The Biblically Minded

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The Biblically Minded

Post #1

Post by William »

Q: Can the mind-set of the biblically minded be generalized that they are better understood in some coherent context?

For example.

Are they generally heterosexual?
Do they consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM?
Do they idolize the Bible?

What other general characteristics can be added to this list, re the OPQ?

*Thanks to nobspeople for the inspiration for the thread question

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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #2

Post by William »

[Replying to William in post #1]

Are the biblically-minded generally heterosexual?
Transsexualism, also known as transgenderism, Gender Identity Disorder (GID), or gender dysphoria, is a feeling that your biological/genetic/physiological gender does not match the gender you identify with and/or perceive yourself to be. Transsexuals/transgenders often describe themselves as feeling “trapped” in a body that does not match their true gender. They often practice transvestism/transvestitism and may also seek hormone therapy and/or gender reassignment surgery to bring their bodies into conformity with their perceived gender.

The Bible nowhere explicitly mentions transgenderism or describes anyone as having transgender feelings. However, the Bible has plenty to say about human sexuality. Most basic to our understanding of gender is that God created two (and only two) genders: “male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). All the modern-day speculation about numerous genders or gender fluidity—or even a gender “continuum” with unlimited genders—is foreign to the Bible.

The closest the Bible comes to mentioning transgenderism is in its condemnations of homosexuality (Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10) and transvestitism (Deuteronomy 22:5). The Greek word often translated “homosexual offenders” or “male prostitutes” in 1 Corinthians 6:9 literally means “effeminate men.” So, while the Bible does not directly mention transgenderism, when it mentions other instances of gender “confusion,” it clearly and explicitly identifies them as sin.

What about the possibility that those suffering with transgenderism have a brain that functions as one gender while the rest of the body is biologically the other gender? The Bible does not even hint at such a possibility. However, neither does the Bible mention hermaphroditism (a condition in which a person has both male and female sexual organs), which undeniably occurs (although extremely rarely). Further, people can be born with or develop all kinds of different brain defects or malfunctions. How can it be said that it is impossible for a female brain to be in a male body (or vice versa)?

With hermaphroditism as evidence, it cannot be said that if the Bible does not mention something it does not occur. So, it might be possible for a person to be born with a brain wired in such a way that it contributes to gender dysphoria. This could also be an explanation for some instances of homosexuality. However, just because something might have a biological cause does not mean embracing the effects is the right thing to do.
{SOURCE}
Clearly we can see that the language used is done through a heterosexual perspective and the use of words depicts that the writer is bias toward the nature of the heterosexual as YHWH's 'chosen'. while the rest are delegated to being possibly works of 'brain disorders' and "suffering with transgenderism" and hermaphrodites being "extremely rare" - as if somehow they represent an imperfection in the designers design...

Search: "What percentage of the population are hermaphrodites?"
What are the chances of being born a hermaphrodite?
Here's what we do know: If you ask experts at medical centers how often a child is born so noticeably atypical in terms of genitalia that a specialist in sex differentiation is called in, the number comes out to about 1 in 1500 to 1 in 2000 births.


Not that "rare" at at. It is however, often regarded as a "disorder" - probably - mostly by heterosexual evaluators.
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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #3

Post by mac_ »

William wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 7:35 pm Q: Can the mind-set of the biblically minded be generalized that they are better understood in some coherent context?

For example.

Are they generally heterosexual?
Do they consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM?
Do they idolize the Bible?

What other general characteristics can be added to this list, re the OPQ?

*Thanks to nobspeople for the inspiration for the thread question
Considering all the denominations it would be difficult to group them all under a single mindset.
Non-religious theist.

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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #4

Post by William »

mac_ wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:24 pm
William wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 7:35 pm Q: Can the mind-set of the biblically minded be generalized that they are better understood in some coherent context?

For example.

Are they generally heterosexual?
Do they consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM?
Do they idolize the Bible?

What other general characteristics can be added to this list, re the OPQ?

*Thanks to nobspeople for the inspiration for the thread question
Considering all the denominations it would be difficult to group them all under a single mindset.
A general mindset is what the OP is focusing attention upon.

Denominations might all generally be similar even if they do not agree to the particulars.

Do you know of any denominations which;
Are not generally heterosexual?
Do not consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM?
Do not idolize the Bible?

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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #5

Post by Tcg »

mac_ wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:24 pm Considering all the denominations it would be difficult to group them all under a single mindset.
This is true, but it is worse than just that. Even those that belong to the same denomination disagree on a great many things. That's one of the reasons Christianity is in constant state of flux. There is no generalized mindset of those who follow the Bible.


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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #6

Post by William »

[Replying to Tcg in post #5]
There is no generalized mindset of those who follow the Bible.
Three have been identified so far.

1: They are generally heterosexual.
2: They consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM.
3: They idolize the Bible

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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #7

Post by nobspeople »

William wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 7:35 pm Q: Can the mind-set of the biblically minded be generalized that they are better understood in some coherent context?

For example.

Are they generally heterosexual?
Do they consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM?
Do they idolize the Bible?

What other general characteristics can be added to this list, re the OPQ?

*Thanks to nobspeople for the inspiration for the thread question
William
I'm glad I inspired a question from someone instead of asking one myself, as I've been told I 'ask too many questions' here
:D
If I understand your question, to me, I'm not sure I can provide a set of attributes that would allow me to better understand. I've encountered believers of all shapes, sizes, ages, orientations, genders... yadda yadda yadda.
For me, I tend to get a 'feeling' when I'm around them. It's hard to explain, but it probably has a lot to do with the micro-actions they do (or don't do) that I subconsciously experience (not laughing at certain jokes, not getting drunk when everyone else does, that type of thing).
But, if I had to offer, I'd say (in the USA), they are normally white, straight people. Beyond that, it's hard for me to say as I've experienced both loving, kind people (personally) and hateful people, all claiming to be 'biblically minded'. If I had to draw a comparison between this group and another, it would be this group and conservative Republicans.
Have a great, potentially godless, day!

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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #8

Post by theophile »

William wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 12:03 am [Replying to Tcg in post #5]
There is no generalized mindset of those who follow the Bible.
Three have been identified so far.

1: They are generally heterosexual.
2: They consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM.
3: They idolize the Bible
Given that we are on the receiving end of 1000s of years of patriarchal tradition that pushed biblical interpretation in these directions, I would say that yes, this is *generally* the case.

But if we cast off that inheritance, while I would certainly concede that the bible makes points on gender (that we are created male and female), and sexuality (such as the condemnation of homosexuality in the law), I am not convinced that these are the final words on the matter.

For example, while created male and female, there is nothing to preclude the emergence of new genders or the proliferation of gender identities. In fact, I think that multiplicity of expression of life is in tune with the deeper biblical purpose.

Also, while the law condemns homosexuality, Christians are no longer under the law but grace. Which creates new openings here as well, I think, to view the full range of human sexuality in this deeper context as well. i.e., as a good thing, since it means that life can express itself and be in all its myriad forms.

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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #9

Post by bjs1 »

William wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:54 pm Do you know of any denominations which;
Are not generally heterosexual?
The United Church of Christ. Also, several smaller ones.
William wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:54 pm Do not consider YHWH to be Masculine in their imagery of HIM?
All of which I am aware use masculine imagery. None of which I am aware consider God to be masculine (as opposed to feminine).
William wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:54 pm Do not idolize the Bible?
I do not know of any denominations that idolize the Bible.

Unless you mean this as an ad hominem. Then it is whichever ones you want, because it based on your personal attack and not on anything they claim to believe.
Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.
-Charles Darwin

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Re: The Biblically Minded

Post #10

Post by William »

[Replying to nobspeople in post #7]
For me, I tend to get a 'feeling' when I'm around them. It's hard to explain, but it probably has a lot to do with the micro-actions they do (or don't do) that I subconsciously experience (not laughing at certain jokes, not getting drunk when everyone else does, that type of thing).
But, if I had to offer, I'd say (in the USA), they are normally white, straight people. Beyond that, it's hard for me to say as I've experienced both loving, kind people (personally) and hateful people, all claiming to be 'biblically minded'.
You bring up good points Nobspeople - but even the appearance of being loving may be an outward display which does not represent the inner turmoil of hate.

Christians that do break those chains and stand up for lovingkindness, acceptance and understanding may indeed not harbor ill-will for those who are not oriented the same way as they are, sexually - or who consider The Mother equally with The Father in relation to YHWH, or who in no way idolize the bible as their only source of relevant information that trumps all contradicting information.
But are they so many as to be counted in, with the general Christian population?

Even those small percentage who congregate in the Kingdom Halls will still refer to these as 'not true Christians' so in a way what is going on here is that we are examining the claim that there are 'true Christians' coupled with the generally shared beliefs they have with one another - those beliefs which cross at the boarders of denominational and do not cause the interference of interpretation.

Questions need to be asked and answered.

What is this darkness and why is it their being proclaimed to be of YHWH and YHWH proclaimed as "GOD"?

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