Almost every crossdresser, who is also a Christian, knows in their heart that God made them the way they are. Yet when actions run contrary to beliefs, there is internal conflict which manifests as guilt or shame. So, a crossdresser who has been told that God is against crossdressing because it says so in the Bible gets confused. Those who say this, do not realize that the Bible and especially Jesus Christ actually say nothing about crossdressing except in one passage of the Scripture in Deuteronomy 22.
I myself, a practicing Christian, was perplexed by this one and only reference in the Bible to wearing clothes of the opposite sex: Deuteronomy 22 verse 5. “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man; nor shall a man put on a woman´s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God”
For me, the Old Testament is partly a book with archaic strictures as Vicky says, but it also contains the Ten Commandments, which are still valid today and which are the basis of our Legislature.
To understand this verse we have to read it within the context in which it was written. At this particular time in the history of Israel during the Mosaic covenant, some pagans were involved in idolatrous worship, or the worship of idols, where they put their idol in the place of God. Men wore the colorful dress of women while they presented themselves before the Star of Venus, and women wore men´s armor when presenting themselves before the Star of Mars. So, with an understanding of what this passage is referring to it is clear that the crossdressing to which it refers pertains to the worshipping of idols and the practice of how it was being done in that days. Understandable, that this practice is an abomination to God.
Second. If we read this verse 5 in the context of the chapter, we find various unrelated laws with which the Israelites were to comply. For example, in verse 11 it says: “Don´t wear clothing woven from two kinds of thread: for instance, wool and linen together.” Why isn´t there a great disturbance about wearing shirts and blouses made of polyester and cotton today?
Imagine putting into practice the following (verse 12): “You must sow tassels on the four corners of your cloaks.” Nobody would do so today.
There are other practices which are not to be found today. I will mention a last one in verse 9. “You shall not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled.” For ecological reasons, many farmers and gardeners sow and plant mixed crops in their fields. Why are we not condemning this practice?
As you can see, if verse 5 is taken literally then we must also take the rest of the chapter literally as well. When viewing the chapter as a whole, one can readily see that these miscellaneous laws must be understood within the context of the culture and practices of that particular period.
For me, only the Ten Commandments are still valid which culminate in the two commandments which Jesus gives in the New Testament when he was asked: “Which is the greatest Commandment in the law.” Jesus said: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
With all these thoughts in mind, I am a cheerful and thankful Christian Crossdresser, who has been crossdressing for 45 years now. I enjoy the days when I go out en femme without a sense of shame and guilt.
After reading the Bible a few times, I grew up under the Deuteronomy 22:5 burden. It wasn’t until a few months ago I did a little deeper research into that scripture. It’s interesting that the American/Christian commentators all discuss it straightforward … no wearing their clothes.
I also found that the JEWISH commentators are different: They discuss that the point of that scripture is to keep people from sexual immorality, which is the abomination that is addressed. So, no crossdressing in order to sneak into the opposite gender area to have sex.
Sorry this is long … Here are some other questions to consider … Beyond the simple act of wearing clothes, I do think it biblical scripture gives lots of helpful guidance around how to analyze our heart and our indulgences around any act (including crossdressing). * Is our CD hobby SEPARATING ourselves from those we love or INTEGRATING us closer with them? In psychology, they use the terms “disassociating" or “dis-integrating" vs “integrating." * Are we getting into habits of HIDING behaviors? Any time we start hiding behaviors from our spouses, we begin entering danger zone. This breeds shame and… Read more »
Best explanation i ve ever heard
No, We are not abominations. We are sinning, yes. but not abominations. The passage in the bible states if you wear the clothes of the opposite sex you have sinned before god. It doesn’t say anything about being an abomination. If you lie down with the same sex THEN you are an abomination.
I don’t buy that for a second! I’m not an Atheist, I’m Agnostic. I want to believe, but there are too many unanswered questions. I think the bible was written by man to control people, or at the very least, it was “re-written" by man to control people. I think it is quite pretentious for anybody to say they know what god wants or expects of people. People who dress are NOT sinners! Who gets to say “who wears what"?? I want that job! You know what I would say? I’d say wear whatever the f*ck you want! As far… Read more »
It seems like clear English wording in Deuteronomy 22:5, especially to American commentators, but Jewish commentators have a much different take on the verse. Take a closer look into the context of Jewish culture of the day and their sexual purity laws. Take a look at what Jewish rabbis discuss about this verse. Take a look into the concept of “an abomination" and what it meant in Jewish culture. Deut 22:5 seems to either be about (1) disallowing females from wearing male clothing to try to sneak into battle where they might die or war lodgings where they might do… Read more »
Hope Clark, I am in awe of both your knowledge and inspired, logical interpretations.
I’m in agreement with so much of what you say, and your posts carry a huge amount of sense.
Love
Laura
Men and women wore robes in biblical times. Women tended to wear longer robes and often wore a head covering and it seems that the Bible didn’t want men to wear a head covering and a long robe. Men didn’t wear shirts and trousers in Biblical times, so the Bible tends to support the idea of men wearing short, wrap around dresses, as did Jesus.
Hi Stella thanks for making a bit clear I believing god myself and was worried this was wrong in the eyes of the lord but your points are valid and have me a lot more peace of mind thank you hugs and kisses
I told a friend the other day. I much rather walk into a dark alley knowing there is a street gang hanging out there, than walk into a church. Simply put, there is no guarantee that the street gang would attack me. In a church, I am pretty sure I would be surrounded by close-minded bigots using their faith to justify hating me.
I am cool with people believing in religion. Just as long they are not using their faith to be a jerk to other people.
Amen, sister! I like the way you put that! 🙂
fun Fact—in old Hebrew—abomination translated —to Not of our custom–
The bible says we can just kill those who work sundays–
I find religion confusing–
The bible & other religious texts were supposedly written with GODs guidance–
They say God is All knowing & wise beyond humans capacity–
One would think that anything wriiten with Gods help–
would be Cristal clear & leave No room for Questioning or misinterpretation–
I am also a Christian cross dresser. What I am not is a Bible scholar. My understanding of the meaning of being a Christian is that we are saved by the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for our sins. And, as such, we are covered by and live under His grace, no longer bound by the laws of the Old Testament. As you mentioned, so many of the laws they were common to the day, are no longer relevant. Many people choose the buffet version of the Bible which allows them to pick and choose the Scriptures they feel… Read more »
Thank you Stella for your thoughtful and caring article. I would just add to what you have expressed so articulately that the Old Testament has three types of laws. The 10 Commandments are laws meant as a guide for our relationship to God so we know what is pleasing to Him. As you pointed out, the 10 can be summed up as 2. The second set of laws were more civil in nature and designed to help the society; get along with each other. The rest were religious/ceremonial laws to show God respect and worship. The second and third type… Read more »
Stella i have felt so guilty for years, feeling so guilty. It recent months I have come closer to God. Miraculously the guilt is gone. God loves us too!
Maryao