Boys should be free to choose to wear a tutu, tiara or heels, and girls to wear toolbelts and superhero capes, the Church of England has said in a new document issued for teachers in its 4,700 schools, collectively teaching millions of pupils.
This document, titled ‘Valuing All God’s Children’, has been endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby who was in Uganda early August.
It says that children “should be at liberty to explore the possibilities of who they might be without judgement or derision”.
The church says, according to the Guardian, that the aim of the guidance is to “prevent pupils in Church of England schools and academies from having their self-worth diminished or their ability to achieve impeded by being bullied because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The Telegraph reports the development comes as a growing number of children in USA have expressed doubt about their assigned gender. It also follows advice issued three years ago that covered homophobic bullying, according to the newspaper.
The Document warns Teachers against “labels and assumptions which deem children’s behaviour irregular, abnormal or problematic just because it does not conform to gender stereotypes or today’s play preferences.
It also acknowledges a wide range of views among all beliefs towards same-sex marriage, saying: “Central to Christian theology is the truth that every single one of us is made in the image of God. Every one of us is loved unconditionally by God.
“We must avoid, at all costs, diminishing the dignity of any individual to a stereotype or a problem.”
Welby asserted: “This guidance helps schools to offer the Christian message of love, joy and the celebration of our humanity without exception or exclusion.”
The document acknowledges that members of Anglican churches hold a wide range of views on sexuality and gender issues, and says the topic is “sensitive”, reports the Telegraph.
In 2016 and this year, The Church of Uganda boycotted a top Anglican Church summit over failure by the top church leadership in Canterbury to disassociate itself from homosexuality that is threatening the moral fabric of the Church.
In a confidential letter addressed to journalists, bishops, clergy and other Lay leaders in the Anglican Church, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali rejected “homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture…and cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions.”
male@ugchristiannews.com
