He or She? How Should I Refer to Transgender Friends?

[@Mark-yb1sp]

I refer to them as the one they are born with. Why? Because I refuse to participate in someone else’s fantasy. As a Christian, I am commanded to speak truth.

[@ianjones2731]

Same, I will not be pressured into lying just to appease anothers twisted view of their fake 'reality'.

[@Mark-yb1sp]

Ian Jones Thank you, Ian, for being the voice of reason. If we are not truthful with these people than we are not showing love. The reason why I am a Christian is because someone broke through my fantasy world so I could hear the truth. If they didn’t, I would still be stuck in a world that was actually killing me. Have a great day!

[@kateofone]

Truth is who one is within at ones core. Who one is on the surface matters not. To many believing in God is a fantasy and a delusion. Is it? How do you know you are not delusional?

[@SDDPSJ]

​@@kateofone we Christians have endured for centuries those not believing like us and insulting us. You have your right not to believe and to insult. And one day you'll have to answer for that. No Ill will, but we have no intention to have anything to do with the LGBT

[@kateofone]

@@SDDPSJ Trans people and lgbtq in general have been persecuted for centuries. The far right who support banning and denying the freedoms and rights of lgbtq people and who bully, discriminate, harass etc will have to answer now. They will be held accountable in the same regard as they treat others. It’s fair. So you now have a choice. Treat lgbtq people in a negative way and have the same momentum of hostility towards you and those around you or be positive and be indifferent or even tolerate lgbtq people and the freedoms and rights while not agreeing with the lifestyle.

[@catbee1452]

SO timely and needed, especially all that is going on right now (2022). I thank and praise God for you, Pastor John!

[@05lopjo]

Please Mr. Putin come to America and help us with the deviant infestation we have here

[@lindstheteacher1611]

I just call them by their name. If the “he/she” thing comes up I’ll just say, my friend.

[@robertathespider5311]

That’s a great way to get by if you’re uncomfortable with it but care about them more than you think it is wrong

[@puddin3543]

Or another option if you can do it without sounding weird is "they" since it's gender neutral. That way you're neither openly endorsing or opposing what they want to be called

[@garrettlewis5485]

Usually the term "they" is the best solution.

[@bobbig8837]

@@puddin3543 I felt like that was okay at first but now it's like conforming to the most recent "non binary" and "they pronouns" it feels accepting of it when clearly here in this video I'm not.

[@puddin3543]

@@bobbig8837 you're not affirming them as a gender neutral person, you're just referring to them without the use of any gender pronouns. You kinda have to do the best you can here. The main thing is your conscience, not what people think. What counts is that you know what you're saying and that you're not agreeing with something you shouldnt be agreeing with while at the same time trying to avoid conflict.

[@TearsofaLunarian]

I'd call them by their name. Who refers to others in third person when in the same room, anyway? Also, I'm so lucky to live in a country that never has had he or she pronouns, so I don't have to deal with this headache in my mother tongue.

[@bran8370]

As a transgender woman...I kind of wish we had the same--less awkward for all of us!

[@justonetime6179]

Haprilona when you’re talking to them directly you’d say “you”, but when you’re talking about them then you’d say “she or he”

[@TearsofaLunarian]

@@justonetime6179 Or just use their name. :'') Might be a cultural thing, but I barely ever call people by third person pronouns even when talking about them. Especially when talking and not writing.

[@justonetime6179]

Haprilona yeah, but wouldn’t you say “Sally didn’t like how you misgendered *her* the other day”?

[@margarita9520]

he question is How you should you REFER not how you should CALL a friend

[@juanluismorales644]

I met a boy the other day who identified himself as a girl and said his name was Jenny. I noticed how deep his pain is because of his identity crisis and how much rejection and abuse he has endured from his own family and community. I understood that making him feel accepted and loved was more important than upholding my convictions, so I called him "her" (I mean, we spoke Spanish and for most adjectives there's a masculine and a feminine form). We did talk about sex, gender and gender dysphoria and I told him what I believe - I did not hide or renounce my convictions. But one of them is that Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted (Luke 4.18), and I am told to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4.15). He needed my love before he would be ready to listen to the truth.

[@ricklamb772]

It was very commendable you took the time to speak to him about it ,but at the end of the day he was still walking away wondering what color lip stick to dress up in.perversion is a disease.

[@juanluismorales644]

@@ricklamb772 With all due respect, why do you say so, my brother? Don't you believe that Jesus' love can win his heart and change his allegiance, his expectations and goals? Or is it mere doctrine that can do that? Tell me something: How would you like to be treated if tomorrow you woke up feeling attracted to men and not women? Do you think that just quoting Romans 1.27 and calling you a pervert would be enough to help you cope with that? I know that that isn't going to happen to you (fortunately!), but I also know that no one chooses to feel same-sex attraction or the urge to dress up as the opposite sex.

[@ricklamb772]

JUAN,THATS THE THING,IT IS A CHOICE.THE DEVIL HAS CAST A PERVERSE SPIRIT ON THE EARTH,AS THE BIBLE FORTOLD. MAN CANNOT SAVE ANOTHER MAN,ITS BY THE POWER OF GOD THAT A PERSON IS BORN AGAIN.I HAVE WITNESSED TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD,BUT BOTTOM LINE IS.FOR EVERYONE TEACHING RIGHT ON THIS EARTH,THERES A THOUSAND TEACHING EVIL.PROOF OF THAT IS THE FACT THAT A FEW JUDGES,AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE MADE AN EVIL UNGODLY LAW SAYING THAT PERVERSE MEN AND WOMEN CAN MARRY,AND THAT ITS THE SAME AS HUSBAND AND WIFE.YOU DONT REALIZE WE ARE UNDER ATTACK BY SATAN TO DESTROY THE FAMILY UNITY OF GODLY DEFINED MARRIAGE. RECENTLY THERE EAS A BOY WHO THOUGHT HE WAS A GIRL,AND AT SCHOOL THEY LET HIM USE THE GIRLS BATHROOM,HE BRUTALLY RAPED A GIRL IN THAT BATHROOM.THEY SENT HIM TO ANOTHER SCHOOL HE DID IT AGAIN.WHAT ABOUT THE NORMAL GIRLS?, DONT YOU KNOW ABOUT GODS WARNING ABOUT SODOM AND GOMORAH? HOW JESUS HAD PRONOUNCED THE DEATH PENALTY ON ALL IT PERVERSE INHABITANTS.THEIR MINDS WERE SO DISTORTED BECAUSE OF DEPRAVITY. THAT THEY WANTED TO RAPE TWO ANGELS THAT CAME INTO THE CITY TO TAKE OUT LOT BEFORE IT WAS DESTROYED. LOT OFFERED THE RIOTOUS RAPERS HIS OWN VIRGIN DAUTERS,AND SAID IM BEGGING YOU DONT DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS.BUT THEY REFUSED AND HAD TO BE BLINDED FOR LOTS FAMILY TO GET AWAY.AND HOW ABRAHAM PLEADED IF I CAN FIND 50 THEN 40 THEN 30 THEN 20 THEN 10 DECENT PEOPL THERE HE WOULD SPARE THE PLACE.FACT IS,LOT ALONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO ESCAPE,HIS WIFE WAS TURNED TO SALT FOR LOOKING BACK AND LUSTING AFTER THE LEWDNESS OF THE CITY.AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS GOT HIM DRUNK AND HAD SEX WITH HIM,AND THEY NEVER EVEN CONTEMPLATED IT WAS WRONG..BECAUSE THEY HAD BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THE DARKNESS.TIME IS BETTER SPENT PROPPING UP THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE A HEART FOR JESUS.KIND OF LIKE THIS,YOU HAVE A LITTER OF PUPPIES, THEY START TO GROW UP.MOST OF THE PUPPIES ARE LOVING AND GOOD,BUT THIS ONE IS KILLING YOUR CHICKENS,POOPS IN THE HOUSE,CHEWS ON THE FURNITURE,GETS IN THE TRASH AND DRAGS IT ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE.YOU SPEND SO MUCH TIME TRYING TO CHANGE THE BAG DOG THAT YOU NEGLECT THE GOOD ONES.AND THE BAD DOG WILL KILL THE GOOD ONES AND EVENTUALLY TRY AND KILL YOU.THAT BOY ,GIRL IS THAT BAD DOG,AND HE WILL BE PROTESTING AND KILLING CHRISTIANS WHEN THE PERSECUTIONS COME.I UNDERSTAND YOUR CARING FOR PEOPLE.BUT IT SHOULD BE THE CHILDREN OF GOD,NOT THE CHILDREN OF SATAN.

[@vickiesutherland4628]

The truth is he is bound in his mind by a satanic lie that deceived him and now is bound to deceive others who are blind to the fact that they are now being deceived...but, that's how it is in the terminal generation. The genie in the bottle is Has Satan and that's the truth of it now in these last days. America has now become Sodom and Gomarrah. So Now you don't need to wonder where America is in the Bible. You should know it!

[@vickiesutherland4628]

@@juanluismorales644 Don't you realize that some people cannot hear Jesus' WORD on the subject Juan Luis Morales? This is where deliverance lies Juan, men and women coming to a full knowledge and acceptance of the "Truth". Men and women must come to Jesus seeking not Jesus coming to them allowing. You guys don't get it. Men and Women must come to Jesus in order to be Saved. They must reach up to Him: they must repent and come to Him asking Him to come into their lives and save their souls. And the actual facts are, the drunk must leave his drink; the fool homosexual his foolishness, the addict his narcotics, and all the mixed up men and women as well as the perverts who can dress up like a women and gain entry to women's rest rooms

[@CVJM_Dettingen]

We really need this kind of talks in more different languages available, please... Just start with german ^^

[@CommandoJenkins]

Do you not read Revelations? What is Good will be called evil and what is evil shall be called good.

[@Valorbuilt]

CommandoJenkins revelation

[@EthanDyTioco]

what verse in Revelations is it? Keep in mind Isaiah 5:20, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"

[@east3myway]

nah cuz the bible is a bunch of bullshit lmao

[@aaronlalembaarook5626]

Hellfire awaits you

[@Vlugazoide]

@@east3myway why are you here then?

[@benjaminofperrin]

The problem with saying just loving them is that most people's understanding of love is warped. First, you need to find out what the Bible actually says about love and also how the Bible deals with lies. It is not loving to send people down the path of destruction just to protect their feelings.

[@smokyquartz5817]

You're gonna hate standing before God after twisting love and deliberately hurting people.

[@michaellemmen]

@@smokyquartz5817 no

[@joshuawarren1715]

Summary: Pronoun, unacceptable. Proper-pronoun, acceptable.

[@fathermoses1000]

I would like to ask a question, from the perspective of someone who is younger than Pastor John: He speaks of looking for a different employer rather than submitting to office discipline over pronoun use, but many of us do not have the luxury of being his age. What about us younger people, who will likely live to see a time when it is very difficult (or even impossible) to find employment without submitting to the demand to use cross-gendered pronouns? How should we handle living in a future time (which appears likely to appear during the lifetimes of your younger listeners, though of course only God knows the future) in which 100% (or nearly 100%) of employers require this, and may refuse to hire anyone who has expressed a belief that it is wrong?

[@jessicarayner119]

I’m wondering the same thing

[@michellesmith6265]

You have to stand on what the Bible says, plain and simple. Call them what God created them to be. Yes it will get worse as we are in the last days but trust God.

[@ayenewyihune]

That's why we need to fight now

[@smokyquartz5817]

Why do you hate people so much?

[@fathermoses1000]

@@smokyquartz5817 I don't think any of us hate people. I know I don't.

[@MartyMcFly1085]

As a practicing child psychiatrist in the Midwest, I provide treatment for kids experiencing gender dysphoria. I can’t say strongly enough how dangerous and toxic the views shared on ”winsome” christian media such as this are to the most vulnerable of our youth. Regardless of how loving you may believe you present yourself, when you casually don’t recognize their preferred pronouns, you plant a seed of shame, shame for being thought of as an aberration in an otherwise cisgender world. Kids do not choose this for themselves. They were not “groomed” to be this way. They are rejected by their friends, they are bullied, and when they often feel like they can’t take it anymore, they are even rejected by their families. And to be clear, not affirming their core identity is a rejection, even if you follow this with “I love you.” Never tell a child that god doesn’t approve of their identity, that it is a sin. The harm is incalculable. Rather than condemning them to hell, please understand the hell they are already living in. If your core beliefs just can’t handle this, maybe you can be comforted by the fact that somebody else has almost certainly told them the “good news” of God’s conditional love already. This is not a “woke” or “Marxist” experience for these youth and their families, despite the echo chamber of this media assertion. Most people don’t know or understand that children that eventually receive hormone therapies have identified as a different gender starting from as young as age 3, sometimes even younger, and they maintain this view of themselves consistently for many years prior to deciding with parents to begin treatment as teens. They voice to me how much they hate their bodies and may show this by cutting themselves. They voice how sad they feel, how unfair it is that they can’t stop feeling this way. Many of them are religious, and despite infinite prayer, they feel the same. One child asked me why “everyone hates me, even God.” Studies have shown consistently that gonadal formation and gender identification in the brain are two completely different processes, influenced by many factors we don’t yet understand but includes the complex exposure of hormones in utero as well as genetics. The high risk of suicide of transgender and gender dysphoria in youth is not separated from the views shared on this channel. I understand that fundamentalist belief is unwavering in regard to “biblical truth.” Despite the religious view that gender is binary and objective, consider that truly objective study designs, as well as personal experience, shout that gender is anything but fixed and binary. Rather than judge and condemn, rather than state how God’s love can change them from their current abominable state, just hug them and affirm them without condition. If this is too blasphemous, then please just leave them alone and pray for them without expressing your views in person or in the media. At least then they have a better chance to grow up free of shame and depression.

[@katyekel]

I'd also call them by their birth gender... I don't really think it's healthy to condone delusional behaviour...

[@heydaddy5326]

@@WayneBan So...Truth is not love?

[@jacklynbrown1768]

Like your's, sadly a lot of people like your delusions. But I can't stop you and the people around you🤷🏼‍♀️

[@a2audrey]

Ok neuter.

[@shandiwarren6454]

@@jacklynbrown1768 What do you mean?

[@commentor93]

@@heydaddy5326 Not necessarily. Sometimes, truth has to hurt or set limiting boundaries in order to get you away from the lie you're used to. But once you turn to the truth, according to the Bible, it's going to set you free.

[@artsyblkkid]

I love how people come on Christian videos and comment stupid things for attention

[@Mark-yb1sp]

Patricia Cazeau What is so stupid about their comments?

[@snlescaille]

Mark Forquer Because they’re just trolling

[@Mark-yb1sp]

Estefanía L. Ok, I got it. Thanks.

[@josiahcaterino]

No you don't.

[@aduenamz2569]

Don’t forget to Love.

[@JESUSLOVESYOU219]

🤍🤍

[@Lizrferguson]

My husband and I are going through this with our son. Love is key.

[@unluckycloverfield4316]

it kinda seems petty to insist on not using pronouns they prefer. Especially in the workplace. How do you treat a woman as a woman or whatever? Like, "I was going to ask you to make me a coffee and take notes but then I remembered your trans women, so instead, I'm going to ask you to contribute to the meeting in a more serious way like a man". That's a satirical example, but wouldn't you be treating men and women the same in most workplaces? I swear I'm asking this in good faith, not trying to be difficult. I feel like a lot of the expectations we have for the different sexes in the Christian community are based more on culture than theology so I've been exploring that lately and that's how I ended up here.

[@hllyenaylleth9576]

So true, society should change.

[@SerendipitousProvidence]

Just never use pronouns, use their name or just say "that person/that one". What's so difficult?

[@kateofone]

@@SerendipitousProvidence They can do the same to you. You are just "that person" you are nothing more.

[@douglaidlaw740]

Being petty is what these Pastors love the most. It saves them from seeing what they really are: totally useless.

[@mikebarnes7734]

I have always found cognitive dissonance difficult to understand As long as the person with C.D. is harmless, I treat them kindly without wanting to hurt their feelings.

[@tgortl]

Maranatha !

[@Mark-yb1sp]

T GOrtile It’s been years since I saw that word (Maranatha) . Much blessings to you. And may He come quickly!

[@tgortl]

@@Mark-yb1sp Thanks and Amen, brother! Blessings to you too!

[@ParasiteQueen1]

By their genetics. What they "pretend" to be *does not* exist in themselves.

[@knightofalleble9841]

idontreallywantachan Not at all. I just went over this in my college psychology class on Human Sexuality. Every single known chromosomal variant is a variation on male or female, there is no other option. Hormonal imbalance in the womb can lead to complications such as the addition of an extra chromosome, but there is no genetic defect where the person is neither male nor female as a base.

[@kellyhughart2105]

You can't change your DNA. No matter what is done to you surgically in an effort to change your gender, you will always have the DNA of either a male or a female.

[@dazaiel8081]

@MsMarian Rogers Yeah, it can deteriorate which is a change because of such but those DNA strand(s), are still the same DNA strand(s) . It's the same as a rotting apple. It doesn't change to an orange as it rots, it stays an apple throughout the process of withering away.

[@dazaiel8081]

@Independence In Mind Realize the bases are absolute in being either MALE or FEMALE as he said. There's no "Fem-Boy" or "Mas-Girl" as bases in of and themselves, things such as those would be variants as you said, DEFECTS.

[@rafaelschultzrodrigues9078]

I have the same opinion as Pastor John, but I have two concerns. The first is whether or not should I use preferred pronouns is personal conversations out of the workplace and was not obligated by anything to use the pronouns. If this person asks me to use it because they feel better, should I? And the second one is, how can we evangelize someone like that? I am an evangelist and really want to love and help these people to get to know Christ, how can I do that? Thank you so much and I would love to have this answers!

[@smokyquartz5817]

Everyone everywhere has heard of Jesus. Leave people alone.

[@angieblove]

What an excellent answer to a very complex question . Thank you Pastor John 🙏🏻

[@TheJpep2424]

Not complex at all. God's word is clear.

[@mooneyedgurl81]

@@TheJpep2424 if it was so “clear” then why did Pastor John dedicate an entire podcast episode on this. @sshole

[@chrishuffman6734]

What’s complicated about it? We make it complicated for fear that a simple answer will be offensive to a sinful culture. But the truth will always be offensive to a culture that hates the truth.

[@a5anointed705]

I’ve met a couple transgenders at work and I have no choice but to use their new legal name because I didn’t know them before. I still do not use pronouns.

[@Alexander-ck8xv]

Why do you call them transgenders, their trans People

[@smokyquartz5817]

How incredibly petty and small.

[@claeshermanson3443]

I would give them a bible and references to a good psychologist

[@bran8370]

Let me know how many souls you win for Christ that way

[@calebryant6663]

@@bran8370 did you purposely change your gender or was this an unfortunate prior or post infancy situation?

[@bran8370]

@@calebryant6663 I mean--I guess it was 'purposeful'. My life came to a point where--for my own mental health--transition became necessary (from my perspective, at least).

[@calebryant6663]

@@bran8370 I'm guess I'm asking, did you remove your manly parts & take hormones to literally transition? Similar to Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner?

[@bran8370]

@@calebryant6663 Annnnndddd that's where I bow out of this conversation I'm afraid. I appreciate your curiosity, but I think I must reserve details of my medical history.

[@tamarcelis8215]

In my opinion, Sam Allberry's response to this question is more nuanced and thoughtful and, overall, better reflects God's mercy and objective truth.

[@Mark-yb1sp]

Tamar Celis Amen.

[@wendyread1183]

I agree. He gives an excellent response on this difficult issue. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqbVXp-cjqtnmsU

[@jonathanprince3724]

In the lgbt community they use the word she, when speaking to a man . Is typically gay slang or symbolic. But literally the difference between she and he, is the sex origins and womb that make the difference between man and woman.

[@robertathespider5311]

Call them by their preferred gender. Be a decent human being and respect their wishes. If you are uncomfortable with ituse their name or friend. They are human and deserve to be treated as such.

[@darkprinc979]

We are called to please God and not man. It is our responsibility as Christians to speak truth, even if that truth offends somebody. Jesus was the single most offensive person of his time, which is why they crucified him.

[@teachfebus]

@@darkprinc979 I agree but then they wouldn't get closer to God.

[@brookegwendalon1457]

@@darkprinc979 so true!

[@glst1591]

Calling someone by their preferred gender is not a loving thing to do. I am enabling their denial. For example, when an anorexic woman looks in the mirror, she thinks she is overweight. Therefore, she continues to not eat. This self denial will kill her. It is not loving to enable her false view of herself, because if she continued to be anorexic it will kill her. It's the same for transgender people. It's not loving to enable them.

[@kateofone]

@@glst1591 It is a loving thing to do. When one transitions they are a new creation expressing who they within on the outside for all to see. All truth and no more hiding. Being exposed for all to see. Denial would be denying one is trans and suppressing the truth of it.

[@grafxgrl8030]

God said light has nothing in common with darkness. He calls you to speak only the Truth to them in love, but not to be yoked with them in their pursuit of establishing darkness.

[@r-platt]

Oh dear. Could you help me? I've prayed for help for years. I've had teams praying for me across a dozen churches. God gave me a woman's mind, heart and soul but this world gave me a man's body. Yes, I'm trans but I wish there was another way out. For me to live as a man traps my mind in an endless cycle of pain, regret, loss, doubt and a thousand negative emotions. It's a dark and lonely place. With effort I can push it away but it ALWAYS comes back within a few hours. *This is torture.* As the months turn into years it starts coming back faster and gets harder to push away. Eventually there is no freedom, no light, no love. The last to go is hope. Then this world, this life is pure hell. IT GETS WORSE. The pain builds until I can't handle it and it still builds. Eventually my mind snaps and a piece of me dies. People keep saying this world is truth but how is that possible if this world is filled with sin? And they say the heart lies. But Jesus gives us a new heart and will judge our HEART, not our body. So what am I supposed to do?

[@davidarmstrong1862]

What happens if you can't tell if a person is male or female? Eg A man goes through operations and body modifications as well as make up and clothes and at the stage you meet them in an office job they simply look like a woman? Furthermore, what if you have been calling them "She" and then find out years into the job either from the person themselves or through gossip which is impossible to avoid hearing that the person is actually male... do you then stop calling them "She"? I agree with JP in theory, but the practice in reality is much much harder. Many folks cannot tell what gender a person is anymore. Embarressingly for them, this happens all the time to certain men who go to thailand and end up picking up ladyboys. Half the time they didn't even know until it was too late.

[@CanIbeWithThee]

I wouldn't refer to them as he or she but them, they or you. I won't pretend a man is a woman or vice versa but I wouldn't want to deliberately antagonize them either.

[@LincolnFalana]

Looks Up 👌

[@CanIbeWithThee]

***** For sure, but I'll take each person on a case by case basis and pray for discernment and discretion.

[@CanIbeWithThee]

***** 😊

[@trappedcat3615]

You'll antogonize someone by calling him or her a they or them as though he or she is a plurality of persons.

[@abja101]

I agree, I wasnt always Christian and I can understand being rebellious. I'm called to do supernatural living I cant expect others to do the same.

[@johnmeye]

Helpful distinction between the "name" and the "pronoun"...

[@tessalogan586]

With ALOT of prayer and RESPECT, GOD judges ☝

[@shandiwarren6454]

I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean

[@masterchief3658]

Hey Pastor John, would love for you to speak on handling this within families. I have a brother that identifies as a woman and the relationship has been torn apart from his side because I've refused to use new name/pronouns.

[@ExtantThylacine]

Oh that's easy: just stop being an arrogant arsehole and accept your sister for who she is.

[@wserthmar8908]

@@ExtantThylacine , you must be joking

[@reginajanelilianapatterson5838]

The best thing you can do is show some basic respect for her. The more resistant you are, the more your going to push her away. She's suffering enough as it is. God loves her as she is and only He knows really why some of us are born with this challenge. And yes we ARE born with it. I've had feminine tendencies since at least 4 because that's as far back as I can clearly remember and distinctly remember wanting to be a girl. That's never, ever changed, although once my innocence on the matter changed by 6ish I learned how to conceal it... Thing is, concealing that core part of who you are for upwards of twenty years is absolute hell on the psyche and having every subtle slip of effeminacy you weren't even aware you were broadcasting to everyone around you as a teenager, you instantly become the target of bullies, denigrating slurs, and even violence. Being LGBT anything when I was a teen was still not okay socially and you were ostracized for it. We are a fallen people, we Humans, and these bodies of ours are corruptible. But, no matter what it looks like, whatever evil or signs of corruption manifests in Humans, God can always turn into good. Approach your *sister* with grace, respect, and love. Let go of your private prejudice and reevaluate whether you are following the doctrine of men or the Gospel of Christ.

[@christinepeterson8097]

@@reginajanelilianapatterson5838you should not speak for all transgender people. Transgender people don’t get to “choose” their pronouns either. I will use the pronouns that match the sex I see. Truth is the best policy.

[@brianjohnson8616]

You address them as He or She per the gender assigned at birth. Not by what you feel like calling yourself in that moment in time.

[@PamZirkle]

I used to listen to these and his sermons and my heart is just broken. I’m reading these comments and the words that are used and this isn’t Jesus’ love. Calling someone who is transgender a “pervert” or even someone who is gay is far reaching? Have any of you tried to learn more about it or actually spoke to individuals who are in the community? There’s so much that you don’t know and what you don’t understand, you fear. I grew up in this type of Christianity and HATED myself for so long because I am a lesbian. I lived with the intense, most excruciating fear that God didn’t love me and I was going to hell because he didn’t take those feelings away. I’ve had to go through a lot of therapy due to religious trauma and you guys are hurting so many individuals with how you speak and treat others who don’t follow EXACTLY what John teaches or what YOU believe the Bible says. I’m out now and I’ve never been happier nor more loved. This hate has to stop. None of you are representing Christ’s love AT ALL. Love people!

[@JesusisLOVEJohn-]

Is this reality, is this how bad the world is? Wow.

[@nicolethompson8613]

Worse. My cousin's kids go to a semi-rural MI school in a very conservative region with many of the locals being Reformed. There is a girl in the high school that "identifies as a dog". She is allowed to be walked about the school with a collar and a leash and her "dog handler" friend is put into the same classes with her so that she always has her "human" with her (to walk her to the bathroom, etc - not sure if she uses the toilet but I hope so!!). I thought it had to be a joke when my dear cousin told me. Especially in that community. Satan is reveling I am sure in the rejection he has inspired in people of the wonderful bodies and nature that God gave them before they were formed. God help us all. Never thought I would see this day, and I am only in my forties!!

[@commentor93]

@@nicolethompson8613 I recently read of a similar case between a man and his girlfriend that suddenly insisted on identifying herself as a cat. The commentators recommended to only feed her cat food as a consequence and that's pretty much what I'd also do/recommend here.

[@nicolethompson8613]

@@commentor93 LMBO I love it! The kibble might straighten her out if the parents can't!!

[@JesusisLOVEJohn-]

@Jaylie Zambella Athiest have no objective moral position to which they can stand upon. Dont get me wrong Athiest definitely have morals but have no objective moral position to base those morals off of.

[@JesusisLOVEJohn-]

@@jayliezambella Well, let me ask you this: do you believe there is objective and subjective morality

[@xolove3435]

Romans 1:16 and down. AND Deuteronomy 22:5 The Word of God is Blessed!

[@kateofone]

Different context learn the difference

[@turkeypedal]

Says nothing at all about trans people.

[@ChristFan868]

Gen. 1:27 was an excellent scripture to use here. Quite apt.

[@turkeypedal]

It's not, though. Genesis 1:27 is not a command. It is a description of Creation. And even if it were a command, it doesn't say "And no man will be born without a penis, and no woman will be born without a vagina." Jesus himself spoke of eunuchs who were born that way, right after quoting this exact verse in Genesis to argue that divorce is sin.

[@josephcade3541]

Its better to die clean than to live for hell !!!

[@MikeAndDrewPranks]

Boom!

[@In_time]

6:18 “Greek virtues or grandma” 😂😂😂 Hes _not_ wrong!!

[@jeremywilliams3465]

Grandmothers love their trans grand children

[@bean7496]

God loves everyone, He hates their sin

[@jeremywilliams3465]

@@bean7496 God douse not hate his creation as sin.

[@bean7496]

@@jeremywilliams3465 what ?

[@ImpinAintEazy]

I refer to them by their birth gender , not whatever they "identify" as.

[@VeronikaCheb]

Matthew Keith me too

[@ImpinAintEazy]

no, they are the gender they were born as. Gender is based upon chromosomes, meaning its embedded in your DNA, which is something you CANNOT change. You can have all the surgery you want. You can have your balls cut off, breasts implanted or whatever sown on, but you cannot change your chromosome structure. Just because you stick a feather up your butt, it doesn't make you a chicken. That's why this whole transgenderism is a lie because at the end of they day, you're still the gender you were born as no matter what surgery you receive. sorry, but that is how biology works, and nothing changes that (just like your gender).

[@ImpinAintEazy]

instead of acting like an internet "tough" guy (or whatever you pretend, I mean "identify" to be) why don't you educate me since I'm "ignorant"? But I suspect that anything that contradicts your lifestyle, no matter how true the facts against transgenderism has proven to be, will be construed as "ignorant" to you and the transgender community. Possessing an understanding of basic Christianity, science and biology has shown you cannot change your sex, no matter how much you convince yourself otherwise. It's time to wake up and repent of your sinful lifestyle.

[@MicahMcLellan]

I think one of the trickier questions is - what of those who are both with both biological sexes? It's not as rare as one might think. Is there a "tipping point" where we would consider one as a dominant sex over another? And at what point does one "opt" for a surgical procedure (or not) to identify as that "primary" sex?

[@ImpinAintEazy]

@"what of those who are both with both biological sexes? It's not as rare as one might think." That's called a birth defect.

[@babsskett2757]

Very good advice, Pastor John. God bless.

[@MicahMcLellan]

Pastor John, thanks for sharing your views on this topic. I was wondering if you could clarify two points from this podcast. 1. How "rare" is it for a person to be born with both biological sexes? I was under the impression the statistic was much higher than what we think (i.e. slightly less odds than someone born with red hair). Secondly, in agreement with James' comment earlier, how would you personally identify someone who underwent reconstructive surgery to coincide with the way they perceive their "true" gender identity to be? You mentioned a vignette of someone who asked to be called by a different name contrary to biological gender appearance but had not alluded to a person who underwent physical reconstruction. Thank you again for speaking into these matters with a biblical mindset.

[@narcsinart7179]

sorry i am not pastor john, but let me point out that no one produces both eggs and sperm. A person is only able to become the mother or father of their offspring. This determines their sex. If they are born with neither eggs nor testes, I haven't heard of it. People can be born with "traits" of both genders, but as for that being common--not true. (It is more common that infants "look" slightly ambiguous at birth, but they also look old and wrinkled and cone-headed ;) That idea is widely promoted because .. bc sin!

[@keelhe893]

I agree with Wayne in regards to androgen intolerant syndrome but as a Christian stranger who will not know everyone’s genetics you just allow the Holy Spirit to lead your heart because he isn’t a petty God who wants us to look at everyone’s genetics when we identify them/meet them but to have a pure conscience that you whole heartedly where trying to honor the Bible and was honestly unaware of what to identify this person as .... scripture is clear about God not punishing us for unknowingly misjudging a situation such as true gender identity which can be covert. You may meet someone who had all kinds of surgery & not know their whole medical history & call them the gender identity they want unaware...that doesn’t mean you participated in their sin or lied and accompanied their delusion but once they disclose this information to you , you must take a stand for righteousness at all costs

[@envisionelectronics]

Grace Eversley I am XXY born without testes or eggs. I identify as male because I have a penis. Put me in a wig and I can pass as an ugly woman. :) I cannot father any children but I have two through alternate means.

[@ABCblahblahblah]

​@@keelhe893 A man is a man and woman is a woman. Nothing and nobody can change chromosomes or DNA... This is basic Biology. A man is and always will be a he and a woman is and always will be a she

[@TimeGallon]

I'm failing to see how names can be culturally arbitrary while in a previous video, Piper stated that yoga and Thai chi aren't. To clarify, Piper claims that since yoga and Thai chi were designed as idolac gestures, they shouldn't be practiced in any context regardless of the physical benefit. I'm not submitting a disagreement, merely conveying my confusion. The reason for my confusion is as follows: Names are (almost always) designated to identify male or female by their nature. Some names are feminine by nature, others are masculine. The ambivalence enters when we acknowledge the nature of names as a subsequent artifact of language that is highly dependent on intention of interpretation. It's not clear to me that someone by the name, Jordan, for example, is male or female. It would appear to me that because of this neutrality in "some" names the naming of an individual can be reduced to the intention rather it's sonic or linguistic construction. Therefore, naming as a whole can be considered culturally arbitrary as Piper stated. Yet, with Yoga and Thai Chi, Piper claims that any engagement in these exercises is blatant idolatry because of their roots. If the nature of yoga and Thai chi can be reduced to simple movements of the body that wouldn't apparently be sinful without the cultural context, wouldn't it follow that performing exercises in the format of yoga or Thai chi is also culturally arbitrary? It's seems to me that anyone could accidentally perform a combination of movements that would otherwise be blatant idolatry without knowing so. Like naming, doesn't it boil down to intention?

[@kcockbur]

Yes, it boils down to intention. If you are intended though to pursue yoga, knowing that a move are a literal form of worship, saying mantras to the sun god, then yes your heart is not in giving God glory. Me bending down stretching, in and of itself is not the sin, that why you need to know the context of what you are doing, discern it, and make a wise decision.

[@keelhe893]

Regular stretching is fine but the rhythmic motions and pre-formulated patterns/choreography of yoga & tai chi are strongly connected to the religions of these beliefs so are not similar to the ambiguous culturally arbitrary name of a person. for example bending over and touching your toes and walking into a plank may seem similar to downward dog stance but could be just normal stretching of exercise. However stretching in the whole “sun stance” or “warrior one” routine at a yoga studio or to a yoga recording is the act of participating in Sanskrit worship despite if you meditate, believe in it or not. This is similar to reciting a Wiccan/Celtic curse or spell or playing with horoscopes or ouiji boards without believing their real demonic powers... the hearts intention is also shown when you are willing to tiptoe the boundaries without fearful reverence of GODs commandments just to fit in with your friends

[@dazaiel8081]

Great responses you two. Bless.

[@karaelise3164]

Okay, now I have a question in regards to the child with both male and female parts that you are referring to. You say that you would "opt for surgery based on what genetic testing says their gender is." Didn't God create them the way they are? Didn't He knit THEM together in their mother's womb too? I just wonder what God's view on this is. He doesn't make mistakes, and He doesn't make accidents.

[@samignatius6261]

We are not mistakes in the sense that we were created and God loves us and we're here for a purpose but the sin that was brought into the world by us is not restricted. What I mean is that pregnancy and our bodies are not safe from the corruption of our fallen broken world.

[@onepecwonder160]

@@soedeshbechan3247 Are you saying we should kill these people?

[@LucasBurrell]

Kara Elise also usually intersex people have xxy or xyy chromosomes and aren’t technically male and female

[@RodH-pj1py]

The bible states that we are not the original design that God created. When sin entered so did sickness. Hermaphrodites have a genetic disorder that renders them sterile and one of the reproductive sets are incomplete or non functioning. Even then, we are called not to be like we were born but to be "born again" in Jesus Christ. Blessings

[@Mark-yb1sp]

Kara Elise Did you know that ‘that type’ of birth defect is less than 1% ? That is a different category than the ones who do not have that defect and live in a fantasy world that garners extreme attention to themselves. It isn’t the external parts that determine boy or girl, it is the chromosomes. In that type of case, I would respect whatever decision that person wants to live by.

[@turkeypedal]

Your use of Genesis 1:27 is bad exegesis. You're a Bible scholar. You know the difference between a description and a command. Nothing in that verse suggests it is about what gender someone identifies as. In fact, the Bible says nothing about this. God never says anything about being trans. It never discusses the concept of a man who thinks he is a woman, nor of a man with the wrong genitals. It never says "A man has a penis and a woman has a vagina." So when I see those who claim to preach the Bible act as if God says these things, I actually become less likely to listen to them on anything else. There are other issues that are clearly more about traditional beliefs rather than anything from God's Word, but this one is the biggest. Liberal Christians get a bad rap for reading their beliefs into the Bible, but you see Conservative ones do the same. But at least the liberals tend to say they're doing it.

[@kkiv1639]

The fact you say this means you don't read your bible correctly. Even the bible condems men wearing female clothes and vice-versa. LGBT is a SIN!

[@anneharrison1849]

Intersex isn't as rare as you imply a quick google search suggests 1 in 1500 to 1 in 2000. Also testing doesn't reveal everything, it might come out as XY or XX, but we have much less understanding about X_, XXY, or any kind of mosaicism (some cells are XY, some cells are XX). So it's not straightforward. It's also quite easy for you to say seek another job when you work for Desiring God. In many parts of the world calling people by their chosen pronouns is no longer something an individual company requires, but a right enshrined in law that a transgender person could take a company to court over not disciplining an individual who insists on using their birth assigned pronouns. That could leave many with no job options at all. It's not just in the workplace that this is a problem. I take a music community organised music class, there is a trans person in that class and so far I've had no need to refer to them as anything but the name they introduced themselves with (in this case I am saying they to avoid ambiguity and to add an additional layer of anonymity). I'm pretty sure if I used their birth gender pronoun over their chosen pronoun routinely I would face a warning and potential dismissal from the class. This helps no one, it prevents me having a deeper relationship with this trans person, it would halt developing friendships with other class members with whom I have begun to share my faith and others have talked about historical church attendance. It's possible my town has a higher than average number of trans people, as it would be pretty much impossible for me to live my life without ever meeting any trans people. I have to wonder if there is a subtler way to be in the world but not of the world, perhaps by the use of gender neutral pronouns.

[@JamesJackel]

Follow up question. If a transgender person was to undergo surgery and either have their genitals removed or reconstructed, which bathroom should they be permitted to use? Biologically they would still be the gender/sex that they were born to, you cannot change chromosomal nature, but outwardly their appearance would have changed.

[@knightofalleble9841]

James Jackel It doesn't change their biological sex, or what God created them to be, so all of Pastor John's points still stand.

[@trappedcat3615]

James Jackel Perhaps going to the bathroom at home is a fair requirement and cost of disguising oneself and deceiving others.

[@knightofalleble9841]

idontreallywantachan They wouldn't be "in danger" as you put it if they hadn't made the decision to surgically and mentally rebel against God's plan for their lives. If they aren't comfortable with using the restroom of their biological gender, then that is the consequence of their choice and they could then choose not to use public restrooms if they really wanted to avoid the supposed danger. There is far more danger inherent in allowing biological men, surgery notwithstanding, into a space reserved for women ONLY.

[@sam-ir8dj]

Independence In Mind Please, be careful with your words. Insults won't accomplish anything.

[@MonkeyDAmy]

I agree with pastor John’s point. When it comes to bathrooms it really doesn’t matter. We’re just peeing or pooing in there and we all do it no matter what our genitals look like

[@Dedo70]

Thank you for this! 😊

[@reginajanelilianapatterson5838]

Being trans is a difficult predisposition to live with. I am transgender myself. I am also a Christian. About a year or so into my transition, I got baptized and I began feeling better about my transition. The Lord called me back to Him to be born again despite my predisposition... which means I don't think it's that significant compared to the immortal soul which is the true form of any Human being. I won't need this body after I'm gone and who knows what I'll look like when I am resurrected? Only the Lord does. As a result, it follows in my mind that we are to approach this from a place of love and compassion and we should have respect for these people and what they deal with. We cannot EVER fall into the trap set by the Enemy to approach this from hate or prejudice.

[@ssp1070]

And that's going to be hard for many believers to do. Christians sin on the regular and generally turn a blind eye to sin in others -- until it involves the lgbt. Then, they want to get on the bullhorn about damnation and wrongdoing. And I'm not lgbt. I'm just talking about the things that I've seen. My childhood pastor ls grandson was gay. They disowned him. My childhood pastors 14 year old granddaughter became pregnant. They had her and that baby displayed prominently every other Sunday. The irony was not lost on me, even at 17. He lost his church three years later. Good!

[@reginajanelilianapatterson5838]

@mpa1234 disowning him could never have come from God. The thing most people ignore is how I felt better for my transition after baptism compared to before... that God called me back to Him right in the middle of it. Its okay not to have an answer for that, but not to ignore the significance of it, considering what baptism means.

[@turkeypedal]

Amen. It's not like the Bible condemns being trans. At no point does it define who is a man and who is a woman. And, frankly, it never says that all people are either male or female. That verse in Genesis just describes how the first humans were created. That's before the Fall. Jesus quotes that same scripture in Genesis when he forbids divorce. And then he talks about eunuchs "who were born that way." So Jesus himself didn't think that verse meant anything about gender.

[@smokyquartz5817]

Be a good person for once Christians. I believe in you!

[@r-platt]

Treat people with a love that does no harm. We don't build faith by questioning it. We build faith with acceptance and subtle guidance.

[@anthonyviljoen9988]

Heart breaking

[@realcyrusjohn]

I would refer him or her in his or her true gender.

[@jailahbryel305]

We’re sinners going to hell but Jesus died so you can have eternal life. Repent and trust in Him only as your savior (not on being a good person)

[@justpeachy4393]

Is that really a thing worth losing your job over?

[@dannyboyz7061]

Could it be argued that the name change, since we know it is directly linked to their perceived sex change (one is the cause of the other), would be wrong to use as well? Would making a stand on the issue, possibly be likened to casting pearls before swine?

[@mygeekspace6912]

But what would you call them if you refused to call them by their new gendered name? Would you know what their original name was?

[@119jeremiah5]

Pronouns have genders, but human have sexes: M/F

[@justonetime6179]

What’s the difference between sex and gender? Lionesses are “she” (female) Lions are “he” (male)

[@no-zb7kj]

@@justonetime6179 simply look up the definition and you will see how they are different

[@justonetime6179]

BEQUIASWORLD the dictionary says they are synonyms... hence why tranwomen are called “male to female”. Women are female (she). Men are male (he). We all know this. I think it’s wrong that society is erasing the humanness of men and women. “Male and female” isn’t specific to humans... but “man and woman” is.

[@no-zb7kj]

@@justonetime6179 gender is a human thing that was made up ur right!! That's what I'm saying! In fact you grew up in a colonized belief system that taught you that u have to be a man if u were born male. But look at other societies they dont follow this rule and you will see they are perfectly human

[@justonetime6179]

BEQUIASWORLD ok so if we call female cattle “cow”, and a female lion is a “lioness”, and female canine is a “bitch”? So then what do we call female humans? “Gender role” is a construct, but gender isn’t. Boys can like pink dresses and cooking, girls can like sports and mechanics. That doesn’t make a boy a girl or vice versa.

[@toughguy8228]

John is the best 🙌

[@1smallstep]

When Susan Hicks died in childbirth he husband wanted to honor her and so named the baby boy Sue. While Sue Hicks was a great gang buster in the 20's and 30's he is best known for serving papers to the football coach John Scopes and for being the inspiration for the song "A Boy Named Sue." I would have no problem calling him Sue since that is what his father named him. My wife's grandfather was the head of his branch of the family. When his eldest son's wife became pregnant with his first grandchild he had the honor of picking the name and went with Chong Sop (정섭); a good, strong name to start the new generation. Well, he passed before the child was born - a baby girl. Under normal circumstances she would not have been given such a name but since her now deceased grandfather picked it her dad chose to honor his father and stuck with it. The little girl pled for years to have her name changed, dad said no. When she moved out she started to introduce herself by a more feminine name; Chong Ae (정애). I had no idea that Chong Ae was not her real name until we started to do the paperwork for our marriage and then the cat was out of the bag. Later when she became a US citizen she had it legally changed to Chongae . I've never had a problem calling her Chongae since her birth name caused her discomfort and her chosen name better reflected her reality. But if she wanted to stick with Chong Sop or Chongsop I would have been fine with it too because that was her real name. I knew a guy in tech school who shared a name with a character from a well watched tv series which was running through his teen years. He hated all the jokes so when he became an adult he got his name changed so he would never have to hear those jokes again. I called him by his new name because his real name caused him legitimate discomfort. In all of these cases calling them by their original name or by their new name is perfectly fine and is based on reality. Since God changed certain names (Abraham, Sarah, Israel) who are we to say no? Indeed, read the Bible and most names you read are not the original names; the one you call Eve was named Chavah for example. Then you have Bruce Jenner. He is a man who insists that he is a woman named Caitlyn. That name is a lie told to further a greater lie; that he is not a man. Same thing holds true for the spy Bradley Manning. So do I call them Caitlyn and Chelsea? Should I speak a lie? Should I violate God's will in order to please man? Of course not. But what if the person has had surgery, changed their name, and did this before I met them and I honestly don't know? Well, I've known more than a few mannish looking women, I personally have a rather feminine face and have been mistaken for a short haired woman when I wear a hat so yeah, that mannish looking woman might be a man - or it might be a mannish looking woman. In that case the more respectful thing to do is take them at their word and not assume a lie. And if they say they are Sally Smith then they are Sally Smith. But if they come out and admit to being transsexual then in honesty I can't call him her, now can I? Do I call him Sally though? Good question if they never give a birth name? Maybe their parents really did name them Sally so Sally is the truth. And what do I say otherwise if they admit to a name change but won't tell me their real name? Should I call them hey you? I suppose I could go with Smith...

[@melissat9120]

@Damian Martinez I read it.

[@willleonhardt3827]

The world is being really attacked by the enemy n its going to get worse

[@MIYAGIDEW]

Man and Woman, simple as that!

[@Mercyme8934]

What you were born with is what you are. God made us right and culture chaos and unbelief in God’s Sovereignty causes confusion. Please don’t exchange God’s truth for the deception of lies. Oh how I hope one million people hear truth and are saved.

[@Tompsf1]

Thank you

[@AweEmperorofChickenKilling]

interesting take

[@David-tg2sb]

This video, while interesting, falls short by not addressing how to love a family member or friend who is transgender. While using someone's name is a cordial occurrence...using preferred pronouns starts to force someone to be a part of the culture that we are told to not be a part of...as a christian life goes...if someone wants to be a dog or cat and sit around meowing or barking...are we ok with going along with them and petting them or feeding them from a bowl? The bible describes what love should look like in Corinthians...that should be our guide and as long as we can follow that guide I think we are pleasing God. The real problem comes when you are dealing with people who do not have the same beliefs or values that a christian has. If we have someone who is following relative moralism the you have a real challenge.

[@ed0078]

David - NOPE! All I read from your comment is the typical sin compromise response. Love is when sin is called out for what it is SIN and this can be done with a calm demeanor

[@Mark-yb1sp]

David Excellent comment, David.

[@douglaidlaw740]

This is the fundamental difference: John is more interested in reading his Bible than in interacting with the people around him. It saves him from worrying about love, which took Jesus to the Cross. It means that he can ignore Jesus's own description of the Last Judgment in Mark 2, and prefer something 3+ times as long, with more scope for misinterpretation.

[@r-platt]

FIX ME. How can I be a man when God gave me a woman's mind, heart and soul? I cannot change my personality. Can you? Living as a man cripples me more and more until I break. That literally damages my brain and shreds my soul. I've gone through it 4 times, each significantly more severe. I cannot do it again. I will go insane and my soul will be lost. SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? Pray for a miracle? Through no fault of my own you say I'm condemned? That doesn't sit right.

[@maryblessing2205]

Do not compromise with the secular world. 📖❤️🙏📖❤️

[@r-platt]

How strange that you want to define people by this secular world.

[@Marco-yb1gh]

What if they ask that you call them by gender neutral pronouns? My friend has a non-gender binary girlfriend and asks that I call her "they/them" and refer to her as his "partner" and not his girlfriend. Should I use a pronoun like "they/them" that does not specify the gender or should I stand by calling her "she/her" and "girlfriend"?

[@Alexander-ck8xv]

Call them by they/them, it’s their pronouns

[@forAME11]

Look up Laura Perry’s perspective on this. I don’t think there’s one right answer. What does gospel love look like? I’m not sure, I’m thinking about this. What does it look like to keep the door open to the gospel, without dismissing truth? Really pondering what Jesus would do. More questions from me. Not sure about answers.

[@Kingofthenet2]

@@Alexander-ck8xvagreed, it’s property gender neutral and should be okay

[@Unconformed.RenewedDaily]

Solid response

[@BloodCovenant]

well said

[@clairez007]

Just don't have any, problem solved!

[@abja101]

I think you should not be friends with someone if you cant respect their choices as far as it is peaceful to yourself. I wasnt always Christian I was a witch and when people talked disparagingly about my lifestyle I was like, you don't love me. Christ met me where I was and said he wanted to be Lord of all of my life and I submitted to him and I gave up that life style. I wish I could have met a Christian who would have shown me decency instead of trying to change me, someone who would point me to him instead of telling me about how broken I was. All I wanted was love.

[@wendyread1183]

Thank you for your reply, and for your vulnerability. I know your comment here is one year old, but in case you read this, I would love to hear your testimony, if you don't mind sharing.

[@robertarms7147]

I call people that i know according to whom they are now. Its not easy to understand

[@h1o84]

If you transform A TESLA withe a combustion engine, For me it remains ALWAYS a TESLA WITCH IS electric car We will always refer TESLA as a Electric car, even if you can make it run with Coca cola

[@Flightkitten]

Cars are cars. Humans are humans. Gender is a social construct, while sex is what you are assigned at birth. We aren't doing anything to you, so what is the problem with being trans? Memorize this comment. Learn it.

[@kaleblam5084]

I always just try to refer to the persons name

[@MrPatdeeee]

"He or She? How Should I Refer to Transgender Friends?" Wow! What a tricky and loaded "lol" question...but I will try to answer it as an 84 Born Again Christian should answer... First, IF a person wants to be opposite from how they were born; it is an "Abominable Sin". Secondly, If a person insists I call them any thing; that is a sin or it causes me to sin; I will do this: I will walk away. For they have a right to sin; even though they will be punished unfathomable. Because Jesus (who IS God) gave ALL "Free Will". But He also gave 613 Commandments which 10; He wrote by etching it on two stones. And gave it to Moses; to teach the Israelites ALL of those commandments; for how to live in peace , joy and happiness all of their lives. Thus, They will no longer be my friends again; UNLESS they quit sinning. And they repent (Confessing one's sins) And if they refuse to accept the truth (and that is their business) of Jesus' commandments; I will do what Jesus told us to do... Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that person, house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that person, house or city. End of Story... ...In any case kind Sir and Brethren, Please Pray OFTEN and Praise Jesus OFTEN; for He is the ONLY true "God Almighty"; there will ever have been. And may Jesus bless you and yours always. AMEN!

[@waterheaterservices]

We must have Party Approved Correct Thinking and Speech about this.

[@thewatcher7728]

It's impossible to change your birth sex, only the mentally deluded insist they can...... Your genes remain the same. Period. Note: the Scripture opinion and severe warning! "Do ye not know that unrighteous [persons] shall not inherit [the] kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, **nor those who make women of themselves** nor who abuse themselves with men, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor abusive persons, nor [the] rapacious, shall inherit [the] kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (Darby)

[@NatachaP]

Just a thought if I may; If the individual(s) are not Christian, would we consider the Gospel as of first importance and use our freedom in Christ to call any unsaved person by their desired pronouns. Not being "respectful" in the Non-Christian transgender's view is not a great way to bring up the Gospel. If Boso the Clown wants to be called Boso the Clown, that's fine with me. I'll be friends with him/her/it/Clown in order to share about Jesus Christ.

[@LincolnFalana]

Nick Smith But the issue is that Boso indeed is a clown, so calling him that hass no implication; but a male is not a female, and neither did God create a female to be male. Both are uniquely created as He deemed. Jesus said the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbours as ourself; ywt He said that above that, we are to love God with all our heart, soul, body, and mind. So, one's first intention is to please God and not to please man. If it goes against the word of God, it is not the will of God.

[@NatachaP]

Thank you for your comment. I'm going to have to pray and seek some pastoral wisdom on the subject because it matters most that we discern His will and be obedient to Him. I may have missed something and, as you pointed out, our calling is to love Him first. Thanks again.

[@LincolnFalana]

God bless you

[@karaelise3164]

This is such a great question. I have a transgender sibling and I have been struggling with this for over a year. I saw it like this for quite a while, and for part of your statement, I still do. I believe that us pointing out the sin at this point will not bring them to Christ. I think that if I was living in sin, but I thought that it wasn't sin, and somebody came and told me that it was against their god's will, I'd tell them to buzz off and disregard everything they said. However, if they loved me for my heart and who I am as a person, and let me know through trials and questions that they were a safe person to be around, and that they love me unconditionally, I would be SO much more open to hearing about their God. And who He is, and what He's done for us. And how I am His child and live under His love, too. And how He is the only love that will ever sustain me, will never fail me or lie to me. We introduce people to God, to His love, but we don't force the bible down their throat. HE works in their life to reveal the truth to them. Sometimes through us, but through a plethora of other ways too, I'm sure. Now, the pronoun thing is my biggest struggle. I agree with one of the other replies, that we are to love God above man. And we are also not supposed to lie. I agree with that wholeheartedly. I hope that whatever transgender persons you encounter are easygoing and understanding that it is hard for some people. I spoke openly with my sibling about it, and luckily our love for each other prevailed over our disagreement. At this point, I think out every sentence before speaking. I avoid using pronouns, and replace them with his name if necessary. I don't want to drive a wedge between us, but I need to stay true to my beliefs, not true to his beliefs. Love changes hearts. My job is to love. And through that love my hope is that they meet Christ, or come back to Christ if they have strayed.

[@booyaka870]

So obvious. But we live in the world with people who are dead in their sins and the flesh cannot please God so I am not surprised nor am I going to force people who have a different opinion to change and so I think they shouldn't force me to change mine because I don't believe anyone should be treated with partiality.

[@Daniel-pc1bg]

God's word says that Love rejoices in the truth. To tell one the truth is the loving act. Thus to refer to one by their biological, God-given gender is the most loving thing to do

[@bran8370]

Yeah, I love telling obese people how fat they are and ugly people how disgusting they are--it's the truth and the only loving thing to do (< sarcasm) Not all truth is edifying or uplifting to a brother or sister. I doubt we'll win many people to Christ by initially offending someone.

[@05lopjo]

You should not have deviant for friends, deviants should be institutionalized at a minimum.

[@margarita9520]

well is a person is cracy and think that is a cat, you will call that person cat??

[@hopeanozie5842]

I'm going to buy this whole nonsense when the powers that be, will accept other forms of claims. For example, if I claim that I'm an African woman with kinky hair and that I'm 5"10. At least that's the way I feel and want to be identify as such. But in reality, I was borna white European and I'm 5"3+???

[@ballsticseal]

comparing gender to race is wrong but ok

[@kirjian]

​@@ballsticseal he's not comparing gender to race. He's comparing two scenarios where the objective truth is ignored for the sake of your preference, but your preference *isn't true*

[@KoiaruTan]

When god created the heavens and the earth, he created the land and the sea, light and dark, male and female, and he took delight in them. If you were to go strictly by that, the existence of transgender people would seem to fly in the face of god’s created order. But the beauty of his creation is seen when you look just a little closer. Obviously, between night and day you have dusk and dawn. Between land and sea there are estuaries and tide pools. Does that mean god wouldn’t take pleasure in these places inhabiting his creation? If so, why would he populate them with life? Not every microorganism needs to be named in the Bible for it to matter and be given a blessing by god. So why would people who were born in a body opposite of who they are be an abomination? You’ve got to remember, god created each and every one of us, and he makes us as a whole being, complete with a body, mind and soul. He made no mistake when putting you in the body of a man or woman but in the mind and soul of the opposite or somewhere in between. Men don’t decide god’s will, he decides ours, and if people make you do things that feel unnatural for you, they are going against god. Jesus told us to be kind and to love one another, and when I see these churches and institutions acting out of hate, fear negligence or ignorance, I’m sad for them and the people they suppress. Be blessed.

[@vshah1010]

Eve was created from Adam's rib. Adam is male, Eve is female. God started with male DNA from Adam's rib. So, Eve was a transgender woman.

[@SG483]

Just to be clear, the word of GOD doesn't single out homosexuality. I think it's clear we all share the same fate without Jesus. Based on scripture. Revelation 22:15; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 12:14 15 eOutside are fthe dogs gand sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous1 will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: xneither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,2 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 19 Now bthe works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, cdivisions, 21 envy,1 drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that dthose who do2 such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 5 For you may be sure of this, that ueveryone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (vthat is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 9 understanding this, that the slaw is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,

[@Mark-yb1sp]

SG483 Well, it DOES single out homosexuality, but I understand your point. We are all hopeless without Christ and it matter not what type of sin, anyone of them will send me to the abyss without a savior. Have a great day.

[@josephcade3541]

When you name your children the church teaches you should name them after a saint everything you say and do should be holy for the glory of God you do not name your children after a car or a bug or a rock or a fish you name it after a saint of the church this is what the church teaches if you are a libertine or a rebel or a child of Cain then you walk without God in life or his Blessing or his protection. You really need to study the teachings of the church what is called the depository of faith that is not today's Church what's a traditional Church

[@SueAnderson-d3s]

I say nothing.

[@yamicanada]

💖💖💖

[@mssassy6129]

Short answer: Love... Wait. Did he just say he'd quit his job rather than respect another person's name? Wow. Short answer is Matt. 7:12: treat ppl how you want to be treated. If you say your name is Bill and I keep calling you Barbra how does that make you feel. Just a thought....

[@unluckycloverfield4316]

Kinda agree with you Stacy. For example, if someone refused to call me "she" because they don't believe people have genders at all, that would seem petty. Kinda feels like it's just manners, and doesn't need to be a culture war.

[@josephcade3541]

You're not even allowed to dress in any way like the opposite sex, a male is not allowed to dress in anyway like a female or a female to dress like a male, it is a sin for men to wear earrings... If you go a long with their lifestyle or agenda, that is called, "the sin of omission" and it is a mortal sin !!! so if you agree with them or support them or say or do what they want you to say or do then you've committed the sin of omission, that is, you are guilty of their sin therefore whatever punishment God gives them will get be given to you as you "aided and abetted" them in their sin. This is both God's law and man's law. You can go to jail and be prosecuted for a murder that you did not commit simply because you knew about it ahead of time and did not report it did not do anything to stop it you aided and abetted it you go to jail for that you received the same punishment as the person who murdered. If your son is planning a murder at a bank to rob a bank you know of the day you know the bank he goes robs the bank and kill someone if it is discovered that you knew about it ahead of time you're guilty of aiding and abetting you're guilty of that murder you go to jail with the same punishment as your son will get. It is the same with God. It's called the sin of omission if you go to church and you know the priest is raping children then you're guilty of the sin of omission of aiding and abetting that priest with your physical presence in the church with your financial assistance even if you cut the lawn for them or cook their meal or act as the secretary for them you are guilty of aiding and abetting them raping children this is what the church teaches

[@joshuaokoro-sokoh2993]

4:22 Sexual Anomalies are heartbreaking to you. But in other parts of the world like Las Salinas a small village in the Dominican Republic, they are celebrated. Additionally, it's actually more common in some places than others, Like the aforementioned Dominican Village.

[@kirjian]

What? Lol stop reading articles bro. This is coming from a Dominican.

[@joshuaokoro-sokoh2993]

@@kirjianI'm sorry, are you from LA Salinas?

[@kirjian]

@@joshuaokoro-sokoh2993 are you from anywhere near here? Esa e la verdadera pregunta manín JAJA

[@JerubbaalgodSlayer]

I will respectfully not do it! 🇨🇦

[@r-platt]

Such is your right. Just don't claim you're following Jesus. He healed people. What you would do harms people.

[@larry1824]

With the same respect youd want from them😅😮😮😮😮😮😅

[@mocabe01]

The answer is simple --> *Man = He, Woman = She.* We do not play along those stupid pronoun fad because that is a LIE. 01:16 I disagree. Actually, gender and sex are and always have been practically the same thing. It was only a couple of years back that the woke trans that gave "gender" a new (but different) definition to also mean "self-perception". In this sense, "self-perception" is a mere fantasy/delusion. Thus, NO ONE shd be compelled to play along with it because it is simply NOT true. As Christians, we shd always abide with the truth regardless if it hurts people's feelings because foremost, we answer to God and not to other men.

[@chrishuffman6734]

Why does it take a ten minute explanation to answer a simple question? Something is wrong here. Very wrong. You don’t have be intellectual to answer a question a five year old could answer. Trying to make complicated a simple truth is the slippery slope that ends in compromise.

[@ellayatchi3721]

Basic respect, call them as they wish. It doesn't hurt you nor does it concern you. It not up to you to police this.

[@redrivermelody2165]

Ella Yatchi no, i will call them the proper thing. i wont play pretend

[@stevenhulbert6973]

if you're being compelled to use certain pronouns then youre being policed

[@kenduran1451]

I dont know how to ti upe

[@Vlugazoide]

Did you figured it out?

[@micah_lee]

I’m guessing he meant type. In that case he figured it out

[@darklogic6998]

Why would it be wrong to change the way your own body looks?

[@darklogic6998]

@Alice_ Lost Do you actually think it is wrong to change your the way your body looks?

[@seminaomerdic514]

As a trans male I can potentially answer that. You see, when I was a little kid I hated my body. I wouldn't wear anything considered 'girly' and I hated and when I say hated I mean HATED wearing dresses. My mother thought I would become a lesbian or trans. They didn't have a problem with that so they let me dress up as boy, and I would even have dreams in which I was a boy. Everything was okay until puberty because development started. I was becoming feminine and it didn't feel right. I hated my body so much that I started suffering from depression. I learned about transition and started a treatment when I turned 18( why 18? Because I thought maybe it will pass. It bacame worse. ) I started being better and being confident. I eventually even started making real friends and thinking about my future. My life changed and now I'm happy, in relationship and with a college degree. If I didn't transition to male, I wouldn't be here writing this comment. It's my choice and if I have to suffer in other life for it, so be it. I just wanted happiness.

[@sofiabravo1994]

@@seminaomerdic514 one look at your picture and I see a woman just because you hated feminine qualities like dresses or makeup that doesn’t mean you are a man it just makes you a woman that doesn’t care about vanity.

[@seminaomerdic514]

@@sofiabravo1994 oh that's not me😅 it's my sisters account.

[@rivil5654]

@@sofiabravo1994 Can you see chromozones and what not? Do you have xray vision that can see someone's biology even if they do a complete sex change and hrt? What vision is this Sofia? I need this? Holy hell

[@Dmchadra]

What if the transgender person perfectly resembles the gender they identify as? What if they’ve already fully transitioned socially and physically?

[@vickiesutherland4628]

Stop it... Christian believers know who are Saved and who are not Saved. Just a little conversation can reveal where their heart lies. Some people who claim Christianity are fools for Christ, but some are fools for others...? What a true Christian will uncover very quickly is who's fool are you? You must be born again and if you are not, pretending you are will not help you for very long. AND....what would be the purpose of pretending your a Christian? Whatever would be the purpose of that foolishness? When you could have what is, why would you fake what you don't have? How dumb is that?