Non-western cultures recognized more than two genders… not surprising. That the Talmud, Jewish Rabbinic texts, would describe genders beyond the two is new to me (4:39 in the video). It’s interesting that the “problem” of gender is set against the background of different cultures interacting where one recognized more than two genders and the wanna-be dominant culture was concerned that their officers would be influenced by the other culture and it would result in a “break down of discipline,” etc., etc., etc., so they “outlawed” a non-binary understanding of gender. Interesting. So, civic law has to be employed to fortify against the encroachment of a different cultural and religious understanding of gender. Interesting. I guess this isn’t a place where the marketplace of ideas, where the best idea wins is applicable. 

Personally, being a boomer, I’m a bit like the old Woody Allen joke that I’m not so much in favor of bisexuality for myself, but only because I don’t need the added anxiety of being rejected by both genders. If you can swing it and make it work, more power to you. However one finds their happiness with a partner with equal agency, I’ll celebrate your happiness. I decided a long time ago, having attempted to follow all of my own religion’s dictates and still ended up with an unhappy marriage and divorce that a potential partner’s humanity is far more important than what god they pray to or don’t pray to. It really comes down to the quality of the person and their community than anything else. 

After my divorce I rolled through several relationships and all I can say is that making things work is hard enough without outside cultural/religious expectations weighing in, that have nothing to do with two people building a life together. Let’s just say, of all of my high school Jesus People friends, I only know of two couples (who met after high school), who have “made it” without multiple “retakes” or “redos.” Yeah, “It’s complicated” pretty much sums it up. I wish it were simpler. It’s not. Turns out that the world is not a “one-size-fits-all” sort of thing and this especially applies to understanding gender identity and sexuality; which (again this might be news to my boomer buddies) are not the same thing. Enjoy (if you can or would like to…). 

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Tags: Crash Course Religions, in bad faith, marriage fail, religion and sex, video Mondays

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