CHURCH of GOD 2016 RESOLUTION on TRANSGENDER RESTROOMS

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CHURCH of GOD 2016 RESOLUTION on TRANSGENDER RESTROOMS

WHEREAS, the Bible in Genesis 5:2 and Matthew 19:4 states that from the beginning God has made people as men and women, and nowhere in Scripture is it suggested that individuals may self-identify as the gender they wish to be, rather than the biological sex to which they were born; and

WHEREAS, the Church of God has upheld from its beginning the recognition that biological differences establish the uniqueness of men and women—an apperception that has been acknowledged throughout history; and

WHEREAS, the Church of God states in its Book of Church Order and Governance (Minutes 2014), when God created man, He created them male and female (Genesis 1:27). He gave them distinctly different characteristics (1 Corinthians 11:14, 15; 1 Peter 3:7) as well as different responsibilities (Genesis 3:16-17; 1 Peter 3:7).

WHEREAS, the act of giving access to restrooms and related facilities to persons of the opposite sex creates settings in which violations of privacy and safety may occur;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that churches and church-owned facilities or properties [and Church of God educational institutions] used by the Church of God for the fulfillment of all religious purposes maintain sex-differentiated restrooms, locker rooms, and related facilities for the exclusive use of men and women, ascertained solely by biological sex and by the gender identified on the birth certificate (with appropriate exceptions for those who must assist handicapped persons of the opposite sex, in which case the gender of the helping adult will determine which facility is used);

and
BE IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED, that clergy and laity in Church of God congregations recognize the reality of gender confusion as an issue that should be treated compassionately and professionally, and that care be taken to offer or seek competent counsel for those who experience such confusion; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the church accept anew its responsibility as a commitment to Christian discipleship to teach God’s creation design of male and female.

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