I think this is my first post so I thought id begin by asking for some advice. I'm wondering what God would have me do.
Just started Medical School. I'm not sure about most schools, but my education quickly introduced me to situations that pose questions on how a Christian should act.
They teach us to ask peoples pronouns to be inclusive of those who don't identify with their birth sex. Is this showing love and consideration to others or is it fostering a lie that people want to believe?
@jmbaehman ain't that awkward!!
Wow!...How about James 1:5?
@jmbaehman Really..I'll be praying for you. I'm in Africa..and those kind of issues don't come up here. But my Sister, You, are confronting such. So prayers!!!!!
@Olamide haha how fitting for the conversation. Maybe I need to switch my picture. Im the one on the right! Thank you again for the response.
@jmbaehman 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Sorry Brother....my Man!..... Dude!!!
@Olamide haha I think that is very fitting! That has definitely been something I've asked him a lot for recently. I appreciate the response!
@jmbaehman great question. Jordan Peterson tackled this really well. I do not know if you have watched any of his videos, but they can be really informative on these issues.
@sinbach I listened to Jordan Peterson! He's really smart. I have seen videos where he says if someone asks him to call them a specific gender he would (should it be an actual word, ie not ze and xe), but he wouldn't allow himself to be forced to do this by a government since it violates his freedom of speech. My concern is whether Jesus would call someone by anything other than their God given sex if he was asked. In the moment, it seems polite, but i have difficulty imagining Jesus do that.
@jmbaehman NEVER, ever, compromise the Word of the Almighty God. Now let that guide you. When referring to their gender, simply use 'they' but be clear in your mind if they are male or female. God only made two genders. That's all there is, and there ain't no more.
@KarMarJo57 thank you for that.
@jmbaehman
When it comes to pronouns, I generally use whatever they want to be called or "they". There is no use in burning bridges by not using their preferred pronouns. Just focus on the sharing with them simple gospel. We should never expect those who do not follow God to act like they do.
However, it is a very different issue when dealing with those who do profess Christ.
@mott yeah, it feels petty to me to worry so much about simple words. But i get hung up on thinking about how Jesus would act in that situation. Like you said, its a different situation when a Christian requests this. Thats bc im not responsible for nonChristian actions (over simplified statement) However, the action im worried about is my own response which I will have to answer for. I dont think Jesus didn't mind burning bridges if it meant staying true to his character. So, should we?
@jmbaehman Jesus would show love for them. In reality "pronouns" don't matter as much as reaching them with the gospel.
If this situation was about unbelievers trying to convince you to do something wrong, and not doing so would also cause you to be ostracized by them, then it's different.
@jmbaehman - It is polite and respectful to call someone by the moniker they prefer. I don't think it's inherently evil to use some weird new pronoun when speaking to a person who wants that pronoun used. An employer may require certain things of you in this respect, and that's okay. But when you are not under a requirement or a polite expectation, it seems sensible to use the pronoun that matches the person's chromosome pair (XY, XX).
@MichaelG I can see this point too. I Think in the end the question is how do i love the person best. I am not sure if rules from an employer should change how I morally act. Im inclined to say it shouldnt, but i havent thought that through. However, what it means to love someone isn't always clear cut. Jesus was painfully truthful and quick to correct at times. Granted, i dont have the wisdom to know if i should correct nor the purest intentions always at heart. Thank you for your response.
@jmbaehman - I think if an employer requires us to do something we find morally repugnant and the employer is inflexible, it's time to find a better employer!
But using cis-gender pronouns, foolish and misleading though they may be, does not rise to the level of immorality (sin), does it? Can you point to a scripture that addresses the issue? FWIW, the one verse that comes to my mind is, "All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient" (1 Cor. 6:12).
@MichaelG if I could find one that directly discusses this issue, I probably wouldn't have posed the question haha😂 I guess your words "misleading" and "foolish" capture the reason for my hesitancy. But you bring up good points. This will likely be something I will have to continue to think and pray about. Just recently, I asked God why he seemed so silent in showing me a clear answer, and I quickly stumbled upon luke 11. I think he plans to make things clear eventually, just not right now.
@jmbaehman I totally understand as I have been in the same scenario. I often just say, "This person" Or "This individual". I would not ask the person what they want to be called. If they request something, you can share your beliefs and faith but also express that you want to respect them and will say what I have suggested. Does this help?
@rastites that is very helpful, thank you. It seems like a good plan. Definitely something I will keep in mind. It's there something in the bible that convinces you that to use the person's preferred pronoun would be wrong? If just like to hear other opinions on that.
@jmbaehman
remember jesus was not afraid of offending people! I often forget that. As Christians we want to be respectful but not play into delusions and sinful beliefs. If I offend someone by telling them the truth, so be it, but I will still love them through it anyhow
@rastites thank you for that! You make a great point, and like you said there in the end, I hope to adequately communicate that it is out of love that I do what I do.
@jmbaehman
I don't know you but i am proud of you an know the lord is too. Keep up the fight. It wont be easy...
@rastites thank you.
@jmbaehman it's gonna get a lot worse than that.
@jmbaehman you can never lie in showing the love of Christ. The greatest fruit of the Spirit is love. God’s love is perfect and cannot spread lies. When we decide to go along to show our love we’ve just quenched the love of the Spirit.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has responded to this so far. Each response has been helpful in stimulating my thoughts on this issue. I have found each argument compelling, and I pray that God's truth might shine in the responses. I dont expect the answer to be fully elucidated in this thread, but even still, I find it all helpful. Keep on posting if youre interested, I just wanted to put this out there. Also, please feel free to give me references. I know the text limit fills fast