Maneuvering Motherhood: Focus on the Family Perpetuates ...

It?s very seldom that I read an article that is as revealing as it is horrendous; as heartbreaking as it is encouraging; and as thought provoking as it is nauseating. But when I read an article at Rolling Stone today titled, ?One Town?s War on Gay Teens,? - a repulsive account of nine student suicides caused by bullying ? I cringed. I?m still in shock that such vile behavior ? from so-called Christian adults and their uninformed offspring ? is acceptable ? encouraged, even- in Anoka-Hennipen school district.

It?s a disgrace!

I am appalled and disgusted that parents looked the other way while their children bullied other students? to death. Babies are not born prejudice; it?s a nasty trait they learn from their parents, church, and friends.

I find it incredibly reprehensible that teachers, charged with such responsibility during school hours, failed to support and nurture the bullied kids.

And herein lays my issue: using religion as a shield to promote hate and bigotry. Sure, it?s delicately cloaked in religious dogma; it?s preached under the umbrella of concern. Nevertheless, it has absolutely nothing to do with values, love, or tolerance. And why the individuals who make up our communities have become so accustomed to ignoring the suffering of another is something I cannot comprehend. It?s lunacy!

Using religion to infringe upon another person?s rights is despicable. While Focus on the Family may preach responding to homosexual advocacy in public schools in a loving and fact-based way, their campaign has nothing to do with tolerance. They are, in fact, perpetuating violence and encouraging bullying against LGBTQ students. They?re hypocrites, plain and simple.

I find it difficult to grasp the logic of such religious fundamentalists. I mean, if their belief system is so frail, their grasp on their children so tenuous, that the mere presentation of an alternative perspective, or an open discussion about homosexuality ? or, God forbid, teaching tolerance in a public school ? would encourage their own straight kids to try it, turning them gay, then perhaps it?s time they re-evaluate the relationship they have with their kids and the merits of their religious beliefs.

Perhaps if the insidious preoccupation with gays and lesbians ceased, and they stopped damning them to hell long enough to read their bibles, they may consider that the existence of same-sex couples could very well be their ultimate test ? which is not to ?save? them from the depths of hell, but to love them as you love yourself.

###

If you want your voice heard in a meaningful way, here are a few ways you can help:

Contact the Office of Civil Rights, which is investigating the Anoka-Hennepin school district. Tell them you have read the Rolling Stone article (and/or other articles on the subject) and that you are concerned to see a full investigation carried out. The voice phone for the Minnesota regional office of the Office of Civil Rights is (312)886-2359

Write a letter of concern to the Director of the Office of Civil Rights, stating that you would like a complete and thorough investigation done of the Anoka-Hennepin school district. Here is his contact information:

?

Leon Rodriguez, Director
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Room 509F HHH Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20201

Source: http://carrieella.blogspot.com/2012/02/focus-on-family-perpetuates-violence.html

kevin durant rutgers mark hurd new ipad 3 baylor jodie fisher zooey deschanel