I realize that I am treading on dangerous ground. There are
many opinions on the recent Target bathroom debacle and even Christians are
divided over whether or not to boycott the store. As I’ve struggled through
this issue, I’ve tried to look at it from different angles, apply biblical
principles, and weigh the opinions of others with an open mind. This has not
been an easy decision. Target is like a home away from home for my family; we
shop there all the time. Nevertheless, we decided to boycott Target—here’s why.
Are We Really Having
This Conversation?
In principle this issue is a no-brainer. The fact that we
even need to have these conversations shows the depth of depravity into which
our country has fallen. This nation has completely lost its way and can no
longer distinguish between right and wrong. It isn’t a matter of discrimination;
it’s simply a matter of safety and plain old common sense. If you have boy
parts, you use the men’s room; if you have girl parts, use the ladies room.
It’s really not that hard. Those who are confused about this need compassionate
help and godly council, not free access to bathrooms. Implementing policies
like this is a recipe for disaster. Gender is determined by your biology, not
by how you feel. I may truly feel like a duck-billed platypus, and insist on
it, but that doesn’t make me a platypus. My feelings on the matter do not
change the reality of my biology. More importantly, our gender is ultimately
determined by our Creator.
“For you formed my
inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I
am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it
very well,” Psalm 139:13-14.
For someone to say they feel like the opposite gender is
actually rebellion against their Creator. It is sinful at the most fundamental
level, because they are placing their finite feelings and desires above the
infinite God who made them in His image. They are essentially telling God He
made a mistake.
Objections
Some say you cannot legislate morality. I would say it
depends on what you mean by legislating morality. If by that, you mean changing
hearts and behaviors, then no, you cannot legislate morality. Only the gospel
can change hearts, however, we can limit evil and perversion by enacting laws
that prohibit and punish crimes. A harsh punishment may make someone think
twice before committing a crime. Do people break the law anyway? Yes, all the
time, but if we didn’t have moral laws, we would have anarchy. So in that sense
we can legislate morality. Should we
eliminate speed limit laws just because people break them every day? Should we
remove laws regarding theft or murder just because there are thieves and
murderers who disregard them? Of course not! So the logic that says sexual
predators are going to do what they do whether or not bathrooms laws exist, simply
doesn’t work. Just because someone may break the law is no reason to open up
the floodgates.
God gave us His moral code; the Ten Commandments, to define
what sin is and restrict its pervasive nature; to put boundaries around our
wickedness and show His holy character. Knowing full well that people would
break His law is no reason to do away with it. The problem with our country is
that people don’t believe in objective moral standards anymore, and that is why
we are seeing this insanity over bathrooms. If there’s no objective standard
then everything becomes a matter of personal preference. Everyone can do what
is right in their own eyes.
Some may argue that if we boycott every business we disagree
with we won’t have anywhere left to shop. Believe me; I feel the weight of this
argument. However, I think this is a different issue. In light of the
controversy in North Carolina and Mississippi, Target has overtly made a policy
to counter these rulings; a policy that directly affects the safety of our
families. Why should the gender confusion of less than 1% of the population be
imposed on the rest of the public. Do we really want to support a company that
thinks it’s a good idea for adult men to share the same bathroom as little
girls? There’s also something called guilt by association. 1 Tim. 5:22 and 2
John 11 warn against partaking in the sins of others. This is something we need
to prayerfully consider.
Some may argue that the Bible says nothing about boycotting
stores. Right, but the Bible doesn’t tell us not to boycott either. Since the
Bible doesn’t contain speed limit laws, does that mean we should remove them?
Some may say that boycotts don’t really work, yet the recent
outrage over this same type of policy in North Carolina did make a difference. Because of the outcry over the Charlotte
City Council's ordinance, and because of Governor Pat McCrory’s courage, a
ridiculous ruling was overturned. Perhaps Target will see a large portion of
their customers taking their resources elsewhere and change their policy. If
people, especially Christians, voice their concerns with kindness and respect,
God may use it to reach people with the truth. Maybe the boycott won’t change
Target’s policy. Maybe nothing will happen, but at least the truth will be
heard.
Conclusion
Make no mistake, we are in a war of ideas, and those in
favor of these bathroom policies want to silence all opposition. They may
preach tolerance, but they use a double standard. If you don’t embrace their
position wholeheartedly, you are immediately labeled a bigot and accused of
hatred. No, we don’t actually hate people, we just disagree with them. There’s
a difference.
As Christians, we must be salt and light, and therefore, we
must stand up for decency, morality, and biblical principles. God created us
male and female and that distinction is a good thing. He has clearly defined
the roles and purposes for each gender in Scripture, so blurring this
distinction is an affront to our Maker. We must stand up and shine the light of
the gospel into a very dark and confused world. If we remain silent, who will
sound the clarion call of truth? That is
why we are speaking out on this issue.
