I was tempted to put “but” at the end of the title post. But I didn’t.
Like a lot of us, I’m following the discussion on AI and the potential to see the extinction of man within the next decade. Our own creation being the cause of human kind’s extinction. How fitting. Terminator XIV, the last sequel (finally). Scary stuff, I’m buying gold.
The reason I bring that up is because right in the middle of a CNN newscast, about AI tech companies getting together to regulate themselves, the thought hit me;
“Will God still exist when there are no more humans?” or Buddha or Allah or the numerous other beliefs with a higher power? I’m certain there are others I’ve missed, sorry.
I’ve written about my leaning toward existentialism, meaning I believe in the here and now, and there isn’t a rhyme or reason for man’s existence. This is all there is. There is no higher power. Once that internal voice in your head goes quiet you simply cease to exist.
I have studied Buddhism for years though, and if there is a path to follow, that would be the road I take. And still might. To live is to suffer, only to be re-born and suffer more. (That’s definitely true.) Unless you give up your worldly trappings and achieve some sort of enlightenment within yourself.
My point being, how powerful the mind can be in setting your beliefs. I know there’s thousands and thousands of books written on the subject, philosophers philosophizing. Despite all the resources I can’t find any with a reference back to transgenderism, or transsexuality and the belief system those of us have.
I can accept you believing in God, but why can’t you accept me for believing I would have been happier as a woman. I’m in the wrong body.
Gender Dysphoria (GD) is the catch-all phrase that describes an emotional unease, or unrest, as your mind and self image is conflicted with your physical self.
GD is a psychological disorder, true. That can be “cured” simply by letting the person live their life as they see fit.
Is there any harm caused by the transexual community? No, there isn’t.
Is there harm in one group of people believing in a different god than another? How many wars and millions of people have been killed for having a separate belief? If you believe in a false god you risk losing your life.
Being either transgendered or transexual isn’t any type of disorder at all though. Either in a physical or psychological way. It’s a simple belief, deep-rooted and true to the believer. It is what it is, folks. Except when a transgender person suffers emotional distress over the fact of their being trans, and not feeling comfortable in their own body.
If a person suffers from GD, 99% of their discomfort is brought on by outside influences. Parents, society, workplace, friends. The fear of rejection, being an outcast. If you can express yourself fully, and be accepted for who you are, then you wouldn’t suffer from gender dysphoria.
I suffered from gender dysphoria for years, and it only stopped completely after the sex reassignment surgery, and the elimination of testosterone in my body.
Outside influence? That’s all it is really, for if society fully accepted trans people for who they are, the road we travel would be so much easier. Simple social norms and stigmatization of being “queer” in today’s world means you are bad, or mentally insane. A sickness.
What makes a person’s deep-seated belief that they are in the wrong body any different than someone believing in God? Seriously, think about it. Or any other belief that is accepted by society. Social norms are constantly changing, evolving eventually to a better state. Still, trans people are looked upon as having a mental disorder.
I fully believe that being transgenedered will one day be accepted by most societies. Eventually. If we outlive AI that is. One day our beliefs will be accepted not as a mental disorder, but a simple strong belief that we are not in the right body.
You believe in God, you believe in afterlife and immortality. Why is that so acceptable, and yet society as a whole still fights over the rights of homosexuals and transsexuals to exist.
You have your beliefs, please let me have mine. Should everyone with a different belief be stoned to death? It’s time the world grows up.
People who believe in “God” can’t accept those that believe in a different higher power. Do we deem them as insane, or suffering from a mental disorder? Are they “wrong” in having a belief that doesn’t mirror yours?
Do I tell all my Christian friends, and my wife and family, that they are insane to believe in an after-life? Of course not. Nor do they tell me I’m nuts for believing I should have been born a female. They accept me.
“A man cannot be a woman” is the mantra today. We can if our beliefs are strong enough.
I haven’t suffered from GD since I accepted the fact I am different, queer. If I believe this so strongly, does it really matter to you?
Let us live our lives.