Family Saturday: October 2007 Archives
So the candidates were asked when children should be told about homosexuality. In programs like "It's Elementary", we're not talking about telling kids to be gay, or how to have gay sex. We're talking about different relationships. The fact is that there are kids who have same-sex parents - and it's good to teach kids to not beat up on the ones with same-sex parents, just as it's good to teach them to not beat up on children of divorced parents.
But the way some talk about tolerance, it would seem that it is the worst form of child abuse.
And isn't learning about other people a big part of elementary education? I remember learning about the people of Pompeii and about Umskikuk the Eskimo in Social Studies class. Learning about different people - and to not hate or be afraid of them - is an important part of growing up. After learning to respect people who are different, (we hope) adults will be less likely to attack people based on differences.
Of course, some people are afraid that such programs indoctrinate children into a lifestyle. Perhaps the Pompeii part of 6th grade social studies is what led to toga parties. I don't know - I've never been to a toga party. I have, however, been to Alaska and visited Inuit there. I didn't join them to live there the rest of my life, though.
Perhaps what people really fear is that a broad public school education will counteract the narrow training they give their children at home. It may really be about control - if we limit a child's knowledge, the child will only see limited options as an adult.
"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." - Proverbs 22:6
So what is the right way? Is it the way of judgment of others, or of love for others?
It saddens me that people who are followers of Jesus need the help of public schools to teach their children to love their neighbors. Parents, teach your children to do what you believe is right - but also teach them the love that Jesus had for others - even (perhaps especially) for those who were scorned.
References:
But the way some talk about tolerance, it would seem that it is the worst form of child abuse.
And isn't learning about other people a big part of elementary education? I remember learning about the people of Pompeii and about Umskikuk the Eskimo in Social Studies class. Learning about different people - and to not hate or be afraid of them - is an important part of growing up. After learning to respect people who are different, (we hope) adults will be less likely to attack people based on differences.
Of course, some people are afraid that such programs indoctrinate children into a lifestyle. Perhaps the Pompeii part of 6th grade social studies is what led to toga parties. I don't know - I've never been to a toga party. I have, however, been to Alaska and visited Inuit there. I didn't join them to live there the rest of my life, though.
Perhaps what people really fear is that a broad public school education will counteract the narrow training they give their children at home. It may really be about control - if we limit a child's knowledge, the child will only see limited options as an adult.
"Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray." - Proverbs 22:6
So what is the right way? Is it the way of judgment of others, or of love for others?
It saddens me that people who are followers of Jesus need the help of public schools to teach their children to love their neighbors. Parents, teach your children to do what you believe is right - but also teach them the love that Jesus had for others - even (perhaps especially) for those who were scorned.
References:
So the Arkansas Attorney General decided that a law that said gay people can't adopt was unconstitutional. No matter - the Arkansas legislature went back and said only married couples could adopt.
To put this another way, children may not be adopted by unmarried persons regardless of sexual orientation.
Throughout the Bible - in the Hebrew and Christian books - priests and prophets have spoken of the importance of caring for orphans. Yet Arkansas decided it would be better for these children to be housed in foster and group homes than to find a permanent home with one or more parents.
Children need a loving home. To deny children of the opportunity to be loved is to go against God's law and basic compassion.
Let us put the needs of children first.
References:
To put this another way, children may not be adopted by unmarried persons regardless of sexual orientation.
Throughout the Bible - in the Hebrew and Christian books - priests and prophets have spoken of the importance of caring for orphans. Yet Arkansas decided it would be better for these children to be housed in foster and group homes than to find a permanent home with one or more parents.
Children need a loving home. To deny children of the opportunity to be loved is to go against God's law and basic compassion.
Let us put the needs of children first.
References:
Marriage, it is said in many a wedding homily, is not to be entered into lightly. It is a life-long commitment.
Although gay and lesbian people are often accused of being promiscuous, at least some seem to take marriage as a serious commitment.
A young man named Jonathan Erwin-Frank wrote a powerful essay about marriage. In it, he argues for same-sex marriage for many of the same reasons that opposite-sex couples desire it.
On the other hand, same sex could change marriage.Greta Christina outlines how same-sex marriage could alter the institution - to everyone's benefit.
Same-sex households exist. They are families - some with children, some without. Marriage will strengthen these families. And isn't that what family values are really about?
References:
Although gay and lesbian people are often accused of being promiscuous, at least some seem to take marriage as a serious commitment.
A young man named Jonathan Erwin-Frank wrote a powerful essay about marriage. In it, he argues for same-sex marriage for many of the same reasons that opposite-sex couples desire it.
On the other hand, same sex could change marriage.Greta Christina outlines how same-sex marriage could alter the institution - to everyone's benefit.
Same-sex households exist. They are families - some with children, some without. Marriage will strengthen these families. And isn't that what family values are really about?
References:
- http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=655373
- http://straightnotnarrow.blogspot.com/2007/09/glbt-people-can-believe-in-sanctity-of.html
- http://straightnotnarrow.blogspot.com/2007/09/will-iowa-marriage-ruling-actually-hurt.html
- http://gretachristina.typepad.com/greta_christinas_weblog/2007/10/how-gay-marriag.html
