This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Delicious
Columnist Bill Cummings is writing some of the best pieces I have seen in The Telegraph in a long time. The words in his column Sunday, “Once upon a time” were delicious, if I may use the term of old gospel music saint Vestal Goodman. Straining Scripture and other biblical teachings through a myth-parable-metaphor filter can bring clarity and focus to the true meaning of the written word. May Cummings continue to enlighten his Middle Georgia readers for many years.
John G. Kelley Jr., Macon
Complex world
The recent decision by Target is concerning to me as a grandfather. Transgender open access to public bathroom usage is defined as foolish at best. The gender differentia is not new. From the beginning of mankind there has been two genders as God’s creation. But now due to the brilliance of CEOs we have a third gender: transgender, the replacement of transsexual in terminology. Given the multiple list of homosapiens’ sexual orientation, transvestite, homosexual and bisexual, and now transgender, all of which are complex at best.
Until the 18th century and the advent of psychology and the International Society of Psychology, among the players came people like William James, Sigmund Freud, Adler and Sheen, just to name a few. As a novice in the science of psychology, neurology and sociology, I understand the gender differences and the complexities that are laced within. Gender difference is a strong force in mankind so much so that death can result from it. Guidelines have been established naturally to avoid interaction, thus preserving the privacy needed for normal body functions.
The American Society of Psychiatry has reported that 32 percent of the population on the North American continent has or is currently receiving psychological help. With that percentage, don’t you think that a certificate of competence is in order? It would be wise to revisit and amend to accommodate for modern sociality.
In conclusion, is the term transgender clearly defined? And has this gender neutrality been vetted by update psychiatry as to its effect on society?
Daniel E. Lee, Macon
This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 10:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, May 17, 2016."