The book series entitled “Jacobus: A Eunuch’s Faith” is a work of historical fiction by Paul Trittin, where he recounted a boy named Jacobus, a natural-born eunuch who lived in the 1st century Roman Empire. In that historical period, being Gay was not unacceptable or sacrilegious.
During Jacobus’ lifetime, the eunuch population included all strata of society. Aside from controlling the lives of others and taking away the liberty of slaves (24% of the Empire’s male population), the powerful also castrated slaves who were then referred to as cut eunuchs. These slaves were often treated as non-men who were regarded as less than human and lacked a sexual identity. Male slaves seldom had control of their own bodies, or seldom allowed to have their own families.
Paul Trittin, being a former closeted Christian Gay himself, is a remarkable advocate of the rights of the Lesbians and Gays in our communities. Together with his husband, Rev, Dr. Marvin Baker, they co-founded Gay Christian Fellowship, promoting unity and compassion between the religious and Gay communities. They focus on the need to help religious groups to accept the existence of the “modern-day eunuch” or gay, and that being such a person is not a sin. Because God recognized eunuchs, as Jesus stated in the Christian Bible, Matthew19:12, “For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by others – and there are those who chose to live like eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.’So, one must realize that being gay could be innate or even made by upbringing or socialization. They are also humans. And just like them, they can be faithful Christians, too.
Our cherished author, Paul Trittin, has specially written to depict what it is like to live in a setting where equality and human rights are non-existent. Probably, being deviant to what the societal norms and laws allowed, is therefore considered a sin, and therefore the deviant is subject to bigotry. Readers must brace themselves as they will be witness to Jacobus’ excruciatingly weighty life as a eunuch. Let us learn from his story with an open mind and open heart to spread love and grace. Widen our understanding and acceptance of those who are most discriminated, prejudiced, and deprived ones among us.
Read more at https://authorpaultrittin.com/
Comments