By Portia Williams
Tim Throckmorton, Pastor of Crossroads Church in Circleville, and 75 local business and civic leaders came together for a briefing on the issue of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) at Crossroads on Sunday, Aug. 2.
According to Throckmorton, there was a great cross-section including, from city mayors to state legislators, school board members, county commissioners, township trustees as well as a number of Pastors and church leaders. Guest speakers for the event included Matt Rawlings, Dr. David Miller, and Dr. Larry Olson.
“Following the recent Supreme Court ruling on Marriage most realize that those with Christian beliefs throughout our nation face an unprecedented threat to their religious liberty for simply standing for Biblical principle in their businesses, churches and para church organizations and in local government,” Throckmorton said.
Throckmorton said each speaker did an excellent job sharing their expertise on the topics discussed.
“Matt Rawlings of Alliance Defending Freedom spoke on the specifics of protecting ministries and businesses from threat of lawsuits to Alliance Defending Freedoms efforts to defund Planned Parenthood,” he said. “Child Psychologist Dr. David Miller did a great job of recognizing that the idea of sexual orientation and gender identity are not as black and white as yes and no. His understanding of modeling behavior and how a parents attention, or lack there of, was incredible because it spoke not only this issue but also family dynamics and how solid dynamics impact development. SOGI Legislation implementation could negatively impact both areas of a child’s early and future development.”
He also said Olson’s segment on education, and offered a unique perspective on atheism.
“Dr. Larry Olson of Ohio Christian University, Dean of the Psychology Department did a fantastic job speaking on education. The idea of authoritative influence was key in the fact that at any age, children believe those we learn from have the truth we are looking for,” he said. “This means if education and its teachers/educators say you are gay or its okay to be something your not, children see that as truth and accept it. Another point I walked away with was that atheism is seen as a religion and is the one chosen above others by the government.”
The focus of the event was to raise the level of awareness in local legislators in our sphere of influence on the issue of SOGI hence challenging Pastors, churches, Christian business leaders and local civic leaders throughout the State of Ohio to do the same.
For more information regarding the SOGI Conference, Throckmorton suggests viewing the following Youtube link:
Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.
