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Church of Sweden diocese proclaims itself ‘trans’ in open letter
denouncing ‘narrow gender norms’
18 May, 2021 12:39
© AFP / Jonathan Nackstrand
A Church of Sweden diocese has published a statement declaring itself transgender and condemning the media, ‘right-wing’ groups and even feminists for allegedly discriminating against people with different gender identities.
Published on the Vasteras diocese's website, the declaration, titled ‘Personal letter to you who are trans,’ states that the Lutheran national church could arguably identify as transgender because of its diverse array of priests, employees and parishioners.
“We write to you from a church that is also trans,” the letter begins. “A church is made up of people. People are different. We have confirmees, employees, churchwardens, elected representatives, non-profits, and other parishioners who define themselves as trans people. The church also consists of trans people. Therefore, the church could be described as trans.”
The letter goes on to state that it could no longer remain silent as media outlets, “radical right-wing Christian groups” and “trans-excluding” feminists allegedly conspire to deprive transgender people of their rights and human dignity.
“Radical right-wing Christian groups” - The word 'radical' means proponents of significant change. This describes the Church of Sweden, not right-wing Christians.
The Church of Sweden is exactly that, a church dedicated to Swedish pride. It has little or nothing to do with God and ignores what the Bible says about LGBTQIs.
This is a perfect example of a society 'Approaching Sodom', and, like Sodom, they will face the Judgment of God when Jesus returns.
The statement lamented how trans people have been subjected to “words and actions” from “humanity's darkest sides” and called for “a broad solidarity feminism that fights narrow gender norms.”
The letter proceeds to compare the plight of transgender people to a story in the Bible about an exploited slave girl who is driven into the desert by her cruel masters.
It's talking about Hagar who gave birth to Abraham's illegitimate son, the son of the flesh, who was driven from the family with his mother after Isaac, the son of Promise, and legitimate heir was born. God authorized the move by Abraham and Sarah to send her and the boy away, and God ensured their survival and eventual prosperity.
Abraham has never been called 'cruel' before and anyone calling himself a minister of God should be very uncomfortable doing so, especially since God permitted it! It is essentially calling God cruel! This is what happens when you do not know God at all.
No one can strip you of your gender identity and your human dignity, the statement proclaims, adding that God and the Church of Sweden embraces “humanity in all the colors of the rainbow.”
Authored by six church members, four of them priests, the letter garnered nearly 1,000 signatures from fellow priests, deacons, and other people affiliated with the Church of Sweden.
Is there anyone in the Church of Sweden who knows God?
The letter seemed to divide Swedes. Some applauded the declaration as inclusive and proof of the church’s much-touted progressive values.
Others criticized the church for becoming “a haunt for left-wing activists” while sidelining actual Christian teachings.
Sweden’s national church has taken bold stances on gender and sexuality in the past. The church previously revealed plans to update its hymnal with more inclusive language and, in one high-profile incident, unveiled an altarpiece that replaced Adam and Eve with gay couples, and also featured a transgender serpent.
A transgender serpent seems appropriate, but replacing Adam and Eve with gay couples would have meant that the human race ended right there.
‘Fundamentally UNSAFE for women’: French rugby chiefs slammed as they ALLOW transgender players despite recommendations
18 May, 2021 12:33
England and France women pictured in an international game. © Action Images / Steven Paston
The French Rugby Federation has come under fire after announcing it is to allow transgender players to compete in domestic competitions in a move which comes in contrast to guidelines issued by the sport's governing body.
French rugby officials announced in a statement that they had voted unanimously in favor of a move to allow transgender players to play alongside and against their cisgender peers after recommendations from the organization's Anti-Discrimination and Equal Treatment Commission.
However, the move to do so is a controversial one. World Rugby, the body which oversees the sport globally, said in October of last year that it recommended that transgender players be disallowed from playing in women's elite or international teams, citing potential safety hazards, saying at the time that "safety and fairness cannot presently be assured for women playing against trans women in contact rugby".
World Rugby was among the first major sports bodies to issue such a decree but the recommendations were not binding and allow the various national unions make their own judgments on the issue.
"Rugby is an inclusive, sharing sport, without distinction of sex, gender, origin or religion," Serge Simon, vice president of the French Rugby Federation, said.
What? Are there not men's and women's leagues? Are there mixed leagues?
"It is important to allow all our members to practice their passion while respecting everyone's rights."
How does that respect the right of women to play against women?
They added that the move, which they say safeguards the rights of minorities, indicates that respect for matters such as this "signal[s] that respect for minorities is an irrefutable right in our sport."
Recommendations proposed by the French Rugby Federation say that transgender people who "physically reassigned and recognized in their current gender" are to be granted permission to play in all forms of the sport, while those transitioning from male to female must also provide evidence that they have been undergoing hormone treatment therapy for at least 12 months.
Earlier this year, plans from England's Rugby Football Union indicated that transgender women must be risk-assessed before being afforded permission to play.
However, the signal of trans rights being sent from the French rugby HQ has been met with a high degree of pushback online from figures within and on the periphery of the sport.
George Hook, a former Irish rugby international turned pundit, said that "womens' rugby is just about to come more dangerous as France unilaterally decides to allow Transgender women to play. The physical disparity will be huge."
Sports journalist Ewan MacKenna agreed, writing: "France allowing transgender rugby players line out in women's game now. Will sadly lead to severe injury and maybe worse.
"Making the women's game fundamentally unsafe for woman. An actual dereliction of that foremost duty of basic safety and protection in the name of PC pressure."
Another Twitter user said that the move is little more than another example of the woke PC brigade instituting rules which will actually prove to be a detriment to the people they're professing to help.
"This is just dangerous," they wrote. "Where’s the common sense and decency to protect women? Humans born with male sex are likely to have more power and size. This is political correctness gone mad and it’s a health and safety concern for women."
Yorkshire church to replace damaged centuries-old carvings
with FEMINIST ICONS
19 May, 2021 14:51
A historic church in East Yorkshire will receive a ‘woke’ facelift, by replacing badly-damaged carvings dating back hundreds of years with feminist icons.
Dating back to 1120, St Mary's Church in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, features decorations that have become so heavily eroded that it is impossible to distinguish what they depict. But instead of undergoing traditional restoration work, the church will have some of its artwork replaced with new carvings of female role models, such as Queen Elizabeth, scientist Marie Curie and nursing pioneer Mary Seacole. Some of the original carvings were installed in 1520, when parts of the church were rebuilt.
The church’s vicar, Reverend Rebecca Lumley, received approval for the highly unorthodox refurbishments from an ecclesiastical court, billing the changes as a way to celebrate the achievements of women.
I thought churches were about Jesus Christ and the Gospel. It's great to celebrate the achievements of great women, but those achievements should have to do with the church if they are to be displayed in the church.
“The contribution of women to humanity isn't always properly recognised in the telling of history, and throughout history women's voices have been silenced,” Lumley said in a statement. She added that she takes seriously the Church of England’s commitment to “battling inequality and injustice” and expressed hope that the new interior design will “help highlight the remarkable achievements of these women, and provide hope and inspiration for future generations.”
The decorations will also be designed to pay homage to members of the BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) community, according to media reports. Other individuals to be carved into the church include airship designer Hilda Lyon, aviator Amy Johnson, astronaut Helen Sharman, and women's rights advocate Mary Wollstonecraft.
Did any of these girls actually believe in God?
The Chancellor of the local diocese, Canon Peter Collier, who also serves as a judge for the Consistory Court, said that Lumley had made a strong case for ‘updating’ the church’s carvings.
Noting that the existing decorations were beyond recognition, he suggested that it was “entirely appropriate” to transform them into objects celebrating the “human achievement” of women throughout history.
As part of already-completed restoration work, in 2020 the church was fitted with 14 new carvings of characters from The Chronicles of Narnia, authored by Christian writer C.S. Lewis.
Good grief!
The Church of England has faced controversy over its decision to voice support for the Black Lives Matter movement, following the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. In June, the Church announced a review of sculptures, artwork and other artefacts contained within its 16,000 churches and 42 cathedrals, in order to assess whether their presence could be deemed offensive to marginalized groups. As a result, some parishes have been reportedly compelled to remove artwork that has been associated with past historical injustices, such as slavery and colonialism.
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