of the sixties.

[Willamena]

What is "intersex"? Is that, like, having sex with a member of your own species?

[gnomon]

Sigh.

What is intersex? | Intersex Society of North America

Seek and ye shall find.

I could have used the term hermaphrodite. However, that would be misleading.