Interesting take on the forced usage of self-selected pronouns. I may borrow this concept myself when the pronoun propaganda makes me so uncomfortable I cannot participate fully in some groups or activities. I’ve found merely declining to give my own pronouns is apparently a grievous act bigotry in many situations. Conversely, I sometimes contemplate saying “oh, just call me terf and get it over with.” Your way is more likely to promote conversation than combat!
Interesting that in Judaism our dignity comes from God. That we are in the image of God is both a privilege and a responsibility. We do not have the right to renounce our dignity. To do so is disrespectful to the God who made us. Your unwillingness to actively participate in such an activity is entirely reasonable.
Unfortunately I have trouble with the concept of "God" referred to as "He"... I would mind a lot less if It was a "She". But Great Spirit or even quantum field better suit my feelings about the underlying mystery of existence.
Otherwise I agree with everything you say about (not) concurring with people's disturbed and disturbing denial of their sexed reality. Claims to be "non-binary" in particular.
Also, the concept that denying reality with cross sex pronouns for men identifying as women poses a danger to women, by artificially lowering their guard. Men on average are dangerous to women on average. That isn’t changed by how someone identifies or dresses.
When I read that perspective, it was a turning point.
Bringing up all the ways other species sex is determined is obfuscating the fact that humans only have two sexes which are determined by the presence or absence of a Y chromosome. The presence of a Y chromosome with any number of X chromosomes is a male human (and in most males includes the potential to produce small gametes); the absence of a Y chromosome results in a female human (with the potential to produce large gametes). Human chromosomal makeup is fixed at conception and does not change through the lifespan. Standard use of language for a male adult human is "man" and that for a female adult human is "woman" with corresponding pronouns. Simple and precise. Now the case for how one fits into stereotypical sex behaviors is where human diversity comes into play - but that doesn't change biology one bit.
> "When someone identifies as "non-binary" and claims they are neither male nor female, I hear a deeper claim: that they are somehow outside the framework of humanity. I don’t believe this is said out of arrogance, a belief in being superhuman. Tragically, it often appears rooted in feelings of being less-than—subhuman, even."
Methinks you're starting off from the wrong foot, from the scientifically untenable premise, if not article of faith, that everyone has to be male or female, right from conception to the final curtain. Simply not "true".
For example, see this article at Aeon by philosopher of science, Paul Griffiths:
Griffiths: “Sex Is Real: Yes, there are just two biological sexes. No, this doesn’t mean every living thing is either one or the other.”;
You’re missing the point here. Of course they will be rare individuals born with developmental disorders that make their bodies not fit 100% with the norms of either sex. In the same way that there will be individuals born with other developmental disorders. Normally we would consider it to be pathological for somebody to identify as somebody with a developmental disorder. Those who identify as non-binary have levels of mental distress higher than any other group in terms of sexual orientation or gender identity. This is a pathological kind of identification. And we have to notice it. We should not encourage people to identify with pathology. That is not the same thing as failing to have compassion for people with genuine medical conditions.
But I think the point, and the whole problem with transgenderism, is that too many people have made the sexes into "immutable identities" 🙄 based on some "mythic essences". Technically speaking or to a first approximation, "male" and "female" just denote those who have testicles or ovaries, respectively. Those with neither are then sexless, neither male nor female.
Interesting take on the forced usage of self-selected pronouns. I may borrow this concept myself when the pronoun propaganda makes me so uncomfortable I cannot participate fully in some groups or activities. I’ve found merely declining to give my own pronouns is apparently a grievous act bigotry in many situations. Conversely, I sometimes contemplate saying “oh, just call me terf and get it over with.” Your way is more likely to promote conversation than combat!
Interesting that in Judaism our dignity comes from God. That we are in the image of God is both a privilege and a responsibility. We do not have the right to renounce our dignity. To do so is disrespectful to the God who made us. Your unwillingness to actively participate in such an activity is entirely reasonable.
I appreciate your continuous deep thoughtfulness on these issues.
Unfortunately I have trouble with the concept of "God" referred to as "He"... I would mind a lot less if It was a "She". But Great Spirit or even quantum field better suit my feelings about the underlying mystery of existence.
Otherwise I agree with everything you say about (not) concurring with people's disturbed and disturbing denial of their sexed reality. Claims to be "non-binary" in particular.
The freedom of religion argument is a dead end, not even worth parodying.
Our strongest arguments are based on free speech and freedom from compelled speech.
Amen, Amen!!!
Love this position.
Also, the concept that denying reality with cross sex pronouns for men identifying as women poses a danger to women, by artificially lowering their guard. Men on average are dangerous to women on average. That isn’t changed by how someone identifies or dresses.
When I read that perspective, it was a turning point.
I think you just wrote the new HR Manual.
In reply to Steersman:
Bringing up all the ways other species sex is determined is obfuscating the fact that humans only have two sexes which are determined by the presence or absence of a Y chromosome. The presence of a Y chromosome with any number of X chromosomes is a male human (and in most males includes the potential to produce small gametes); the absence of a Y chromosome results in a female human (with the potential to produce large gametes). Human chromosomal makeup is fixed at conception and does not change through the lifespan. Standard use of language for a male adult human is "man" and that for a female adult human is "woman" with corresponding pronouns. Simple and precise. Now the case for how one fits into stereotypical sex behaviors is where human diversity comes into play - but that doesn't change biology one bit.
> "When someone identifies as "non-binary" and claims they are neither male nor female, I hear a deeper claim: that they are somehow outside the framework of humanity. I don’t believe this is said out of arrogance, a belief in being superhuman. Tragically, it often appears rooted in feelings of being less-than—subhuman, even."
Methinks you're starting off from the wrong foot, from the scientifically untenable premise, if not article of faith, that everyone has to be male or female, right from conception to the final curtain. Simply not "true".
For example, see this article at Aeon by philosopher of science, Paul Griffiths:
Griffiths: “Sex Is Real: Yes, there are just two biological sexes. No, this doesn’t mean every living thing is either one or the other.”;
https://aeon.co/essays/the-existence-of-biological-sex-is-no-constraint-on-human-diversity
You’re missing the point here. Of course they will be rare individuals born with developmental disorders that make their bodies not fit 100% with the norms of either sex. In the same way that there will be individuals born with other developmental disorders. Normally we would consider it to be pathological for somebody to identify as somebody with a developmental disorder. Those who identify as non-binary have levels of mental distress higher than any other group in terms of sexual orientation or gender identity. This is a pathological kind of identification. And we have to notice it. We should not encourage people to identify with pathology. That is not the same thing as failing to have compassion for people with genuine medical conditions.
Anybody who likes arguing can't be all bad ... 😉🙂
But I think the point, and the whole problem with transgenderism, is that too many people have made the sexes into "immutable identities" 🙄 based on some "mythic essences". Technically speaking or to a first approximation, "male" and "female" just denote those who have testicles or ovaries, respectively. Those with neither are then sexless, neither male nor female.