Protect

The book of Jude contains an expression of God's heart, and ties together the Old and New Testaments regarding the heart of God - what pleases Him and what does not. We can read in this one-chapter book:
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.

God judged the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their sexual deviancy, their disregard for His principles. God gave Israel a set of rules that reflect His heart and His standards regarding sexuality - He wasn't just about trying to place restrictions on them, I believe He was showing, and is demonstrating, even to us today, who are under the New Covenant, the keys to a fruitful life. Hearts and minds are being corrupted today by ideas in the area of human sexuality that have enormous negative consequences. 

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Romans chapter 1 describes a culture in which evil desires have taken hold, where human beings exalted themselves over God, and they became captive to their own deviancy. We can read these words:
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

One of the truly deviant, corrupt practices of our society is the attempt to sexualize our children, so that they will not possess a healthy view of human relationships.  There have been legislative attempts to protect our children, such as the parental rights bill in Florida that prevents young children from being exposed to teachings on subjects related to sexual orientation and gender identity.  And, recently a trial occurred in Arkansas regarding its attempt to protect minors from surgeries and treatments that are designed to change their biological sex; a portion of Alabama's law has been put on hold. 

Now, the state of Idaho is making an attempt to prevent exposure of children to "drag shows," which are more than mere harmless costume performances; they represent a celebration of transgenderism.  According to the New York Post: 

A bill banning drag performances in public venues is set to hit the Idaho Legislature in the first few days of its next session in January, Idaho Family Policy Center President Blaine Conzatti told the Idaho Capital Sun.

The bill has already been drafted, said Conzatti, who declined to reveal the lawmakers who worked with him on it.

“No child should ever be exposed to sexual exhibitions like drag shows in public places, whether that’s at a public library or a public park,” Conzatti said, equating the performances to blackface practices.

The article notes that leading up to the Boise Pride event in September, a petition was distributed, yielding over 3,500 signatures, according to the Capital Sun.  More than 26,000 e-mails were sent to sponsors of the event.  The Post story noted:

The petition referenced the Idaho Constitution’s “first concern” of protecting the “virtue and sobriety of the people, and the purity of the home.”

The article noted that, of course, Boise Pride's leader said that such as bill would be a "violation of free speech."  Meanwhile, the Post article stated that a drag storytime was cancelled in Twin Falls in June and a planned "Drag Kids" performance in Boise was postponed. 

That New York Post article linked to another story on its website about what legislators in Texas are attempting to do.  It opens by saying:

An explicit viral video of a raunchy Texas drag queen show performed in font of a little girl sparked a social media backlash — and has state lawmakers pledging legislative action.

Legislators in the Lone Star State are paying attention, according to the article:

“Disgusting and entirely inappropriate for any child,” state Rep. Bryan Slaton wrote on Twitter.

“A drag show is no place for a child. I am committed to protecting kids from these sick displays,” he went on.

“We will get it done when the #txlege [Texas Legislature] returns in January.”

Texas House Rep. Jeff Leach said it was “unreal this is happening in our state.”

“And if I have anything to say about it, it will be unlawful in short order. #txlege,” he wrote.

We are living in a world where good is being called evil and evil is being called good. And, we have to navigate these misguided philosophies with wisdom and courage.  While some would hide behind free speech according to the First Amendment to protect displays of deviancy - pornography is something that comes to mind, as well -  we also recognize that just because someone is "free" to do something doesn't mean it's wise or acceptable.   

That's where there is a higher law at play - God's law, and it is clear that these displays of inappropriate sexual behavior are a violation. So, while drag shows may be legal in many areas, that doesn't mean that Christians have to roll over and accept them, recognizing the potential harm that is done to families and communities. This is more than merely a harmless choice. We should embrace parental rights, because parents have a responsibility to direct the training of their children, but I believe you draw the line with activities that adversely affect the hearts and minds of young people.