The Trump Educational Compact is an attack on the free exercise of progressive religion. In its typical divide-and-conquer approach, the administration has informed nine colleges and universities they will suffer financial consequences if they do not bow down and meet certain ideological requirements, including, according to The New York Times, agreeing to “commit to strict definitions of gender.”
The Times article indicates the administration intends ultimately to impose the compact broadly in higher education.
Chris Caldwell
Why is this compact an assault on religious freedom? Here’s the thing: Vanderbilt has a divinity school, which is not an independent entity, but rather an integral part of the university. The divinity school is a progressive place, offering a concentration in Religion, Gender and Sexuality.
The other universities under attack in this initial salvo, if they choose to go to court, no doubt will do so on the basis of academic freedom, as well they should. Vanderbilt, for example, says the university “is committed to the principle of equal opportunity” and does not discriminate on the basis of many things, including “gender identity.” Certainly they do not want to be told how, as a university, they must define “gender identity.”
But I hope Vanderbilt and other universities with programs of faith also will fight on the basis of freedom of religion. Professors at Vanderbilt, and indeed at many other university-related seminaries and divinity schools, teach about faith, God and gender. More conservative theological programs will have no problem participating in this protection racket masquerading as government policy, because their conservative religious beliefs are not presently under attack. But many other theological schools reject the notion that trans people like my daughter have no place in God’s churches, or at least these schools will want to discuss such questions freely and without government influence.
Too often, we religious progressives cede the biblical terrain to conservatives. Let’s not on this one.
Acts chapter one, verse eight: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” For me and millions of others, seeing gender nonconforming people as full children of God is not just a matter of law or of psychology; it is a matter of faith — deeply held faith. And to say so is, dammit, our witness. They once came for a woman, and a man named Jesus drew lines in the sand. It’s time for us to draw lines, too.
Chris Caldwell formerly served as academic dean at Simmons College of Kentucky and currently serves as interim pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.
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