Transsexualism and Eastern Christian Thought

Now that the question of salvation has been looked at, the next logical step is to examine whether or not living, as a transsexual will deter salvation. I personally do not believe it to be, but let's examine it anyway. I do not pretend to be an expert in ethics. However, because I believe this to be less of an issue of ethics and more of a question on one's soul I do not find this to be a problem. As I have mentioned, I do not think someone who is transgendered is engaged in a sinful act. To suggest so would be ludicrous. Rather, I believe a transsexual to be a state of the human person.

However, for the sake of the discussion, let's examine it individually to see if transitioning is being sinful. As stated in the discussion of Theosis/Salvation, one must orient their life towards God. Now much in that essay involved the positive aspects of gaining deification. One must ask for mercy, one must be charitable, one must be faithful, etc. Therefore, let us look at the negative aspect. Now as mentioned in Mat. 22:36-40 we must first of all love God. Does a transgendered person hate God? It's possible, but I highly doubt it will be due to reasons related to being transgendered. If there is animosity towards God it is most likely due to some foreign cause. It is something that was already present. Now, can being transgendered cause one to directly loose faith in God? This is a question that I believe will determine whether or not it is sinful. Again, I can see no reason for it doing so. It may cause disbelief, but I view this much as the trial of Job or even Saint Peter. They were tempted by the most horrible things to test their belief. In Peter's case, he failed. Many transgendered men and women are also tested by horrible things: rejection by family, suicidal thoughts, loss of job, estrangement from spouse and children. Yet, two things must be remembered. It is never God who tempts us, but always the Evil one. He will wait for any moment to strike at our heal. However, God does allow it. This is because He respects our free will and because it allows us to grow as individual Christians and people. Many times we will want to just "Curse God and die" like Job. Many times we will fail. However, the beauty of God's mercy is that it is okay to fail; just as long as we continue to try afterwards. Thus, I could not accept the argument that one cannot love God and follow the most important commandment. Rather, I see it as an opportunity that allows one to grow in God's love just like all of his creatures.

The next question then begins whether or not transsexualism allows one to show charity towards his or her neighbour. Admittably, I've met some very bitter transsexuals out there. However, I have also met many bitter genetic men and women. We show charity towards one another based on our attitude. Again, as I have emphasized this before, being transgendered is a state of being it is not an act. How can a state of being be sinful? It would be as though all left-handed people or all people with autism are sinful. None are. Again, I believe that the same idea that applies to God can apply here. One cannot even directly link it to being uncharitable.

Finally, some scholastics out there may bring up the subject of natural law. Personally, I do not think this applies either. Acknowledging that you are transgendered and trying to fix it is in accordance with natural law. For we are simply fixing something that was unnatural to begin with. Again, it cannot be reemphasized enough that this is not an act someone engages in, but an unnatural state of the body and person. By changing the body it is eliminating conflict in the human soul. Personally, the only people I believe to be sinful in this matter are those who would actively and knowingly deny this and work to further discord among the women and men in this world.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.