One mission of CBMW is to help Christians think through secular and ecclesial trends on gender and sexuality. Through this work, we pore over a lot of different news reports and articles as we attempt to wade through the ceaseless flow of information on the web. In our weekly Gender and Sexuality News Roundups, we aim to distill some of the more pertinent information for you.
The articles below are from a wide variety of sectors and publications, organized generally into three categories. They are presented in aggregate, not necessarily endorsed.
If you see an article that you think should be featured in future CBMW News Roundups, you can send it to [email protected] with the subject “News Roundup.”
Evangelicals issue principles on benefits, challenge of artificial intelligence, Religion News Service (Adelle M. Banks)
“The signatories also condemned using AI for what they consider inappropriate sexual purposes, including objectifying of human beings. “AI should not intrude upon or substitute for the biblical expression of sexuality between a husband and wife according to God’s design for human marriage,” they said.”
Sovereign Grace Calls Outside Investigation ‘Impossible”, Christianity Today (Kate Shellnutt)
“Despite continued calls for an independent, third-party investigation into Sovereign Grace Churches (SGC) and its response to abuse allegations, the network has officially taken the option off the table, calling it “inappropriate, impractical, unjust” and “impossible.””
Major Michigan adoption agency just reversed policy to allow same-sex couples to adopt, Detroit Free Press (AP)
“As of February, Bethany Christian Services was responsible for 1,159 — or more than 8% — of cases of children under state supervision. Democratic Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s recent settlement prevents faith-based agencies from refusing to put children in LGBT homes for religious reasons. St. Vincent Catholic Charities sued last week to challenge the deal.”
Progressive Muslims, Jews and Christians must stand together for LGBT rights, The Guardian (Michael Segalov)
“I see many parallels between my LGBT and religious identities: both parts of my life place great emphasis on community, take pride in their history and culture, and dance whenever they can. Both provide me with comfort and guidance. Hopefully one day, others will celebrate these similarities as well.”
Columbians stage kiss-a-thon in support of LGBT rights, Associated Press (Manuel Rueda)
“Dozens of same sex couples kissed simultaneously outside an upscale shopping mall in Colombia’s capital Wednesday, in the latest demonstration calling for LGBT rights in the South American country. The “kiss-a-thon” was held just days after two gay men in their early 20s were harassed at the Andino shopping center by a man who pushed the couple, screamed profanities at them and accused them of fondling each other in front of a group of children.”
Mayor Pete and the Queering of the American Soul, The New York Times (Steven Paulikas)
“Mr. Buttigieg’s ability to articulate his sexual orientation through the lens of faith has captured public attention and drawn him into a theological spat with Vice President Mike Pence. The fact that the first openly gay major presidential candidate is also a Christian is indeed remarkable, a milestone in the visibility of L.G.B.T. people of faith. Yet it is also the result of a process that has been taking place in American religion for decades.”
Supreme Court to take up LGBT job discrimination cases, Associated Press (Mark Sherman)
“The justices said Monday they will hear cases involving people who claim they were fired because of their sexual orientation and another that involves a funeral home employee who was fired after disclosing that she was transitioning from male to female and dressed as a woman. The cases will be argued in the fall, with decisions likely by June 2020 in the middle of the presidential election campaign.”
Fairford school worker ‘sacked for view on LGBT teaching’, BBC News (n/a)
“Kristie Higgs, 43, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire. She said she had been punished for sharing concerns about relationship education.”I hold these views because of my Christian beliefs – beliefs and views which are shared by hundreds of thousands of parents across the UK.””
Bowling Green rejects anti-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBTQ residents, Louisville Courier-Journal (AP)
“Officials in a [south central] Kentucky city have voted against an ordinance that would add specific housing and employment protections for gay, lesbian and transgender residents.”
Pro-LGBT Group at Brigham Young University Wants to Secularize the School, The Daily Signal (Ryan Neuhaus)
“This student-led movement has now resulted in a petition that has garnered over 22,000 signatures and is callingfor the university to self-impose a ban on discrimination on the basis sexual orientation and gender identity…Such a policy would also undermine BYU’s religious mission. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints continues to uphold a traditional view of marriage and sexuality, and Brigham Young should remain free to operate consistent with these religious beliefs.”
How to Test Your Relationship Without Moving In Together, Art of Manliness (Brett and Kate McKay)
“It seems that whatever positive benefit comes from getting to know someone by way of living with them, it is outweighed by the danger of staying together because of inertia rather than brilliant connection.”
A Message to Mayor Pete from a Latina Mama: “Don’t Force Your Sexual Ideology on Me and My Children”, Public Discourse (Ana Samuel)
“Yes, be polite to us, and we will be polite to you. But we know that we are in an intense battle over the hearts and minds of our children. Mothers are very good at educating and protecting our children from harm when we believe they are in danger. This time, that danger is the harmful sexual ideology of the Left.”
Together in Bed, Apart in Soul, Desiring God (Greg Morse)
“The need of the day is intentionality. We often can get deceived into assuming that because we have physical proximity — we eat dinner together, run errands, watch TV, live, play, and sleep under the same roof while both loving Jesus — we will necessarily have soul intimacy. We mistake the rubbing of shoulders with the kissing of souls”
No, Men Don’t Need Cuddle Parties to ‘Fix’ Their Masculinity, The Federalist (Libby Emmons)
“The problem isn’t that culture tells men vulnerability isn’t masculine enough, or that standards of affection need be at arm’s length. The problem is that we negate, at every turn, what it means to be human, and to love. Touch is not anti-masculine; it never was. Masculinity doesn’t need to be redefined, nor does femininity.”
Sexual Sin and the Pursuit of Purity, Tabletalk (David E. Briones)
“Sexual promiscuity is ubiquitous, and sexual purity has become a lost art. Even so, the Scriptures are clear: sexual immorality is a sin against God.”
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