As many conservative observers have noted, the same-sex marriage decision by the Supreme Court is not the end of the culture wars, but only the next step in an increase in the progressive push to transform our nation.  This was always the lie believed by many in our culture, both Christian and non-Christian, the “can’t we all just get along” idea that there is the possibility of a truce.  In the case of same-sex marriage, many Americans subscribe to the classic “live and let live” view that has long marked American tolerance.   After all, if there are two gay people living down the street, what do I care if they are married or not?  Let them do their “gay stuff” and let me live my life–doesn’t bother me.

But the same sex marriage decision only emboldens the left.  In a way, this should be no surprise:  Conservatives are always saying stop, and progressives are always saying go–its generally in their worldview DNA.  So to use a football analogy, progressives just got a touchdown and a two point conversion.  Are you surprised that on the next kickoff they are trying to strip the ball to go on offense again? The transgender issue is now front and center and being shoved down a throat near you.  The Obama administration yesterday announced the military was starting a commission to study how to remove barriers to service for transgender personnel.  Beyond the social experimentation in the military, OSHA issued a regulation on the 1st of June which has as its:

Core principle: All employees, including transgender employees, should have access to restrooms that correspond to their gender identity.

In practice, this means that employers must provide unisex single bathrooms or “lockable stalls.”  Really?  Lockable stalls?  I won’t pull any punches here: this is simply insane.  Let me give you the example of a very real implication.  Say I’m walking with my  future young granddaughter, and she needs to use the restroom in a public business that must comply with OSHA.  The ladies room is closed to me, and I’m supposed to send her in alone.  Meanwhile, any sexual predator can hang out in the ladies room until an opportune time, and if questioned can simply say “I identify as a woman.”  Beyond this–which albeit may be a small but non-zero probability–what about the rights of the vast majority of the country?  How many want to be in the same bathroom as a transgender person?  I think this would be much more troubling for ladies.  We can rightly be concerned for those who are confused over their sex (notice I do not say gender–this is a man-made contrivance), but that cannot mean no concern for others (in this case the overwhelming majority, as all estimates I’ve seen suggest transsexuals make up less than 1% of the population).

But it gets worse: Oregon has now published guidance that:

Now that the state of Oregon requires Medicaid to pay for gender-reassignment (i.e., sex-change) surgery, children as young as 15 can have the procedure performed without getting parental consent—or without even notifying their parents at all.

Yes, we can get alarmed over female circumcision in Africa (and we should), but something even more final and debilitating can be done to our children when they are most vulnerable to confusing desires (as they go from the process of childhood to adulthood with its attendant hormonal adjustments).  And parents won’t even know what is being done to their children until the permanent mutilation is done.  Now I agree the number may not be large that will be affected, but what if its only one…and it turns out to be your child?  And don’t think this gender confusion is the result of a democratic process–these social changes are always shoved down our throat either by judicial or bureaucratic fiat, as illustrated here in Fairfax County VA.

The concerns I’ve listed are more pragmatic, and while not inconsistent, are not really a reflection of a biblical worldview.  From a biblical framework we must  say much more.  First, God has not made a mistake with anyone’s sex; if you are a female, He intended you to be a  female and likewise with a male.  And He created you a certain sex for His glory and your benefit.  And yes, you were fearfully and wonderfully made.  Given that, an appropriate public policy would  be one that encourages people to become fully what God calls them to be.  In this case, we are doing the exact opposite.  We are putting man’s wisdom ahead of God’s wisdom. This is not helpful for society or ultimately, those with sexual identity confusions.

For those interested in more extended thoughts on this general topic, you can listen to a sermon I provided here.