Gender-Dysphoric Teenagers and Ram-raids
Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink
Gender-Dysphoric Teenagers and Ram-raids
Monday 2nd May, 2022
Gender-Dysphoric Teenagers
In the last two years or so I have heard from a growing number of Pastors in NZ that they are having to deal with teenagers wanting to transition.
It is interesting to note two things in recent literature that you can find here and here.
- A growing number of Medical Associations in many countries in Europe and also interestingly in Australia and New Zealand are urging considerable caution to Doctors before prescribing ‘endocrine (hormonal) and surgical interventions’.
- Exploratory psychotherapy should be the first-line treatment for young people suffering from gender-related distress.
What of course is being suggested here is that ongoing gender dysphoria could be as a result of mental distress if not illness. Without a doubt social media usage and social contagion will be factors as will ideological agenda’s from secular Governments and Governmental agencies. But counselling is the best and right place to start helping kids who are struggling with their sexuality.
POV. I find it odd that I should even have to write this but I think we are a point in our so called enlightened age that we as pastors need to have a very well thought through ‘theology’ on what it means to be made in the image of God as male and female. And then teach it.
11 Year Olds Doing Ram-Raids
We were all horrified to learn that eleven and twelve year olds were involved in unbelievable and brazen crime last week. This happened the very same week an important Report was published entitled, ‘How we fail children who offend and what to do about it: ‘A breakdown across the whole system’.
The research team was led by Professor Ian Lambie and the report provides comprehensive research and recommendations. Yesterday on Q & A, Ian Lambie reminded us that in almost all cases these youngsters who offend at this very young age are themselves victims. They are children who have often endured physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, constant transience, or intergenerational disconnection from their whanau, whenua, and culture. Often known to social service agencies, many children will have experienced some sort of state intervention – that, according to this research, often failed to adequately help.
And finally…..Elon Musk, the world’s richest man who describes himself as “free speech absolutist” bought Twitter for $66m recently. Twitter has 217 million daily users and Musk himself has 88 million followers. After this historic purchase he posted, “free speech is a bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated”. Twitter by many is already regarded as a digital cesspit and even dyed-in-the-wool liberals who believe in free speech are now worried about the platform’s future. [Source: The Sunday Star-Times 1/5/22].
POV. I believe it’s time that Governments of the world put in place social media controls (regulations) to protect its citizens from the excesses of vitriol, racism, misogyny and misinformation. What do you think? How can we as pastors help our people especially our young people navigate these treacherous waters?
Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
