Fundamentalists in Largo, Florida sure think so, showing up to demand the termination of City Manager Steve Stanton because he annouced he was preparing for gender reassignment surgery.
"Mr. Stanton is not a role model. He's proven that. I think for the sake of our young people today, you need to do what's right, and that's terminate him. ... If Jesus was here tonight, I can guarantee you he'd want him terminated. Make no mistake about it."- Ron Sanders, pastor, Lighthouse Baptist Church of Largo
Why is it always Baptist churches with L names like Landmark and Lighthouse?
I am personaly convinced by this that no matter how low you set the bar of compassion, fundamentalist Christians can limbo under it with room to spare. But weigh in here and explain why religious zealots should be able to have government employees fired who have not broken any laws or regulations and have excellent work records because they are nevertheless "actin agin Gawd's will" as a fundie sees it.
2007-02-28 10:08:07 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree with you. Steve Stanton performed his job and not only met expectations but surpassed them. He has never displayed any immoral behavior. If he wishes to have sexual reassignment surgery then by all means it should not interfere with his capacity to work. As a Christian I am ashamed of people like Ron Sanders. He and people like him place the rest of us Christians under the scrutiny of people in yahoo answers ;p
Honestly though, this is just another sad example of what happens when we enforce religion upon our government. Religion is our right, not something we should force other people to abide by.
2007-02-28 10:16:26 · answer #1 · answered by Radictis 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They should only be terminated if their actions are so disruptive to the work environment that it causes problems. But that's not specific to gender reassignment...employers should always have the ability to terminate an employee if their actions are so disruptive that they or the people around them have trouble being productive. Everyone should have the right to work, but they don't have the right to be a hindrance to everyone else who is trying to work there.
I am a conservative Christian, and I think that if they aren't bothering anyone and are able to carry out their duties just fine without causing any disruption there's no reason to fire them. Besides, to me transexuality is more of a gray area than homosexuality is because a lot of the time there are biological ambiguities in organs and hormones that make it questionable whether the outward physical sex was that person's real gender to begin with.
That said, I have known people who make their sexuality such a focal point of their existence that it IS disruptive. I don't spend all day at work advertising the fact that I'm straight to all my coworkers, I do my job and keep my personal life to myself, and really wish other people (gay and straight) would do the same.
2007-02-28 18:23:00 · answer #2 · answered by Hamlette 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not all fundamentalist Christians feel the same way. Some wish to impose their beliefs onto society as a whole...
This works both ways, many athiests wish to see unproved theories taught as fact in schools...
The fact of the matter is however, that the Bible doesn't command Christians to make examples of every person that doesn't live up to its standards. As a Christian, I'm not crazy about the idea of transexuals, but then again, I also disapprove of those who commit premarital sex. I do not however, treat one as grossly worse than the other. Christians should treat all persons well, and fairly. If individuals choose to commit legal actions that Christians find distasteful, that is their choice, and the reprecussions are between them and God. Jesus was criticized for eating with sinners, but it was the pharisees that had a wicked and self-righteous attitude. The teachings are clear - disapprove of the actions, but do not hate/mistreat those who do them.
2007-02-28 18:21:45 · answer #3 · answered by Andrew G 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I personally think that Christians, or members of any religion, should not discriminate against transgendered people. I'm pretty confident that Ms. Stanton will not be fired, because it is illegal to fire someone because of sex or religion, especially since this is a public position.
Most of the transexuals I've met are Christians. In fact, the transexual whom I know the best, is a pillar in the local gay community (refreshing, since there is much discrimination against transgendered people in most gay communities). She is a pastor, a police officer, a poet, and she was the editor of our most successful glbt-oriented newspaper. Transgendered people have much to offer the community; allow them to continue their work.
2007-02-28 18:48:10 · answer #4 · answered by lalasnake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is no.
The problem will either be dealt with in 1 year or 5 years from now. A lot of times I view most christians as being no better than the nazi's themselves. First it came with racism then prejudice against homosexuals. Like I said the problem will be dealt with soon.
2007-02-28 18:20:37 · answer #5 · answered by chorssk 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I'm sure that guy personally knows Jesus. If he did, he would realize that the idea of Jesus and Christianity was the opposite of what he is suggesting. Jesus (if he existed) didn't care about that sort of thing at all. The amount of text in the bible about loving your neighbor far outweighs anything you can find condemning transexuals.
2007-02-28 18:20:55 · answer #6 · answered by Maggie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the book of Matthew, Christians are told by Jesus Christ, not to judge, because if we do, we will face judgment. Whoever Ron Sanders is, is completely wrong!! He should have not said that and the comment he made about Jesus is WRONG!! He definitely needs to re-read his Bible and study Jesus' actions......
2007-02-28 18:16:27 · answer #7 · answered by Hoppskotch7 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Transexuals are still humans and have feelings, and Christians are supposed to love everyone no matter what or who they are. They dont have to agree with the things they do but Christians these days (or should i say all the ones i've met) dont seem to think this way,
2007-02-28 18:14:28 · answer #8 · answered by Mystic Magic 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Love thy neighbor as yourself.
Any christians treating others other than they'd like to be treated have to reexamine their faith long and deep.
If that man has held the job for 14 years competently, he should not do any worse as a woman. People may hate him for being a transexual, but they should not drag Christ into this.
2007-02-28 18:14:02 · answer #9 · answered by Svartalf 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm always mystified that people think you can "become" gay or transsexual by seeing someone that is gay or transsexual.
Your gender and sexual orientation are innate. You are not going to be influenced by seeing a public figure either come out or change their gender.
2007-02-28 18:16:48 · answer #10 · answered by JP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋