News
On Tuesday, The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood released a proclamation of 14 beliefs known as the "Nashville Statement." Among other beliefs, the statement defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, and it condemns homosexuality, transgender identity, and sex outside of marriage. Following the release of the Nashville Statement, many Twitter users were outraged, saying the statement does not represent Nashville and critiquing its divisiveness.
The document is called the "Nashville Statement" because it was developed by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) at the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission’s annual conference, which happened to take place in Nashville this year. According to HuffPost, CBMW president Denny Burk said the statement was designed to address Christians’ “confusion” over sexuality issues and to respond to what its signatories consider to be an “increasingly post-Christian” culture. As HuffPost reported, the document was signed by a variety of evangelical leaders.
Many social media users found the statement disheartening and upsetting. They took strong issue with the content of the document, which is anti-LGBTQ in nature as well as with the organization's decision to call it the "Nashville Statement," forcibly tying the city to something that is not representative of many of its residents. The following consists of a variety of responses to the Nashville Statement, which are unified in their ardent critique of the manifesto.
1
Does Not Represent Nashville
Nashville's Mayor, Megan Barry, took to Twitter to express her disdain for the document and its naming, saying it is far from representing the inclusiveness that Nashville seeks to foster.
2
Empty The Pews
This woman has advice for churchgoers with a pastor who signed the Nashville Statement.
3
Codifying Discrimination Is Painful
While this man was not surprised at the content of the document, he emphasized the highly problematic nature of taking overt action to write guiding affirmations and denials related to sexuality.
4
No Association
Many social media users were infuriated that the document included Nashville's name.
5
Better Things To Do
This woman believes that those who wrote the statement could be using their time more wisely.
6
Building Walls
Many on Twitter condemned the crafters of the statement for their apparent focus on divisiveness over helping others.
7
A Different "Nashville Statement"
This man has an idea for a much more inclusive "Nashville Statement."
8
Feeling Ashamed
This Twitter user asserted that the statement did not align with their own Christian beliefs.
9
Stolen Our Name
This woman, like many, wanted to make it clear that the Nashville Statement is not representative of Nashville itself.
10
Confusion
Jon Acuff, an author, noted his surprise on finding out of what the Nashville Statement actually consisted, particularly in the wake of flooding in Houston.
11
Misguided Priorities
This Twitter thought that those who drafted the statement could spend their time much more wisely.
12
Religion Should Be About Love
This woman noted that she believes that the message being sent by the Nashville Statement is not representative of religion, but bigotry.
13
The Importance Of Resistance
This Twitter user noted that the Nashville Statement epitomizes why fighting for equality and respect for everyone's human rights is more important than ever.
14
They Made A Choice
This woman provided some insight into the role of choice in being an LGBTQ individual versus condemning an LGBTQ individual.
15
Love Is Just For You
Many social media users noted that who people choose to love is their own choice — and not anyone else's.
16
Overall, these social media users (and many more) exemplified the many things that people find problematic about the recently-released Nashville Statement. It is refreshing to see so many using their voices to perpetuate inclusiveness and counter divisiveness.
