Speak At Your Own Risk?

Today’s “Profile in Courage” is not about a business leader, but a leader majoring in business at one of America’s most liberal universities. Student senator Isabella Chow, at University of California-Berkleley.

Isabella is a Christian. And she experienced intense hostility after abstaining from a vote condemning a recent Trump administration proposal.

The proposal would adopt a biological definition of sex for the purposes of Title IX non-discrimination or government-assistance regulations. The proposed definition reflects scientific fact.

But the Queer Alliance Resource Center (QARC) at UC-Berkeley called on the student Senate to pass a resolution concemning it, claiming it would…

“… rob transgender, non-binary, and otherwise gender non-conforming students of their right to seek legal recourse for discrimination on the basis of their gender identity.”

QARC also called on the University to better publicize pro-LGBT groups as resources for students (e.g., The National Center for Transgender Equality and Transgender Law Center).

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/berkeley-student-senator-under-fire-for-refusing-to-endorse-transgender-ide

Isabella abstained from the vote. And here’s the rub: She explained why.

Her explanation — and the violent response she received — paints a picture of what’s at stake for any Christian leaders who feel compelled to speak Truth in Love within their respective spheres of influence.

Isabella spoke of her love and compassion for homosexual and transgender students. She disavowed bullies or bigots committing discrimination or harassment. AND… she respectfully explained that voting for the resolution would force her to…

“… promote a choice of identities that I do not agree to be right or best for an individual, and to promote certain organizations that uphold values contrary to those of my community…

… As a Christian, I personally… believe that certain acts and lifestyles conflict with what is good, right and true. I believe that God created male and female at the beginning of time, and designed sex for marriage between one man and one woman.”

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/berkeley-student-senator-under-fire-for-refusing-to-endorse-transgender-ide

One paper called it a “contest between conscience and conformity.” The reaction to Isabella’s abstention (her reasons for it) was swift. She was “stripped of her student political party’s backing, denounced by the student newspaper, subjected to calls for resignation and recall, and expelled from nearly every student organization she led or helped to lead for the last two years.”

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/at-berkeley-rational-discussion-descends-into-darkness AND

Student Action cuts ties with Senator Isabella Chow over anti-LGBTQ+ views

Interesting to note these words in the student newspaper’s denunciation:

“The Daily Cal will continue working to uplift the narratives of all students on campus  — including transgender, intersex, nonbinary and gender non-conforming students — because we believe that all lived experiences and identities are valid and deserving of respect.”

All students / experiences / identities… except Christians?

Isabella’s response to the vitriol is a powerful call-to-action for fellow believers.

“What does it look like to love unconditionally while speaking the truth in love? What does it mean to serve the LGBTQ+ community while fully affirming the truths of the gospel? … I pray… the Lord would use my story to spark a greater dialogue that would cause the church to more deeply wrestle with how we can more deeply love our LGBTQ neighbors.”

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/berkeley-student-senator-under-fire-for-refusing-to-endorse-transgender-ide AND  https://www.christianpost.com/news/her-faith-is-under-fire-franklin-graham-supports-california-christian-student-attacked-for-lgbt-views-228524/

What say you?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can… EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at https://calendly.com/diana-furr.

5 Comments

  • Debbie L says:

    This makes my heart ache. So sad for her, but even more so for all those struggling with their identity! And then, of course, the hypocrisy that every belief system is OK, except ours as Christians. I love this quote we recently thought of as we see our constitution under attack: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams
    There is a movement that’s steamrolling ahead to eliminate both morals and religious people.

    • Diana Furr says:

      Yes, Deb. Our nation’s early leaders knew that the radical form of government they envisioned would require the kind of solid foundation that does not exist apart from morality and faith (which are inextricably intertwined). The steamrolling movement you reference is a real Wake Up Call to Christians. Our ability to speak and live Truth in Love, with Grace and Courage, will be tested as never before. 2 Corinthians 12:9!

      • Debbie L says:

        Amen! I’m reading through Romans now-and reading commentaries. They can’t help but point to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. This new amorality is taking us down that road. We just need to remember God is in control and be in Him for our faith and as important, for our actions! I loved the response to the end of Chapter 1,
        “Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
        ‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
        Love Verse 4!!! ❤️

        • Diana Furr says:

          Yes, Deb. And how we walk our talk makes all the difference. The old saying is true: “People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.” My favorite prayer is that the Lord would love people to Him through us in ways that are unmistakable and irresistible. When He does, hearts that were previously closed to Him can now swing open wide. Let it be so, Lord!

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