Today's Scripture Reading (February 1, 2026): Ecclesiastes 6
As I write this post, transgender issues seem to be the news of the day.
The Supreme Court is trying to decide on the role of transgender individuals in
women's sports. And let me admit that I am not an expert on transgender issues,
and I have a lot of questions. But I will admit that part of my issue when it
comes to women's sports has more to do with strength issues between the sexes.
What I need to know, and maybe someone can inform me, is whether a transgender
female retains some of the strength of the male they once were. If they do,
then it does seem unfair to allow them to participate in women's sports.
Admittedly, young females are sometimes stronger than their male
counterparts. I know an eleven-year-old girl who enjoys beating all (well,
most) of the boys in feats of strength. But her dominance over the boys will
end. Men simply tend to be taller and stronger than their female counterparts.
And if those characteristics remain true with transgender females, then maybe
there is a reason to keep them out of women's sports. But I admit that I don't
know the answer to that question.
Maybe I need to address this more concretely. Caitlyn Jenner was an
Olympic athlete. She was a phenomenal athlete, but of course, the provision
here is that when Caitlyn competed in the Olympics, she was named Bruce and
competed against the men, not the women. Would it have been fair for Bruce to
have become Caitlyn in his teens and have competed against women? Would the gender
change have affected Bruce/Caitlyn's performance in the Olympics? Would it be
okay for Bruce Jenner to have competed in the Women's Decathlon rather than the
men's? And again, I only have questions, not answers.
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes goes back to his theme of "under the
sun." The phrase has nothing to do with what happens on a sunny day, but
is the author's way of talking about what happens in this material world. When
the Preacher speaks about the events "under the sun," he is speaking
about our existence, ignoring all that is eternal. He is also speaking of the
unequal existence that we all experience, regardless of the color of our skin
or the form of our religious beliefs.
Life under the sun is difficult. And it is rarely fair. Which is why we
all have to work to make it more fair, show compassion for others, and respond
with forgiveness and grace. Because, regardless of any of the ways that we like
to divide ourselves into them and us, we all suffer from life "under the
sun."
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 7
