Bob,
Please share where in the Writings you found any reference to the spirit having a gender that it would have to have a body congruent to? My sense has been that the body gender is the clue to the lessons to be learned, not an indicator of spiritual gender. Please share if you have anything on this.
sincerely,
Karen
Scott Saylors <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Scott Saylors <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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Richard brought these words of the Bab to our attention:"AS this physical frame is the throne of the inner temple, whatever occurs to the former is felt by the latter. In reality that which takes delight in joy or is saddened by pain is the inner temple of the body, not the body itself. (The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 94)"That same citation is followed immediately by this:"The inner temple beholdeth its physical frame, which is its throne. Thus, if the latter is accorded respect, it is as if the former is the recipient. The converse is likewise true. "Therefore, it hath been ordained that the dead body should be treated with the utmost honour and respect.""(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 201)Thus we see the exact reference is to the body of the deceased and how the spirit of the deceased sees its remains.But it is also directly germaine to the discussion we've been having. What if in life the Spirit sees its body as the wrong gender, what tragedy plays within because of that incongruity?It is bound to create tests and difficulties for the individual, and those tests and difficulties must be seen in the eyes of the institutions of the faith as REAL and potentially destructive to those who suffer that particular pain.There is guidance about the cases of transsexuality that distinguish themselves from homosexuality, and I believe we should consider the two as different from one another.1222. Homosexuality and Trans-sexuality"A number of sexual problems, such as homosexuality and trans-sexuality can well have medical aspects, and in such cases recourse should certainly be had to the best medical assistance. But it is clear from the teaching of Bahá'u'lláh that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled and overcome. This may require a hard struggle, but so also can be the struggle of a heterosexual person to control his or her desires. The exercise of self-control in this, as in so very many other aspects of life, has a beneficial effect on the progress of the soul. It should, moreover, be borne in mind that although to be, married is highly desirable, and Bahá'u'lláh has strongly recommended it, it is not the central purpose of life. If a person has to wait a considerable period before finding a spouse, or if ultimately, he or she must remain single, it does not mean that he or she is thereby unable to fulfil his or her life's purpose."(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, January 12, 1973; cited in Messages from The Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, pp. 110-111)(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 364)Regards,ScottThe information contained in this e-mail and any attachments thereto ("e-mail") is sent by the Johnson County Community College ("JCCC") and is intended to be confidential and for the use of only the individual or entity named above. The information may be protected by federal and state privacy and disclosures acts or other legal rules. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are notified that retention, dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please immediately notify JCCC by email reply and immediately and permanently delete this e-mail message and any attachments thereto. Thank you.As human beings, we are endowed with freedom of choice, and we cannot shuffle off our responsibility upon the shoulders of God or nature. We must shoulder it ourselves. It is our responsibility.
Arnold J. Toynbee
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