Thousands of students across the nation will participate on Friday in what has become known as "The Day of Silence" – a vow among students to remain silent throughout the day in recognition and protest of the perceived “silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools.”
First organized in 1996 by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in collaboration with the United States Student Association, the event has become somewhat of a staple throughout schools as students vow not to speak and distribute cards that urge compliance and support for homosexual students.
Conservative groups, however, have been loud in their protest against what they have referred to as an annual endorsement of homosexuality by the nation’s schools – an event, they claim, that is both disruptive and inappropriate.
“It’s outrageous that our neighborhood schools would allow homosexual activism to intrude into the classroom. ‘Day of Silence’ is about coercing students to repudiate traditional morality. It’s time for Christian parents to draw the line — if your children will be exposed to this DOS propaganda in their school, then keep them home for the day,” said Buddy Smith, an administrator of the American Family Association, in a statement.
In response to The Day of Silence, conservative and pro-family groups have organized themselves to oppose the event, urging parents to keep their children away from school that day in a measure of counter protest.
Mission America, among the coalition of groups opposed to The Day of Silence, offers a detailed list of schools participating in the event as well as information for parents about how they can oppose the event.
“This pro-homosexual day communicates clear (and false) messages to ALL students in the school that: homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle; that it has few or no risks; that some people are "born" homosexual, including students; and that those who oppose this behavior are hateful and uninformed,” the group warns in a statement on its Web site.
“We do NOT agree. The Day of Silence is, sadly, a day of deception. The facts do not support the implications noted above. Responsible parents and communities will oppose this message of corruption and well-informed schools that really care about kids will never allow this nonsense to take place on the school campus,” Mission America added.
In response to the attacks on The Day of Silence, Eliza Byard, deputy executive director of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), largely shrugged off criticism of the event.
"This is an opportunity for concerned students to speak out on the issue of violence and aggression against students based on sexual orientation or gender expression," she asserted, according to The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
As The Day of Silence nears, many Christians remain conflicted about how to respond.
“They (Christians) do not affirm homosexual behavior but they also loathe disrespect, harassment or violence toward any one, including their GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) peers,” Dr. Warren Throckmorton, associate professor of Psychology at Grove City College, explained. Continue >>
Comments
People of God,
I think that the tone of this board will soon turn sour if we continue to try to explain the Word of God. When someone does not want to hear the truth, we should resign to pray for them that God will reveal His true will to him.
The only comment I would like to make, would be to correct this statement
"I cannot believe in a God that would allow a baby to be born as a sin (being born gay) and yet it happens."
We are all born with a sin nature. We would chose not to believe so but it is true. Not because God allowed it, but b/c we allowed sin into this world. Sin exists when God is not present. God is not "present" in our lives b/c we chose to do live without Him, or not fully of Him. But yet still He sent His Son to die for us. He loves us that much. I am very close to a man who's been dealing with homosexuality his entire life, and through ferverent prayer, not preaching, the seed of prayer is starting to bud fruit in his life. I don't know what causes homosexuality in one person no more than I know what specific sin caused a life of fornication in my life before the Lord delivered me. I didn't believe that I was out of God's will for what I called "being myself". That is the trick of the enemy that we as individuals have to overcome. No one talked me out of it, but I know many people prayed for my soul. I didn't believe that sexual sin was something I could just stop doing, but with God's help I did.
What music do you know of that glorifies homosexuality? When I was growing up in the 80's, there certainly wasn't any, so yes, it is absurd. I had 2 very loving parents, I was never sexually abused, I played sports, and I got along well with everyone. People act like you must fit one of these stereotypes or reasons for being gay, but that is horribly unscientific of you.
BmoreTeacher
From you post on Wed, Apr 30 at 6:51pm I gather that you are gay. You said nothing happened to you to cause you to be gay. The dynamics of one becoming gay can be very complex. I mentioned at least 5 different senarios in Part 2 of my post to you that can result in someone becoming gay. A lot of people that become gay can usually relate to any of the reasons 1-4 or a combinaion of them. If none of these things happened to you or something similar to them, then it may be because of the music you have listened to. I know that you may think that is aburd but it is not.
If you are gay and can't say that you have experienced anything that would cause you to be that way then go to God and ask Him why you are. He will reveal the reason why to you. Let God help you get delivered from that bondage. God will help you. Continue in your sin and you will perish.
(I flagged myself to make an addition)
BmoreTeacher
Part 1
Re:Choosing sexual orientation
God created everyone hetrosexual. God created the male and female with DNA specific to their sex. God gave the male (female) DNA that establishes his (her) physical attributes and innate desires.
Some of the physical attributes for a male are wide shoulders, narrow hips, a deep voice, hair growth on his face and chest, great potential for strength, and male genitalia. When a male walks his buttocks goes up and down, his hips do not sway, and the fatty portion of the buttocks has a slight sway.
However, the woman is physically the opposite. Some of the woman's physical characteristics are narrow shoulders and wide hips, a higher pitched voice than the male, no facial and chest hair growth, weaker physically, and has different genitalia. When a woman walks her hips have a natural sway to it in addition to the fatty portion of the buttocks swaying slightly.
Some of the male's innate desires are to provide for and protect his family, and to be sexually attracted to the female.The male is sexually aroused by sight. His needs of a woman in his marriage relationship is sexual fulfilment, recreational companionship, an attractive wife, domestic support, and admiration.
However, the woman's innate desires are to be provided for and protected, and to be sexually attracted to the male. The woman is sexually aroused by touch. Her needs in a marriage relationship with her husband is affection, communication, openness and honesty, financial support, and family committment.
The male thinks differently than a woman. He makes decisions with his head and not by his heart (emotions). A male wants the bottom line of an incident. He isn't too concern about all the details on how one arrived at it.
The woman makes decisions based on her heart (emotions) and not through her head. She is more interested in the details of how one arrives at the bottom line of an incident.
For example, say Mother calls her daughter and talks for 60 minutes. Mom tells her daughter all about her visit to the doctor and the problems she had with the contractor who came to do some work on the house. The Mom talks about what the nurses did to her, the problems they had in running the tests, and what the doctor said about her illness. Then she talks about how long it took the guys to repair her roof, how they were taking too long on their lunch break, how they didn't want to clean up there mess, and etc.. But, they did get the roof done. After they hang up, the husband asked about how Mom was doing. The wife wants to go into the details that her mom gave but all the husband is really interested in was, "What did the doctor say was wrong with her and did the roof get fixed." He isn't too concerned with all the details.
BmoreTeacher
Part 2
Men and women were designed differently. God gave definition to the nature of a man (woman) through his (her) DNA.
Your DNA established what you are and all the characteristics that you will posses as I have mentioned above plus other stuff I am sure. If a male (female) posseses other traits contrary to the way God designed them, then it is for a different reason.
There are many different reasons why a person chooses to be a homosexual. Some of the reason are 1) they were sexually abused as a child, 2) they experiemented with homosexual relations, and became a slave to it, 3) they didn't have a loving relationship with their father and found a homosexual that was willing to be that for them and it led to homo sex of which he became a slave to, 4) a daughter (son) was devalued for who she (he) was and wanted to be a male (female) to be accepted, and 5) music influences that glorify homosexuality, and etc. Satan plays a role in each case. Satan is the one who has perverted the thoughts of males (females) to make them think that they were born to be gay.
Homosexuality is a spiritual problem. It is an abomination in the eyes of God. Jesus has compassion for the homosexual and wants to set him/her free from that sin and return to him/her the sexual identity that he/she was born with.
Unless you are gay, you cannot tell me that homosexuality is a choice. It is something that you pretend to know about, yet you have no clue. You are born that way. I cannot believe in a God that would allow a baby to be born as a sin (being born gay) and yet it happens. Nothing happened in my life that would make me choose to be gay, and why would you? What an ignorant thing to suggest. You may not want to hear the truth, you may want to hide behind your Bible, but the fact of the matter is that I am able to live my life as a Christian while merging my life with modern science, something I think Jesus would be all for. Do not be blind like sheep, open your eyes to whats around you and stop calling everything that pushes you out of your comfort zone a temptation from satan or a sin.
How appropriate.
Today's devotional from John MacArthur:
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
"The apostle Paul knew that those in the Corinthian church were being exposed to the heretical theology. This false teaching was having a bad influence on the Corinthians’ behavior. That’s why Paul tells them in today’s verse, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” It is impossible to be around evil people and not be contaminated both by their ideas and their habits.
This glimpse at the situation in Corinth proves that sound doctrine matters and does affect how people live. "
BmooreTeacher:
I understand that there are people who get beat up b/c of things that they do. It is a shame, b/c that violence is sin. But it also doesn't make the Word of God go away. I don't think anyone here believes that violence is acceptable in any situation, and that's not what the day of protest is coming across. I don't want anyone to go to Hell, but out choices send us there, not God. I'm sorry that you would feel ashamed to be a Christian. People may do shameful things while claiming the name of Jesus, but I am NOT ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter what people, believers or not, do. There is a gross misconception that Christians are one class of people that hate and judge everybody else. NOT SO! *I'm an African American female from the South that had a lot of hate residue left from the way my ancestors were treated. It wasn't until I accepted Christ and HIS word was I able to embrace those that didn't love me. Loving them does not mean I condone thier sin, no more than I expected them to condone mine. Some people may be passionate about God's word, and it turns out more aggressive than we might be willing to hear, but read the Bibe for all it's worth. God is love, but He very much hates sin. By your example, I know of many people who are overweight and had been ridiculed, beaten, and one drove to suicide b/c some mean people (NOT CHRISTIANS) hated them. True Christians would not go around brutilizing people b/c of their sin. But, as a Christian I can not stand by and watch someone fall into the pit without offering them a life preserver. No matter what the sin is.
Bmore Teacher- Yes, God does love all of us that is why He sent His one and only son Jesus Christ to pay our sin debt. Make no mistake though, God hates sin. We are all born with sexual desires but God has given us provisions for those desires that is only for our good and best interest. If I feel like I want to have sex with someone other than my husband, should I just because I desire to? Should we all go around doing what ever we want because we have the urge to? No, we overcome by following the Lord and trusting that His ways are best because He wants to give us His best. Some people have more to overcome than others and yes it is difficult but the rewards are beyond comprehension.
Contrite:
1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner.
Psa 51:17 "The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
Isa 57:15 "For thus saith the High and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
Jam 4:4,6b " Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
... Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. "
There is no contrition where pride in sin remains.
God resists the proud.
Sure - lets have a day promoting the dignity of shameless drunkards too!
How about a day promoting the "pride" of habitual liars - after all, they should be able to walk with their head held high for embracing "how God made them".
The Day of Silence in no way encourages homosexuality (it can't be encouraged, it is something determined prenatally, do a bit of research please!) The Day of Silence serves to call awareness to the fact that many students are horrifically assaulted every day because of their sexual orientation. It strives to create dignity for all students. Tell me then, why are Christians so afraid of something that promotes human dignity. Would many of you rather see students being raped and beat up in school because of their sexual orientation? The Bible says gluttony is a sin, maybe we should be allowed to beat up fat kids because of their lifestyle? Is that really how you want to represent yourself and your beliefs? If so, then I am ashamed to call myself a Christian. God loves everyone, including gay and lesbian folks :)
to Feelxxxl, Marriage is a responsibility, both for you and your spouse, i have been married for 8 years and have gone thru stuff that would and have made other marriages fail, but because God loved me and sent the holy spirit, we (my wife and I) have been able to make a wonderful relationship work.
1man: What kind of prayer would you encourage in school? Christian prayer? Muslim prayer? Hindu or Buddist prayer? You're not a US citizen, are you?
John 14_6 said: "It is, in fact, the radical, anti-family, pro-homosexual activists that are doing all of the violence and bullying and discrimination. There are dozens of stories of Christians being attacked and bullied (and in Philiadelphia arrested) by radical homosexual activists. You will not find one story, not one, of any Christian anywhere attacking or bullying a homosexual."
I call baloney. Cite your sources.
Quecat: Well, then, by your account, the Bible doesn't say anything about same sex loving relationships so they must be okay by God.