This is an EXCELLENT resource from the Christian Medical and Dental Association that defines and describes sexuality and transgender issues from a Christian perspective:
https://cmda.org/resources/publication/transgender-identification-ethics-statement
Here it is summarized:
Biblical: God created humanity as male and female, they are morally and
spiritually equal, and are created to have roles that are in some respects
alike and in other respects wonderfully complementary. They are all loved by God, struggle with
moral failure and fall short of God’s standards, thus they need forgiveness
that God provides through Christ alone.
As fallen creatures with a sinful nature, this is expressed in many ways,
including sexuality and can result in confusion of gender identity and sexual
immorality. The divine purpose of sex is
for procreation and facilitating unity in the lifelong commitment of marriage
between one man and one woman, which fosters a secure and nurturing environment
for children and reflects the unity of Christ and the church.
Biological: Sex is an objective biological fact determined genetically
at conception by the allocation of X and Y chromosomes to one’s genome,
immutable throughout one’s lifetime, and cannot be changed at will. Humans are sexually dimorphic, and the
phenotypes are the outworking of sex gene expression which shapes sex anatomy,
sex hormone secretion, sex differences in the development of the CNS and other
organs. Procreation requires genetic contributions from both a male and a
female, and anomalies of human biological sex are an outcome of the fall and do
not invalidate God’s design in creation.
Social: Gender identity issues are complex, and removing traditional definitions
and boundaries is not a requirement for self-actualization. Finding one’s
identity within God’s design is the secret to a more healthy and fulfilled
life, and is not decided by choice and desire but by nature. God’s design will
always transcend culture. Transgender
ideology should not be imposed on all society or healthcare professionals based
on reasonable disagreements on scientific, moral or religious grounds, but are
protected by the freedoms of speech and religious liberty.
Medical: It is well documented that transgender individuals who use cross-sex
hormones and undergo sex reassignment surgery have an increased incidence of
depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and risky sexual
behaviors. Hormones that block puberty
inhibit normal growth and fertility and if taken during adolescence is
associated with increased risks, including HTN, blood clots, stroke, and some
types of cancer. Some studies suggest that sex altering surgery has uncertain
and potentially harmful psychological effects and can mask deeper problems.
Transient gender questioning can occur during childhood, is somewhat malleable
and influenced by psychosocial experiences. It is exceedingly rare for people
to have chromosomal and phenotypic sex characteristics that are in discord,
such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ambiguous genitalia, and androgen
insensitivity syndrome.
Ethical: Medicine rests on science and should not be held captive to demands or
desires that contradict biological reality. Sex reassignment operations are
physically harmful because they disregard normal anatomy and function, which
are not a disease. Dissatisfaction cannot be remedied medically or surgically.
Gender identity disorder should not be discarded on the basis of social
activism. Spiritual, psychological, and social support are needed, as hormonal
or surgical interventions only lead to further spiritual turmoil and
distress. Parents should not intervene
on behalf of the child with hormone or surgical treatments, as children lack
the ability to consent and can have lifelong physical, psychological and social
consequences. The purpose of medicine is
to heal the sick, not collaborate with psychosocial disorders, and altering
normal sexual anatomy to conform to transgender desires disrupts health. The
inability of men to bear children is not an illness to be remedied
surgically. Transgender designations may
conceal biological sex differences relevant to medical risk factors, so
biological sex documentation is necessary in the medical chart, and any
alteration of gender characteristics recorded factually.
Christian Community and Healthcare Professionals: Transgender patients should be
treated with respect, compassion, love and civility, in a non-judgmental manner
consistent with the humility and love Jesus modeled and commanded we show all
people. Those with a biblical or
traditional view of human sexuality should not be discriminated against or
forced to provide care they believe is morally wrong or harmful to the patient.
There should be a genuine effort to understand and respond to the psychological
distress, accepting them as a person but not necessarily agreeing with their
ideology.
Here are a couple other great links:
From Focus on the Family:
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/sexuality/transgenderism/understanding-transgenderism
From the American College of Pediatricians:
http://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/gender-ideology-harms-children
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