On Wednesday Night, July 13^th, we will be discussing whether or not a church is a public or private institution. There are a couple of lawsuits pending in the state of Iowa concerning whether churches are to be considered public or private. Iowa has a Civil Rights Commission that is enforcing public accommodation of people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Under this new law, if there is a man who “identifies” as a woman, he must be allowed to use the women’s restroom.

I found a copy of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission brochure online. In the section labeled “Does this Law apply to churches?” it reads: “Sometimes. Iowa law provides that these protections do not apply to religious institutions with respect to any religion-based qualifications when such qualifications are related to a bona fide religious purpose. Where qualifications are not related to a bona fide religious purpose, churches are still subject to the law’s provisions. (e.g. a child care facility operated at a church or a church service open to the public).”

What are those services that are “open to the public”?  The brochure lists Food Pantry and Festivals as “public” gatherings. The lawsuits states that these churches in Iowa fear that it’s only a matter of time until the government will consider scrapbook meetings, weight loss groups, softball teams, or family movie nights as “public gatherings” that will be regulated by the Civil Rights Commission.

Another concern for churches is that preachers and teachers may be eventually be prosecuted for “Harassment.”  The Iowa Civil Rights brochure defines Harassment as “verbal… psychological.. remarks of a demeaning nature.. demeaning stories… implied threats… intentional use of names and pronouns inconsistent with a person’s presented gender.”  Therefore, if a pastor or teacher taught that the Bible considers homosexuality to be a sin; he could be charged with harassment on multiple counts.

What do you think?

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