p3gasus

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  1. Spartan great post. This whole issue has been extremely fascinating for me ever since I first heard about some of the theories out there. Also, there are many stories in many ancient cultures and their respective mythologies that point to transgenders and homosexuals as not something that is new. This has been around for thousands of years. Some native american tribes used to consider transgenders as gods and worship them. While I don't agree on a lot of the theories and research, it is quite fascinating and I will be spending quite a bit of time updating my research into this topic; starting with the links you shared. I see many hours of enjoyable reading in my future. Thank you for the updated information. It has been over 10 years since I first studied this issue and my interest has been renewed lately after a therapist suggested that my 7 year old son might be struggling with gender identity issues. He has always cross dressed and preferred mainly activities that seem girly in nature. When he was younger, I thought nothing of it and just thought it was a phase that all toddlers go through. Recently, he has expressed that he wishes he had been born a girl, still plays with baby dolls and barbies, and tries to dress in my clothes and makeup. I try to gently encourage him to be involved in sports and have male friends but he protests. Every attempt to stop him from dressing in my clothes and putting on my makeup results in his feelings being hurt and tantrums. I struggle with trying to balance showing him how a boy is expected to behave and having compassion and understanding for behaviors that may have lifelong negative effects on him and may never change. All the while, I am still hoping and praying that he is still just going through a phase that he is a little slower than others at exiting. This whole thing is touchy cause I would love for him to be a normal boy but I don't want to destroy his developing self-esteem and alienate him in the process. Regardless of how this plays out in the future, I just want him to know that I love him unconditionally and will accept him no matter what.
  2. I have never seen the movie that is mentioned, however, I have had some experience in my studies that have made me view some of these issues of gender change or homosexuality in a different light. I am currently a psychology student and have studied genetics in the past. There is a very real and rare disorder (though some speculate not quite as rare as previously thought) called hermaphroditism. In it's most rare and truest form, a child is born with both male and female characteristics. Parents faced with this, prior to genetic testing, had to make a decision to surgically alter their children and hope they were choosing the right gender to raise their child. With genetic testing being used more and more frequently, the choice of which gender to select for the child becomes easier because testing can show which sex gene is dominant. However, this genetic testing is starting to show that the xy mutation is not as rare as originally thought. There are many more mutations to the xy gene that do not manifest as true hermaphroditism. Hermaphroditism is starting to be seen as occurring on a spectrum, with various degrees of manifestation. Many who undergo sex changes, often feel as if they were placed in the wrong body. The may be physically male, yet exhibit all the emotional and behavioral characteristics of a female. Or vice versa. In genetics this is considered partial hermaphroditism since children born this way do have the xy mutation. In psychology, this is called gender identity disorder. The person feels so strongly about feeling trapped in the wrong body and it affects them so profoundly, that many take drastic measures to alter their appearance; including self mutilation that could possibly lead to death. Not many studies have been done on this, but of the few transgenders that have submitted to genetic testing, all were found to have one of the xy mutations. This has led to many theorizing that for some gays, they may actually have a more milder form of the xy mutation. Now I am not saying that just because a person claims they are gay that they automatically have the mutation, but for some this may actually be the basis for their conviction that they are indeed different. While, I am sure many who claim to be gay are just choosing a lifestyle that they find exciting due to all the hype surrounding it in the media, a small population of the gay community are probably suffering from a milder form of gender identity disorder. When I learned about hermaphroditism in my genetics class, it left me fascinated and I have continued my studies into this disorder that, while genetic in nature, has very severe and far reaching social and psychological consequences that are beyond the persons control. For children born with the xy mutation, they have no control over the conflicting emotions that they feel compared to what society thinks they should feel. Parents of these children, spend their lives raising that beloved son or daughter, never suspecting that there is anything genetically wrong with their child and all the while the child suffers in silence because they do not understand why they feel so different. When the child grows into adulthood and decides to ignore their outward appearance and live as they feel they should, the fallout from the shock and horror at the child's life choices can be devastating. Now hearing the scientific theories revolving around such a controversial issue and the limited research into this area of study, does this change anyone's perspective on the choice to have the sex change for the person in the movie? What if more scientific research does prove that transgenders and homosexuals are suffering from a genetic disorder, how do you think that will eventually shape the church's and society's views on handling these issues? How does this change your perception of the thread's topic? Side note: As a major in the social sciences, I quite enjoy setting my faith and religious belief's aside temporarily step into another's shoes for a moment. It is quite interesting to see someone's response when they are faced with the other side of the argument. Makes for a much more interesting and enlightened conversation.
  3. Isn't that really a hobo stew or casserole and not chili. :) At least that is what my family called tossing all the left overs in a crockpot when I was growing up.
  4. I have done this many times, though not as often as I should. One thing I've noticed in my own life is when I am in counsel with the Lord, my family and I are blessed immensely. However, when I stray from that, I often find myself in very uncomfortable situations that usually force me to humble myself before God to get out of it successfully. Needless to say, I try very hard not to stray to often.
  5. The key here is to remember that not every verse in the bible is a metaphor for something else that needs deciphered. Quite often, what is said is exactly what is meant. When this scripture refers to dust returning to dust, it is not referring to the mortal body. It quite literally means dust. The dust comes after the body decomposes completely. Depending on the area the body is buried, soil conditions, climate, and time of year this can be a matter of months or never (as is the case with mummified remains). Basically, the dust is not immediately returned to the earth upon death since it must decay completely first. Just as it takes time for our bodies to return to dust, it takes time for the soul to return to God. God understands that we need time to prepare for his arrival and that includes providing a place of rest prior to greeting him. This mortal existence is so wrought with trials, heartache, and pain that it completely wears on the soul. Anyone who has ever felt soul weary and emotionally drained can attest to this. We are also taught that to stand in the presence of God, we must strive our best to become God-like. This usually encompasses not only following commandments, reading scripture, and praying; but also caring for our bodies as if they are a temple of God. This, to me at least, suggests that our souls need to be as close to perfect as humanly possible, which would include being well rested. I have often heard the question "If Heavenly Father was to visit you today, would you feel worthy to stand in his presence?" Many of us will answer no to this question, even upon our deathbed. Since God understands how important it is for us to not only be worthy, but to also feel worthy of being in his presence, he has provided us with a rest stop of sorts in the spirit world. For many, it will be a place to learn about the gospel if a chance was never encountered during their mortal existence. For others who have heard the gospel and rejected it, it will provide a second chance to change their minds. As for the rest, it is a place for some much needed rest and relaxation for the soul on the long journey back home. Also, if you think about it and put yourself in God's place for just a brief moment. If you were the one planning a family reunion of the magnitude God is planning, and all of your children were due home all at the same time, you would need all the time you can get to plan and implement all the fine details. Since scripture tells us that God plans a large scale, grand welcome for all his faithful children, it is not unreasonable to assume that God is using this time from now until the planned judgment day and arrival of his children to get everything in order. Just what any loving and excited parent would do for their children they haven't seen in forever. The particular scripture quoted here does not say that we will return to God immediately. In fact it says the exact opposite, as our bodies must first turn to dust before the dust can return to the earth. Just my two cents worth. Hope it helps clarify things.