We had a lively discussion in study group last night about some of the material in Paper 84. It was an evening of hilarity from all the good humor, back and forth. Not that the material itself was funny, but rather all of us seemed in the mood to laugh and the puns were funny. Personally, I don’t care what a person’s identity is as regards how they see themselves gender-wise. I don’t care if a person identifies as tall or short, fat or thin or whatever. God is no respecter of persons and I stand with God. I do not think God cares about how you see yourself with respect to your gender.
But some of the material raised questions in our group in light of the various ways gender is identified these days. Some of us have family members who see themselves as different from their birth or biologic identity. I personally think that one’s gender identity is biologic and that it is not a choice, as some may believe. On the subject of choice, a friend of mine asked, “When did you choose to be heterosexual?” Ha! I didn’t!.
People were in the closet before, but now there is a pride in one’s gender identity. But the book is pretty clear about the ideals of marriage, homebuilding, family, perpetuation of the human race, some of which is biologic, and some sociologic..
In talking about the differences in nature between men and women, we read:.
84:6.5 The differences of nature, reaction, viewpoint, and thinking between men and women, far from occasioning concern, should be regarded as highly beneficial to mankind, both individually and collectively. Many orders of universe creatures are created in dual phases of personality manifestation. Among mortals, Material Sons, and midsoniters, this difference is described as male and female; among seraphim, cherubim, and Morontia Companions, it has been denominated positive or aggressive and negative or retiring. Such dual associations greatly multiply versatility and overcome inherent limitations, even as do certain triune associations in the Paradise-Havona system..
And that. . ..
84:6.6 Men and women need each other in their morontial and spiritual as well as in their mortal careers. The differences in viewpoint between male and female persist even beyond the first life and throughout the local and superuniverse ascensions. And even in Havona, the pilgrims who were once men and women will still be aiding each other in the Paradise ascent. Never, even in the Corps of the Finality, will the creature metamorphose so far as to obliterate the personality trends that humans call male and female; always will these two basic variations of humankind continue to intrigue, stimulate, encourage, and assist each other; always will they be mutually dependent on co-operation in the solution of perplexing universe problems and in the overcoming of manifold cosmic difficulties..
Do you think gender identity is a “dual phase of personality manifestation” or “personality trends” we call male and female?
