A private Christian college in Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University, canceled an event with a Christian men’s ministry after the group posted comments that the college believed to “unnecessarily fan the flames of culture wars and are harmful to members of our community.”
The post from the organization Promise Keepers stated, “We will not stand on the sidelines and remain quiet.”
“As fathers, husbands, grandfathers, and young men — we see the dangers of gender ideology and the harm it causes.
“In our present day, men and women are increasingly confused about their identities,” the statement continued.
“Biological identity has been severed as separate from ‘gender identity,’ while children across the United States are actively indoctrinated into intense inner turmoil about who they ‘really are.’
“What’s behind this change? Throughout history, humans have traditionally looked to God, the church, and their families as the starting points for identity. Now, our culture has decided each person must decide his or her own identity by looking inward — which leads to isolation, loneliness, and confusion,” the statement added.
“As fathers, husbands, grandfathers, and young men, we see the dangers of gender ideology and the harm it causes. At Promise Keepers, we believe it is more important than ever to stand up boldly for what we believe as Christians. God’s Word is very clear on this topic — and we also see the way gender ideology has damaged lives, mutilated bodies, and torn apart families in our own communities.”
Reporting from The Western Journal:
Belmont issued a statement about the cancellation to ChurchLeaders.com. ... “Belmont informed Promise Keepers leadership that the event could not be held on our campus because a blog the organization posted, ‘In Light of June Being Designated as “Pride Month,”‘ includes comments that we believe unnecessarily fan the flames of culture wars and are harmful to members of our community. ... “Belmont and the Fisher Center welcome the opportunity to host and work with a variety of groups that hold disparate opinions, and we encourage the exchange of dialogue. Yet as an ecumenical, Christ-centered institution we are also unequivocal in our belief in the value of each human being, and we are committed to engaging in constructive conversations that demonstrate kindness and seek understanding. We will not knowingly provide a space for any group whose language we believe to lack that same respect.”
