Different Christian views on Transgender Issues

Question 1

Context:

• Surgically changing your gender was not possible in 1st Century Palestine, and so the bible does not address it. This means that there is nothing in the bible to condemn being transgender, but nothing to support it either,
• The 2010 Equality Act includes ‘gender reassignment’ as protected characteristic.

Question 2

Arguments for allowing a change in gender:

• Bible says nothing about changing gender
• Liberal Protestants accept transgender people and transgender rights. Many denominations accept transgender people as ministers.
• The Church of England takes the same approach as liberal Protestantism. Since 200, transgender priests have continued their ministry and transgender men and woman are accepted to ordination.
• The Church of England states that marriage for transgender people is permitted when one member of the couple is transgender and special naming ceremonies are proposed for transgender members.
• The Catholic Church have stated that changing gender may be permissible in extreme cases.

Answer 2

Arguments against allowing a change in gender:

• Early Church condemned those who underwent surgery to modify their sexual identity. Eunuchs were not permitted for ordinance into the priesthood.
• Fundamentalist Protestants believe that God alone decides gender. Since God does not make ant mistakes, any attempt to change gender is an act of rebellion against God,
• ‘We affirm God’s love and concern for all humanity, but belief that God creates all human beings either male or female.’- Evangelical Alliance on Transexuality.
• The Catholic Church rejects the idea of changing gender, a report issues in 200 said that surgery did not change the identity of the person.
• The Catholic Church has stated that marriage of transgender people could never be valid.