April 17, 2009 is the National Day of Silence, which brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Most of the school children involved plan to remain quiet during the day, or even just between classes or during breaks - not exactly a disruptive protest.
Donald Wildmon, of the American Family Association of Tupelo, Mississippi, sees it differently. In his Action Alert he writes,
...call your local school and ascertain whether they officially or passively allow students to observe "Day of Silence."In other words, will your child's school allow students to not talk throughout the day? Wildmon continues,
Schools do not have to tolerate students remaining silent in class.Say what? How are you going to force students to talk in class?
The issue of anti-LGBT bullying came home to me this week. Last Tuesday my 13-year-old son, who is gay and out, received a verbal death threat from another student in his science class. The student's parents were called in twice and the student was suspended. The school did not, however, contact us until Friday morning.
This is one of those things that, when you hear it, is like getting slapped. As the school official was talking to me I was numb, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. But over the course of the day the enormity of the event began to sink in.
A hate email was sent to my son last night.
What the FUCK is going on? What kind of parents teach their children to threaten another child with death? Donald Wildmon's Christian parents? And MY child is involved in a what Wildmon calls a
...sinful, unnatural and destructive behavior[?]What's more sinful, unnatural and destructive than a little Christian boy being taught to murder another boy?
It's more and more difficult for me to write about religion - about how wacky and weird these people are. They are not. They are dangerous and deluded and un-American. And the "good" Christians - those who profess God but also support gays and women - they create an atmosphere where the dangerous behavior of the Bible banging Christians can find purchase. Without the "good" Christians the rest would be left to twist in the wind - the danger of their thoughts and actions stripped bare for all to see and condemn.
More and more I am convinced that the only way to honor any god is to deny him/her. No God would countenance this hateful behavior and would prefer not to be worshipped at all to having his/her nature perverted as it is throughout the world today.
8 comments:
I am truly sorry to hear about your son's experience with hate. It is a wonder what these people would do if they found that someone they loved were LGB or T. And what can possibly cause such hate??
So, based on your 2nd to last paragraph, Christians are dangerous and un-American? All of us... Since, those of us who are Christian and believe that the message of love applies to all regardless of gender, orientation, etc etc...well, we just enable the haters? I see "good" is in quotes...meaning no such thing as a good Christian??
Hate and threats and violence are not part of the teachings. Anyone who supports such things in the name of God is, I believe, wrong. But, you have just pre-judged millions upon millions of Americans and others around the world.
Do you make a similar argument for, say, Muslims? The "good" Muslims (the ones who follow the Koran but do not strap bombs on their children to blow up other children) simply 'enable' the dangerous ones??
Do you think all students should have to abide by the day of silence? What if a student doesn't want to but feels pressured into it? Is that a free choice? But, I am sure you would be arguing hey, its the student's decision, not the school. The school should give them the option...
Kinda like a 'moment of silence' option..
Yeah, I pretty much think your religion is useless, and, yes, I feel that way about all the Abrahamic religions.
>> What if a student doesn't want to but feels pressured into it?
C'mon - because there are SOO many OUT GAY students pressuring other students?
You are a perfect example of what I'm talking about. You didn't even mention the threat on my son's life - you just wanted to make a point. About what? How you're different? You're not. You talk about "the message of love [that] applies to all" but you don't have anything of the kind to offer.
Well done miss poppy for loving your son so much, both my daughter are really comfortable with gay kids and the younger (10) know that if she decides she is lesbian or bi it would be no issue with her parents. Stand up against the bullies for your child and MAKE the school do it's job or move your child to a healthier school.
And Tony- miss poppy is right, all the abrahmic relgions are appalling even if a few of their adherents are gorgeous people it is despite their religion not because of it.
Well said. I especially like your response to Tony.
I'm very sorry to hear about your son, and I'm appalled that a so-called Christian could be so full of hatred.
Your son is lucky to have such a supportive parent.
Hi
I found your site quite by accident and have been very moved by what you have written here.
That gay hate is not yet placed on the level of say Misogyny or Anti-Semitism ought to be a species-wide disgrace.
I cannot believe the attitude of people like Tony - why the heck not just love people instead of hating, no - because that would be something "Jesus might do" (Bless you George Carlin,we miss ya baby.)
I hope you don't mind if I get on my soap box for a moment, but I thought I'd give Tony's argument a going over.... My responses are in italics.
So, based on your 2nd to last paragraph, Christians are dangerous and un-American? All of us... Since, those of us who are Christian and believe that the message of love applies to all regardless of gender, orientation, etc etc...well, we just enable the haters? I see "good" is in quotes...meaning no such thing as a good Christian??
Got that right. You see the problem is you "moderates" actively enable the monstrous comments of those of the lunatic fringes of religious belief. You make them your leaders, you fund their ludicrous idolsand you dignify everything they do in your support for these institutions. Shame on you.Hate and threats and violence are
not part of the teachings.
Er, what.....?
Proverbs# Beating your children with a rod is a sure sign of parental love. 13:24
# God made bad people for the pleasure of punishing them. 16:4
# Fools are meant to be beaten. 18:6
# Beat your children and don't stop just because they cry. 19:18
# Scorners (skeptics?) should be condemned; fools should be beaten. 19:29
# "The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly." 20:30
# "The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous." 21:18
# Beating your children will make them less foolish. Have you beaten your child today? 22:15
# Beat your children hard and often. Don't worry about hurting them. You may break a few bones and cause some brain damage, but it isn't going to kill them. And even if they do die, they'll be better off. They'll thank you in heaven for beating the hell out of them. 23:13-14
# Whip horses and strike the backs of foolish people with rods. 26:3
# Beating your children will make them wise. 29:15
# Beat your servants (slaves), as though they were your children. 29:19
# If you mock your father or disobey your mother, the ravens will pick out your eyeballs and the eagles will eat them. 30:17
# "The wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood." 30:33Anyone who supports such things in the name of God is, I believe, wrong. But, you have just pre-judged millions upon millions of Americans and others around the world.
No, you are making excuses for people on the margins of faith who would love to hang Gay Teens and want to prevent children having access to medically advised treatment.
It's also useful to point out that both the child and the medical staff were excommunicated by the Catholic Church, - you'll have to bear with me - I need to pause and take a breath - 'cos what's coming next floors me every time I contemplate it - the step father wasn't.Do you make a similar argument for, say, Muslims? The "good" Muslims (the ones who follow the Koran but do not strap bombs on their children to blow up other children) simply 'enable' the dangerous ones??
Oh Shit. The "whatabout other people" argument - gimme a break - grow a spine and justify your OWN beliefs. As it is, I make no similar argument, I make only one argument - these ancient philosophies are hurting people RIGHT NOW Religious institutions take millions of tax-free dollars (and pounds, here, across the pond) to promote a venomous diatribe of bodily shame(clitoral mutilation, circumcision, lack of abortion facilities and obstetric care) and rank hypocrisyDo you think all students should have to abide by the day of silence? What if a student doesn't want to but feels pressured into it? Is that a free choice? But, I am sure you would be arguing hey, its the student's decision, not the school. The school should give them the option...
Kinda like a 'moment of silence' option..
I'd have to congratulate you on this one - it's a beauty. Subtle and it draws you off target - for a moment. Let's do a thought experiment and replace the idea your previous paragraph is proposing - switch gay for black - how is that argument standing up now - because that is essentially what your are talking about here - what the religious haven't quite gotten their heads around is - it is not a CHOICE. Did you make a choice to be straight - of course not, so why should it be any different for anyone else?
Your whole argument is preposterous.Best Wishes.
Thanks, everyone, for your support. I really appreciate it.
Miss Poppy
I'm so sorry that your son [and you] are having to deal with this. It's absurd.
I agree with Kate; if my parents were just half as cool as you, my sister would be able to come out and tell them that her "roommate" of ten years is her life partner.
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