Jewish and Islamic religions both have strict rules about physical purity and cleanliness.
Jews are forbidden to touch people who have just come from the bathroom without washing their hands again. In addition, some Islamic schools of thought believe that menstruating women cannot enter mosques during prayer times because they are considered spiritually unclean. These same concepts can be used to explain why transgender individuals may be excluded from certain rituals in these faith traditions.
In Judaism, there is a belief that the body is sacred and should not be touched lightly. This idea goes back to the story of Creation, when God breathed life into Adam's nostrils. Because of this, many traditional Jewish practices involve keeping parts of the body covered up. Transgender individuals whose bodies do not match their gender identity might find it difficult to participate in these rituals if they are not allowed to modify their appearance or dress according to their chosen gender.
In Islam, there are specific rules about what types of clothing are acceptable for Muslims to wear. Many of these rules relate to modesty and covering up the body. Clothing items like short skirts, tank tops, and tight pants would not be appropriate for Muslim women who identify as male but still have female-presenting bodies. And since transgender individuals often undergo surgery or hormone therapy that changes their body shape and size, wearing traditional garb could cause discomfort or even pain.
Both religions also place a strong emphasis on sex being reserved only for married couples within the confines of marriage. Any sexual activity outside of this relationship is seen as impure. For Jews, this means that any form of premarital sex, including homosexual relationships, is forbidden. It also means that transgender people who engage in sexual activities with partners of their preferred gender cannot fully participate in religious life.
For Muslims, this prohibition against extramarital sex extends to same-sex relationships. In addition, some schools of thought believe that transgender individuals must undergo reassignment surgery before marrying someone of their desired gender. This requirement excludes many transgender individuals from ever entering into a legally recognized marriage.
It's worth noting that not all Jewish and Islamic traditions interpret purity laws in the same way. There are liberal branches of both faiths that welcome transgender individuals and recognize their right to worship without fear of discrimination. But for those who adhere strictly to these concepts, it can be difficult to include transgender individuals in rituals and ceremonies.
The concept of physical purity plays an important role in Judaism and Islam, and this belief system has shaped how transgender individuals have been treated by these communities throughout history. While attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals are slowly changing, there is still work to do to ensure that everyone feels welcomed and included in religious practices.
How do notions of ritual purity in Judaism and Islam influence the inclusion or exclusion of transgender individuals within religious practices?
The concepts of ritual purity in both Judaism and Islam are deeply ingrained into their respective religions' belief systems. In Judaism, menstruation is considered impure, which leads to women being banned from participating in certain ceremonies such as entering the synagogue or touching holy books.