"A Pentecostal Approach to Transgenderism"

[n david]

From the UPCI:

"""As Christians we should treat everyone with love, respect, and compassion. We should also bear witness that God has created humans as male and female (Genesis 1:27). While some erroneously suggest that gender is merely a social or psychological construct, it originates in God's creative purpose and is rooted in genetic and biological reality. In rare cases of atypical anatomy, qualified medical personnel can be consulted. Aside from such rare cases, families and society should strongly affirm each individual's biological, anatomical gender. For those who experience gender dysphoria (psychological distress with their sex or gender as determined by their physical anatomy), we recommend spiritual and professional counseling by qualified persons who are committed to biblical values. When children and youth experience confusion related to their social gender identity, we should provide them with biblically based encouragement, training, and modeling. We should not block or subvert puberty through artificial means.

Recently, the US government has issued directives for public schools to make accommodations for people who identify as transgender. Our view is that public restrooms, changing rooms, and showers should be segregated by sex as determined by anatomy rather than as constructed by personal feelings and preferences. Private rooms can be designated for those who express difficulty with this standard arrangement. Individual or family restrooms are already available in many public facilities. The privacy, modesty, moral values, peace of mind, security, and safety of the overwhelming majority of people who affirm traditional biological gender should not be compromised for the sake of political expediency. Safety is an issue not because of people who identify as transgender, but because of predators who could take advantage of the opportunity to harass or molest people of the opposite sex.

How should churches and private religious schools respond to governmental directives? First, they are not covered by the new federal regulations. Second, these regulations will no doubt be subject to court challenges and could be changed under a future administration. Third, under the US Constitution churches and religious institutions have freedom of religion, including the right to uphold biblical convictions regarding sex and gender, and thus the government has no authority to force them to open restrooms to members of the opposite sex. Finally, as we have discussed, without compromising their convictions churches could (if they so chose) provide appropriate, private accommodations for people who dress or otherwise identify as members of the opposite sex."""

https://upciorg.wordpress.com/2016/0...ransgenderism/

[n david]

"""Finally, as we have discussed, without compromising their convictions churches could (if they so chose) provide appropriate, private accommodations for people who dress or otherwise identify as members of the opposite sex."""

[Jermyn Davidson]

I think it is awesome that the UPCI leadership is responding and giving Biblical guidance for contemporary issues.

[Fionn mac Cumh]

Anyone who thinks that gender is a social or psychological construct, is stupid and should cut their wrists. Not their Testicles.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I think it is awesome that the UPCI leadership is responding and giving Biblical guidance for contemporary issues.

I think so, too. They have released a lot of position statements regarding political/social issues since Dr. Bernard became GS.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by n david

Finally, as we have discussed, without compromising their convictions churches could (if they so chose) provide appropriate, private accommodations for people who dress or otherwise identify as members of the opposite sex."""

https://upciorg.wordpress.com/2016/0...ransgenderism/

Any church that would have special transgender bathrooms are reprobate.

[good samaritan]

The post said nothing of making transgender bathrooms. It said making private accommodations (if they so chose). Many public places have family restrooms where there is only one allowed at the time. If some transgender is uncomfortable sharing a restroom with another I think it would be appropriate if there was a single bathroom that only accommodated one at a time, but I certainly would not want a bathroom labeled transgender in the church. Some of these transgender people are going so far as altering their bodies and I could see where they would never feel comfortable again sharing a bathroom. No matter what you change your body to look like you still are what God made you.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Fionn mac Cumh

Anyone who thinks that gender is a social or psychological construct, is stupid and should cut their wrists. Not their Testicles.

Advocating suicide instead of repentance?

[n david]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

Any church that would have special transgender bathrooms are reprobate.

"Some of our members may exercise the freedom guaranteed by HB 1523 and similar legislation not to support certain marriages based on their religious convictions and the teaching of Scripture."

"Finally, as we have discussed, without compromising their convictions churches could (if they so chose) provide appropriate, private accommodations for people who dress or otherwise identify as members of the opposite sex."

These two together are rather curious. The first is from the UPCI response to the NC Bill; the second is from the link in the OP.

[houston]

I'd think this is less about accommodating TG and more about protecting members of the church if a TG happens to visit.