Christians and Transgender Pronoun Usage: Some Articles and Resources

What should Christians think of the practice of "volunteering pronouns" and using someone's preferred pronouns if they differ from their biological sex? Here are a number of articles that address the issue by arguing that Christians should not engage in this practice 

NEW: Ask Chris T ollefsen: An Ethics Advice Column (May 30, 2024)

• This is the question Tollefsen is addressing in this column:

I’m wondering if it is ever permissible to use the “new” or chosen name and pronouns of a person suffering from gender dysphoria (that are not in accord with their biological sex) despite this action’s implicitly affirming this incongruence of their thoughts with human anthropology and biological truth? 

The specific situation that comes to mind is if a patient presents to the hospital in a mental health crisis (a suicide attempt) and [hospital staff’s] refusal to use [his preferred] names or pronouns would be counter-therapeutic, diminish patient–physician trust/rapport, and exacerbate the mental suffering of a person in need of acute psychiatric care. 

 

Christians Volunteering Pronouns? by Andrew T. Walker at American Reformer (August 19, 2022)

A Response to an Employer's Request for Pronouns by Amy K. Hall at The Stream (May 11, 2023).  Provides a nice example from a real-life situation as well as a template of what to communicate and how to do with courage and wisdom.

Why I No Longer Use Transgender Pronouns--and Why You Shouldn't Either by Rosario Butterfield at Reformation 21 (April 3, 2023)

Words as Weapons: Why We Must Stand Our Grounds Over Pronouns by Jonathon Van Maren at The European Conservative (February 7, 2022)

"Language is the first domino in the war over reality—and pronouns have nothing to do with politeness and everything to do with ideological submission... 

"What do we actually cede if we play along with ‘preferred pronouns’? We are conceding that the person demanding that he be called a ‘she’ actually is a woman. Once that is established, what grounds do we have for keeping him out of the female bathroom, or off the girl’s swim team, or out of a rape crisis center for women traumatized by men? The simple answer is that there are none. He has demanded that we call him a woman, and we have agreed to do so to be courteous. That courtesy will then be used as a bludgeon." 

 Is It a Sin for a Christian to Use Transgender Pronouns? by Michael Brown at Ask Dr. Brown (April 4, 2023)

Examining the Case for "Pronoun Hospitality" by Richard Klaus at White Rose Review (January 6, 2021)

Cognitive Liberty: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Conscience and "What Are Your Pronouns?" Video interview with Dr. Nicholas Meriwether at Ratio Christi: Thoughtful Christianity (September 30, 2022)

• The U.S. Sixth Circuit of Appeals decision in favor of Dr. Nicholas Meriwether.

Why Pronouns Matter... a Lot by Greg Koukl at Stand to Reason (6/1/2021).

Why Agree to Use Preferred Names but Not Preferred Pronouns? by Amy K. Hall at Stand to Reason (1/20/2022).

WESD Governing Board Comments Regarding ACU Decision

 * My comments to the Washington Elementary School Board in response to their decision to not renew the contract with Arizona Christian University for student teachers and students seeking practicum experience.  My comments can be found at 2:50:00 mark of video.

* My prepared comments (a little deviation in the actual spoken remarks to make the time limit of two minutes allowed for speakers).

My name is Richard Klaus and my wife and I have lived and raised our three children for the past twenty-five years within the boundaries of the Washington Elementary School District.  I also served for a time as a pastor of an evangelical church within the borders of the district and under my watch we maintained an active and mutually beneficial relationship with the nearest school.  At the core of my being, I am a follower of Jesus Christ within the conservative evangelical tradition of Christianity.  

 

So as a Christ-follower with an intense interest in philosophical reasoning, I am concerned about this board’s decision rendered on February 23^rd, 2023, to not renew its partnership with Arizona Christian University in regards to having its students engage in practicums and student teaching.  

 

What is most distressing is the reasoning offered by this board.  In particular, the words of the President of the Governing Board struck me as excessively intrusive and discriminatory.  In particular, she spoke about a Christian’s “core” beliefs and said:

 

“I simply don't know how a piece of paper can change somebody's underlying value system. Even though they may not … do anything illegal, where they are preaching or using Bible verses, how do you shut off an essential part of your being, and not be biased to the individuals in which you are in charge of nurturing and supporting unconditionally?  I don't see how that disconnect is possible.”

 

Note the criteria being used here.  It is not enough that a potential teacher be:

 

1.     Competent and compassionate—or, added to this…

 

2.     Someone who brings value to the classroom, school, and district—or, again, added to this…

 

3.     Someone who objectively abides by the stated policies and goals of the district as articulated in their written documents.

 

No.  According to the President of this board, the person’s “underlying value system” which is “an essential part of your being” must be changed.  If this “core” of the person is deemed ideologically suspect, then, even though they are a nurturing presence and a fount of unconditional love, they must be sanctioned from participation in the educational system.

 

Consistency of application of this line of thought would seem to require an ideological purge of current teachers and staff who uphold a historically rooted Christian view of sexuality as articulated by Jesus Christ. 

 

Such views expressed by the president of this board—without opposition from any other member—ought to not only be reconsidered but repudiated.  Only God himself has the authority to compel a person’s core allegiance.  

 

As an institution committed to the advancement of public education, I would ask you to forsake the politics of exclusion and discrimination and to pursue a more reasoned path which benefits all peoples in this district.  Thank you.

___________________________

NOTE: 

Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a law suit against the WESD Governing Board on behalf of Arizona Christian University--see HERE for general details.

For the actual lawsuit see HERE.  Be sure to check out pages 14-17 for the statements by the WESD Governing Board.