Protesters pash outside Christian school after pastor defends gender contract

A senior pastor at Citipointe Church has defended its Brisbane School, citing “biblical truth” as to why students were required to adhere to the gender of their biological sex.

A senior pastor at Citipointe Church has defended its Brisbane school, citing “biblical truth” as to why students were asked to adhere to the gender of their biological sex.

Global senior pastor Mark Ramsey during Sunday’s service has revealed one of the “many and complex” reasons that its Brisbane school withdrew its enrolment contract was to allow the school to continue operating.

Citipointe Christian College last Thursday withdrew its controversial contract which asked parents to agree that their children would identify as their birth gender or face expulsion.

The contract also attached the International Network of Churches’ declaration of faith which proclaims beliefs that homosexuality and bisexuality are destructive to society.

“I want you to know that we will be working with INC in the rewording of this statement, keeping truth but explaining it better,” he said.

“We’re sorry for any confusion or pain anyone has felt this week.

“ … While there are many and complex reasons for the withdrawal (of the contract) it does allow us to keep the college to continue and wit will work through these matters with our community.”

Mr Ramsey said the church had received questions about why the college would amend its original contract to add conditions that a student keep the gender of their biological sex throughout their enrolment.

Protesters kiss outside Citipointe Christian College on Monday.

“Well it’s biblical truth – that’s why we ask them to do that,” he said.

“The word of God presents and upholds the truth of biological sex.

“The entire Christian community and Citipointe was founded on the belief the Bible is true, and the word of God.”

Mr Ramsey said he fully understood that not everyone shared the same beliefs.

He said many parents at the college agreed with the long-held Christian doctrine.

“It’s one of the reason why parents would choose our college over another school,” Mr Ramsey said.

“In addition, the college needs to consider individual students and all students in issues around facilities, accommodation for college camps et cetera.”

The contract, withdrawn six days after its release, caused outrage with 155,819 people signing a Change.org petition calling on the school to reconsider.

Principal pastor Brian Mulheran told parents in a statement on Friday night he was stepping aside as principal following the furore.

He said he was heartbroken, and that the school would never discriminate against any student based on gender identity or sexuality.

Mr Ramsey said on Sunday Mr Mulheran was one the “kindest people on planet Earth”.

Citipointe Christian College at Carindale in Brisbane’s east. Picture: Richard Walker

“Brian has decided to take some time off to restore and recover from this ordeal,” Mr Ramsey said.

“Please be assured that the way this is being handled, although you might not understand all of it, is the best way for pastor Brian and our Christian community and our college.

“So moving forward be informed about the proposed religious discrimination bill and the proposed changes being suggested to the Sex Discrimination Act.”

A section in the Commonwealth’s Sex Discrimination Act states it is not unlawful for religious bodies or educational institutions established for religious purposes to discriminate against people in certain circumstances on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week confirmed he would be putting forward an amendment as part of the Government’s wider religious discrimination protections.

He did not specify what the amendment would be.

A group of parents at the college created a social media page calling for prayers for the school and Mr Mulheran.

One parent posted a picture of school buses stripped of their logo, citing safety reasons, while another donned an “I heart Citipointe” shirt.

Logos have been removed from Citipointe Christian College buses.

Protesters gathered outside the school rallying against its views on Monday morning as students began the first term of the year.

Members of Educate Don’t Discriminate, a movement formed in response to the contract, did not attend.

“We prioritise the safety and emotional wellbeing of all students, which is why we respectfully cancelled our Stand in Solidarity scheduled for this morning and were not involved in any protester actions,” a statement from the group said.