The state's move protects the First Amendment rights of Massachusetts churches to express their beliefs about gender and sexuality and operate their bathrooms in a manner consistent with their theology.

Classifying churches as places of public accommodation is virtually unprecedented and potentially opens them up to variety of anti-discrimination laws that could clash with their beliefs.

Just last month, a federal judge struck down such a categorization in Iowa noting that "state and federal courts have held that churches and programs they host are not places of public accommodation."

In July, Massachusetts lawmakers amended the state's anti-discrimination law to prohibit discrimination in places of public accommodation based on a person's stated gender identity.

The trouble for churches came Sept. 1st, when the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination issued a "Gender Identity Guidance" that said churches could be considered as places of public accommodation under certain conditions. "A church could be seen as place of public accommodation if it holds a secular event, such as a spaghetti supper, that is open to the general public," said the commission.

The guidance says that an individual's gender identity can be identified "by an evidence that the gender identity is sincerely held as a part of the person's core identity." (Screengrab via CBN News)

The guidance goes on to explain that preventing a person from using a bathroom or other sex-segregated facility that's consistent with their gender identity violates the law. It also says that places of public accommodation should follow best practices, such as using pronouns that transgender people prefer, refraining from derogatory comments and avoiding gender-specific dress codes.

The attorney general's office also issued a "Gender Identity Guidance for Public Accommodations" and said that "houses of worship" are places of public accommodation.

Now, the attorney general's office says that its revision to the guidance removes the "categorical reference to 'houses of worship' as an example of a 'place of public accommodation.'"

Genevieve Nadeau, Chief of the Civil Rights Division in the attorney general's office noted that the pastors' lawsuit "caused us to focus on these issues and to make this revision."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Breitbart's AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK: Firebrand Mary Kutter's Poignant Birthday Tribute; 'Through All the Hell and Glory Days You Stand Here With Amazing Grace'

America's Semiquincentennial Begins: Trump Launches Massive National Mall Expo

Woman Removed from Detroit Tigers Game for Wearing 'Jesus Over Pride' Shirt

Netherlands Does the Unthinkable: Euthanize a Young Child

European Country Moves to Ban Islamic Call to Prayer (Video)

Charlie Kirk Judge Denies Tyler Robinson's Attempt to Have Potential Death Penalty Removed

The Reflecting Pool Vandalism Trump Wasn't Supposed to Be Right About

'I Think It Was God': Ex-Mets Pitcher Jenrry Mejia Narrowly Escapes Death as Venezuela Earthquake Strikes Hotel

Venezuelans Comb Quake Rubble in Search for Survivors: 'There Are Still People Alive in There'

The Undercroft: The New Museum Located Underneath the Lincoln Memorial Opens in Time for America's 250th Birthday (Video)

Samaritan's Purse Sending Help to Venezuela after Devastating Earthquakes

Postmaster General Tells Congress USPS Will NOT DELIVER Mail-In Ballots to States That Refuse to Comply with President Trump's Election Integrity Executive Order

US Forces Kill ISIS Leader in Syria Airstrike: CENTCOM

Senate GOP Reverses Course, Rejecting War Powers Resolution after Trump Meeting

Here's What Trump Demanded from Republican Senators Behind Closed Doors

Obama Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Proof of Citizenship Requirement to Vote; Appeal Coming

SCOTUS Decides How Far States May Regulate Concealed Carry in Public

Supreme Court Rules on Endless 'Temporary Protected Status' for Aliens

Strongest Earthquakes in More Than a Century Hit Venezuela, Causing Widespread Damage, Injuries and Death; Trump Says US Ready to Help

Texas Judge Wins Big After Faith-Based Stand on Marriage, Awarded $640K