By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
Tennessee legislators have an incredible opportunity next week to prove that common sense is alive and well in the Volunteer State.
Whether they have the courage to make such a decision remains to be seen.
Legislators are considering HB2414 which is sponsored by Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Old Hickory, and Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville. The bill is referred to as the “Bathroom Bill.” See story in The Tennessean. The bill would “require that a student use student restroom and locker room facilities that are assigned for use by persons of the same sex as the sex indicated on the student’s original birth certificate.”
In simple terms, boys go to the boys’ bathroom and girls go to the girls’ bathroom.
It’s a sad commentary on our society that those men and women we elect to office are even having to consider such a bill. It should be a no-brainer. What is even sadder is that the Tennessee Department of Education and Board of Regents is against the bill. David Fowler, president of the Family Action Council of Tennessee, wrote an excellent blog on this a few days ago.
Unfortunately, we’re living in a day when culture, not the Bible, dictates what is acceptable. The Bible tells us God made male and female — no other options are found anywhere in Scripture. Culture tells us that God made man and female, but if he or she doesn’t like it, they can arbitrarily change to the other sex.
Supposedly, all a child has to do is say that he or she wants to be treated like a girl or a boy and we are supposed to cater to that whim. This is absurd, but what if a boy decided he wanted to be a bird. Would we allow him to climb to the top of a tree, flap his arms, and fall to his death? Of course not.
Common sense has to prevail in this issue. It’ s not just about a person’s “right” to choose his or her own sex. It’s also about the right to protect the privacy of those who are content with how God made them. Girls (of any age) should not be subjected to boys (of any age) walking into the same restroom. That is morally wrong, not to mention potentially dangerous.
Pray that our legislators will have the courage to place common sense above being politically correct. A House committee will discuss the issue on Tuesday, March 15. Contact your representatives and let them know your opinion on this matter.
Our children need to be protected from the lunacy of this world.
