15 "Nashville Statement" Responses That Prove The Anti-LGBT Manifesto Is Anything But Representative Of The City

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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.

1Does 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.

2Empty The Pews

This woman has advice for churchgoers with a pastor who signed the Nashville Statement.

3Codifying 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.

4No Association

Many social media users were infuriated that the document included Nashville's name.

5Better Things To Do

This woman believes that those who wrote the statement could be using their time more wisely.

6Building Walls

Many on Twitter condemned the crafters of the statement for their apparent focus on divisiveness over helping others.

7A Different "Nashville Statement"

This man has an idea for a much more inclusive "Nashville Statement."

8Feeling Ashamed

This Twitter user asserted that the statement did not align with their own Christian beliefs.

9Stolen Our Name

This woman, like many, wanted to make it clear that the Nashville Statement is not representative of Nashville itself.

10Confusion

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.

11Misguided Priorities

This Twitter thought that those who drafted the statement could spend their time much more wisely.

12Religion 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.

13The 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.

14They Made A Choice

This woman provided some insight into the role of choice in being an LGBTQ individual versus condemning an LGBTQ individual.

15Love Is Just For You

Many social media users noted that who people choose to love is their own choice — and not anyone else's.

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.