On October 12-13, the Church of Sweden is organizing for the fourth year in a row the digital conference Transblessing, which prides itself on being “the world’s only digital, international conference for Christian transgender people under 35”.
The conference is planned and implemented by “young, Christian transgender people” and it is the Diocese of Västerås, the Church of Sweden, the SENSUS study organization, the Young Church of Sweden and the national association EKHO (Ecumenical groups for Christian LGBT people) that makes the event possible.
Project leader Oliver Jähnke, who was born a biological woman but now identifies as a man, said in a press release that expectations are high for this year’s conference.
“In the four conferences we have organized so far, we have seen how important and life-changing it is to meet young Christian transgender people from different countries. We are always in the minority, no matter what room we enter, so organizing and participating in Transblessing, where we are the norm, can have incredibly positive consequences in our lives”.
The conference is divided into four different ‘sessions’ over two days with different themes to be covered, namely: ‘Trans and the Bible’, ‘Interfaith’, ‘Spirituality’ and ‘Grief and Healing’.
Radical left-wing influence
The Church of Sweden has long been accused of being infiltrated by radical left-wing activists of various kinds who want the church to focus on issues other than theology and faith – such as LGBTQ, mass immigration or climate alarmism.
In the past, the event has also been criticized by parents who worry that the Church will uncritically encourage young people to undergo gender reassignment surgery through these events.
– The very name ‘Transblessing’ is remarkable. I don’t see how this fits in with the Church’s ideology. Everyone should be welcome in the church, but the church should not lead anyone down a path that is so dangerous, said one mother in an interview with the Christian magazine Världen Idag two years ago.
– These treatments are very harmful, especially for young people who haven’t really decided who they are. They are not mature. Gender dysphoria often passes at puberty and many regret it later. Is this really what the Church should be doing?