Point-Counterpoint: Transgender identity is against God’s law; vote yes on Proposition 1

As Christians, we're required to confront the challenges of our day, such as the "gender-identity" issue, with biblical truth, because the Gospel is relevant, and accessible, to all (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). First and foremost, we must offer genuine love to our gender-identity neighbors (Mark 12:30–31). Please know that each of you are loved and valued.

But, the truth of the matter is that God made men and women different (Genesis 1:27). Contrary to erroneous biblical interpretations, sexual identity does not exist on a spectrum. Men and women are different and the created design for which our bodies are formed, and destined, bear witness to differences that reflect God's creative will for man and woman. These differences cannot be overcome because a person feels that they're the opposite sex. Feelings cannot change being. And, consequently, even physical, bodily alterations by choice and surgery, cannot overrule the created choice and will of God for an individual. For instance, a human being who thinks and feels that he is a snake, and tries to act out, and  live the life of a snake, we would treat as deranged, and in need of serious help. It is no less the same for anyone who thinks, or feels, himself or herself as anything or anyone other than who they were created, by God, to be physically. They deserve our love, compassion, and help.

[Transgender guidelines are nothing new at Anchorage School District]

On the issue of civil rights and the LGBT community; as proud African-Americans, we are horrified that anyone would equate civil rights with the choice of self-gender identifying. This comparison between gender-identity and our race is particularly offensive, because we woke up this morning — as we have every morning of our lives, and will every day for the rest of our lives — African-American. This is not because of how we "feel inside," or how we perceive ourselves to be. It's because this is the way we were born and, for that matter, are rightly proud of it.

LGBT advocates are not the "oppressed people" of today, and they are not the inheritors of the civil rights movement. We are deeply offended at the LGBT community, gender-identity personnel, and any others for commandeering the civil rights birthright and using it to enact their agenda. It is intellectually dishonest, and dishonors the legacy of the men and women who fought in the civil rights movement, so that their children would one day be judged by the content of their character, and not the color of their skin.

[Anchorage initiative seeks to limit bathroom and locker room use to gender on birth certificate]

This is not about civil rights, as it relates to the LGBT community. For those for Proposition 1, it's about human rights and morality. Proposition 1 does not discriminate against the LGBT community. If there is any discrimination, it's against those who are for common sense in intimate areas, such as restrooms, etc.

The Bible clearly affirms the dignity and worth of all people, regardless of skin color (Galatians 3:28). But the Bible also clearly condemns homosexuality and all sin, because it is rebellion against the created order of the male-female foundation (Romans 1:18-32). The Civil Rights movement was a welcome, corrective, action to a malicious evil. Christianity is clearly opposed to racism (James 2:9), but does not endorse the LGBT movement (Colossians 3:5-11).

The good news for all people who feel this way is this, that the broken bodies we live in all need redemption (Romans 1:18-32, 8:18–25; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 6:9). And in Jesus Christ, all things are promised to be made new (John 3:7, 16; Rom. 10:8-13; 2 Cor. 5:17). While Christianity doesn't promise complete relief in this life, it does offer assurance of a future resurrection, apart from our sinful bodies that are subject to decay and death (1 Cor. 15:50–56), and complete with new, glorified, bodies.

If you reject Proposition 1, privacy rights will no longer be protected. In particular, a no vote on Proposition 1 will give the government's blessing to invade the privacy and strip away the dignity of people. The city of Anchorage shouldn't force private employers to open their restrooms, changing rooms, and showers to members of the opposite sex but needs to protect the privacy, safety and dignity of all Alaskans, not threaten it. Therefore, we urge you to vote yes on Proposition 1.

Rev. Undra Parker is pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Anchorage. He was a writer and editor for this piece. Other contributors were Pastor Leon D. May I, River In The Desert Community Church; Pastor Tommy Leonard III, New Season Christian Center; Pastor Michael Bunton, Greater Friendship Baptist Church; Pastor Clifton Gay, Gilead Ministries Christian Education Center; Pastor Victor Marbury, Immanuel Christian Center; Pastor Jesse Mitchell, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Palmer; Pastor Glenn Ratcliff, Calvary Community COGIC; Pastor Lance Davis, interim pastor New Hope Baptist Church; Pastor Mel Williams, Dominion Ministries COGIC; Pastor Michael Sweet, House of Judah Worship Center; Pastor James Willis, New Antioch COGIC; Pastor Mitchell Shannon, Divine Deliverance Pentecostal Church; Pastor William Greene, Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. Frances Reid, Empowerment Temple A. M. E. Zion Church; Rev. Doretha Abrams,  Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Anchorage; Rev. Jean Johnson, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Anchorage; Rev.  Gwuana Thomas, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Anchorage; Rev.  Eva DuRant, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Anchorage; Rev. Eric Jackson, Eagle River Missionary Baptist Church. 

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