[echaos]

Here is an interesting article about how some parents are reacting to a school poster. What are your thoughts?

GLBT ~ Poster in the classroom

http://www.freep.com/news/statewire/...4_20050511.htm

School poster urging tolerance of gays riles suburban Detroit parents
May 11, 2005, 1:54 PM
TROY, Mich. (AP) -- A Troy High School classroom poster with a message that "gay people are everyday people," has ignited protests from some parents at the suburban Detroit school.
One of the parents, Anthony Cruz, 49, said he expects about 80 people to join the protest at the next Troy School Board meeting, on May 17. He said the problem with the poster is that the school is supposed to concentrate on academics and leave other matters for after-school time and activities.
Instead, the classroom poster has a "a captive audience," in students, Cruz told The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak. He has two daughters at the school.
Troy School District spokesman Tim McAvoy said Superintendent Janet H. Jopke has met with some parents over the poster and will continue to talk to them about it. He said the poster promotes safety and tolerance.
"We do not allow our students to be harassed for any reason. It is an issue of tolerance," McAvoy said.
He said the poster has been displayed in the Troy High School classroom for two years. The same poster, unveiled in October 2002 at the Affirmation Lesbian-Gay Community Center in Ferndale, isn't posted in any other Troy classroom, McAvoy said.
He said a student group called Human Equal Rights Organization asked for it.
Troy Board of Education member Ida Edmunds said Jopke approved the poster for the classroom with the sanction of the school board.
But Patricia Raezler, 55, a member of Parents Promoting Innocence in Bloomfield Hills, which supports Troy parents in the poster issue, said the school shouldn't be promoting sexuality of any kind.
"We are promoting innocence," said Raezler, whose children attend private school. "Once, these types of things were left up to the parents. Then there was a push to inform and let pupils know about sexuality. It hasn't decreased sexually transmitted diseases."
Rather than have a poster about a particular group, Raezler said, the schools should be promoting tolerance and acceptance of all people.

[Nevada Jen]

As I think about this article it occurs to me that I have turned onto a liberal. Very distressing to me but I will work on that later I guess.

What a ridiculous dispute. There are posters all over high schools that have nothing to do with school. I know there were safe sex, bible study, and political posters all around my school.

There is nothing offensive or sexual about the poster. I shudder to think of the the child that is being raised by the father who thinks this is something that needs to be protested. Will that child raise the next generation of homophobes?

Out of all the things that are wrong in the world that derserve a good protest, this father comes up with that poster?! How embarrassing.

Jen

[LisaCA]

first let me say that this is why I'm afraid to leave CA.

exactly how a poster saying "gay people are everyday people" promotes sex or sexuality I'm not sure. maybe the images are "suggestive" . congrats for the school holding its ground.

The "problem" with GLBT folks is not GLBT folks or behavior but intolerance and prejudice by others. What really breaks my heart to see others who have experienced prejudice themselves turn around and dish it out to others. We've had a few black kids on our college campus wearing the "marriage=one man and one woman" t-shirts-ugh.

that said, I love the name of the group "parents promoting innocence". Not sure what constitutes "innocence".

[mroot]

I consider myself an open-minded conservative from Kentucky, and I see nothing wrong with the poster. In these days of peer pressure, bullying and intolerance, I think it is an important message.

[jwmjwm]

I agree that this dispute is completely ridiculous! I also wanted to point out that this is a high school... these kids will be adults on their own in a year or so. It seems that some of these parents think their teenagers are five-year-olds who can't understand or think for themselves! "Promoting innocence!?" Please. Promoting tolerance - way more important.

[amom4life]

As a Christian who believes everything God says I have a problem with this because He does. In the new Testament He calls same sex relationships an abomination and something He detests. His word on the subject has not changed just because the culture has. I don't believe that tolarence to things He is aganist will fly with Him. I don't believe He would want children to think this is okay just because the world has decided to become tolorant of sin.
Judy

[Jensboys]

Judy -- but the God I know and the Bible I read says nothing about hating the sinner or bullying the sinner or attacking the sinner. I think a WHOLE LOT more Christians could keep that in mind!

Jen

[LisaCA]

This is about tolerance. you can teach your child that this is something that you believe is wrong based on your acceptance of the New testament. The poster doesn't say "go ahead, being gay is fun and endorsed by the state of Michigan and your teacher, you should try it!". it says basically that glbt are people too. Just as the bible doesn't like gambling, those who charge interest on loans, etc., we don't hate those who take part. we can say that we should treat everyone with respect, even those with whom we disagree. as jensboys says it's the sin that you should object to, not the individuals.

Look, as a vegetarian I wish everyone thought of animals the way I do, but they don't. I don't hate omnivores or those who frequent zoos, I don't beat them up, I tolerate them and love them (even married one ). They have their way and I have mine. I don't object to a food pyramid that has meat on it, just because I don't believe that.

I respect your belief. I disagree wholeheartedly, but I respect it. This is about teaching decency, what is acceptable behavior at school, and tolerating others differences is essential there. The statement is about humanizing a group of people-something I believe christianity is all about.

[Jensboys]

Lisa -- you said what I feel VERY clearly.

Its about respect. Its about showing God's love - unconditionally.

Jen

[Lissa]

I too am a Christian and I believe that it is my job as a Christian to love all. I can't say I'm always sucessful, but I always try. My uncle Jimmy was gay...he was murdered because of it. No other reason. Just because he was gay. These hate crimes are motivated by intolerance and self richeousnous. Look to Matthew Shepard, Brandon Teena and Tyra Hunter and you can see how common these crimes are and how accepting people are to the torture, rape and murder (and in the case of Hunter the denial of life saving medical treatment by EMT's) of others just because they are different. Intolerance must not be tolerated!

My husband's uncle who is gay is paying for our adoption. He is accepting and loving and his heart is filled with compassion and I completely believe he is God's instrument to bring us our daughter from China. It is God's right to judge us, it is not our right to judge one another. IF and I say IF Mike is a sinner...better to commit a sin motivated by love, than a sin motivated by hate.

[icunurse]

Hmmm....as a liberal person with 12+ years of Catholic schooling, a few words come to mind....

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

"This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you."

"Love thy neighbor, as thyself..."

(Sister Julia would be so proud! )

[Shoshana]

60 years ago, God's word was used as justification for segregation. 150 years ago, God's word was used as justification for slavery. God's "word" has been used as justification for all sorts of things that, in my humble opinion, are antithetical to the message.

Cultural values have influenced our willingness to eat shellfish and pork even tho' they're prohibited quite stringently in the bible.

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

I really feel the reason there are people upset about the poster is two fold.

1. Mention of anything Christian, or mention of the bible, is enough to get you detention at the best, expelled at the worst, from many Michigan public schools

2. GLBT is being promoted in most Michigan schools as perfectly normal, acceptable, and something that should be considered by all.

So, if a student mentions a quote from the bible - it is considered offensive to some members of a captured audience and not allowed by the school, and the Christian person is seen as intolerant for mentioning something that is offensive to some. But, promote that being gay is normal, also offensive to some members of a captured audience, and it is allowed. In fact, the people offended are considered intolerant.

So, conservative parents are tired of being at the bad end of the stick, no matter what. If they offend someone, they are seen as intolerant. If they are offended, they again are seen as intolerant.

Thus, what seems to be a small issue, such as a poster, provokes a lot of emotion.

[amom4life]

Originally Posted by Jensboys

Judy -- but the God I know and the Bible I read says nothing about hating the sinner or bullying the sinner or attacking the sinner. I think a WHOLE LOT more Christians could keep that in mind!

Jen

You are right there Jensboys, I completely agree with you. I wasn't attacking anyone, bullying anyone in my post or hating anyone. I simply stated what God had to say about the sin of same sex relationships and as Christians we should not support or condone the sin.

I just looked up the scriptures speaking to this particular sin and God makes it crystal clear that those who practice these things and die in their unrepentant sin will not inheriate the Kingdom and that this sexually immoral sin is worthy of death.

You can get as upset with me as you want, but its God who is saying these things not me.

The original poster asked for peoples opinions on this poster they want to put in schools and I gave Gods which in turn is then also mine.

I know several gay/lesbian people and I care about them and even love some of them...they are good people, but it doesn't change that their life style is a sin in the eyes of God or in mine.
Judy

[amom4life]

I couldn't of said it better myself Kay Jarbo and what you said is so prevelant today! Thank you for sharing those truths.

Oh and for you who keep saying hate..that has nothing to do with my opinion. I never said I hated the people I said as a Christian I cannot support or condone the life style. I too agree that hate crimes are horrific and God has a voice on those sins too. And I'm done. Not going to get into back and forth banter.
Judy