The Day of Silence

[BreadAlone]

See..to me, trying to get away from violence is one thing.

But, supporting homosexuality is another. The following is something that participants are to hand out to people inquiring about their silence:

Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?

Based on that, I would not support the Day of Silence. Fighting harrasment is one thing..but supporting their agenda is another. I see at as another attempt by the "homosexual community" to impose their "values" on the rest of society..and it's just plain wrong. I don't support sin.

 

[Polycarp1]

See..to me, trying to get away from violence is one thing.

But, supporting homosexuality is another. The following is something that participants are to hand out to people inquiring about their silence:



Based on that, I would not support the Day of Silence. Fighting harrasment is one thing..but supporting their agenda is another. I see at as another attempt by the "homosexual community" to impose their "values" on the rest of society..and it's just plain wrong. I don't support sin.

Clarify, please. I see nothing in the card's contents that a committed Christian should not support. The "injustices" are those done to GBLT students (and those perceived as GBLT) by harassment and bullying. Clearly we are reading it differently; please give me your "take" on it -- why you see it as "supporting their agenda" and supporting sin.

 

[BreadAlone]

Clarify, please. I see nothing in the card's contents that a committed Christian should not support. The "injustices" are those done to GBLT students (and those perceived as GBLT) by harassment and bullying. Clearly we are reading it differently; please give me your "take" on it -- why you see it as "supporting their agenda" and supporting sin.

Firstly, maybe I'm reading it wrong. But to me, it seems to imply that homosexuals are some sort of..oppressed group, like African Americans in the age of slavery and segregation. Far from it. Homosexuals aren't some minority group; they are sinners in need of a Savior. And I'm not going to support anything that would indicate otherwise.

 

[CriticalMassKitten]

Firstly, maybe I'm reading it wrong. But to me, it seems to imply that homosexuals are some sort of..oppressed group, like African Americans in the age of slavery and segregation. Far from it. Homosexuals aren't some minority group; they are sinners in need of a Savior. And I'm not going to support anything that would indicate otherwise.

Oppressed? Yes. Being gay, can I give blood? No. Can I get married, no, which denies me of over a thousand rights. If I'm harassed for being gay, do I know someone will stand up? Of course not, as nobody ever does, not even teachers. In fact, most turn a blind eye to the subject altogether. You can say we aren't a minority all you want, but you can't deny prejudice of other people.

 

[FaithLikeARock]

Well no, homosexuals are oppressed. In the secular world homosexuality is a characteristic so they can be considered a minority. And they face several restrictions and are bullied and persecuted every day.

Plus the card only mentions the GLBT community once and then focuses on stopping the silence as a whole.

 

[BigBadWlf]

Our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters are a minority and they are discriminated against. What you post is like a denial that segregation was a form of oppression. Hate is hate no mater who it is directed against and no matter what excuse those engaging in it come up with as a way to try to justify their actions

 

[BreadAlone]

Our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters are a minority and they are discriminated against. What you post is like a denial that segregation was a form of oppression. Hate is hate no mater who it is directed against and no matter what excuse those engaging in it come up with as a way to try to justify their actions

I agree hate is hate. But I'm not about to push aside my beliefs because someone feels they have the right to disobey the very will of the Creator. No thank you.

 

[CriticalMassKitten]

Our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters are a minority and they are discriminated against. What you post is like a denial that segregation was a form of oppression. Hate is hate no mater who it is directed against and no matter what excuse those engaging in it come up with as a way to try to justify their actions

Yeah, and this is why I find it astonishing when people think it's crazy when others call them bigots. Ok, you can say you think it's wrong all day and you won't hear me say that once, but once you start blatantly lying to cover up harassment against that group, it turns into hate. Just because you don't agree with something doesn't mean that everything that helps that group is evil. For those who follow Christ, especially, shouldn't they be trying to get these people to be treated equally? I'm not saying support gay marriage, obviously those opinions won't change, but at least stop discrimination against a group instead of ignoring the problem and saying they're pushing an agenda. Again, you can disagree with a group and still help them. That's the difference between belief and hate.

 

[BreadAlone]

Yeah, and this is why I find it astonishing when people think it's crazy when others call them bigots. Ok, you can say you think it's wrong all day and you won't hear me say that once, but once you start blatantly lying to cover up harassment against that group, it turns into hate. Just because you don't agree with something doesn't mean that everything that helps that group is evil. For those who follow Christ, especially, shouldn't they be trying to get these people to be treated equally? I'm not saying support gay marriage, obviously those opinions won't change, but at least stop discrimination against a group instead of ignoring the problem and saying they're pushing an agenda. Again, you can disagree with a group and still help them. That's the difference between belief and hate.

I guess it depends on your definition of "help." If by help you mean defend them against abuse and discrimination (like..not allowing them to have a job.) then by all means.

But if by help you mean supporting their homosexuality..then I'll leave that at the door.

 

[Jet_A_Jockey]

Oppressed? Yes. Being gay, can I give blood? No. Can I get married, no, which denies me of over a thousand rights.

I didn't know about the giving blood thing, thats interesting.

And yes you can get married, its just restricted to the opposite sex. I'm not going to argue over the legality of same-sex marriage here, however, as it seems as more of a secular issue than a religious one.

 

[David Brider]

Firstly, maybe I'm reading it wrong. But to me, it seems to imply that homosexuals are some sort of..oppressed group...

Which is possibly because they are an oppressed group. Maybe not oppressed by everyone, but certainly there are some - many - people who seem to think that if someone's a homosexual, that makes them a suitable target for verbal and physical bullying, harassment, and general unpleasantness.

Far from it. Homosexuals aren't some minority group; they are sinners in need of a Savior.

We're all sinners in need of a saviour. That, however, is no reason to condone bullying and harassment against one particular group of people.

David.

 

[David Brider]

But if by help you mean supporting their homosexuality..then I'll leave that at the door.

What exactly do you mean by "supporting their homosexuality"? I mean, they just are homosexual. Standing up for them, fighting for them to have equal rights, isn't going to change that, and neither if bullying them or denying them equal rights. But surely it's better to stand up for them than not to do so. If that's what you mean by "supporting their homosexuality" then I'll have to disagree with you, because as far as I can tell standing up for them is a good thing.

David.

 

[David Brider]

This pro-homosexual day communicates clear (and false) messages to ALL students in the school that:

homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle

Actually, homosexuality isn't a lifestyle, and the Day of Silence says nothing to indicate that it is.

that it has few or no risks

Being homosexual has no risks intrinsic to it.

that some people are "born" homosexual, including students

This is perfectly true, however much some continue to deny it.

and that those who oppose this behavior are hateful and uninformed.

Homosexuality isn't a behaviour, just as it isn't a lifestyle. And yes, those who choose to bully and victimise homosexuals are hateful and uninformed.

What do you all think?

I think you're wrong about a lot of things regarding homosexual men and women.

David.

 

[KCKID]

I'm still waiting for texastig to confirm or deny that he believes that homosexuals are sexual deviants and perverts. I asked this question of him some time back based on a post he submitted on another thread. So far he's remained silent so I would guess that this implies confirmation.

As long as texastig believes that homosexuals are sexual deviants and perverts then debates with him over this topic are pointless. Such a belief is based on gross ignorance of homosexuality and I for one dismiss whatever he has to say on the issue.

 

[OllieFranz]

Clarify, please. I see nothing in the card's contents that a committed Christian should not support. The "injustices" are those done to GBLT students (and those perceived as GBLT) by harassment and bullying. Clearly we are reading it differently; please give me your "take" on it -- why you see it as "supporting their agenda" and supporting sin.

Firstly, maybe I'm reading it wrong. But to me, it seems to imply that homosexuals are some sort of..oppressed group, like African Americans in the age of slavery and segregation. Far from it. Homosexuals aren't some minority group; they are sinners in need of a Savior. And I'm not going to support anything that would indicate otherwise.

There are many children who are harrassed, oppressed, and even endangered in the schools, and they can be divided into groups based on similar characteristics, even if those groups are not the traditional "suspect classes." Some forms of such harrassment (for example giving a "nerd" a "wedgie" or a "swirly") have even become standard fare in slapstick humor.

But in real life, responsible adults do what they can to stop and even to prevent such behavior, in most cases. We are all familiar with stories of school official allowing popular members of sports teams get away with such tactics, but actual cases of it happening are few and far between. Except when the victim is gay, or percieved to be gay. Stories like Billy Wolfe's are far too common.

Being an organization concerned about the health and safety of gay and lesbian youth, GLSEN is naturally concerned about children like Billy, but the Day of Silence is a protest against the harrassment and oppression of all "different" children.

Whether it is the message that you intend to send or not, protesting against the Day of Silence because GLSEN is a gay and lesbian organization sends the message that it is OK to assault and even kill gays. That is the message that Brandon McInerney heard.

Senator Gary George is on record as stating that the killers of Lawrence King and other gay children are not entirely to blame. That they were just reacting against the "gay agenda." That is a reprehensible attitude to take, and if your position is much different from that, the difference is not apparent.

 

[Phinehas2]

Dear KCKID,

I'm still waiting for texastig to confirm or deny that he believes that homosexuals are sexual deviants and perverts.

I feel I can safely answer that for texastig as its obvious. As a fellow Bible believing Christian the word of God in the Bible says that same-sex sex is deviant and error/perversion depending on how one translates it. So the answer to your queston is Christians dont judge others, they just point out what God's revelation on actions are.

As long as texastig believes that homosexuals are sexual deviants and perverts then debates with him over this topic are pointless. Such a belief is based on gross ignorance of homosexuality and I for one dismiss whatever he has to say on the issue.

Not really, a homosexual is one who has a same-sex attraction, some bible believing Christians (the only type of Christian in my view) are therefore homosexuals who believe same-sex sex is error and perversion.

 

[OllieFranz]

So, because you believe that "practicing gays" (or whatever other term you choose to use to distinguish the sinners from other gays) are sexual deviants and perverts, that means it is Ok to send children who may be, or who are suspected of being, gay but are not "practicing gays" to the hospital or the morgue?

That is the message Senator George sends. It is the message that the principal of Billy wolfe's school sends. And it is the message you are sending, whether you intend to or not.

 

[BigBadWlf]

So, because you believe that "practicing gays" (or whatever other term you choose to use to distinguish the sinners from other gays) are sexual deviants and perverts, that means it is Ok to send children who may be, or who are suspected of being, gay but are not "practicing gays" to the hospital or the morgue?

That is the message Senator George sends. It is the message that the principal of Billy wolfe's school sends. And it is the message you are sending, whether you intend to or not.

Excellent post.

I am continually appalled how many deny such motivations yet actively excuse, justify or even encourage hatred and violence against a minority

 

[BigBadWlf]

See..to me, trying to get away from violence is one thing.

But, supporting homosexuality is another. The following is something that participants are to hand out to people inquiring about their silence:



Based on that, I would not support the Day of Silence. Fighting harrasment is one thing..but supporting their agenda is another. I see at as another attempt by the "homosexual community" to impose their "values" on the rest of society..and it's just plain wrong. I don't support sin.

Values like equality, justice, respect dignity, the notion that no member of any minority should live life in fear…why are you opposed to these values?

 

[BigBadWlf]

I agree hate is hate. But I'm not about to push aside my beliefs because someone feels they have the right to disobey the very will of the Creator. No thank you.

You mean like how you choose to disobey?

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35