The Equality Act and the Cost of Freedom

Josh Buice

Equality Act

Joe Biden’s presidency could prove to be the most costly administration this nation has ever witnessed. The cost factor is not even taking into consideration the spending policies of the new administration or the lives of unborn babies that will continue to be murdered through expanded abortion policies. The most costly decision to face our nation historically will be the Equality Act. If passed, it will serve to codify the freedoms of LGBTQA+ individuals into the fabric of America while rejecting the essential beliefs of Christian teaching.  

The Equality Act is looming on the horizon and promised to be one of Joe Biden’s first acts of business as he transitions from President-Elect to the President of the United States of America. The Equality Act is promoted and sponsored by governmental leaders as a bill that will “prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity.” Behind that language is a mountain of threat to the freedoms we enjoy as American citizens.

While Christians believe that all people are created in the image and likeness of God, including gay and transgender people in our nation—we openly reject their decisions and stand upon the clear teachings of Scripture. While we must love our neighbor, we are not called to deny Jesus in the process. Exactly how will this Equality Act impact the church in America? Consider these three areas.

The Transformation on Education

One of the reasons so many people risk life and limb to come to America is for the freedom of education. However, that unique freedom is being challenged by political ideologies and policies that will forever deform our education and restrict it to promote a devious leftist agenda. But, this is nothing new. The church has been warned for a very long time, but the days of darkness are quickly approaching.

Public education placed in the hands of the government will never end well. Caesar will never bow to Jesus until Christ returns—and as public education becomes more inclusive, it will by necessity exclude Jesus and his teachings from the classroom. Although Jesus has been kicked out of the public education arena for a long time now, the new Equality Act will further this agenda with advanced legislation. This transformation will do far more than change the dynamics of the school classroom. It will serve as a catalyst to transform the definition of the family and the shape of our society. After all, the goal of education is to educate.

In his book, Family Driven Faith, Voddie Baucham made a controversial statement regarding public education. He said, “We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans.” [1] Regardless of where you stand on the debate of public v. home education, the day is quickly approaching when there will be no space remaining in America where Christians are free to work or engage in public education without denying their faith.

The Restriction of Religion

Although the Equality Act is promoted under the banner of protection and equality, behind the verbiage of “equal rights” is the restriction of religion—specifically the restriction of Christianity.

As the sexual revolution has gained momentum as a result of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision—the Equality Act will raise the bar of legislation that places the LGBTQA+ agenda within the sphere of sacred beliefs protected by our civil rights policies.

The Equality Act could be the Trojan Horse that results in the lawful discrimination and persecution upon Christianity in America.

In short, the Equality Act will point out that the Bible is incompatible with the law of the United States of America. This will assault the freedom of speech for Christians in the public sphere, for pastors in print and the pulpit, as well as Christian education and institutions. The Equality Act could be the Trojan Horse that results in the lawful discrimination and persecution upon Christianity in America.

With such law as their bully pulpit—the courts will be open to hear cases against Christian schools, seminaries, and colleges on the basis of unlawful discrimination against gay and transgender people. It will further open the floodgate of litigation against Christian 501(c)(3) organizations with the potential of removing their status as a non-profit organization and using taxation as a form of penalty system to weaken the footprint of Christianity in our nation.

The corporate world will be dramatically impacted by the Equality Act. Not only will it shape how employees are selected, but it will regulate how insurance is provided and any business that is found to be in violation of the Equality Act could be penalized by fines or even the loss of financial credit which will limit how free corporations are to operate in the free market society. This will have the most noticeable and forceful impact upon Christian corporations.

The Equality Act will issue a frontal attack upon the freedom of Christian religion in America. The very teachings of Christianity taken directly from the pages of Scripture will be considered unlawful bigotry and classified as hate speech. The very nation that was founded as a result of English settlers and Puritans fleeing religious freedom will now come full circle to openly restrict, discriminate, and persecute Christians.

This is why the social justice and critical race theory / intersectionality (CRT/I) movement is so dangerous. As evangelical leaders embrace the CRT/I agenda, it offers to the American society a religious virtue signal. It appears to be a new more palatable “Christianity” that is acceptable, tolerant, and affirming. Consider how America has wholeheartedly embraced the theory of CRT and the language of “systemic injustice.” Now, that vocabulary can be reintroduced and used in areas of LGBTQA+ to promote their agenda that claims the system is unjustly discriminating against gay and transgender persons. This is what we’ve been warning all along as we’ve been pointing out that behind the “racism” boxcar on the social justice train is the LGBTQA+ boxcar. You can’t have one without the other.

The way forward for the church in America is not easy. We’ve been promised hardships and trials for following Christ. Jesus warned in John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” The apostle Paul warned Timothy of the difficulties of following Jesus by writing, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Jesus once said the following to his followers, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This statement has much bearing upon how we will walk forward as Christians in America. How will we do education? How will we operate as business owners? How will we preach the gospel as pastors? How will we lead non-profit organizations and institutions? The path may be difficult, but Jesus has made it plainly clear. We must take up our cross and follow him.

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  1. Voddie Baucham, Family Driven Faith, (Wheaton: Crossway, 2011), 201-202.
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Author Equality Act

Josh Buice

Pastor Pray's Mill Baptist Church

Josh Buice is the founder and president of G3 Ministries and serves as the pastor of Pray's Mill Baptist Church on the westside of Atlanta. He is married to Kari and they have four children, Karis, John Mark, Kalli, and Judson. Additionally, he serves as Assistant Professor of Preaching at Grace Bible Theological Seminary. He enjoys theology, preaching, church history, and has a firm commitment to the local church. He also enjoys many sports and the outdoors, including long distance running and high country hunting. He has been writing on Delivered by Grace since he was in seminary and it has expanded with a large readership through the years.