The Creation of the Gender Binary in Western Society
(The Religious Contribution)
Both secular and religious leaders in Western societies used the notion of a biological binary of males and females and to craft a dichotomous hierarchy. In this hierarchy, males are valorized and both males and females are restricted to certain roles, customs and norms which together make up gender.
Judaism, the first monotheistic religion, admonished anyone who did not fit within the gender dichotomy and those who transgressed their gender. Jewish society condemned cross dressing and eliminated a legitimate role for eunuchs. Jews are required to produce large families. Castration prevents males from reproducing and Jewish leaders did not see cross dressing as conducive to heterosexual relationships and reproducing.
The first time Christians condemned the notion of multiple genders occurred in the fourth-century, when the Council of Nicea “criminalized eunuchs (Bullough 34).” It did so in part to attract men who were not willing to be castrated to show their piety. The criminalization allowed church leaders to interpret Jesus’ call for his followers to become Eunuchs as a metaphor for them to remain celibate. The goal of appealing to more followers was not the only reason for criminalizing castration. By the fourth century church officials, such as St. Augustine of Hippo, saw a need for the strengthening of gender boundaries and reinforcing the gender dichotomy. As Christianity spread, its staunch adherence to the gender binary spread as well.
Bullough, Vern. Sexual Variance in Society and History. University of Chicago, 1980.
