Bishop defends transsexual curate

[emad]

The Bishop of Hereford has defended the decision to ordain a transsexual woman as a priest.

Assistant curate Sarah Jones, 43, from Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, was born as Colin Jones and spent the first 33 years of her life living as a man.

Evangelical group Evangelical Alliance said there was no "Christian acknowledgement" of gender realignment.

But the Reverend Anthony Priddis said Ms Jones - who is due to be ordained on Saturday - was "made and loved by God".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/4277176.stm

[Zenlitened]

1. I don't think there's any occasion-- none -- where religion can't be used

... to hurt people. It's such a lovely thing. Turns ignorance into an art form. :crazy:

But Don Horrocks, of the Evangelical Alliance, said the bible made it "absolutely clear that God created human beings as male and female".

"Therefore there is absolutely no Christian acknowledgement of the 21st century human idea that it's possible somehow for a person to take charge of their own destiny and to decide what their own sexuality is," he added.

"Someone who does that... is therefore actually perpetuating an illusion or masquerading and any Christian is clearly not going to be supportive of someone who purports to be what they're not."

"Masquerading." "Purports to be what they're not." Here, clearly is someone who knows not a thing about gender identity conflicts. Yet feels fully authorized to spout shit nonetheless. What a puke.

[non sociopath skin]

2. Why some gays and transexuals yearn to belong to belief systems ...

... whose members condemn them as misfits and "sinners" is way beyond me.

The Skin

[Kipling]

4. The CoE is learning. Give them time.

[non sociopath skin]

5. Maybe. After all 500 years is a very short time in theological politics.

... they may need another millennium or two, I guess ...

The Skin

[Briar]

3. I just hope the church continues to back her

After that homosexual cleric was banned from becoming a bishop, I don't expect much.

[moggie]

6. What's the problem?

If there's "no Christian acknowledgement" of gender realignment, then according to the evangelicals Jones is a man. I thought they want only men as priests?