Christian leaders are condemning President Biden's declaration of Easter Sunday as “Transgender Day of Visibility,” calling it an “insult” to the spiritual beliefs of thousands and thousands, simply the newest instance of the White Home's combined priorities.
Biden's assertion criticizes “hateful legal guidelines that focus on and terrify transgender youngsters” — presumably legal guidelines that ban hormone remedy and restrict males's sports activities to organic males.
“These legal guidelines assault our most elementary American values: the liberty to be your self, the liberty to make your individual well being care selections, and even the precise to lift your individual little one,” it says.
It additionally calls on Individuals to “work to eradicate violence and discrimination based mostly on gender identification.”
On Transgender Day of Visibility, we rejoice the enjoyment, energy and sheer braveness of a number of the bravest individuals I do know.
At present, we’re displaying thousands and thousands of transgender and non-binary Individuals that we see them, that they belong, and that they need to be handled with dignity and respect. pic.twitter.com/mhixHV9KC2
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) March 31, 2024
“I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., President of the US of America, by advantage of the authority vested in me by the Structure and legal guidelines of the US, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility. ” he says.
Transgender Day of Visibility was launched in 2009 as an annual celebration of the LGBTQ neighborhood that takes place each March thirty first. This yr it fell on Easter. The Obama administration, whereas holding related positions to the Biden administration, has by no means issued a press release recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility. Biden in 2021 was the primary president to take action, and he adopted it up with such proclamations in 2022 and 2023.
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, was among the many Christian leaders who criticized the Biden administration.
That is actually exhausting to consider.
President Biden issued a press release recognizing March thirty first as Transgender Day of Visibility.
That is additionally the date of Easter after we rejoice the truth that Jesus Christ rose from the useless. What’s the president pondering?
It is a deep… pic.twitter.com/jwxt61jjls
— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) March 30, 2024
“It is a profound insult to the honest spiritual beliefs of thousands and thousands of Individuals on our most sacred day,” Laurie stated on social media. “America wants God greater than ever, and but the White Home takes this stance. It’s time to flip again to God and never flip our backs on God. We should repent and pray for a religious awakening in America. It's our solely hope.”
Evangelist Franklin Graham stated the assertion “reveals how little respect President Biden and his administration have for God.”
President Biden has declared tomorrow – Easter Sunday – as “Transgender Day of Visibility”. This once more reveals how little respect President Biden and his administration have for God. On an important day of the Christian calendar, when the Church world wide celebrates…
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 31, 2024
“On an important day of the Christian calendar, when the church world wide celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died and shed his blood for the sins of mankind, the Biden administration is utilizing this chance to boast about sin, glorify sin and glorify sin,” Graham stated. “The Bible says, '…they declare their sin like Sodom; they don't conceal it. Woe to them!” (Isaiah 3:9). Judgment is coming. As an alternative of glorifying sin, we should confess our sins, repent of our sins, and ask God for forgiveness.”
Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, stated in his podcast Briefing that the White Home can’t “declare it didn't realize it was Easter Sunday and it was going to be a head-on collision.” The assertion, he added, reveals “the place the political priorities are” within the White Home.
Countering the criticism, a White Home spokesman stated Biden “as a Christian who celebrates Easter along with his household … stands for bringing individuals collectively and upholding the dignity and freedoms of each American.”
“Sadly, it’s unsurprising that politicians search to divide and weaken our nation with merciless, hateful and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden won’t ever abuse his religion for political acquire or revenue,” a spokesperson informed ABC Information.
Mohler stated the proclamation is one other instance of what he known as the transgender motion's “struggle on actuality.”
“Transgender Day of Visibility is popping round,” Mohler stated. “This backfires as a result of the extra you make the truth of transgender claims seen, the much less credible they’re within the bigger society.”
Picture credit score: ©Getty Photos/Nito100
Michael Foust has coated the intersection of religion and information for 20 years. His tales have appeared within the Baptist Press, Christianity At present, Christian PoHoly, and Leaf chronicle, and Toronto Star and and Knoxville Information-Sentinel.
