Although I am a Christian, I am one who sees the tears that come from God when we get things as fouled up as we do by making him/her in OUR image. (While not a full Gnostic, I indulge myself in Gnosticism from time to time, and actually think I hear a cosmic chuckle when I do.)
One of the items that strikes me to begin with, is that both Judaism and main line Christianity (catholics, protestants, et al) started small against a large world. Uhhh, what's the best way to grow to a big religion?? Obviously, don't convert intelligent pagans. Give birth to and raise new Christians!!! A well known US church that recognizes Jesus practiced polygamy for many years before it had enough members to be a big church. Only problem with home grown there is that you have to have to have sperm producers and ova producers getting together, and a sperm producer who has the source removed surgically can't get the sperm to an ova, and it works the other way around too!! LOL. (I've actually had that one grudginly admitted.) There are some mainline churches that "officially" still have it on their doctrinal books that people who cannot bear children can't get married in the church. Technically, post menopausal women cannot get married if the doctrine is strictly enforced. (As far as I know, Viagra hasn't been added to those books.)
Interestingly enough, if Christians did practice what Paul really said in his first few years, our wonderfully literal (when it suits them) Bible quoters WOULDN'T BE HERE, since Paul actually said we shouldn't have any SEX, since the next generation wouldn't live long enough to have another one. Thats one I love to put on the table from time to time and watch people gag on it.
I do agree that some things have become a double standard!!
As far as my transgendered status goes, I think it is because God does have a sense of humor, and wants to see how I react to her/his little experiment with the human race. (I agree with an earlier post here that it is questionable that there is intelligent life on Terra!!
) I wonder if to some degree, its part of the ressurection of the body concept. Its just that I go to lala land on a surgical table and come back to life in a new body that is more in line with the wonderful caring person that I can be and will be.
"Jerulsalem, Jerusalem (Christians, Christians), How often have I called to you as a hen gathers its children under it wings, and you would not come - - !!"
