To hear Florida’s Governor DeSantis talk, you’d think that there’s a cabal of pediatricians out there with the goal of changing a child’s gender. In a nation of over 300 million, it is estimated about 1.6 million 13 years and older identify as transgender, or .0053 percent. And over half of LGBTQ adults still feel the need to hide their identities. How sad.
How sad it is that people still feel threatened in some way by someone different from themselves and their image of what should be. It is especially upsetting when people use Scripture to justify their fears of what they do not understand. Fear and hate become intertwined and leads to the kind of actions by people like DeSantis.
The Scripture that is important to our faith was, of course, written in a particular time. Learning how to read it in our time is critical for our understanding of God and the world. It reflects the hopes, fears, and faith of people confronted with particular situations. Its deep truths should not be subverted to hateful political agendas.
Prayer for the Day
Let us not lose our sense and senses of who we should be, O God,
But let us feel your healing touch in our lives today;
Let us not be swayed by those who would narrow your vision
For we know your creation encompasses all peoples and things.
Broaden our minds and understanding of your righteousness,
So we share your justice with the world.
In the name of the One who opens the way,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
But you can only lie about who you are for so long without going crazy.
- Ellen Wittlinger, American writer, from Parrotfish
It's easy to fictionalize an issue when you're not aware of the many ways in which you are privileged by it.
- Kate Bornstein, from Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly; and do what is right,
And speak the truth from their heart;
Who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends,
Nor take up a reproach against their neighbors
Psalm 15: 1-3