Recently, 33 LGBTQ students at Christian colleges sued the United States Department of Education, claiming they were discriminated against, and that a section of Title IX that allows religious exemptions is unconstitutional. A nonprofit called the Religious Exemption Accountability Project is representing the students. The REAP states on its website that its mission is to “empower queer, trans, and non-binary students at more than 200 taxpayer-funded religious schools that actively discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.” One student in the class action lawsuit was a graduate of Bob Jones University in Greenville. Another was a student at Baylor, and another was enrolled at Liberty.
What in the world is going on? Christian schools and colleges should operate on the basis of biblical truth. Homosexuality and transgenderism are obviously wrong and are usually addressed in some form in the statement of faith of Christian institutions.
Bethany Christian Services, one of the largest Christian adoption ministries in the country, changed its policy and now allows same-sex couples to foster children and adopt. Again, what in the world is going on? This is simply wrong for an organization that uses the name Christian in its identity and promotion.
The United States House of Representatives recently passed the so-called Equality Act that expressly states it is designed “to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and for other purposes.” It is an effort to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act by adding sexual and gender identity as protected classes. Forty-five times in the wording of the Equality Act, the phrase “including sexual orientation and gender identity” occurs.
Under section 1101, “Definitions and Rules,” part two, “Gender Identity,” the act states, “The term ‘gender identity’ means gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual REGARDLESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL’S DESIGNATED SEX AT BIRTH (all caps added for emphasis).” Again, what in the world is going on? For professing Christians who adhere to the truth of God’s infallible Word, the wording of the Equality Act is incredibly hostile and misguided.
In the same section (1101), under sexual orientation rules, number two states, “An individual shall not be denied access to a shared facility INCLUDING A RESTROOM, A LOCKER ROOM, AND A DRESSING ROOM, THAT IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL’S GENDER IDENTITY (all caps added for emphasis).” We have heard and read that the idea of a biological man going into a female restroom and vice versa were just scare tactics by right-wing religious fanatics. As you can see, that is not the case. It is laid out in plain language in the act. What many moms and dads fear could happen will actually happen if this bill is enacted into law.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. said this act would cripple Christian ministries across the country. “Make no mistake about it, coercion will be brought against religious schools, ministries, non-profits, and all religious institutions. It will be very difficult for Christian schools, Christians colleges, Christian ministries — even, in some cases, for the ministries of Christian churches — to proceed under the action that will be taken in amending the Civil Rights Act. This will change not just a few things; it will fundamentally change almost everything. It is the greatest present threat to religious liberty in the United States.”
Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote an article encouraging Catholics to oppose the Equality Act. In it he said, “Christianity becomes incomprehensible if we accept that marriage is based merely on strong affection, or that gender can be untethered from biological sex. It seems that whether the issue is abortion, gender ideology, or marriage redefinition, the activists are not content to simply do what they want. With the Equality Act, they are saying, ‘No matter what you believe, you are going to support these things.’ It severely curtails the rights of religious people to be free to practice their faith.”
What in the world is going on? Sin. In Scripture, the word “world” is often used for a system of thinking, feeling, and acting that simply excludes God and His truth. That is what is going on with the Equality Act. It is a hostile, anti-Christian attack anchored in godless political rhetoric. The House of Representatives passed it, and it is now before the Senate. Please pray that wisdom will prevail, and that this act will die in the Senate or be voted down. President Biden will undoubtedly sign it if the Senate passes it. God forbid that this wrong-headed, immoral act becomes law. Pray, pray, pray.