Transgendered and Pat Robertson

 We tend to regard ourselves as “freethinkers.” What we think – our ideas and worldviews – we automatically equate with truth and reality. In doing so, we tend to disregard the influence of the culture that has nurtured our thinking.

One interesting example of this is Pat Robertson, the 83 year-old televangelist. When asked about transgendered people, he answered:

• "I think there are men who are in a woman's body," he said. "It's very rare. But it's true -- or women that are in men's bodies -- and that they want a sex change. That is a very permanent thing, believe me, when you have certain body parts amputated and when you have shot up with various kinds of hormones. It's a radical procedure. I don't think there's any sin associated with that.”

Is it true that “there are men who are in a woman's body?" Well, if this is so, there is absolutely no evidence of this apart from the fact of the say-so of the transgendered themselves.

This reminds me of a Barbara Walters investigative report some years ago. It featured people who were convinced that, although they were born with legs, they were convinced that they weren’t meant to have legs. Consequently, they did everything they could to have their legs removed.

Of course, we regard this as pathological. But why? If we respect the say-so of the transgendered -  that even though they might have a male body, they are really a female – why do we regard those who claim that they are supposed to be without legs as pathological? Culture! The media! The steady drone of a solitary voice saying that it is a human right to be transgendered, even a source of pride! Meanwhile, those who have had their legs removed are regarded as “sick” – no basis for pride there!

Add to the steady drone are the vicious accusations that if you fail to fall in line with this thinking, you lack compassion and sensitivity. Even worse than that, you are a “bigot” and a “homophobe.” Soon, we will also be called “pedophobes!”

Instead, wisdom instructs us to be aware of the messages, influences, and the less-than-subtle messages to conform or else!