The human animal has evolved as a thinking animal, yet too often there is an entrenched lack of thinking. ‘Beliefs’ and ‘faith’ have been the cause of much misery in this world via ‘true believers’ opposing and trying to eliminate what are, to them, different and unacceptable beliefs, actions and behaviours. Belief or faith implies a lack of thinking and a refusal to question rigidly held views. As an example, a recent radio report described the problems of transgender people needing to seek asylum in the USA. In certain countries in Central Asia to be gay or transgender is completely unacceptable, and such individuals are liable to exclusion from their families, and in danger of being attacked and possibly killed by others in the community. Their only salvation is to leave their country of origin and seek asylum elsewhere. The animosity usually arises out of certain beliefs or cultures which regard anyone who is different from the norm as unacceptable in society.

The problem in this case is one of belief based on the interpretation of religious texts and simplistic wishful thinking. How convenient it would be if every baby born were unequivocally female or male. Convenient, that is, for lawyers and priests, administrators and politicians. Then people could be sorted, registered, legislated for, and married without fuss or fear of error. But nature ain’t like that! Variety and non-conformity is normal – ask any biologist, farmer or veterinarian. And over millennia, it is the odd individual who takes evolution in a new direction. Even the precocious development of the human brain had to start with one individual born with an additional neural competence which led to superior survival skills.

Most advanced populations are slowly, albeit reluctantly, acknowledging that some people are different from the prescribed norm. Homosexual males and females are accepted as such and gay couples now allowed to marry; transexuals can identify themselves as such and, if they wish, be treated to become either male or female; children born autistic are now valued for their special skills, and so on. But these advances in the acknowledgement and tolerance of diversity have been hard won, and are under constant threat from the narrow views of ‘true believers’.

I suggest a change of focus. Instead of the slow and reluctant progress in the tolerance of difference why not view the human species from a different angle? There will always be variation in anatomy, physiology, neural structure and sexual inclination in humans, as in all species. So let us value this diversity, identify our strengths and encourage everyone to make a worthwhile contribution to society. It is time to acknowledge and celebrate what we are born to be; unrestricted by what the faithful believe we should be.