Austin Bates is a Religious Studies student at Southern Adventist University. He leads worship bands, according to his social media account. Bates’ bio from the Subsplash Echo podcast website:
Austin Bates is a sophomore theology major at Southern Adventist University. He has a passion for music ministry in the Adventist church and is chasing God’s call to be a youth pastor in an urban setting. As the student director for Engage Ministries, Austin is constantly seeking out new opportunities to expand his ministerial reach.
Apparently over the last year he decided that he is now a transgender woman. He (Austin) now refers to himself as Ariadna on Facebook. His Twitter page describes himself as:
“Queer filmmaker. Absurd. A little mentally ill.”
Two years ago, this “absurd” young man was quoted in the Southern Accent saying that the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement had encouraged him and should be supported. Interestingly, the BLM organization identifies as queer-affirming, pro-transgender, black transgender women supporting, and dedicated to destroying the nuclear (biblical) family. Two of the three BLM founders are LGBTQ (Patrice Cullors, and Alicia Garza). This is what this student is supporting.
Five days ago, he recorded a video on TikTok where he claims that he received an email from the chairman of the “sexual integrity committee” of Southern University requesting a meeting. He also also says his boss, where he works at the University, told him that there is a policy on campus that says you have to dress according to your biological gender. In other words, if you were born male, you should wear male clothing. If you were born female you must wear female clothing. That’s a reasonable policy for a Bible-believing school. However, he claims to be a victim of systemic judgment, hatred, and discrimination by SDA policies and culture.
He stated on Twitter:
I’m looking forward to hopefully some helpful insights and advice from integral parties in the next couple of weeks as I continue to fight for the freedom of expression for myself and the rest of the Queer community at SAU.
Fortunately, Austin has a few reasonable friends who advised:
“The institution isn’t being homopho[b]ic and kicking anyone out. They are trying to keep you as a student. All they ask is you dress according to the dress code. How is that a big deal? Just follow the dress code and finish your education.”
Observations
According to this fellow’s Twitter page, he has contacted the ACLU. Of all people..
He claims to be a victim of systemic judgment, hatred, and discrimination by SDA policies and culture.
My wife says he is doing this to get attention. I think she’s right.
It is obvious that Austin sees himself as a courageous social justice warrior standing up against systemic oppression. Actually he’s doing the work of a termite chewing on the biblical foundations of Adventism.
I believe Austin is a victim. He is the victim of lies; the enemy is lying to him about his identity. Some of those lies are:
I’m a woman.
Pretending to be a woman gives me value.
I’m special because I’m morally confused. No, being morally confused makes you confused. A saving relationship with Jesus Christ will replace confusion and rebellion with biblical truth and obedience (Romans 12:2; Isaiah 30:21; 1 Corinthians 14:33).
The good news is that lies in our life can be broken by the power of truth when we humble ourselves and come to Jesus, Who is the Way the Truth and the Life. There is hope and Truth. Pray that this young man renounces lies in his life and finds truth and freedom in Christ (John 14:6; John 8:36). We are ready to publish encouraging testimonies like that.
Good for SAU. Pray that Southern sticks to their biblical convictions, and does not allow themselves to be intimidated by LGBTQ outrage mobs or cancel culture. Or the ever-left ACLU.
That’s the news for now. We will keep you updated when we have more information.
Walk with the King, and be a blessing!
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“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).
