Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Denison Forum

Home
Evangelical
Religion News
American Girl publishes guidebook encouraging transgender puberty blockers

American Girl publishes guidebook encouraging transgender puberty blockers

Last updated on: December 14, 2022 at 5:17 am by Jim Denison

American Girl publishes guidebook encouraging transgender puberty blockers 2022-12-14T05:17:25-06:00 Jim Denison

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lᴏʀᴅ will be a light to me (Micah 7:8).

If you don’t have a daughter or granddaughter, you may not think this story is as relevant as it is: the popular doll maker American Girl has published A Smart Girls’ Guide: Body Image Book. The guidebook reportedly advises children struggling with body image issues to ask their doctors for puberty-blocking medications and encourages young girls to seek transgender support without parental consent “if you don’t have an adult you trust.”

In previous years, American Girl released a “Girl of the Year” character with lesbian aunts and other characters intended to help the company align with cultural shifts. The Federalist describes their agenda: “As customers reject traditional American values and celebrations of biological girlhood, the company adapts to remain profitable.” As a result, it is contributing to the ongoing strategy to normalize LGBTQ agendas and behaviors in our children.

In related news, Cambridge Dictionary has altered its definitions of the words man and woman. In their telling, a woman is now “an adult who lives and identifies as a female though they may have been said to have a different sex at birth.” The dictionary similarly defines a man as “an adult who lives and identifies as male though they may have been said to have a different sex at birth.”

Such news is disheartening. But as I noted yesterday, there are opportunities in every obstacle. Today’s example comes from one of the most unlikely and yet inspiring places for Christians in the world.

Persecution against Christians rising in Cuba

The New York Times reports that the island nation of Cuba is facing the biggest migration of its people since Fidel Castro rose to power in 1959. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with tighter US sanctions, has eviscerated the tourism industry, one of Cuba’s lifelines. Food is even more scarce and expensive; lines begin at dawn at pharmacies with scant supplies; millions of people endure daily hourslong blackouts.

According to a recent white paper for the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, attacks on religious freedom are escalating in Cuba as well. According to the report, “virtually all independent faith leaders say they are actively repressed.”

Many are facing death threats, violence, detentions, harassing phone calls, repeated summons to appear before the authorities, and acts of repudiation. Faith organizations are targets of high utility rates and tariffs that are “asphyxiating” their operations. Faith leaders and their families are discriminated against in access to education and employment; police interrupt religious services; Christians’ goods and services are arbitrarily confiscated. The report documents numerous specific and heartbreaking examples of persecution against Cuban Christians.

Praying for my pastor

And yet I can testify after ten trips to the island over the years that the Cuban Christians I know are the most vibrant, positive, evangelistic, and joyful believers I have ever met.

Their worship services are passionate on a level that feels like a foretaste of heaven (Revelation 7). Their leaders are some of the most brilliant and committed believers I have ever encountered. Their courage in the face of escalating persecution and daily life challenges is deeply humbling and inspiring.

When I traveled to Cuba for the first time more than twenty years ago, I was told that I would be teaching a nationwide group of pastors during an intensive theological retreat. And in fact, I did deliver a series of lectures and led numerous discussions. However, I soon learned that, in God’s providence, I was in Cuba far less so I could teach them than so they could teach me. The lessons I have learned from them over the years about genuine and courageous faith have been deeply transforming.

I pray every day for one particular Cuban pastor who is, in many ways, my personal pastor. And I pray daily for God’s protection and provision for this beautiful nation and its suffering people.

Two empowering facts

I tell you their story today to highlight two facts.

One: There is a direct correlation between the depth of our commitment to Christ and the price of that commitment.

Scripture testifies, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus was clear: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). The more fully you follow Jesus in our post-Christian culture, the more you hinder Satan’s work in that culture. And, as with any war, a belligerent targets those it considers its greatest threats.

Two: There is a direct correlation between the sacrifice of our service for Christ and the joy of that service.

The prophet testified, “When I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lᴏʀᴅ will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8). We are taught to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–3).

In Acts 5, the apostles were arrested and forced to stand trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish supreme court. After preaching the gospel fearlessly to them, these early Christians were beaten and ordered “not to speak in the name of Jesus” (v. 40). How did they respond?

“They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus” (vv. 41–42).

The Cuban Christians I know experience such joy every day. So can we.

Will you today?

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 13, 2022

Virginia restaurant cancels group’s reservation because of their biblical beliefs

Next Post

December 15, 2022 Home Depot employees return lost envelope filled with cash

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category america biblical-living Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which prophet bought a field to symbolize hope for Israel's future?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Isaiah Ezekiel Jeremiah Hosea