...as anything else would be absurd, given that transsexualism is considered to have a biological cause and a variant of nature.

Consequently, the Protestant Church of Hessen-Nassau, one of the big organizations within the EKD (Protestant Church of Germany), issued clear statements about the inclusion of transsexual people and a brochure that also refers to the assumed biological causes.

https://unsere.ekhn.de/themen/umgang-mit-transsexualitaet.html

I think an English translation is currently being worked on.

I am posting this as I had the impression Christian belief is sometimes presented here as being in opposition to ideas regarded as "liberal". No, there are churches that try to account for scientific findings and at the same time trying to live up to the basic message of Jesus.

Consequently, there are meanwhile a number of transsexual pastors in the Protestant Church of Germany. While the heads of the state churches support them, they often still have problems gaining the understanding of the church members, who are completely drained in prejudice and wrong ideas. But things are continuing to change.

Transsexuality can be hard to understand, and therefore can also be controversial. If you know a transsexual, and/or do research, it becomes clear they need to be "free". Good of the German Protestant Church of Hessen-Nassau to move progressively forward.

Rachael, the world needs more caring people like you.


Russ

Up until now ( to my knowledge) it still is, Biology is still taught that there is only two sexes. Some countries this is still true, as it has been for centuries. So if science has supported this and the Bible and the Koran and other Holy Scripture have also supported Science; how do you expect people to change over night to the social acceptable preference now?!

But,, change is here for all and many things have changed in society that have been the opposite for centuries, much which has taken too long to change and much still to change.

Now, it is a social issue and not a science issue ( till they study and poke and prod enough people I guess); everyone, is coming to a point where is socially acceptable to change the norms.

Why do I say that, it's because, society sees a need for change and slowly it changes ( proven or not to be true). Like getting rid of violence in the home or workplace or to one part of society that may be a minority but is being socially shunned/ shammed /abused or prejudiced in some way. Sometimes this takes too long,, far too long for a so called civil society that we claim to have.

Taking your Religon stance, the Old Testament is way different to the New Testament for people to come to God. It is full of LAW and you must fulfil to get close. Then the Jews wrote the Talmud and Midrash to implement their LAWS; so they added another 613 or more laws on top of the original 10 from GOD ( I have been told). Very strict and rigid and so they get stuck in their traditions over the centuries,, things don't change.

In the New Testament,, Jesus came in LOVE and GRACE and He taught a different way, but churches also developed their own dogma and traditions and became rigid and controlled people with their traditions. Not what was meant to be as taught as by Jesus, but that is what all men/ women do is to take power and control whatever way they can. That is why they took a true belief and changed it into a RELIGION - just like Science is a Religion ( man's way to understand something).

In truth Jesus taught love and grace and that no one except God can truly judge a person ( what is in their heart). But we are to accept the law of the land ( give Caesar what is Caesar's and what is God's, give that to Him). As a Christian, you are to accept the person as they come, openly and freely, and don't look at colour, creed, sex or dress scenes and just love them as a person. BUT>>>>>> people being people ( and this applies to the secular population as well), we all have our own hangups . We have all be taught prejudices from childhood,, at home, school and work.

Some churches are not there yet, nor will they be, since they still have their traditions and laws. Otherwise they are not who they are meant to be, in their own eyes. Some churches will never do same sex marriages and that should be ok, as it is their right to do it or not. Same as there are male clubs only or female clubs only. Female only schools etc are there for a reason plus many other places that do distinguish between the sexes or have a very good reason to refuse access or membership to some people.

From a belief point of view this Protestant Church of Hessen-Nassau has taken to being open to change from what is written many thousands of years ago, and now have embraced something that goes against other churches. Then, really, God will have the last say and not man. If we do not love the person where they are at we are not doing what we are meant to do. Even if you believe something different, you still love the person,, that is every ones basic need.


Allan

Commenting on this part:
In biology, there are still only two sexes in terms of sexual poles, but biology doesn‘t deny that in about 0.1% of the cases, intersex conditions happen. Some years ago, an intersex deer was found in Germany, exhibiting both male and female outward features, just as an example. Of course, textbooks at school and university only present the typical case and don‘t account for rare variations unless they are for students specializing in that field.
Regarding transsexuality, which is not intersexuality in the original sense of the term, it has been studied by a relatively new subdivision of biology, neurobiology. Neurobiology has come to the insight that there is biological „content“ in the brain as well, and the brain has been ignored as actually being the most important sexual organ.
Of course it‘s not easy to change what people have learnt in centuries, but it‘s definitely possible if they are willing to listen about new science, and I‘m a bit pressing considering how many affected people will throw themselves in front of a train or jump from bridges in the meantime due to rejection by society.

It is awesome that the "world" is still growing and learning if we still choose too. There is still so much to learning and take in; some easy and some not so easy.

The medical professionals are still trying to work out how to help and not hinder ( for a change) but those with fundamental views are not going to change for a while yet. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and individuals have more knowledge these days than ever at their hands to get help in many more different ways.




Allan