A few more thoughts on Caitlyn Jenner

I know, I know. This is dangerous territory. I strive to keep things unpolitical on this blog, but I wanted to clarify a few of my thoughts on Caitlyn Jenner since a commenter (posting under Anonymous...seriously, just stand behind your opinions) made some strong statements about me on Emily's blog.

First I should remind my readers that I am a member of the LDS faith (a.k.a. a Mormon).  This has pretty strong bearing on the content of this discussion.  

I said here that I am proud of Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner and I don't care who knows it. 

No matter what side of this issue you are on I think we can all say it took guts for Caitlyn to go public with such a controversial decision. I think the hard thing about this sort of discussion (online especially) is you have to define what you feel the nature of this situation is. Is being transgender something you're born with? Is it influenced by external factors? If he dressed as a woman after hours is that "sin" or is it only sin if he takes hormones, has surgery, etc. 

I believe it's a complicated discussion that is (for the most part) futile since only God can know our hearts and make that judgement. I believe that Mormons sometimes have a hard time (myself included) defining the lines of judgement. We are told repeatedly in scripture not to judge others (Matthew 7:1-5), but are also counseled to choose good friends and make good choices.  Of course we need to judge what should be allowed into our own personal lives. If Caitlyn Jenner knocks on your door YOU should absolutely make a personal judgement on whether or not to allow her in and to accept her into your life.  But does it extend beyond that? I say an emphatic NO.

There is an AMAZING TALK by a leader of our church, N. Eldon Tanner, that perfectly illustrates this line of judgement.  Here are just a few excerpts that I found particularity suited to this discussion. (Elder Tanners words are italisized and some passages have been made bold by me to emphasize important concepts.)

It is not possible to judge another fairly unless you know his desires, his faith, and his goals. Because of a different environment, unequal opportunity, and many other things, people are not in the same position. How can we, with all our weaknesses and frailties, dare to arrogate to ourselves the position of a judge? At best, man can judge only what he sees; he cannot judge the heart or the intention, or begin to judge the potential of his neighbor.

When we try to judge people, which we should not do, we have a great tendency to look for and take pride in finding weaknesses and faults, such as vanity, dishonesty, immorality, and intrigue. As a result, we see only the worst side of those being judged.

Only by suspending judgment do we exhibit real charity. Surely we can try to eliminate pride, passion, personal feeling, prejudice, and pettiness from our minds, and show charity to those around us.

People will come back with this argument: "This is sin. This is black and white! What Bruce/Caitlyn is doing is wrong. Don't let "society" convince you it isn't." But what about another obvious sinner? Again, from Elder Tanners talk...

When the woman accused of adultery was brought before Christ, he was indignant because of the accusers’ injustice. 

He said: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”  (John 8:7, 10.)

If Jesus were to stand by and be asked to judge those whom we accuse and should say to us, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” and then should stoop and write in the sand, how many of us would feel to steal away ashamed, convicted in our own conscience? How sound is his counsel!

Regardless of our ego, our pride, or our feeling of insecurity, our lives would be happier, we would be contributing more to social welfare and the happiness of others, if we would love one another, forgive one another, repent of our wrongdoings, and judge not.

And here comes one of my favorite parts.

As parents, we have the responsibility in our homes to guard against any of these things. Also, we must realize that every word and every act influences the thinking and attitude of the child. It is in the family that the child picks up the elementary lessons in getting along with people and the virtues of love, compassion, and concern. These lessons will have been well taught if parents can bring up their children without prejudicing them by precept or example against any other children on the grounds of color, race, religion, social status, or intellectual capacity, and if they teach them to love the Lord. I am so thankful that my parents, through their tolerance, were able to accomplish this with their children.

All I have to day is AMEN, ELDER TANNER!!! In my mind there are exactly two occasions when you can make judgements:

1. When deciding who and what to allow into your personal space. 

2. When voting for public officials or laws. 

Any other time? YOU are committing the greater sin. 

Again, these are discussions that could take hours of contemplation and respectful discussion between friends. 

I remain proud of Caitlyn Jenner for doing something so socially difficult. Her decision has no bearing on my personal life and so I see no reason to pass judgement. I leave that to God.