Intersex people and religion

The nature of the androgynous is a topic first expanded upon explicitly in the Mishna, where debate arises as to the individual’s classification as either male or female.

[9] Yevamot conducts a much lengthier analysis, where a variety of different approaches are considered in light of the opinions established in Bikkurim.

In these discussions, the Talmudic personalities delineate four theoretical categories into which the androgynos may fall: Jewish Law has specific legal obligation that differ for men and women, and thus gender becomes an exceedingly important aspect of one’s identity.

[10] However, the majority of Talmudic commentators and Jewish Law decisors do not assign androgynos individuals a fixed gender, and instead leave them in a status of doubtful identity.

[9] The difference between classifying an androgynos individual as only male or as a doubtful identity would manifest itself in a case where performing a commandment would also require a blessing in conjunction.

"[15] On August 29, 2017, the evangelical Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood in the United States released a manifesto on human sexuality known as the "Nashville Statement".

WE DENY that ambiguities related to a person’s biological sex render one incapable of living a fruitful life in joyful obedience to Christ.

[21][23] Scholars of Islamic jurisprudence have detailed discussions on the status and rights of intersex people based on what mainly exhibits in their external sexual organs.

[citation needed] The legal interest in an otherwise statistically rare biological phenomenon bears correspondence to the Talmudic discussions of Intersex persons (different in content from Islamic teachings).

[citation needed] Intersex medical interventions are considered permissible to achieve agreement between a person’s exterior, chromosomal make-up or sex organs.

[26][27] Prominent among deities who received full-blown sacrifices, Lakapati is represented by a hermaphrodite image with both male and female parts and was worshiped in the fields at planting time.