Sean Major-Campbell | Jesus and gender politics

The subject of gender continues to be a politically sensitive one in a context where religiously and politically, it is okay to avoid what may be experienced as a controversial matter. Heteronormative and binary presentations tend to be spoken in conservative terms for more conservative societies. Is there, however, a place for recognising a broader understanding? Is the Bible open to a more nuanced presentation regarding sexual and gender minorities?

A much referenced and even weaponised text is that of the creation myth in Genesis. (In Biblical mythology, a myth is a story that conveys a deeper message above the literal presentation.) The Genesis story is told simply to affirm that God is Creator of all creatures inclusive of humankind. In Chapter 1:27 – “ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Indeed, all human beings possess some elements of femaleness and some elements of maleness. The Genesis story was not seeking to make a scientific statement. In fact, matters of faith and mythology predate the scientific method. The writers were not producing a text regarding biology. Instead, they were affirming God as creator. Too many people are clueless about what ‘image of God’ means. And this is for no fault of theirs. For too long, many have not done sufficient teaching to help people to move beyond lower-level interpretation.

The Catechism (meaning instruction) as set out in the Book of Common Prayer responds to a question on human nature. What does it mean to be created in the image of God?” The response is: “ It means that we are free to make choices; to love, to create, to reason, and to live in harmony with creation and with God.” It is not about having two eyes, a penis, a vagina, and so on. In fact, God has no gender. God needs no gender. God does not personally require a genital organ. We are limited by language and as such speak conveniently when we assign God a gender.

MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

The sensitive conversation around gender is interestingly an opportunity for us as we serve in community, to recognize that whether Jamaican or not, there are people the world over who understand themselves in ways that do not fit a binary construct of gender. This does not mean that you must change how you understand yourself. I am not going to change how I understand me to please you. And neither should you change how you understand yourself to please me.I have had to come to this appreciation after discovering that across the globe inclusive of Jamaica, there are people who do not fit into a heteronormative worldview that only speaks of gender in binary terms.

Have you ever heard of Two-spirit people? This is a term that has been used in some Native American cultures to identify what is considered a third gender. This does not mean that we are being asked to adopt this term in Jamaica. It just means that we live in a world where people acknowledge differently that we are not all the same.

Who has ever heard of hijra? In South Asia a third gender is recognized as covering transgender, intersex, and eunuch individuals. And interestingly they are revered to the point where many heterosexual couples place much value on being blessed at their weddings by a member of the third gender. Hijras are therefore highly respected.

Sadly, in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, people who understand themselves in ways that deem them to be sexual or gender minorities, often get stigmatised and discriminated. In a country where bullying is an epidemic, the use of pejorative expressions and harmful actions are always potentially at hand.

Did you know that right here in Jamaica, there are intersex people? They were born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that did not fit exclusively with neither male nor female (binary) sex classification. However, they are made in the image of God. There is nothing wrong with having not known this before. We all learn at different stages.

There are people in Jamaica who do believe that it is a sin to be intersex. This is in fairness due to ignorance. However, many people are closed to learning whenever their thinking process is left to their religious leader or politician. Thankfully, those who are open to learning and understanding more, only have to engage the world of information at their fingertips.

FIRST WOMAN ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

At the time of writing, I am anticipating the installation of Sarah Mullally who in January became the first woman archbishop to lead the Church of England. Wednesday 25, 2026, marks her official start as both the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Her possession of a vagina has not gone down well for many.

Patriarchal values have long informed the systemic values of the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Misogynistic approaches have therefore been long entrenched in a church tradition that has long depended on affirming the place of maleness and male privilege. Centuries of keeping women in their place as subservient has seen even women internalizing the stigma to the point of also not being sure that God could call and send women to the work of the highest offices in the Church!

The life and ministry of Jesus the Christ is in such stark contrast to the conservative preserve of male dominance! Jesus was always ‘woke’ in the work of liberation and freedom in the service of God and humanity.

The Biblical account of women in leadership predated the witness of Jesus Christ. Maybe we have not celebrated enough the liturgical ministry of Prophetess Miriam, the sister of Aaron and Moses; Queen Ester of Persia (Iran), who saved her people from destruction; Prophetess Deborah, a judge who led Israel in battle and gave wise counsel to Barak; and a host of other women in leadership. (More anon)

On this Palm Sunday, may we be reminded of the victory symbolised by palms on the journey of this Holy Week of our salvation. Good Friday’s liturgy will be held at the Church of St. Michael & All Angels, Victoria Avenue at 9:00 a.m.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com