A-1 (imported) wrote: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:44 pm Dear Brandon86,

YOU mentioned that you were young.

I just wanted to know how young. The last thing that we need here are 12 - 17 year olds seeking information and wanting castrated. CAPISH?! So, my friend, don't get your shorts in a knot and we will try to honestly and truthfully answer your questions.



A-1

And my displeasure at being viewed as too young by people was not directed at you. Please note that I stated everyone has been telling me I am too young to make decisions. As you can tell, you did not say that, nor are you the one who denied me the ability to donate life saving materials. My shorts were not in a knot, you misread my post and assumed I was yelling at you. Well, that is a common mistake on forums because you can't tell the tone of someone's voice. None-the-less, I don't appreciate being told "don't get your shorts in a knot."

Best regards,

Brandon

Brandon86 (imported) wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:27 am And my displeasure at being viewed as too young by people was not directed at you. Please note that I stated everyone has been telling me I am too young to make decisions. As you can tell, you did not say that, nor are you the one who denied me the ability to donate life saving materials. My shorts were not in a knot, you misread my post and assumed I was yelling at you. Well, that is a common mistake on forums because you can't tell the tone of someone's voice. None-the-less, I don't appreciate being told "don't get your shorts in a knot."

Best regards,

Brandon

Even though I am 30 years older I remember being in my early 20's when I began to think about castration. For me it was not for religious reasons all though I think being Catholic and gay had created some guilt. My main reason was not feeling truly male. I used to think I would be happier as a girl but I knew that was not quite right either for me. When I learned about a eunuch a flash of realization happened. I knew it was my goal and what would make me happy.

I had to wait until I was 41 until I could find a way to achieve my goal. In that time and yes it was painful to wait I went through all the what ifs. I knew for a fact I did not want to have children. Of course as my hormonal levels changed I craved to be a parent. I was prepared to live without sex and at the time that was my plan. Again with the changes I craved affection and I am now in a committed loving relationship. I thought I would just be me without sex but I am now much different then before. I like myself now but I am not who I thought I would be. I can not tell you who you will be but I can tell you that you will be surprised and I hope pleased.

I applaud your willingness to donate needed tissues to help others. Please donate sperm so your caring spirit will continue in other lives. You sound like a very bright and caring person and part of me is sad that you may not have children as I am sometimes sad I did not have any. Other than that one occasional disappointment I am a happy eunuch.

Brandon86 (imported) wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:27 am And my displeasure at being viewed as too young by people was not directed at you. Please note that I stated everyone has been telling me I am too young to make decisions. As you can tell, you did not say that, nor are you the one who denied me the ability to donate life saving materials. My shorts were not in a knot, you misread my post and assumed I was yelling at you. Well, that is a common mistake on forums because you can't tell the tone of someone's voice. None-the-less, I don't appreciate being told "don't get your shorts in a knot."

Best regards,

Brandon

I understand how anoying it is to seem to be dismissed because of your age. With that said I remember how sure I was that a Vasectomy was the right thing for me at 19. My feeling now (for me mind you) is that I was making a huge decision at an age that didn't make sense. People mature at different rates. No one would let a 6 year old drive an airplane for example. And some people look at you and think of themselves at that age and say "Please - YOUR too young." When in reality they are probably thinking "I wouldn't have made a good choice at that age. Gotta stop him!"

And one thing VERY important about any decision like this is that it is SO perminant.

Good luck and God bless!

Okay, so reason number [one]

Brandon86 (imported) wrote: Sat Jul 08, 2006 12:55 pm is religious reasons. Refer to Matthew 19:12: For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." Now, to me, I take that as being literal in meaning. It clearly states that the eunuchs being spoken of are actual eunuchs, not just people who are celibate. Reason number two, I do not feel compelled to keep them. This has been something I have felt for a long time. Society feels a man is defined by his testes, his sexual prowess. I see it all the time, even if you do not agree. I feel different. I feel a man is defined by his ability to serve a higher calling, to cast aside his ambitions and his own urges and focus on a life of service. Can that be done without castration. Of course, I am no fool. Do I want to go through life, balancing out the needs of this higher service and the needs of the testes? No, I do not.

Hi Brandon,

Methinks you care too little for your testicles for a male. I got castrated for religious reasons (Matt 5:29-30) only to discover transgendering was at the root of my problems. Looking back, the testes were obviously not that important to me. As someone else on this thread suggested, you may have some degree of gender dysphoria.

In any case, Matt 19:12 is not a reason to get castrated. The context is whether to get married or not, and Jesus is saying it is good for one to stay single (and presumably chaste). This teaching was necessary because it presents a departure from Jewish teaching at the time. Whereas Jews are always encouraged to marry and procreate, Christians have the option of staying single so as to serve the Lord better. There is no shame for a Christian who remains childless/single.

Singleness is a spiritual gift, however, not something accomplished thru surgery. It appears Paul had the gift of celibacy (1 Cor 7:7). I had the gift for the first 8 years of my Christian walk, then God removed it as soon as I joined a Christian mission organization.

The gift of celibacy makes it easy to stay single. And marriage is more than having a place to deposit some sperm. Just get rid of the fluid as needed and serve the Lord as a single if you so are inclined. Someday, the Lord may surprise you with a wife.

Speaking as one who's been castrated, I can see how castration would make the single Christian life a breeze. However, hormones do more than you can imagine -- way more than just sexual stuff. Pre-castration, the only medications I used with any regularity were vitamins and antacids. I now have seven or eight medications to play around with, trying to find the right combination that will make me feel okay physically and mentally, as well as promoting acceptable sleep, not to mention get calcium into my bones.

One other thing learned via castration: Testosterone messes with one's mind. Things that I thought were an intrinsic part of me (perversions) were actually a result of testosterone. Nice to be rid of them.

May the Lord guide you,

Bryan (aka Terri)

Hello Brandon,

The religion reason can be a good reason. I think, like Bryan points out, people tend to take things that are written in the Bible out of context and make them into what would back their own reasons for something. Bryan is correct in his interpretation of Matt 19:12. I think it gives God more praise if we can tough it out and serve him as he made us. I do know of a lot of Catholic priests who should have been castrated, because they don't seem to be able to control themselves. There is also a religious reason to not get castrated. In Genesis ch. 2 v. 28, God gives the command to be fruitful and multiply. You can find verses to give reasons for almost anything you want to. Just make sure you are reading them correctly.

Some of us here seem to have trouble reading or understanding what someone writes before they comment. Maybe they just don't read the whole thread. You have mentioned your age and your reasons for castration and your plan of action, which sounds OK. You just have to make sure the end justifies the means. There are many and varied reasons for castration, as you will find on the boards. Mine was dysphoria. I think there are many types of dysphoria and one of these may be you real reason for wanting to be castrated. I have always wanted to be a woman, but that is not to be. God made me to big and ugly to make a convincing female and I will not be freek. So for me, I had the most offensive parts removed. I had my testicles and scrotum removed and I feel so much better without them. I am also married and have a family, so I take testosterone injections so I can still perform my duties as a husband and a father.

It's good the young guys are telling you what they went through so you can have the perspective from someone your own age. I'm sure it's fidderent for them than us old guys. It's good your taking you time and not jumping into things, because this is one of the most life changing decisions you will ever make. We are all here to help you. Steve

...

Hairless (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:16 am God gives the command to be fruitful and multiply....

You are interpreting that command to mean something that it may not mean to others, such as myself (and the church that I belong to). I only ask that you not transfer your beliefs to others without their knowledge and consent.

Brandon, If you'd like to talk about this from a religious perspective, send me an email at maxpgh@yahoo.com. I'm on yahoo chat, or we can talk on the archive chat room.

Terry

Paolo wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:32 am A-1,

I seem to recall YOUR shorts getting a bit tangled when you thought you'd lost your keys...

Paolo,

I thought that I had locked them in the van, REMEMBER?



A-1

BudleyBare (imported) wrote: Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:45 am You are interpreting that command to mean something that it may not mean to others, such as myself (and the church that I belong to). I only ask that you not transfer your beliefs to others without their knowledge and consent.

I don't want to get into a theological debate with you in this young man's thread. I had a thread in theDeep Dark Cellar a while back and the one thing I found about religious arguements in this forum go no where. I don't really care what the passage means to you. I wanted to show Brandon that you can find reasons for anything if you want to. Steve

Tugon - Thank you for the kind words.

mrt (imported) wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:46 pm I understand how anoying it is to seem to be dismissed because of your age. With that said I remember how sure I was that a Vasectomy was the right thing for me at 19. My feeling now (for me mind you) is that I was making a huge decision at an age that didn't make sense. People mature at different rates. No one would let a 6 year old drive an airplane for example. And some people look at you and think of themselves at that age and say "Please - YOUR too young." When in reality they are probably thinking "I wouldn't have made a good choice at that age. Gotta stop him!"

Thank you for the insight on the matter. I really do appreciate it. I'm gonna give chemical castration a long run, 12+ months, before I opt for the surgical castration, for much the reason you mentioned. I want to make sure that it is the right thing for me.

Brian and Hairless - I also appreciate your insights on the matter. I, however, must respectfully disagree with you on the meaning of Matthew 19:12. I feel that the language clearly indicates that the eunuchs refered to are actual eunuchs and not just celibate persons. I'll qoute some info that a kind soul sent me earlier. If he would like me to reveal his name so that he can receive full credit, I will.

"Certainly the words of Matthew 19:12 have been followed by many

Christians from the very earliest days. Tertullian, one of the

earliest Christian theologians, claimed that Jesus himself was a

eunuch. He also stated that he knew personally the author of the book

of Matthew and that he was a eunuch. Other early Christians have

claimed that the author of John and Revelation was a eunuch. One of

the earliest attested Christian groups, the Valensians, believed that

all true Christian males needed to be castrated to ensure their

entrance into Heaven. The Skoptzy, an off-shoot of the Russian

Orthodox church practiced the castration of all male believers as late

as the early 1940s. Revelation 14:4 was the most important text for

the Skoptzy. So, the tradition has long standing."

As we can see, castration has been practiced by the Christian Church for sometime, all the way back to the beginning. There are, of course, passages that refer to celibacy as well in the Scriptures, but I feel Matthew 19:12 is meant for a different kind of celibate life, one that involves actual castration. Thanks to both of you for insights and thoughts on the matter. I wish you both the very best.