tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.comments2023-05-31T10:08:29.018-04:00Care with the Cure of SoulsJared C. Cramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15609063385853968259noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-50232507536044151532022-11-02T16:48:30.419-04:002022-11-02T16:48:30.419-04:00Thank you for your response. I don't see you a...Thank you for your response. I don't see you as failing; certainly not failing out of your own sex and gender identities. I understand you want to be an advocate on our behalf. Too often though that can fall prey to a kind of cultural apologetics, where we have to give definitive answers to correct error (kind of like Evangelicals do with inerrancy or creationism). Sometimes it's just better to create space to be safe with new things we don't yet understand. I myself come from a conservative small-town, and I know that my community is not afraid of me per se; they're afraid of what they don't understand. No one has taught them how to live without answers. <br /><br />This is why the best apologetic for sex and gender in society is teaching people how to live without having everything figured out. Because those of us who are sex and/or gender minorities don't have everything figured out! We need spaces for that work, just as those who are afraid of us need that same space to learn how to listen to and live with us. <br /><br />The best part of your essay is when you spoke about the value and beauty of diversity. That doesn't require any special knowledge about sex and gender issues, nor is it something one cannot speak on if they're from a stable sex or gender identity. Sharing essays and teachings where you celebrate sex and gender diversity simply because your theology of aesthetics celebrates God's diverse creation is a wonderful way to advocate for us.decorus_veritashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04571259975263380538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-84243557652584747822022-11-02T15:30:42.681-04:002022-11-02T15:30:42.681-04:00Thank you so much for your response and for artful...Thank you so much for your response and for artfully and clearly articulating the nuances of this realities in ways I failed to do so as a cisgender man. I'm very grateful. <br /><br />This column is written for a newspaper in a conservative small-town, so I did try to keep it as simple as possible knowing that many would be resistant to anything I wrote. However, your points are well made and I will try to do better in the future. Jared C. Cramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15609063385853968259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-72508886585429083762022-11-02T15:21:30.246-04:002022-11-02T15:21:30.246-04:00While as a non-binary person I appreciate the grac...While as a non-binary person I appreciate the gracious spirit of your op-ed, it manifests some significant ignorance in how to talk about trans people. Sex, gender, and the experience of gender are different things, and one does not imply the others. Yet you conflate them throughout this essay, even to the point of speaking of non-existent things like "biological gender." Gender is not biological. Sex is a biological reality described by empirical biological science. Gender is a social construct that shapes how sex is controlled and interpreted within a community. Felt gender is a personal experience we have of our bodies within the social constructs of a community. There is no 1:1:1 relation between these three categories. I can feel myself as feminine in a community that perceives me as a man while have intersex biology. <br /><br />The complexity of trans issues comes from the uncertain interactions of these three dimensions of human life. Which is why social rhetoric is so damaging to us. When someone says that "a boy is a boy and a girl is a girl," there's no willingness in a statement like this to recognize that 'boy' and 'girl' are ambiguous words, even between both uses of the same term. Is the first or even the second instance of 'boy' referring to sex, gender, or felt gender? If it means that a sexed male has the gender of a man, this is simply a statement about how a particular community applies gender to sexed males. That person may not experience their gender in the same way as their community perceives them, and this requires negotiation. And none of this has anything to do with their sex, because sex is not gender and gender is not sex.<br /><br />For the same reasons, it's problematic when liberals and progressives make reductionistic statements like "some boys are girls" or "trans women are women." Again, these pithy phrases ignore the distinctions between sex, gender, and felt gender, and reduce the complexity of our lives down to a political slogan. We are people, not issues. I know your heart is for the rampant abuse of and suicide in our community. But the way to help us is to allow space for not yet understanding how sex, gender, and felt gender intersect. These are all new and complex interactions that everyone is trying to navigate, even those with stable gender identities. The way to advocate for us is to allow for uncertainty, to allow for not knowing, to simply say that gender might not be something we really understand yet. That creates freedom for those of us who others do not yet understand. When you write sentences like, "This could be someone born as a boy who identifies as a girl," this is not helpful, because it conflates sex, gender, and felt gender, and imposes an arbitrary standard on what should determine how these three human realities intersect. Instead advocate for being open to the reality that for each person it might look different, and the real work of our time is teaching ourselves and our neighbors how to let go of pre-defined gender expectations so that people are safe to redefine the social construct of gender.decorus_veritashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04571259975263380538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-12468138218728913572022-07-09T21:50:13.282-04:002022-07-09T21:50:13.282-04:00Hi Jared, thank you for posting this. I think I am...Hi Jared, thank you for posting this. I think I am with you on this. If you get a chance, a condensation of your exact concerns might be helpful for those of us who are outside the loop.<br /><br />If you get a chance at some Maryland Blue Crab, don't forget the butter.Bro. Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05311851493979344596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-71569860302564171762022-05-24T14:12:17.335-04:002022-05-24T14:12:17.335-04:00Thank you, Father Cramer. My Mom and Dad lived in...Thank you, Father Cramer. My Mom and Dad lived in Grand Haven until their deaths in 1984 and 2002 respectively. I grew up in a church environment that you describe as one we, as loving congregations, need to make known that "We are not." I am currently practicing my faith in a Lutheran congregation that seeks to express to the community our acceptance of people of all races, ethnicities, gender identity and expression and those who are questioning and seeking. It was my pastor who alerted me to your article. You share a way that we might reach out for input in a new way. I am grateful for your input and so delighted to know that some Christians in the area of my childhood are broadening their outreach to care for and welcome those who have been shunned and hurt by the organized church in the past. <br />I affirm and pray for you in your ministry in Grand Haven. <br />May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ follow you daily.<br />Ruth Rusnakxiiicatsoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804435775736681960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-80548660000209928022022-02-25T13:06:18.923-05:002022-02-25T13:06:18.923-05:00A tendency is cutting it close to an actuality.
A...A tendency is cutting it close to an actuality. <br />Actions speak louder than tendencies.<br />Deeds do show the person in action.<br />You decide what’s right!<br />You decide what’s good.<br /><br /><br />Larry Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15409404380605507539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-10449601706442341462021-10-04T19:24:29.084-04:002021-10-04T19:24:29.084-04:00Rev. Cramer, some thoughts responding to yours. Bl...Rev. Cramer, some thoughts responding to yours. Blessings in Christ.<br /><br />https://www.journeywithjesus.net/theeighthday/3178-distant-neighbors-are-still-neighborsMichaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16117565961985416370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-11220911106438537042021-09-05T18:36:51.694-04:002021-09-05T18:36:51.694-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.decorus_veritashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04571259975263380538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-14667591229666538902021-09-02T19:43:33.789-04:002021-09-02T19:43:33.789-04:00If not ... then so much the worse for just war the...If not ... then so much the worse for just war theory. Camus' The Plague describes a doctor treating patients for a virus that he cannot cure. But he refuses to give up treating them, because as long as you can help, you do so for those who need it. As a veteran of the Iraq war, I can say that we have both the military personnel, the technology, and the strategy to break the infrastructure of oppressive cartels. Moreover, we were part of an international coalition there, and we are morally compelled to hope that the international community can come to the aid of the vulnerable.decorus_veritashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04571259975263380538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-27921483051584494542021-09-01T18:53:44.071-04:002021-09-01T18:53:44.071-04:00I suppose the question from a just war theory pers...I suppose the question from a just war theory perspective would be whether or not the threat could ever truly be ameliorated. Jared C. Cramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15609063385853968259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-35811368311804780782021-09-01T18:51:36.615-04:002021-09-01T18:51:36.615-04:00I've some mixed feelings about this, Fr. Crame...I've some mixed feelings about this, Fr. Cramer. While I share your assessment of both our motives for invading Afghanistan, and the conduct of military operations in the country over the years. But it's a mistake I think to boil interests in the nation down to American interests. The forces present in the country were a coalition of nations, so just war theory about action against us specifically does not fully apply. But more importantly, surely it is part of Christian doctrine that we act on behalf of the vulnerable. Harm against us is NOT the only reason to undertake protective action; harm against our neighbor is also a reason! So, given the fact that we were already there, and that we stood between the Taliban and the vulnerable, I'd say our Christian duty was to stay until the threat was ameliorated. The strong must care for the weak, and in this case we left the weak for the wolves.decorus_veritashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04571259975263380538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-83385802170713688792021-08-14T10:59:24.004-04:002021-08-14T10:59:24.004-04:00Patriots aren’t afraid to put their names by their...Patriots aren’t afraid to put their names by their words.Jared C. Cramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15609063385853968259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-70437171287731755932021-08-14T10:21:30.122-04:002021-08-14T10:21:30.122-04:00Sorry to hear that you buy into the narrative of t...Sorry to hear that you buy into the narrative of the CDC and the Fake Media. Your Fear does not suspend our Freedoms and the Constitution. #DefundTheCDCGH Patriothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02821538737687914876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-74907921951141660642021-08-14T07:36:39.470-04:002021-08-14T07:36:39.470-04:00Thank you for your courage Rev. Cramer. You spoke...Thank you for your courage Rev. Cramer. You spoke for many who value science over political allegiances.Richard Brouwerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01594627719593952489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-54064057636158661382021-05-06T13:29:01.666-04:002021-05-06T13:29:01.666-04:00I found this on internet and it is really very nic...I found this on internet and it is really very nice.<br />An excellent blog.<br />Great work!<a href="https://mybkexperience.website/index.php/mybkexperience-survey/">mybkexperience</a>https://www.blogger.com/profile/17233929365210893335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-74152895516135110062021-05-02T13:45:25.938-04:002021-05-02T13:45:25.938-04:00I found this on internet and it is really very nic...I found this on internet and it is really very nice.<br />An excellent blog.<br />Great work!<a href="https://mybkexperience.website/index.php/mybkexperience-survey/">mybkexperience</a>https://www.blogger.com/profile/17233929365210893335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-9062130499148807782021-04-07T17:33:19.669-04:002021-04-07T17:33:19.669-04:00Thank you, Jared! Your message is so timely. Fie...Thank you, Jared! Your message is so timely. Field ReichardtJfrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16083078301419873080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-17060134486893880782021-03-09T17:57:42.152-05:002021-03-09T17:57:42.152-05:00Thanks for this Jared. Very thoughtful and though...Thanks for this Jared. Very thoughtful and thought provoking. I feel that some bishops would rather style themselves as princes of the church rather pastors.David Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03813782575673261560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-46271896203756918702021-03-07T07:46:28.097-05:002021-03-07T07:46:28.097-05:00I'm so sorry to hear of your experience with t...I'm so sorry to hear of your experience with this—quite disheartening. And I do think you are right about priestly ministry today... and I wholeheartedly agree that the Ordinary should not be the source of novelty.Jared C. Cramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15609063385853968259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-90162627245251665222021-03-07T07:45:37.690-05:002021-03-07T07:45:37.690-05:00Bishops are elected to serve until they chose to r...Bishops are elected to serve until they chose to retire/resign or reach the mandatory retirement age of 72. Jared C. Cramerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15609063385853968259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-33989381024894557032021-03-06T03:53:46.223-05:002021-03-06T03:53:46.223-05:00Thought provoking. Thank you for sharing. In your ...Thought provoking. Thank you for sharing. In your context (the Episcopal church) do you elect bishops to serve for a term only? For example, a five year stint?Ayceehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02518642435108675576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-45551955664053584062021-03-05T16:26:53.015-05:002021-03-05T16:26:53.015-05:00This is a most interesting article. As a solitary ...This is a most interesting article. As a solitary religious in the Benedictine Camaldolese tradition I am expected to keep a regula and abide by it. One aspect of that regula is to respect and honour the Ordinary "in that place" where I live. Two Latin Rite archbishops and one Latin Rite Bishop have returned that 'compliment' with due care and attention. One Anglican bishop, now deceased, also returned that respect by honouring my place in the Church. I have yet to discover one parish priest who has not acted likewise. However, in recent times two Anglican bishop seem unable to accept my regula, one to the point of ignoring all communication from me. This highlights, perhaps, the state of the hierarchy in my neck of the woods, though I hear of numerous similar responses from religious in other diocese'. There appears now a culture of the professional priest taking over the purposes of ordination, as spelt out in all the "nots" in your article. I would further add, there is too much novelty in the Church, most of the time led by the Ordinary - mostly gimmicks that are causing people not to co-celebrate but to walk away.Br G-Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05477600881751721404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-1784834816875009832021-03-04T11:47:07.120-05:002021-03-04T11:47:07.120-05:00Good as far as it goes. At elections I always want...Good as far as it goes. At elections I always want candidates to convince me they will be 'the priests' priest', which so few turn out to be, in my experience, once they get elected to the episcopacy and dizzy with their new power, self importance and the scant 'training' that doesn't prevent it. Blessed are those few who are truly up to the job.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00236366581312494446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-88447197193622600002021-03-04T10:02:56.751-05:002021-03-04T10:02:56.751-05:00This is a very interesting discussion piece. It co...This is a very interesting discussion piece. It could well be used in a parish setting or elsewhere. While I do not agree with every opinion the author sets forth, the whole thrust of reviewing what it means to be a bishop has great merit indeed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08370820690248682707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5129950151129952290.post-81842242940178227542021-03-04T09:05:17.462-05:002021-03-04T09:05:17.462-05:00Excellent discussion, Jared. For my part, I've...Excellent discussion, Jared. For my part, I've always thought we should learn from our Moravian brothers and sisters who have a pastoral understanding of the episcopate rather than an administrative/executive understanding. Additionally, the ministry of bishops in the early Irish church, which was not organized into dioceses, should be explored. Thanks for a welcome addition to the discussion of episcopal ministry.Eric Funstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06723581120815649861noreply@blogger.com