Overcoming our
prejudices requires we seek knowledge
“We
must become bigger than we have been: more courageous, greater in spirit, larger
in outlook.”
Haile
Selassie, Statesman
As
a young man about to enter seminary in 1980, I heard Pastor Tony Campolo speak
in favor of gay rights. A pastor advocating gay rights? This was new to me.
I
considered what he said. Still, I wrote Campolo what I wondered: Should gays be
allowed to teach?
My
thinking was wrong.
I
discovered that the Bible, despite easily-made assumptions, does not condemn loving
gay partners. To the contrary, the context of Romans 1:25-27 is idolatry:
those “worshipping and serving the creature rather than the Creator.” This
prohibits temple prostitution, a common practice in both Old and New Testament
times.
As
I have written extensively in previous articles, other verses which may appear
to ban all gay sex actually refer to gang rape and the buying and selling of
sex, by gays and straights, as well as adult males sexually abusing boys.
While
attending seminary, I also heard a businessman speak about being fired from a
bank merely because he joined a gay organization working for civil rights.
The
point is this: I was prejudiced. My thinking was influenced by those who
thought gays were predators out to “convert” children to their way of
life.
My
thinking changed, however, when I studied the biblical, psychological and
ethical issues about gay sexuality—and when I listened to a gay man speak from
personal experience. My prejudice was transformed by knowledge.
Many
are now undergoing a similar transformation regarding transgender men and
women. Do you believe a male cannot be born in a female body or vice versa? If
so, are you willing to consider this may be possible?
It’s
not just Caitlin Jenner. It’s also the experience of countless boys and girls,
men and women, who realize their chromosomes and/or bodies do not match the
gender they know they are.
Sadly,
many are subjected to horrible discrimination. Sixteen-year-old Leelah Alcorn’s
depression and pain became so severe she committed suicide. Leelah is not
alone: The suicide rate for trans teens is far greater than for their peers.
The
experiences of transgenders are real. Indeed, brain scans indicate brain areas
more closely resemble the gender with which they identity rather than the
gender of their bodies.
The
biggest current news item regarding transgenders is what bathroom they should
use. A North Carolina man, who hasn’t used a woman’s bathroom in 20 years, is
both bewildered and upset. The irony is that North Carolina law currently
mandates this man use a woman’s restroom.
The
upshot of enforcing this law: Far more trans men—who really are men—would enter
women’s bathrooms than straight men.
Moreover,
men committing violence against women, in bathrooms or elsewhere, is already
illegal.
This
law is wrong. It is based on prejudice. As author E. B. White observes,
“Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get
the facts.”
Let’s
transform our prejudices with knowledge.
And
let’s also consider the wisdom offered by Attorney General Loretta Lynch
regarding North Carolina’s legal dictum: “What this law does is inflict further
indignity upon a population that has already suffered far more than its fair
share. This law provides no benefit to society, and all it does is harm
innocent Americans.”
Lynch
concludes by speaking directly to transgenders: “But no matter how isolated, no
matter how afraid, and no matter how alone you may feel today, know this: that
the Department of Justice and indeed the entire Obama Administration want you
to know that we see you. We stand with you and we will do everything we can to
protect you going forward.”
Let’s
reject discrimination and choose knowledge and compassion. At stake is our
humanity.
Rev.
Harry Rix has 60 articles on spirituality and ethics, stunning photos, and 1200
quotations for reflection available at www.quoflections.org. ©2016 Harry Rix. All rights reserved.